Page 237 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Chapter Forty-Three

Callie pulled the covers up to her chin and snuggled deeper into her pillow, fighting the urge to drift awake. A loud crackle and pop had her heartbeat kicking up several notches and her eyes flying open in the dim light. Her gaze wandered from the flames flickering in the huge Carter Mansion fireplace to Nate dressed in his favorite pair of gray sweatpants, sitting on the living room rug close by. Frowning, she sat up, staring at the stacks of papers laid out in front of him. “Nate?”

He turned his head, sending her a small smile. “Hey.”

She glanced at the time on the antique grandfather clock in the corner of the room as she freed herself from her blankets. “What are you doing?”

“Going over some stuff. Looking through some old papers.”

Tucking her hair behind her ear, she stood in Nate’s Red Sox T-shirt she wore as pajamas and walked to where he sat. “Can I help?”

“I appreciate the offer but I’m pretty much done.” He pushed one of the stacks out of the way and lifted his hand to her.

She took it and settled on his lap, sitting so they were face-to-face.

He exhaled a long breath as he wrapped his arms around her. “You’re nice and warm.”

She returned his embrace, settling her head on his shoulder as she ran her hands up and down the smooth skin of his back. “The blanket’s cozy.”

“Mmm. The green checkered. One of my favorites.”

She lifted her head, staring into his tired eyes. “It’s late.” She pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. “I planned to wait up until you came home. I’m sorry I fell asleep.”

“I’m glad you did.”

“When did you get here?”

He glanced at the clock. “A couple of hours ago. We finished processing the scene right after midnight. Mac helped me secure a tarp over the window until Jeremy can get over to it.”

She sighed, remembering splintered glass and broken shards scattered across the living room floor as Nate guided her out the garage door to Roy and Kay. “Did you find anything?”

He shook his head. “No.”

She rested her forehead against his. “I’m sorry.”

He ran his hands through her hair, closing his eyes. “I can’t stop thinking about the way you sounded on the phone—the fear I heard in your voice. I couldn’t get to you fast enough.”

She shook her head, stroking her fingers along the back of his neck. “It’s over now,” she whispered.

“I didn’t know a mile and a half could take so long.”

“We’re both safe.” She kissed him. “We’re both okay.” She touched her lips to his again, wanting to soothe, needing the connection as much as he did.

He cradled her cheeks, taking them deeper, gliding his tongue along hers.

She met him stroke for stroke, getting lost in Nate, banishing the terrors of a horrible, endless evening.

Long moments passed before he drew back. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” She rested her cheek on his shoulder again, studying the papers surrounding them. “What is all of this?”

“The stuff from Silas’s box. Receipts and random paperwork—drawings of jewelry.”

“The stuff Captain Bob brought you?”

“Yeah. I haven’t had much of a chance to take a look so I thought I would tonight.”

She reached to the right, picked up the last paper in the box, and studied a handwritten receipt for a pair of earrings Jimmy Stoddard had bought for his wife back in 1985.