Page 249 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Gripping Winston’s leash, she stood in the silence, her gaze darting around while the darkness cloaked in around them. She hurried around the house, closing blinds and flipping on the lights, straining her ears for thumps against the walls and taps on the windows. Moments later, she recognized the sound of the Tahoe pulling up and she exhaled a sigh of relief. “Nate’s home.”

~~~~

Nate sat across from Callie at the kitchen table, listening to Winston snoring on his plush new bed tucked in the corner by the fireplace. “Looks like he’s settling right in.”

She smiled, looking over her shoulder in Winston’s direction. “He’s had a busy day.”

“The doggy spa and Tour de Sanderson.”

She smiled as she met Nate’s gaze again. “I want him to feel welcome—to know his way around town.”

“He’ll feel welcome all right. As Kay was walking out the door, she said something about baking him treats. Wise Winston over there still has no idea he hit the jackpot the minute you spotted him slumped over in his cage.”

Her lips curved up as she pushed her spoon around in her bowl of chili. “He deserves the best we have to give him.”

“Agreed. This is good, by the way.” He gestured to his dinner as he spooned up another bite. “It’s nice sitting across from you, enjoying a meal together for a change.”

She nodded. “Yes, it is.”

He studied her as she set her silverware on her salad plate. She’d toyed with her food more than she’d eaten anything. And she hadn’t said much since he walked through the door nearly an hour ago. “So, why aren’t you eating?”

Her gaze darted to his, then to the table as she shrugged. “I’m not very hungry.”

He reached over, taking her hand and sliding his thumb along her knuckles. “Something’s on your mind.”

She jerked her shoulders again. “I guess I was thinking about this afternoon. About Captain Bob.”

“He’s a good guy.” He scooped up more beans and a chunk of tomato smothered in cheese. “I’m glad he came along to help you out.”

She forced another smile and stood, grabbing her dirty dishes. “Yeah.”

Nate frowned as she walked to the counter. “Callie, what’s up?”

“Nothing,” she said as she turned on the water and disposal and dumped her meal down the sink.

Gaining his feet, he walked up behind her, took the bowl from her hand, and hit the switch to turn the disposal off before he shut off the water.

Sighing, she turned, facing him.

He set down her dish and pulled her closer, sliding his hands in the back pockets of her jeans. “Talk to me,” he whispered as he rested his forehead against hers.

She sighed again, settling her palms on his arms. “He sort of creeped me out.”

Nate’s frown returned. “Captain Bob?”

She nodded. “I’m sure that after last night I’m just spooked—overreacting—but he made me really uncomfortable. It was pretty much the longest short ride home.”

He moved to slide his hands up and down her back. “What happened?”

“He mentioned the case—that he knows the locket belongs to my mother.”

Nate lifted his head. “He said that?”

She nodded again. “He told me he put two and two together but then he mentioned something about how my mother and I look alike and how attractive she was—how he has a thing for blondes.”

Nate raised his brow. “He was hitting on you?”

She shook her head. “No. It wasn’t like that. That’s not what’s bothering me. It just seemed like he knew more than he should.” She shuddered. “What if he knows what happened to her? What if my dreams are memories and he’s the shadow man?”