Page 51 of Flights and Sights
His smile told me everything I needed to know, but he answered anyway. “I do. I really do. Even if it’s going to be an uphill battle from here on out, I think you made the right choice. You didn’t—don’t—want someone to steamroll you and take over the meadery. You want to do it your way. You’re not just here for profit. You’re here for the love of it. To honor Uncle Paul. It’s one of the things I really… like about you.”
My heart fluttered. He was leaving, yes, but for the time being, he was sitting here and planning a future with me. That counted for something. It counted for a lot. And for the first time since Uncle Paul had his accident I felt like the future wasn’t something to be afraid of. Instead, it was something to look forward to. The future of Celestial Cask was uncertain, but I had Callum by my side and I knew that together, we would figure it out.
Chapter 26 - Callum
Saturday. The final day of the month-long family reunion. After sending my boss a text late on Friday saying I accepted the Fermentation Trail assignment, I woke up to the sounds of my mom cooking, bustling around the kitchen and blasting music, my dad by her side. I sleepily made my way from my bedroom, wearing a soft V-neck and pajama pants, and stood at the breakfast bar, watching my parents for a few moments before they noticed me. They were so happy together. They made it look so easy. Of course, they’d been together for a long, long time. Maybe that was the secret to the ease of their relationship. I wasn’t sure, but I knew I wanted it, too. Someday, with someone. Maybe with Pax.
“Morning,” I said loud enough to be heard over the music.
They turned to me at the same time. “Callum!” Mom said cheerfully.
Dad smiled and waved a spatula at me. “Good morning."
“What’s going on in here?”
Dad nudged Mom with his hip and smiled at her, his expression all heart eyes and love. “We’re just getting ready for the cookout.”
“Already?” I glanced at the clock on the stove. “It’s only nine.”
Mom shrugged. “Ribs have to be started early.”
“Who’s coming today?” I hoped the answer would include Charlie and not Angie or Jacob.
“Everyone,” Dad said. “This cookout is looking like it’ll be the biggest turnout we’ve had this year.”
I whistled quietly. Lucky me. “Do you mind if I invite Paxton again?”
Mom laughed and shook her head. “Honey, we’d be disappointed if you didn’t invite him again.”
“Really?”
“Really,” Dad echoed. “We like him. He’s good for you.”
My cheeks heated. “How so?”
Dad put his spatula on a spoon rest. “He just is. He takes good care of you. Look at how he treated you when you hurt your ankle. And he looks at you like you hung the moon. He’s great with kids and he’s charming and funny. Everyone loves him. Including us.”
I looked away, studying the countertop intensely for a moment. When I looked up again, Mom and Dad were both smiling at me in their gentle, parental kind of way. “I’m glad. I really like him, too.”
“Well, that’s settled.” Mom pressed a quick kiss to Dad’s shoulder before turning to stir something on the stove with a big silicone spoon.
“You haven’t told us what your plan is for after this week,” Dad said carefully. I could tell he was trying to fish for information without pushing too hard.
“Oh,” I said. “I can’t believe I didn’t tell you.” I filled them in on the Fermentation Trail project, both of them listening carefully and nodding along.
When I finished, Mom hummed and tapped her spoon on the pot she was stirring. “That’s interesting.”
I nodded in agreement. “It is. It’s a huge opportunity.” Mom never called things interesting without having something further to say. I waited for her to continue.
“You certainly would be leaving Paxton behind, though, wouldn't you?” she said.
Just the thought made my heart feel like it was filled with lead. “I know. But what choice do I have?”
Mom looked at Dad, who eventually spoke. “You could stay here.”
“Stay?” My eyebrows shot up. “And turn down the assignment of a lifetime?”
“Other assignments will come your way,” he said in a reassuring tone.
