Page 19 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Callie gasped and whirled, her back bumping into Nate’s chest when the overhead lights switched on.

“Jesus,” Nate said. “You just about gave me a heart attack.”

Molly walked closer, wearing pale pink boxers and a stretchy white tank top, her gaze wandering from the display case, to the half-eaten brownie still in Callie’s hand, to her brother. “Damn it, Nate.”

Callie cringed, tossing a look back at Nate, but he was too busy frowning at his sister to notice.

“Chill out. We paid for it.”

Molly settled her hand on her hip. “This isn’t your personal snack bar.”

“Since when?” he asked, resting his palms on Callie’s shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze of reassurance. “What’s up with you?”

“Nothing.” Molly huffed out a breath as she shook her head. “I’m sorry. Jaycee quit on me at the end of her shift this afternoon. Apparently, high school sophomores are too good for eight fifty plus tips. Now I’m shorthanded and I still have stuff to make for the sweet sixteen tomorrow.”

“I can—I’ll help,” Callie spoke up before she had time to think.

Molly looked at her. “Do you have waitressing and/or kitchen experience?”

She’d only ever babysat for a couple of her neighbors in high school. Then, after college, her career had taken off. “No, but I learn quickly.”

“You’re hired.”

Callie nodded, still trying to figure out what had possessed her to do what she’d just done. Her trip to Carter Island was supposed to be her chance to rest and get away from people, not find new employment and expose herself to the masses—if less than two thousand people counted as the masses. But maybe that was it. People here didn’t seem to recognize her. Not once in nearly nine days had someone stopped her for an autograph. On Carter Island, she got to be like everyone else. “Okay.”

“I’ll see you at seven a.m.”

She nodded again and realized she was smiling. “All right.”

“But for now, we’re heading for the rides,” Nate said. “Wanna come with us?”

Molly shook her head as she looked down at her pajamas. “I have paperwork to catch up on in my apartment then I’m going to bed.”

“Are you sure?”

Molly nodded.

“Okay. We’ll see you around.”

They went out the way they came and Nate locked up.

“I thought you said she wouldn’t care.”

“She doesn’t. She has a bug up her butt tonight. I’ve been going in after hours for years. Usually she doesn’t even bother coming downstairs.”

“Maybe she didn’t like that you brought company.”

“Everything’s good. She gave you a job. Are you sure about that, by the way?”

She nodded, remarkably at ease with her impulsive decision. “It’ll be fun.”

Nate lifted his brow. “We have different ideas of what constitutes fun.”

She wanted to do the typical things most people did—that she used to do before her career and Hollywood client list took her down an unexpected path. She loved that men, women, and children all over the world admired her creations, but she’d never wanted the photos and newspaper articles—the endless rumors and speculations about her private life. On Carter Island, she was simply, wonderfully ordinary. “We might, but I know I want to go on those rides.”

“What are you thinking we should hit first?”

“Mmm, how do you feel about the Tilt-A-Whirl?”