Page 14 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

“You can trust me. You just wiped shit off my face. You and me, we’ve got something deep here.”

She laughed, then hesitated a second longer. “All right.” She lifted the camera to power it on.

He leaned in close, his chest brushing her arm as he used his body to block the sun’s glare while she flipped through the images. Close-ups of pine boughs or groupings of trees and well-framed shots of the cottage. Ocean waves from a distance and footsteps in the glistening beach sand. She’d captured the textures and depths as if she’d been taking pictures for years. “Callie, these are great.”

She shrugged. “They’re all right.”

He frowned as he looked at her.

“Artists are never happy with their work,” she said with a small smile.

“Apparently not. I really like the one of the trees.” He flipped back until he found it. “I can just see the tease of fall in the leaves.”

“Thank you, but I’m not sure I like the play of shadow here.” She pointed to the left corner of the screen.

He made a sound in his throat, disagreeing with her overly critical assessment as he looked at the last two images of more ocean waves and sand. “You’ve never taken pictures before?”

She shook her head and powered off the camera before letting it dangle again. “Not like these. I’ve pointed and shot friends and family but nothing for fun.”

“When you take more, I’d like to see them.”

She gave a quick nibble on her bottom lip. “Give me a chance to get a little better first.”

“I’m not quite sure how those could get any better.”

“Nate, Captain Bob just radioed in,” Kay’s voice carried through the radio he wore on his hip. “The rides are ten minutes out from the harbor.”

He plucked up the radio. “Copy that. I’ll head over now.”

“I’ll let him know,” Kay responded.

“Thanks.” He put the radio back. “I guess that’s my cue.”

Callie grabbed a black ball cap from the bike basket. “Stay safe.”

“That’s always the plan.” He walked to the Tahoe and stopped with his hand on the door handle. “I’ll see you tonight?”

She nodded. “Six-ish.”

“Six-ish it is.” Getting in, he turned over the engine and merged onto the road, glancing back at Callie in the mirror as she settled the hat on her head and started across the street to the bakery. He’d had to work a little to get her to agree to join in on tonight’s festivities, and technically he would be on the clock the whole time, but he was bound and determined that they were going to have a little fun.

~~~~

Callie watched Nate turn toward the docks as she stepped onto the sidewalk and exhaled a deep breath. It didn’t seem to matter that they’d spoken several times over the last week or that he had a knack for making her laugh. Every time she and Nate said their goodbyes, she found herself slightly off-kilter. When she’d hopped on her bike and headed toward town, she’d wondered if she might see him again. She’d been surprised when she heard him coming up behind her a few minutes ago, but she hadn’t been disappointed.

Over the last few days, she’d replayed their walk on the beach a million times. And maybe she’d thought about the way his strong arm had felt wrapped around her waist while they’d laughed and nearly frozen to death in the Atlantic’s icy waters. She couldn’t deny that there was an attraction. There had been a definite snap of electricity when his hard chest brushed her arm while they looked at the pictures she’d taken, but as far as she was concerned, that didn’t matter. Nate was funny. She liked spending time with him. But the thing she probably loved best was that he had no idea who she was and treated her like any other regular person.

She adjusted her cap, sinking the fabric farther down on her head, and stepped inside Carter Island Deli and Bakery. Top 40 music played through the speakers while Callie breathed in drool-worthy scents: coffee, homemade cookies, and freshly baked bread. She looked around the homey, higher-end space, taking in the old wood floors refinished and stained a dark brown, brick walls with chalkboards showcasing the daily offerings, big leafy green plants scattered here and there, and a couple of tables and chairs with views out the large picture window. She smiled politely at the gray-haired man sipping coffee on one of the stools at the granite counter seating area.

He nodded his greeting and smiled back.

She moved closer to the display case, studying the variety of cookies, prettily decorated chocolate and vanilla cupcakes, and large square-cut brownies. Everything looked wonderful.

A woman came out from the back with a tray of fresh bread. Her coloring was entirely different than her brother’s, yet the Carter resemblance was unmistakable. Nate and Molly Carter shared the same blue eyes and worth-a-second-glance good looks, but Molly’s olive complexion was a product of genetics rather than the sun. Her long brown hair was several shades darker than Nate’s. And where Nate was tall and well built, Molly was right around Callie’s height and petite.

“Good morning,” Molly said as she set the full tray on a rack behind the counter.

Callie sent her a small smile. “Good morning.”