Page 285 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Chapter Fifty-Two

Callie kept a firm grip on Winston’s leash as they ran a steady pace along Route 1. Her left knee radiated with a dull ache every time her shoe made contact with the pavement, yet she pressed on. Technically, she wasn’t supposed to be jogging for at least another week. Brad had advised her to rest and ice her injury, but after the last few days of doing what she could to help Rebecca and Gwen run the bakery for Molly and the turmoil and mess with the Sandersons and the press, she needed the escape. Instead of focusing on her discomfort, she stared out at the mighty Atlantic. The wind was strong and the waves rough—the distant whitecaps and thickening cloud cover along the horizon hinting at another late-fall storm despite the current forty-five-degree temperatures and bold sunshine.

The MacDonald family drove by, giving a quick toot of their horn. Callie tossed up an absent wave, unable to take her eyes off the water as she wondered if the dozen white calla lilies she and Nate had dropped into the sea yesterday afternoon still floated somewhere on the surface or if they’d sunken into the deep blue depths to join her mother at her grave. After twenty-two years, she finally had her answers. Finally, she’d had a chance to start the mourning process and say her goodbyes to the beautiful blond she mostly remembered from a few momentary flashes in time. Samantha Fletcher. Her loving mom who’d sung “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”

She slowed slightly, changing her gait from long, mile-eating strides to an easy jog as Mary’s Hope came into view, the island’s smallest lighthouse. She couldn’t help but smile as she spotted dozens of plump gray seals sunbathing on the jetty rocks surrounding the bold red tower. She’d needed this today—her bluffs and favorite place to think. “We made it,” she said to Winston as they moved closer to the lookout railing and stopped. “Whew.” She bent down, stretching and petting her sweet dog as he wagged his tail. “You liked that, huh? My very own running partner.”

He licked her cheek, wagging his tail faster.

She laughed, looking up as Nate approached in the Tahoe and pulled off the highway, parking in the dirt lot. Standing straight, her heart rate accelerated and butterflies rushed through her belly when he got out, wearing his gun and radio along with his typical blue jeans and department-issue jacket. He was so handsome as the wind played with his hair.

“I had a feeling I might find you out here,” he said as he walked her way and wrapped her up in a hug.

She returned his embrace, breathing in his aftershave and laundry soap scent. “I couldn’t resist taking advantage of the sunshine, especially with the rumors of more snow heading our way.”

“I can’t blame you.” He eased back. “How’s the knee?”

“Not too bad.”

He narrowed his eyes, studying her. “Fibber.”

She grinned. “All right. It’s throbbing—pretty much in time with my heartbeat.”

He chuckled, resting his forehead against hers. “You’re overdoing.”

“A little but I needed this—to run.” She sighed, lifting her hands to rest against his cheeks. “How’s your day going, Sheriff?”

He shrugged. “It’s going.”

She stroked her thumbs along the dark stubble on his jaw, knowing that the last several days had been awful for him: accompanying Evan and Matthew over to the larger jail on the mainland on Monday and dealing with the press—not to mention the shockwaves rushing through town and doing what he could to support her and his best friend. “What can I do, Nate? How can I help you?”

“This right here. Standing here. Just the two of us.”

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, drawing out their meeting of lips. “I’m so sorry you’re hurting.” She kissed him again. “I love you.”

He closed his eyes as he slid his palms up and down her back. “I love you too.”

“Enjoy the view with me,” she whispered.

He nodded and turned toward the railing with her, hooking his arm around her waist as they stared out at the endless blue.

She locked her wrists just above his gun and sighed her contentment, needing this moment just as much as Nate did. “It’s so beautiful—one of my favorite places. Peaceful.”

“I’ll take a little serenity right about now.”

“Mmm.”

“Things are pretty crazy.”

“They are.”

“The press will keep coming and going—bugging you and the Sandersons—every time a trial date comes and goes.”

She nodded, not wanting to think about the intrusions to their life she thought she’d put behind them when she announced her retirement almost three weeks ago. “I know.”

“It’s going to suck for a while.”

She nodded again as she rested her head against his shoulder. “We’ll have to take things a step at a time.”