Page 67 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Chapter Fourteen

Nate stood by the entryway table, hesitating as he glanced at his watch, then reached for his keys and grabbed his jacket. He opened the front door, bracing against the chill in the air, and started through the woods, hoping that he was making the right decision as he headed Callie’s way. He’d waited until seven thirty, half expecting her to come back to the house and have breakfast with him, but she’d stayed at her place instead. Callie had asked him for space, and he’d given her what he could. Three hours was going to have to be enough, because she had an appointment with Matthew in forty-five minutes.

He slowed as he approached the cottage, noting that none of the lights were on despite the gloomy clouds and misting rain. It was possible Callie had fallen back to sleep, but he planned to check on her anyway. After using his key, he shut the door quietly behind him and moved through the tiny, tidy living room, stopping in the messy kitchen. He frowned as he walked closer to the table Callie had covered with a folded blue tarp and stared at a carbon copy sketch of the rug she’d drawn in his office. “How the hell…” He trailed off, picking up the paper, forever fascinated by Callie’s ability to bring anything she saw to life with a few sweeps of her pencil. He set the page down and studied an identical pattern—this one was much bigger—with several pieces of cut glass put into place on the paper like a puzzle.

He turned away and headed for the bedroom, taking careful steps down the hall in his attempt not to startle her awake. He paused in the doorway, his heart rushing to his throat, as he stared at Callie sitting on the edge of the bed with her luggage open next to her on the mattress. “You’re leaving.”

She looked up, her big blue eyes teary and miserable. “I started packing. I planned to be gone on the six o’clock ferry, but I couldn’t make myself zip the suitcase closed.”

His shoulders relaxed a little. This was good. She’d changed her mind.

“I should be taking care of you,” she continued. “That’s the right thing.”

He took a step toward her. “Callie—”

She shook her head as a tear rolled down her cheek. “The best thing I can do for you is get out of your way, so why can’t I leave you?”

He closed the distance between them, sitting next to her and wrapping her up in a hug. “I don’t want you to leave me,” he said quietly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I want you to stay right here.”

She held on tight, taking several steadying breaths. “I’m so sorry I’ve involved you in my problems.” She eased away from him and wiped her cheeks. “I never knew I was quite so selfish.”

He shook his head. “You’re not selfish. How can I make you see that I need you?” He cupped her cheeks, holding her gaze, desperate for her to understand. “I know you just got here. In a lifetime of moments, we’ve known each other for a blink of time, but something changed the day we met. That first moment I saw you… Christ, Callie, I was a goner. I’m still a goner.”

A small smile touched her lips before it faded. “I don’t know how to do this—you and me—but I want to. You’re the best part of my life.”

God, he needed to hear that right now. “We’re chugging right along. A day at a time, right?”

She nodded.

He played his fingers through her hair. “Were you able to get some rest?”

“No. I’ve been too busy cutting glass and trying to pinpoint when I lost my mind.”

“You haven’t lost your mind.” He kissed her. “I want to take you to the clinic. Let’s go see Matthew so we can figure out what’s going on.”

“I can’t just walk in. I need to make an appointment.”

“You kind of have one already.”

She blinked. “I do?”

He nodded. “New patient consultation and exam at eight fifteen. I spoke to Matthew this morning.”

She frowned. “Nate—”

He held up his hand. “I know. I overstepped a little, but you’re worried and I can’t think of anyone I trust more to help us get to the bottom of this.”

She sighed as she nodded. “Okay.” Then she chuckled as she shook her head. “What am I going to do with you?”

He smiled, realizing that they’d weathered the worst of the storm. “Have breakfast with me. I like staring at you across the kitchen table. It’s a great way to start the day.”

She fixed the collar of his black polo beneath his jacket. “We could make apple cider pancakes. I saw a recipe in New England Magazine, and I bought sausage when I was getting ingredients for the stew yesterday.”

“See? A goner.” He pushed her back on the bed and followed. “How could I not be absolutely crazy about you?”

She laughed. “I take it you like the idea.”

“Hell, yeah.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Let’s go cook.”