Page 62 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

He walked into the kitchen, making her pulse stutter simply from seeing him. “What’s all this?”

“Centerpieces. Wineglasses I’ve turned into candleholders, and pumpkins and flowers that will hopefully make several tables look pretty.” She wrapped her arms around him and pressed a kiss to his lips, finding herself yearning to touch him whenever they were in the same room.

He rested his hands on her hips. “Everything looks great.”

“Thank you,” she said as she studied her work again. “I didn’t know I had a hand with paint, but I thought I would cross my fingers and give it a try.”

“It appears there’s nothing you can’t do.”

Her smile returned, loving that he thought so. “Sometimes I surprise myself.”

“I’m finding that you surprise me every day.”

She felt her eyes go soft as she held his gaze. How was it possible that a few simple words could touch her so deeply? Nate seemed to have a way of turning her heart into complete goo. “Yeah?”

He nodded. “Stained glass with the ladies last night and centerpieces today.” He kissed her again. “I’d say you’re rockin’ and rollin’.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I wonder if you’d still be saying that if you saw the current state of the cottage kitchen.”

He frowned. “What does that mean?”

“I’ve made quite a mess over the last couple of weeks—cutting and grinding glass for the candleholder projects. I used tarps to protect the floors, but I haven’t had a chance to clean up yet.”

He shrugged. “It’s no big deal.” He reached out, touching one of the white pumpkins. “So, what’s the occasion for pumpkins, flowers, and pretty tables?”

She wrinkled her nose again. “Leah threw a last-minute wedding into Molly’s lap.”

Nate’s frown returned. “No kidding.”

“It was sort of a perfect storm of unfortunate circumstances. Leah’s sister is dealing with some health issues, and the bride and groom are at their wit’s end with their families, so they’ve decided to ditch the big Boston wedding idea and are coming here and kind of eloping on Sunday with fifty of their closest friends. They have big ideas but nothing’s actually planned. Your sister’s freaking out, so I’m handling all things artsy and decorative while Molly takes care of the cake and other desserts. Gwen’s giving dress advice, all while helping the Inn pull together a menu and some wait staff since Cletus and Annie have already implemented their off-season hours.”

Nate raised his brow as he nodded. “Sounds like the three of you have it all worked out.”

She smiled, locking her arms tighter around him, loving everything about her life right now. “That we do. I’ve decided that if the bride likes my ideas for the centerpieces, I’m going to head over to a couple of the antiques stores tomorrow and see if I can grab what I’ll need for the rest of the decorations. I want stuff with a little character and history. Plus, they always have glass pieces on the cheap, which will help keep costs down since the couple’s paying for everything themselves.”

“There you go.” He gave her chin a gentle tug, pulling her closer. “Come back here and give me another taste of your mouth.” He kissed her, drawing out the meeting of their lips. “Delicious. And it smells good in here.”

“Mmm. Beef stew. The biscuits are a little crumbly, but the kale salad is amazing. I found some apples to add to the mix when I was over at the farmer’s market, picking up an order for Molly.”

He wiggled his brow. “I can’t wait. This makes two solid weeks of not opening a can of Chef Boyardee.”

And nearly a month for her on the island. “So, how was crime fighting today?”

“Fairly quiet. I ended up writing Tobias a ticket after Fanny Marstens called into the station to rip me a new asshole about that damn dog of his tearing through her trash.”

Callie laughed.

He grinned and pulled her closer, stuffing his hands in her back jeans pockets. “You think that’s funny?”

She settled her arms around his neck. “I’m afraid I do.”

“I’ll have her call you next time.”

She winced. “No, thanks.”

“I have half a mind to bring that mutt home with me and teach him some manners—like a doggy intervention or whatever.”

Callie smiled with a deep sense of contentment in knowing the people Nate spoke of—that his community was slowly becoming hers too. “You’re such a good man.”