Page 208 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

“Yes. I thought I saw all of Callie’s art tonight, but I missed this one.” She walked with Nate closer to one of Callie’s dreamscapes. “It’s funny because I feel like I’ve seen something like this before.”

“It’s sort of abstract like her usual stuff, but I’ve always thought that it looks like a rug.”

“Yes, it certainly does.”

Lily walked over, beaming and flushed as she held a nearly empty glass of red wine. “I just can’t get over how much fun this evening is. Everyone’s so lovely.”

“Lily, am I losing my mind or does this look familiar?”

Lily frowned as she studied the multicolored glass glowing in the lights. “I’ve certainly never seen anything like it.”

“Kind of looks like a rug,” Nate supplied again, feeling in his bones that they might be onto something.

“Yes,” Lily said on a gasp as she gripped Leah’s arm. “That old oriental you and Mini picked out.”

The light dawned for Leah as well, and she pressed her palm to her chest, laughing. “Of course. You’re right. I really thought I was having a senior moment.”

Lily laughed. “You and Mini searched days for just the right piece—ended up going over to the mainland and everything.”

“Oh, I remember.”

“Sounds like quite an adventure,” Nate butted in, eager to keep the conversation going.

Leah laughed again. “It was. Your mom was up to her neck with the redesign over at The Island Bistro, so Mini and I were on our own with the cottage in the woods.”

He forced a chuckle as his heart beat faster. “You had that out in the woods—Brewster’s Forest?”

Leah nodded. “The boys’ old cabin.”

“How about that? Is it still there—the rug? I would love to show Callie. She’d get a kick out of it.”

Leah shook her head regretfully. “I’m nearly certain that went with the rest after the little incident.”

Nate rubbed at the hair standing up on the back of his neck. “Incident?”

Lily clucked her tongue in disapproval. “I’ll never forget it. The mess. We had to get rid of just about everything—dishes, furniture.”

“Tell me the Sandersons didn’t throw themselves a rager,” Nate joked, wanting the details.

Leah laughed. “Not us, Nathan. Evan let some of his friend’s kids use the place. They completely trashed it—broke a bunch of glass and put some holes in the walls. Jeremy spent a couple weeks out there installing new windows and fixing drywall.”

Nate rocked back on his heels. “No kidding?”

Lily nodded. “We had no idea for days until Mini sent her supervisor out to make sure the property was all set for incoming guests. Suffice it to say, they got a different cottage rental.”

He scratched at his head. “Huh.”

“Those were the days,” Lily continued. “The three of us out there trying to help the cleaning crew. And I was big-as-a-house pregnant with Maddie—”

“You were pregnant with Maddie?” Nate interrupted.

Leah nodded. “We were all holding our breaths that I wouldn’t go into labor out there in the woods. I think I ended up going a few days later.”

His mind raced. They’d celebrated Maddie’s birthday midsummer. July. “She’s how old again?”

Lily frowned. “Nathan, you were there at her party.”

He shrugged. “I’m a guy. I don’t remember stuff like that.”

Lily and Leah rolled their eyes. “Twenty-two,” they said in unison.

Son of a bitch, this was huge. “Right. July seventh.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Leah said. “July fourteenth. I see I’m going to have to call you with a reminder of important dates every year—keep you out of the doghouse with Callie.”

He made himself chuckle again, barely holding on to the thread of their conversation. The time frame fit. Everything fucking fit. He needed to get out to Brewster’s Forest. “Thanks for the great story. I’ll have to tell Callie.” He kissed Lily’s cheek, then Leah’s. “Enjoy the rest of your evening. Lily, let me know if you need a ride.”

She looked at her mostly empty glass and grinned. “Sure thing, Sheriff.”

He turned away, his smile disappearing as he moved toward the coat closet and pulled his phone from his pocket, finding Sanchez’s contact information.

Might have something. I’ll check it out tomorrow and get back to you.

He glanced up as he shoved his phone away, catching Matthew’s eye, then the frosty look from the mayor at his brother’s side.

Matthew waved Nate over.

Nate sighed. Passing a few minutes chatting it up with Matthew seemed like a fine idea, dealing with Thomas, not so much. He glanced Callie’s way and winked as she smiled at him. If he were a colossal asshole, he’d duck out early, slap on his boots, and take a hike out to the cabin right now, but tonight was Callie’s. Tomorrow would have to be soon enough.