Page 51 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

She smiled. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

She settled against him and sighed.

He rested his forehead against her temple and slid his fingers through her hair. “What are you thinking about right now?”

“That this is wonderful.” She sat up and stared into his eyes. “And about how happy I feel. Every part of this is magical.”

“That’s great.”

“Your family’s amazing, Nate.”

“They’re keepers.” He kissed her. “What about yours? You’ve mentioned your brother and sister, but what about your mom and dad? Are they still in Oregon?” he asked her casually, but he needed to know—to understand her.

“Mmm,” she said as she nodded. “I don’t think they’ll ever leave. My parents are timeless—maybe a little old-fashioned, but they’re wonderful.” She smiled. “Mom stayed home with us. She did the whole room mother thing—chaperoned all of our field trips, made cookies and other treats for the bake sales. Dad headed to the office every day—VP of management and finance for one of Portland’s bigger advertising agencies. He always came home in time to help coach my brother’s baseball team.”

“Sounds nice.” And nothing like the tumultuous childhood he’d theorized this morning.

“It was.” She smiled again. “We had a wonderful childhood.”

“Are your brother and sister still in Oregon?”

“Jennifer lives a couple miles from my parents, but Jacob’s in Seattle, so not too far away. They’re both married with kids.”

“So you’re a veteran at the whole aunt thing.”

“Two nieces and twin nephews.”

His eyes widened as he thought of two babies at once. “You’ll have to give me some pointers on being an uncle.”

“Just love them, which is the easiest thing in the world to do. It’s amazing how fast they grow. They’re all getting so big.” Some of the light left her eyes. “I don’t get home very often—not as much as I should.”

“I’m sure your family understands. You’re busy.”

She shook her head. “That’s no excuse. I should try harder. They’ve given me everything. I have no idea who I would be without them.”

He glanced at his sisters still sitting across the flames, unable to imagine his life without them. “I guess we’re pretty lucky, huh?”

“We are.” She surprised him when she reached up and gently brushed the hair back from his forehead.

He fought not to close his eyes and groan as he held her gaze.

“The wind,” she said and dropped her hand, growing shy on him.

He lifted her fingers to his mouth and kissed them.

She snagged her lip with her teeth as her breathing changed.

Christ, she was sexy, and she had no idea. He nipped the pad of her index finger, then settled her hand on his heart.

Her brow furrowed slightly. “You, um, I’m just realizing how tired you look.”

He was exhausted. Completely turned on and exhausted. “A guest in the slammer last night and a pumpkin patch in the middle of Route 1 a couple of hours ago.”

“Aw.” She hugged him. “A sheriff’s work is never done.”

He held her tight and chuckled, loving that she wasn’t holding back tonight. “Sometimes it feels like it.”