Page 86 of The Wedding Toast
“I can see that, but… your folks don’t know, do they?”
She closed her eyes and let out a big sigh.“They know that I’m fine.”
“Yeah, but they think you’re working at some job.And you’re not, are you?”
She shrugged.“I didn’t want to lie to them.I love them, you know.”
He reached out to touch her shoulder.“I know that.I’m not giving you a hard time.If you want to know the truth, I understand it.But I can also understand how they’ll feel when they find out.”
She swallowed.“You’re going to tell them?”
“No.But I’m hoping that you will, and soon.I can understand why you told them that you moved out here for a job.I can also understand why they’d worry if they knew that you were doing your pottery instead.But you’re a smart girl.You always have been.”He sighed.“Like I said, I know it’s not my place, but I worry about you, and I feel for them.”
“I know I need to tell them.But… I was kind of hoping that I can get to the point where I can tell them that the pottery is so successful that I don’t need a job.”
He gave her a wry smile.“And just happen to skip the part about telling them that you never had one?”
She nodded sheepishly.“That was the plan.”
“Wasthe plan?”he asked.“You don’t think that’s going to happen?”
She met his gaze.“It sounded like you’re going to tell them before I get the chance.”
He shook his head slowly.“I want to – I won’t lie about that.But how about you keep me updated?That way, I won’t feel so bad about keeping it from them.All they want to know is that you’re doing okay.”
“And I am, honestly.But thank you.And I promise I will – I’ll keep in touch; let you know how I’m doing.And… I did talk to one of Hannah’s friends, and she seems to think that she might be able to help me market my work a bit better.”
Chuck cocked an eyebrow.“And you’d be interested in letting her do that?”
Callie had to laugh.“You know me too well, don’t you?”
He chuckled with her.“I do.But all I’ll say is that these folks might be a bit different from what we’re used to back home, but they seem to do well enough on it.Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to see what this girl has to say for herself.”
Callie nodded.
“How about this – you have a talk to her, see what she has to say, and let me know.Okay?”
“Okay.”She’d only mentioned Delaney as a way to make him feel better.Now she knew that she’d have to follow through.She couldn’t give Chuck her word and then go back on it.
He smiled.“All right, I’ll let you get on.I bet Becca’s waiting for that tea.”
“She is.And thanks, Mr.T.I’ll see you in a little while.”
“You will.”
When she got back to Becca’s dressing room, she set the tea on the table in front of her and stepped back.Becca crossed her eyes at her as the stylist bustled around her.Callie had to laugh.“You’ll be fine,” she assured her.“Drink your tea.”
Becca laughed.“I know.I’m just not used to all of this.”
The stylist smiled at Callie.“Don’t look so smug.You’ll be getting the same treatment soon.”
Callie rolled her eyes and backed away, Becca’s laughter following her.
She went and flopped down on the small sofa near the window and took her phone out of her pocket.It had buzzed while she was in the kitchen, but she didn’t think there was anyone she needed to talk to today who wasn’t already here.
Her tummy did a little flip when she saw Ollie’s name on the screen.
Ollie: How’s it going?Is everything okay over there?Is the bridesmaid managing to keep the bride happy?
