Page 21 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

He lifted his arm, ready to wrap it around her shoulders. “Wanna borrow a little body heat?”

She smiled. “Only if you’re willing to share.”

“Definitely.” He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. She felt good snuggled up against him—right where he wanted her. “Serve and protect, ma’am. That’s my mission.”

She chuckled. “Thanks.”

He grinned. “No problem.”

She relaxed against him. “I love that we can see the water from up here. And the lighthouse.”

“Sanderson Light. The first lighthouse built on the island.”

“I read that there are three, but I’ve only had a chance to see two.”

He nodded. “Point West Lighthouse on the opposite side, then Mary’s Hope over by the bluffs. They form a triangle of sorts. The rocks are treacherous for a good quarter to half a mile all around us. They say more than a few ships went down trying to get to shore.”

“I read about that too. It’s fascinating—the history.”

“Buried treasure, matey,” he said in his best pirate imitation.

She smiled absently as she shook her head. “That’s neat, but I find Mary’s story so captivating and tragic—a young woman waiting for her lost love to come back from sea.”

“She was a Carter.”

“I know.” She smiled, glancing down in a rare shy gesture he hadn’t seen from her in a while. “I like to research when I’m not falling asleep on the couch.”

He chuckled. “There’s a picture of her at the town museum. We have a few at my family’s place too. I can take you over and show you.”

Her eyes brightened. “I would love that.”

He nudged her closer, breathing in her shampoo as strands of her hair tickled his cheek. “You know, legend says Mary and William would meet over at one of the caves on the bluffs. There’s a spot where you can just make out their initials carved into the stone.”

She sat up, her intrigue unmistakable. “I would love to—Do you think you can show me?”

He’d been hoping she would ask. “Tell me when you want to go and we will.”

She grinned this time. “All right.”

“We can go into the lighthouses too. I’ll have to get permission, but we can make it happen.”

She nodded. “I’m definitely going to take you up on a visit to the cave and on seeing pictures of Mary.”

He liked that the place he loved best in the world seemed to be a genuine pleasure to her. “Good.” They came around for their final turn and moments later, the man opened the gate for them to get off. “Thanks,” he said to the attendant, then took Callie’s hand. “Let’s head over to my office and we’ll get you a sweatshirt.”

“Oh, no,” she said, shaking her head. “We don’t have to.”

“It’s getting cold and the sheriff’s station is right over there.” He pointed to the edge of the park.

“All right.”

They walked across the grass to the office. Nate twisted his key in the dead bolt lock, letting them inside.

She stepped in before him. “I have to admit I’ve never been in a police station—or sheriff’s office, in this case.”

“Well, this is where the magic happens.” He walked down the hall to his space and flipped on the light switch.

Callie’s gaze tracked around the room before she moved behind his desk. “May I?” She gestured to one of the two picture frames displayed in the corner.