Page 197 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

He grinned. “That’s the word around town.”

“Is that your gun?” She pointed to his left side.

He glanced down. “It is.”

She took another step closer. “Do you shoot bad guys with it?”

“I’m not a big fan of shooting anyone.”

She sat in the chair next to him while her mother went to the front desk. “Do you put people in jail?”

He nodded. “Sometimes.”

“What’s that thing?” She pointed to his right side.

“My radio.”

“For songs and stuff?”

“No. This one makes it so I can hear if someone needs my help.” He took it off his belt. “Kay, do you copy?”

“Sure do.” Kay’s voice filled the room. “What’s going on?”

“I’m hanging out over at Dr. Matthew’s for a couple of minutes. We’ve got a friend here who’s not feeling so hot today.” He held the radio up to Meghan’s mouth and nodded. “You can say something.”

“Hi, Kay. It’s Meghan. My tummy’s sick. Mommy says I have a fever and Dr. Matthew says I’ve gotta rest and drink water.”

“Well, everyone here at the sheriff’s office hopes you feel better real soon, sweetie.”

Meghan beamed as she looked at Nate. “She talked to me.”

“Thanks, Kay.” He put the radio back. “She talks to me too. People call her and say they need help, Kay tells me and my deputies, and we do what we can to make things better.”

Meghan nodded.

“Okay, honey. Let’s go.” Tina Frye took Meghan’s hand and smiled at Nate. “Thanks, Nate.”

“No problem.” He looked up and stood when Matthew gestured for him to come in. “Feel better, Meghan.”

“I will.”

Nate smiled again, waving as he walked into exam room two.

“I imagine you made her day.” Matthew handed him an antibacterial cloth. “I’d suggest you wipe down your radio unless you plan to be back here in twenty-four to forty-eight hours with fever and vomiting.”

Nate winced, wiped up his radio, then washed his hands. “Thanks for the heads-up.”

“It’s going around.” Matthew took a seat on his stool. “What can I help you with today?”

“I had a couple of questions about repressed memories.”

Matthew raised his brow.

“I know you’re not a shrink, but I figured you’ve heard of it—know more about that stuff than I do.”

“Is this about Callie?”

He nodded, crossing his arms as he leaned against the examination table. “The dreams she has—nightmares…”