Page 16 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Chapter Six

Callie strolled around Carter Island Park, soaking up the festive atmosphere. The sun was mostly set but the small sleepy town was very much alive. She loved the hay bales arranged here and there and the hundreds of pumpkins and colorful mums scattered about, but it was the white fairy lights twisting and twining through the trees that left her enchanted. She smiled as she trailed her gaze over men and women chatting and laughing while their children ran around the lush grassy spaces. Lately, she’d been happy to duck into dim corners and watch the world around her, but tonight she wanted to be a part of it all.

She moved closer to the big white tent, where a live band played their own rendition of Sister Hazel’s “All For You.” She stopped by the corner post, spotting Nate across the large space holding a baby while he spoke with a small group of people. The familiar rush of butterflies rocketed through her stomach as she watched him gently bouncing the little girl sleeping against his broad chest, his bicep bunching beneath one of his usual black shirts with his movements. He wore khakis along with his radio and gun instead of his typical blue jeans. Tonight, the sheriff was on duty.

The gray-haired man she recognized from Molly’s bakery said something to Nate and nodded in Callie’s direction.

Nate turned his head, locking eyes with her, and one of his slow, sexy grins spread across his gorgeous face.

“Oh, boy,” she muttered when her pulse kicked up another notch. But she raised her hand in a casual wave and smiled back.

Nate handed the baby to a woman standing by his side and headed Callie’s way. “Hey, you made it.”

“Much later than I’d planned,” she said, wincing as she peeked at her watch and saw that it was seven fifteen. “I’m sorry. I’m usually more punctual than this.”

“It’s fine.”

She shook her head. “I sat down on the couch at four to read for a little while; the next thing I knew, it was six twenty.”

He smiled. “That’s what vacation’s all about.”

“I don’t know. I’m starting to think I might have narcolepsy.” And she wasn’t entirely sure she was kidding.

He laughed. “It’s more likely you’re decompressing.”

“I guess so.”

“I’m just glad you could come hang out for a while. You look beautiful, by the way.”

She’d pulled some of her hair back with a barrette and added curls to the ends. Since she was spending a night out on the town, she’d added a little more makeup for an evening look, playing up her eyes. She’d worried that the black spaghetti strap sundress might be too much, so she’d paired it with strappy sandals to keep things casual. “Thank you. You’re dressed up too.”

“Yeah, I had to pull out the khakis tonight,” he said, plucking at his pant leg. “I figure it’s a good idea to remind people I’m serious about my job at least some of the time.”

She grinned, but she had no doubt he was serious about his job all of the time.

A pretty middle-aged woman standing close by made a small tsking noise. “Oh, good heavens, Nathan. Are you going to talk the girl to death or ask her to dance?” The woman winked as she gave him a solid pat on the shoulder and walked off.

“I was working my way up to it,” he called after her, then gave Callie his attention again as the band began playing the first notes of Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight.” He cleared his throat and rubbed at the back of his neck. “Uh, that was Leah Sanderson, Brad’s mom and one of my mother’s best friends. She and Mini feel honor-bound to keep an eye on my sisters and me while my parents are down in Arizona.”

She smiled. “Ah.”

“Would you like to dance?”

“I would love to.”

He took her hand and they walked to the center of the crowded floor. “Does this work for you?”

She nodded. “It’s perfect.”

“All right then.” He kept her hand in his and wrapped his arm around her waist.

She settled her arm around the back of his neck and followed his lead, breathing in his aftershave and laundry soap scent, trying to remember the last time she’d let a man hold her. “The park looks amazing. Very festive.”

“They did a great job with the setup,” he said as his eyes tracked around the grounds before they met hers again. “We always have a solid turnout. Thursday night is kind of our way of celebrating the end of the season before we welcome mainlanders for the rest of the weekend.”

She let herself relax against him. “I’m glad I’m here to enjoy it.”

“Me too. Although I’m sorry you missed dinner.”