Page 230 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

She nodded again. “Carter Island Arts and Eats: The Stained Glass and Delectable Confections Connection.”

He grinned. “Callie, that’s great.” He expected her to smile. Typically, she did when they talked about plans for the new business. “That’s great,” he repeated, studying her closely. She hadn’t quite been herself since he walked through the door.

“We’re excited.”

So why didn’t she sound like she was? “Are you okay?”

She added the last petal to the flower. “I’m fine.”

“Hey,” he said quietly, lifting her chin so she looked at him.

Her eyes filled as she blinked back tears.

Frowning, he took the paper and pencil from her and set them on the empty cushion. “What’s wrong?”

“I, um, I had another dream.”

“Callie.” He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She snuggled against him, resting her head in the crook of his neck as she gripped him tight. “Because I hate when it happens. Sometimes it’s nice to ignore it for a little while.”

He kissed the top of her head as he slid his hand down her back. “Did you draw what you saw?”

“No.” She eased back enough to look up at him. “It wasn’t like a picture this time. It was more like a movie.”

“What happened?”

“It was dark. I was scared and wandering through the woods.” She sniffled and stopped to compose herself. “There were trees everywhere—sort of like a maze. Then I saw a light in a window. Like the one at the cottage in Brewster’s Forest.”

Yet another link to her being out there, but that wasn’t what mattered right now.

“Someone came to me and picked me up,” she continued as a tear rolled down her cheek. “I’m mostly certain it was a man.”

Nate’s heart kicked up to slamming as he sat them up farther. “Did you see what he looked like?”

She shook her head. “He was silhouetted—just a dark figure.”

“Did he say anything?”

“No. I don’t think so.” Her breath shuddered in and out. “What if you’re right? What if my dreams are memories? I’ve been trying so hard to remember something more, but I can’t.” Another tear fell. “No matter what, I can’t.”

He hugged her tighter, recalling Matthew’s warnings about pushing and the damage it could do. “It was just a theory I had, Callie.”

“But you could be right.”

He shook his head. “We’re not going to worry about that now. It’s all over and you’re safe here with me.”

“I think she might—I think she might be gone, Nate.” She started weeping quietly. “I didn’t want to believe you, but after tonight I feel like I know she’s gone.”

Sighing, he rested his cheek against her hair, wanting nothing more than to find the man in the shadows who’d taken Samantha Fletcher away from her daughter.