Page 124 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

“Thank you.”

“You’ll stay with Nate instead of going back to New York next month?”

“Yes.” She hugged his pillow tighter. “I’m not sure when I’m going back to Manhattan.”

“It sounds like you’re right where you belong.” Mom gasped. “You’re father’s home. The garage door is opening right now.”

“Do you want me to tell him?”

“No. Why don’t you let me?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“I love you, Mom. I’m so sorry, but I had to let you know.”

“I love you too. So much, sweetheart. I don’t want you worrying about us. We’re going to be here for you no matter what.”

She sucked in a trembling breath. “Thank you.”

“Is Nate home with you tonight?”

“Yes.”

“You wipe away your tears and go give him a hug. Go on, now.”

“All right. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Okay, honey. Bye.”

“Bye.” She hung up and stared into the dark as she felt another piece of her life changing. Mom assured her everything was going to be okay, but how could anything stay the same? She’d found the picture two days ago, and nothing about her life was recognizable anymore.

~~~~

Nate walked down the hall, boxer-clad and yawning as he stopped in the office doorway. He leaned against the doorframe, watching Callie drawing at his desk—something he rarely got a chance to see unless she was frantically sketching after one of her nightmares. “Hey,” he said quietly, not wanting to startle her.

She paused with her pencil on the paper and looked up, sending him a small smile. “How was your workout?”

“Good,” he said with a nod.

“That’s good.”

He didn’t miss the weariness in her eyes as she sent him another smile and gave her attention back to her work. “What are you up to over there?”

“I’m designing a lamp for the baby. Something pretty for her room.”

He walked over to her side, studying the various patterns he assumed were leaves and flower petals. “You’re going to break out the stained glass?”

She shrugged as she created another petal. “I can see it. It’s been in my head since I bit into the pink cupcake yesterday.”

He crouched down, trailing his finger from her shoulder to her elbow, well aware that Callie was struggling after her phone call with her mom. She’d assured him that everything was fine while they’d finished cleaning up. And he’d let it slide, heading upstairs to lift weights in his small gym and give her some space for a couple of hours. He figured it was a major step in the right direction that she hadn’t booked it over to the cottage after she hung the dish towel over the oven door handle. “Should I stick around or head back upstairs?”

“Do whatever you want.” She sighed as she set her pencil down and met his gaze. “I’m sorry. That was rude.”

“You’re fine.” He tucked her hair back behind her ear. “Talk to me.”

“I just want something to feel normal for a little while. Doing this feels normal—making the images I can see in my head. Knowing what colors and textures I’ll use to bring them to life.” She traced the small freckle on his arm. “Nothing feels okay right now. Everything’s different. I was settling in. I was finding a new way—a life for myself here on the island with you.”