Page 44 of The Wedding Toast
Darlene laughed.“Well, sugar, the sky’s a big place.Maybe it stretches ’em out.”
Zia straightened up, suddenly focused.“They’re the Flying Ones.”
Darlene smiled indulgently.“You could say that.”
“I will say that,” Zia replied, already setting off toward them, cornflower ribbon trailing from one hand.“I need to see what they’re really made of.”
~ ~ ~
Becca stopped the Range Rover when they reached the front gate and put the window down as Slade came out to meet them with a smile.
She and Callie laughed when he saluted and said, “Greetings, Queen of all the Cornflowers.”He gave Callie an apologetic shrug.“Sorry, do you have a title?I’ve been trying to keep track of everyone, but I haven’t heard yours yet.”
Becca leaned back in her seat so that he and Callie could see each other as she said in the most formal voice she could manage, “Greetings, Sir Growly Dragon.It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Lady Sunshine, also known as Miss Callie Clay.”
Slade laughed.“Aww man, you get two names?That’s not fair.”
“It kind of is since the second one is pretty much my real name.My last name’s Claiborne,” she explained.
“Ah, I thought it was to do with your work.”
“So did Zia,” Becca said with a laugh.
Slade shook his head.“That kid’s got us all twisted around her little finger.”
Becca nodded thoughtfully.“Did Ava say anything about her?You had your afternoon with her earlier, didn’t you?”
Slade picked Ava up from school two days a week normally, but since school was out for the summer, they’d decided that they wanted to keep their regular timeslots to just hang out – Becca loved that for both of them.
“She hasn’t met her yet.And I don’t know if it’s a good idea to introduce them.You know what Ava’s like – she’s quieter, tries to stay out of the spotlight.It’d be a shame if she felt overshadowed by little Zia.”
“It would,” Becca agreed.“We should get them together.”
“I was thinking more like keep Zia out of her way,” said Slade.
Becca smiled at him.“That’s because I’m a third-grade teacher and you’re not.If we introduce them, Ava will probably get a lot out of it.If we don’t, then all she’ll know is that everyone loves this other little girl who isn’t like her.”
“Ah, right.”Slade nodded.“They can both come and hang out here with me if you want.I know everyone else is busy getting things ready.”
“That’s okay,” said Becca.“You have enough to do with deliveries.Although now that there are outside people starting to come in, I should talk to Alara.She was okay to let Zia wander around the estate because she knew that there was only family around.I don’t think she’ll like it now that we have all the setup crew coming in.”
Slade grinned.“You know I’m always happy to trade gate duties for babysitting duties.I could hang out with her and Ava and Scooter – John’s good to cover the gate.”
“That might not be a bad idea,” said Becca.“You just might have to convince my mom and Elena – they’ve both taken a shine to her as well.”
“Well, let me know,” said Slade.“Oh, and Willow said she’ll meet the rest of you ladies at Molly’s tonight – don’t wait for her.She had something come up at work so she might be a bit later.”
“Aww, I hope she’ll still come.”
“Oh, she’ll be there – you know Willow; work might slow her down sometimes, but nothing will stop her from doing what she wants to do.”
They left Slade, and Becca drove up toward the house.Callie frowned when an SUV appeared, coming toward them.
“If you want me to keep an eye on Zia, I will,” she said.“I don't think it's fair to let her mom think that she's fine to run around by herself anymore.”She jerked her chin toward the approaching SUV.“There are going to be more and more people coming and going now.”
Becca smiled and waved when she recognized Xander driving and Tori sitting beside him, waving back at her.“Those two are family – that's Xander and Tori.”
“Jacob's brother, and Bentley and Willow's sister, right?”
