Page 234 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

“Like the others?” Gwen asked.

She nodded. “It was a little different, but yes. I was wandering around in the woods.” She fisted her hands as her heart rate accelerated even now, remembering the fear of being alone in the dark. “Right as I was waking up, someone picked me up—a man.”

Gwen’s eyes grew wide as she pressed her hand to her chest. “Callie, that’s awful—so scary.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she nodded. “Nate thinks my dreams are actually memories,” she told Gwen, catching her up to speed with the conversation she and Molly had earlier in the week. “I don’t want to believe he’s right, but if he is… I’ve been trying so hard to remember my mother—what happened. Nate believes she’s deceased and there’s a possibility I might know why.”

“But she could be out there—”

Callie shook her head. “After this morning… I can’t say exactly how, but I know Nate’s right about my mother’s death.”

Molly hugged her. “I’m so sorry, Callie.”

She lost her composure. “I don’t remember anything about her but I’m sad.”

“Of course you are.” Gwen moved in, adding her embrace while her big belly pushed into Callie’s side.

She held on to her friends, finding their support nearly as comforting as Nate’s. “I’ve been so angry with her, which makes everything so much worse. She was good to me and someone took her away.”

Molly eased back with tears swimming in her eyes. “What can we do?”

“Just having you here is pretty great. I don’t know what I would—” Callie’s eyes grew wide and her gaze flew to Gwen’s belly when she felt two quick thumps against her waist. “I think Kaitlyn just kicked me.”

“She definitely kicked me.” Gwen slid her hand up and down her shirt in affectionate strokes. “Do your ribs feel like they’re broken too or am I just the lucky one?”

Callie couldn’t help but smile. “I’ve never felt anything like that. It must be wonderful.”

“It’s my favorite part.” Gwen took Callie’s hand and settled it on the side of her stomach.

Callie nibbled her lip and grinned as Kaitlyn continued her show. Somehow there was still wonder in the world even when horrible things were happening. “She’s so strong.”

“And an attention hog just like her mother,” Molly chimed in before she leaned close to Gwen’s stomach and made cooing noises while she talked to her niece.

Gwen glanced over her shoulder toward the door and large picture window facing the street. “This is getting weird. If someone comes in here…”

Callie let loose a watery chuckle, imagining what the three of them had to look like.

Gwen beamed. “That’s better.” She wiped Callie’s cheeks where her mascara had undoubtedly smudged.

“Thanks.” Callie took over with the wiping. “It’s hard not to feel a little better after a magical moment like that.”

Molly stood straight again. “Why don’t you go home—go for one of your runs before it gets dark?”

Callie shook her head. “We might get busy again.”

Molly looked at her watch. “It’s three thirty. You stayed way past your shift for our little meeting, which I appreciate. If people are coming in, they’re looking for a shot of caffeine and a cookie, brownie, or cupcake. I can handle that all by myself.”

“I shouldn’t—”

“Yes, you should,” Gwen interrupted. “Baby Girl wants you to.”

Molly rolled her eyes. “You’re going to have to come up with something new pretty soon.”

“I’m thinking I should be good for at least the next couple of years. I get to speak for my daughter until she can speak for herself.” Gwen batted her lashes as she smiled smugly. “And I know Kaitlyn wants her Aunt Callie to grab a brownie for herself and her Uncle Nate, then go get in a run before she takes a long, hot bubble bath.”

Callie loved the idea. A long run and even longer bath sounded like heaven. “Okay. Kaitlyn’s a genius.”

“Of course she is,” Gwen said, her smug smile back. “I’m sure she’ll come up with something as equally brilliant tomorrow night when we all have dinner together at the Sandersons’.”

“If Brad’s there, she can help me make up my excuse as to why I need to leave early,” Molly chimed in, hooking her arm around Callie again.

Callie chuckled as she walked with her friends into the bakery, eager to grab a couple of brownies and head home.