Page 44 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

“Nah. It’s hasn’t been used in years.”

She started in that direction, walking the eighty or ninety yards to the small clearing. Goosebumps skittered along her spine as she studied the tiny two-story cottage. Shuddering, she glanced over her shoulder, making sure Nate wasn’t too far behind.

He picked up his pace as his brow furrowed. “What’s up?”

“Nothing.” She looked toward the cabin again and the overgrown trees around it. “It’s creepy out here.”

“Old cabins tend to have that effect.”

“Why does it always feel as if old places like this watch you? Haunt you?” she said more to herself as she snapped a photo of it, focusing on the single broken window on the top floor in her attempt to capture the sense of unease the area brought.

“I imagine that’s what makes it spooky.”

“I guess so.” She took one more picture and looked at Nate.

“Let’s get one of us.” He came up, taking the camera from around her neck. He got behind her and held the Nikon up somewhat awkwardly as he pressed his cheek close to hers. “Say cheese.”

“Cheese,” she said as she grinned.

He snapped twice and held the camera down for them both to see their images. “You’re photogenic.”

She couldn’t deny that they’d made a pretty picture. “So are you.”

He turned her to him and kissed her. “Thanks for coming.”

“Thanks for the walk.”

He kissed her again.

She cupped his cheeks, deepening the kiss before she drew far enough away to see him clearly. “Nate, I’m sorry I made things uncomfortable.”

He shook his head. “We should go.”

She nodded and took his hand, looking behind her at the cabin, then turned. “This is one place we never have to come back to.”

He chuckled. “You like it that much?”

“Not even close. It gives me the heebie-jeebies.”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders in a solid grip. “I’ll protect you.”

She laughed as they walked off, heading toward the Tahoe parked a couple of miles away along the side of the road.

~~~~

Nate put the Tahoe in Park and got out of the driver’s seat, then met Callie at the hood as fat raindrops began pelting his windshield. He took her hand and pulled her beneath the Carter Island Deli and Bakery awning seconds before the sky opened up. “Looks like we made it just in time.”

Callie laughed as water instantly puddled on the sidewalks and started running toward the sewer grates. “Thank goodness. We would have gotten soaked.”

He hooked two fingers in her belt loops and tugged her closer, caring little that people were most likely gawking as they drove past or staring from the shop windows across the street. He’d given up any illusions of a private life the day he decided to toss his hat into the ring for sheriff, but he knew Callie didn’t feel the same way he did. “Is this okay?”

She hesitated before she nodded and locked her arms around the back of his neck. “Yes.”

He smiled, knowing that PDA wasn’t her thing, but he’d be damned if they were going to spend the next few weeks ducking into alleyways and looking over their shoulders to see who was watching. “Thanks again for coming with me.”

She moved her hands, settling them on the arms of his department-issued jacket, slowly rubbing her palms up and down his triceps. “You’re welcome.”

“Do you think you’re up for the bonfire tonight?”