Page 157 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

A hum of moans and murmurs filled the crowded place.

“The press is everywhere—annoying us with their questions, disrupting business and our quiet off-season life—the time we cherish here on the island.”

“Oh, God,” Callie whispered, clutching Nate’s hand tighter.

Nate pulled her closer against his side as he stared at Thomas, waiting for the man he’d known his entire life to get to the point and do what he could to make this better—as he’d told Nate he would try to do when they spoke on the phone briefly yesterday morning.

“But as tough and inconvenient as the last four days have been for us, imagine what this has been like for Nathan and Callie. Nathan’s our fine sheriff and Callie has been nothing but a wonderful addition to Sanderson since she arrived a couple of months ago. I personally consider her one of our own and hope Leah and I can be a comfort to her during such a difficult time. Our hearts and support go out to you both,” Thomas said as he looked at them.

There were several murmurs and nods of agreement among the community, going a long way to soothing Nate. When it counted, Sandersonians always had each other’s backs.

“But what about the press?” Tobias asked. “How long are they gonna stay?”

“If I may.” Callie lifted her hand as she spoke up.

Thomas smiled. “Come on up here, Callie, so we can all hear you.”

“Thank you.” Callie walked up to the front, taking Thomas’s place at the podium. “Good morning, everyone.”

Several folks sent her a warm greeting.

She smiled. “I wanted to take a moment to let you know how sorry I am about all of this. I can only imagine how eager you are to get back to your lives. I’m hoping my statement to the media today will help them move on to another story. Surely there has to be something or someone far more fascinating than me to report about in the news.”

A few people chuckled.

“Thank you all for your patience and support. And Mayor, thank you for your kind words. You’ve all made me feel so welcome.”

“Because you are,” Mini said.

Callie nodded as she blinked back tears.

Mini turned in her chair. “Nathan, how can we get things back to normal around here?”

PR crises certainly weren’t his expertise, but as he met Callie’s watery gaze on his way to the front of the room, he was willing to do and say just about anything to make everything all right again. “Thank you all for coming and standing with Callie and me during this difficult time. I know we’ve all had enough of this mess, so let’s make sure we’re not giving the media anything to work with. If they ask you questions about Callie or me, don’t be afraid to tell them no comment or ignore them completely. That’s what I’ve been doing.”

There were a few more chuckles.

“If we aren’t giving the press their answers—any new gossip for their stories—they’ll move on,” Nate continued. “Currently, this is a law enforcement issue. Go ahead and let me handle it. My deputies and I plan to further limit the locations where the press are allowed to set up. If reporters are in your places of business and they’re not there for a meal or hardware supplies or groceries or the numerous other goods and services we have to offer on the island, then you don’t have to welcome them onto your property. Fines for trespassing and disturbing the peace will be tripled from now on, so don’t be afraid to give Kay a call down at the sheriff’s office and we’ll head over and give you a hand. It’s unfortunate that this is happening, but it’s something we’re going to have to deal with together. Mayor, I’ll let you take things from here.”

Thomas stepped back up to the podium and shook Nate’s hand. “Thank you, Nathan.”

“No problem.” He moved out of the way and followed Callie into the hallway, snagging her wrist before she could get too far ahead of him. “You don’t have to do this.”

She turned, taking his hand. “The moment you had to arrest that idiot for scaring your sister half to death, I did.”

“Callie—”

She shook her head. “People are getting hurt, Nate. That poor woman in Illinois is in the hospital because of me.”

It was his turn to shake his head as he pulled her closer. “None of this is your fault.” She nodded, but it wasn’t hard to see that she didn’t believe him. “It’s not your fault.”

“Staying silent isn’t working. I’ll make my statement. Then, hopefully, this whole thing will lose some of its steam.”

He knew what this would cost her—giving up another piece of her privacy. “Short and to the point. No big details.”

She nodded.

“I’ll be right by your side.”