Page 30 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

“It is. She waited months, hoping somehow he would find his way back to her.”

“But he didn’t,” Callie finished for him.

Nate shook his head. “The night before she was set to marry the man from Boston, they think she came here to the cave, then walked into the water to finally be with William.”

“What a terribly beautiful story.” She moved her fingers to trace the letters for the third time.

He lifted his hand, placing his finger on top of hers, following the same path as he breathed in the scent of her hair. “I’m divorced,” he blurted out, needing to put that out there.

She turned her head and held his gaze.

“I don’t know what we’re doing here—you and me. Maybe we’re not doing anything at all, but those are my cards laid out on the table.”

“Okay.”

He dropped his hand to his side, not quite sure what her one-word answer meant.

She took his hand and gave his fingers a gentle squeeze. “My life is an absolute mess. I have no idea who I am or what I want anymore.”

He sent her a small smile and let his flashlight fall to the sand as he lifted his hand and tucked the soft strands of hair escaping her ponytail behind her ear. “Sounds to me like you’ve come to the right place.”

She smiled back as her breathing changed.

He let his fingers wander along her jaw, wanting to kiss her and finally know what she tasted like, but he let his hand fall away, well aware that the shadows of last night still lingered on today. When he kissed Callie for the first time, she would have no doubts that he wanted her for all the right reasons. “Have dinner with me Sunday. I’m on call, but anyone who’s coming in for the fair will be gone by then. Things should be relatively quiet.”

She nodded. “All right.”

“I’ll take you to the Inn. They have the best scallops I’ve ever—”

“Nate, do you copy?” Kay’s voice played through his radio.

Sighing, he picked it up. “Yeah. What’s going on?”

“Denny just got a call from Britney. Selena had a bad fall off the swing set. Denny’s on his way over to meet them at the clinic. Britney’s pretty sure Selena has a broken arm.”

Nate winced, thinking of his deputy’s four-year-old daughter. “Tell him not to worry about coming back in. We’ll keep him on call just in case we need him later, but Selena’s the first priority.”

“Sure thing, Nate.”

“I’ll head back to the station.”

“Copy that.”

He put the radio back on his belt. “Looks like we’re going to have to cut this short.”

Callie reached down and picked up his flashlight. “That’s okay.”

He took her hand as they started the steep trip back to the Tahoe. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to drop you off at the cottage. I’ll have Shawn or Mac bring your bike out on their next patrol.”

“Sure.”

He opened the passenger door for Callie, wanting to get back to town. The ferry was due to dock in less than an hour with another boatful of mainlanders ready to enjoy the festivities. He turned over the ignition and turned a uey on the highway, keeping his speed steady as he started back home. This wasn’t exactly the ending he’d been hoping for when he invited Callie to the cave, but this was the one they were getting.

“Thank you for bringing me to the bluffs.”

“I’m sorry we couldn’t stay longer.”

She shook her head. “I saw what I was hoping to see, and you need to get back to work.”