Page 187 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Chapter Thirty-Two

Nate closed himself inside the house he’d grown up in and took off his boots and coat in the small mudroom. He stepped through the doorway into the kitchen, studying the older, black-haired woman flipping through a magazine at the table.

She looked up and smiled at him. “Hello.”

He smiled back, realizing he was nervous. “Hi.”

She stood. “Gwen wanted me to tell you that she and Molly will be bringing home dinner at five thirty when they finish with work.”

“Great.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and pulled them back out. “Uh, we haven’t officially met.” He walked over and extended his hand. “I’m Nate Carter.”

She smiled again as she accepted his hand. “Nate, I’m Moira. I can’t thank you enough for all that you’ve done for my daughter.”

He wondered how Moira would feel if she knew he was the reason her daughter had started crying a couple of hours ago. “It’s been my pleasure.” He looked toward the ceiling in the quiet. “Is Callie still sleeping?”

Moira nodded. “We talked for a while before she finally closed her eyes.”

“I should probably check on her.”

“She’s going to be okay.” She touched a gentle hand to his arm. “My Callie—our Callie—is so strong. Too strong.”

He nodded, understanding entirely. “Do you—can I get you some coffee or tea or something to eat?”

“I still have coffee in my mug, but I’m hoping we might find a chance to talk before I head over to the hotel.”

He frowned. “You should stay here. There’s plenty of room—more than enough bedrooms to spare.”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to intrude.”

“You aren’t. I think Callie would love having you close.”

She nodded. “All right. That’s very kind of you.”

“Do you—We can talk now. I can get a fire started in the living room.”

“That would be lovely. Your home is lovely.”

“This is Gwen’s—my parents’ place. I live a couple miles back in the other direction.”

“Callie mentioned you’re staying here until things settle down with the press—until your sister’s husband gets home from overseas.”

He nodded. “Gwen had an unwanted visitor the other night.”

Moira’s gaze darted to his gun. “I heard about that too.”

He smiled. “Come on into the living room. I’m pretty sure my parents’ couch is one of the most comfortable on the island.”

She picked up her coffee cup and followed as he led the way. “The whole house is comfortable—warm and beautiful.”

“My mom’s an interior designer. She’s pretty good with colors and fabrics and all of that knick-knacky stuff. My house looks far better than it should for a bachelor pad.”

Moira chuckled.

He grinned, finding it easy to relax in Moira’s company. “So, when did you get in?”

“Right around two. I imagine I should have told Callie I was coming, but she always insists she’s fine even when she’s not. I didn’t want to give her an opportunity to tell me no. I’m only here for a couple of days in any case.”

“We’re glad you could make it.” He crouched down in front of the enormous stone fireplace and got to work on dealing with kindling, a match, and a few pieces of crumpled up newspapers. Within seconds, the dry logs were going up in flames. “There we go.”