Page 270 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Chapter Forty-Nine

Callie gave the melted chocolate and egg yolk concoction she was whipping into a creamy froth a final stir and poured it into the center of her half-baked piecrust.

“Callie, I can already tell that’s going to be heaven on a plate. I don’t know if I’ll be able to wait until tomorrow to eat it,” Rebecca Carter said as she pulled two apple pies from the oven.

Callie smiled at Nate’s mom as she set yet another dirty bowl in the crowded sink. “Hopefully this will pass Molly’s taste test. It’s hard not to be a little intimidated when your baker friend puts your best cooking efforts to shame almost every day.”

Rebecca laughed—a sound so similar to Gwen’s.

Callie’s smile bloomed into a grin as she slid Rebecca another glance, completely fascinated by how much Nate and his siblings looked like their mother. During the last few hours, Callie had discovered that Rebecca’s children had inherited their genuine warmth and great senses of humor from her as well. Henry Carter was lovely too—much quieter, compassionate, and insightful. Nate was a wonderful combination of both his parents. “I think it’s safe to say that Molly’s a genius in the kitchen.”

Rebecca nodded. “Yes. My little girl has always had a knack with baked goods, but this crab dip we’ve been snacking on is nothing short of fabulous.” She grabbed a cracker, scooped up chunks of crab and green onion, and bit in, wiggling her brow.

“I’m glad you like it.” Although Callie hadn’t done much more than sample one of her favorite appetizers when she usually was happy to dive into the melding of sinful cream-cheesy flavors. Her stomach was still too raw and her head a little achy—the aftermath of a long, terrifying night that had shaken her to her core. Even now, her eyes were puffy from her bouts of endless crying. She’d seen her mother dead—bleeding and murdered on the cottage floor—yet she refused to acknowledge the heart-crushing pain. Today she wanted to stay busy, ignoring Matthew’s advice to rest when he’d stopped by to check on her this morning. She didn’t want to have time to let her mind wander and remember. That’s why Rebecca’s visit had been a beautiful, welcome distraction—keeping her too busy to think, which had most likely been Nate’s plan when he suggested his mother stay and give Callie a hand with the baking. All she wanted was normalcy—for the void of her past to come back and help her forget everything again.

“Let’s get that beautiful treat of yours in to bake,” Rebecca said, opening the oven door for Callie.

Callie put the pie plate on a cookie sheet and set the dish on the oven’s middle rack. “Perfect.”

“I guess that means we have thirty-five minutes.” Rebecca tossed a baleful look around the messy kitchen. “Enough time to clean.”

Callie wrinkled her nose. “Unfortunately, yes.”

Hope filled Rebecca’s eyes as her gaze wandered to the garage door. “Or we can procrastinate and you can show me your art. I’ve heard so much about your talent. I hate that I’ve been missing out.”

Callie nodded, loving the idea. “Sure.”

The front door opened and Nate stepped inside. Callie smiled, meeting his gaze as he walked down the short hallway. “Welcome home, Sheriff.”

“Hey.” He winked, stopping to give Winston a quick rub as their sweet dog hurried over to Nate’s side, wagging his tail. “Hey, buddy. Kay missed you today.” He gave Winston one more solid pat, then turned his attention back to Callie. “I figured I’d take calls from the house with my radio since Kay took a half day and things are relatively quiet.” He wrapped her up in a hug.

She closed her eyes, returning his embrace. “We’re happy to have you.”

He kissed the top of her head as he moved his hands up and down her back. “How are you?”

“Good.”

He eased back, studying her.

“I’m good,” she reassured him, kissing his lips, wanting Nate to believe her because she wanted it to be true. She yearned to be completely fine.

He nodded. “It smells great in here.”

“A cherry, two apple, plus the chocolate fudge pie that’s currently in the oven,” Rebecca said. “I think there’s going to be enough to feed a small country.”

Nate smiled. “Now that’s what I’m talking about.” He walked over to his mom and gave her a hug. “Thanks for coming and spending the day.”

“It’s been my pleasure.” Rebecca kissed his cheek. “Where’s your dad? Still helping Molly?”

Nate nodded. “They were getting slammed when I drove by.”

Callie winced, remembering the insane number of desserts Molly was still baking when Callie left for home last night. “Maybe I should go give them a hand.”

“Are you kidding?” Nate walked back to her, hooking his arm around her waist. “They love this—a tradition that started when Molly first opened the bakery and she couldn’t afford to pay her staff overtime. Sheriff Henry Carter hopped behind the counter the day before Thanksgiving to give his daughter a hand. Now this is their thing.”

Nate had told Callie the story earlier at the breakfast table. She couldn’t help but envy the Carter Clan’s deeply entrenched connection, even when she had a wonderful family of her own. But it would never be the same with her and the Davises. “I’m glad they’re having fun.”

“Callie and I are going to have some fun too,” Rebecca said. “She’s going to put me out of my misery and finally show me her art.”