Page 121 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Gwen sniffled as she nodded. “You don’t remember her? Your mother?”

Callie shook her head. “I don’t remember anything before my move to Oregon. I wish I did. I’ve tried over the years, but there’s nothing.”

Gwen’s bottom lip trembled as more tears rolled down her cheeks. “That’s so sad.”

Callie sent Gwen a sympathetic smile, knowing her story had to be all the worse for Gwen: her pregnancy hormones were out of control, and she was expecting a daughter of her own. “I’ve had such a good life. I’m so lucky.”

Gwen nodded again. “I’m just so sorry.”

“Callie’s hanging in there,” Nate said as he hooked his arm around Callie’s shoulders and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

Callie leaned against his side—her rock. “Yes, I am.”

“What can we do?” Molly asked from her chair next to Gwen’s, holding her sister’s other hand.

“Having you here—knowing I have all of your support—is more than I could ask for.”

Molly frowned. “There has to be more than that.”

“Keep my secret,” Callie suggested.

Gwen let go of Molly and blotted under her eyes. “That goes without saying.”

Nate spoke again. “Currently, we don’t have a whole lot to work with, but we’re hoping our meeting with the waitress who found Callie will change that—point us in some new directions.”

Molly met Callie’s gaze across the table. “Next Friday, right? You’ll need the day off.”

Callie nibbled her lip, battling a wave of guilt. “I hate the idea of leaving you shorthanded.”

Molly shrugged. “We’ll do some extra prep on Thursday and everything should be fine. You have next weekend off anyway. Might as well enjoy three days.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t like that I’m ducking out on you.”

Molly jerked her shoulders again. “It’s not like it’s summer. I’ve flown solo on several occasions. It’ll be fine this time too. Plus Baby Mama here can come in and keep me company.”

Gwen nodded. “I can do that. It’ll only cost you a bowl of soup and a brownie.”

“See? It’s a bargain, really. Even though we all know she actually means two or three brownies.”

Callie grinned when Gwen glared. This was what she needed after two very long days. Friends, comfort, humor. “I’ve eaten two brownies in one day,” Callie confessed. “It was worth the sugar crash and stomachache.”

“That’s it,” Molly said as she pulled out her phone. “I’m making a note to dock your pay.”

Callie laughed.

Gwen’s chuckle turned into a yawn as she snuck a peek at her watch.

Callie studied Gwen’s teary, tired eyes. “You should go home.”

Gwen shook her head. “I don’t want to be rude. I just need to be back at the house by eight thirty. Liam and I are FaceTiming before I fall asleep.”

“Where is he, anyway?” Nate wanted to know as he started stacking dessert plates.

“Beijing until Sunday. He thinks he’ll be home for a couple of weeks before they send him off again.”

Nate grabbed the forks next. “Business must be booming.”

“That’s what I hear.” Gwen shrugged. “I knew there were going to be sacrifices with him splitting time between the office and the island. He moved here for me. I just didn’t realize it was going to be quite this crazy—especially with all the traveling he’s doing.” She shrugged again before she pushed back in her chair. “Anyway, thank you for dinner and dessert. Everything was delicious.”