Page 50 of Whispers of Redemption

A slow smile spread over Wade’s features at her teasing, and her heart warmed at the sight.

Then he said carefully, “As well thought out as those suppositions are,” he lifted one brow, “it’s none of those things.”

“Then what?”

Now he was looking downright uncomfortable, squirming a bit in his seat. “It’s just that I’ve...uh...I’ve never actually...”

“What?!” she said, impatient.

“...had a girlfriend before.”

She had just taken a sip of her water again, and now it was her turn to choke. Eyes watering, she put her napkin to her lips and held it there until she stopped coughing. Then she looked at him. “No. Way.” This tall, GQ model boy with his lean bodybuilder frame and gorgeous whiskey eyes. There was no way this guy didn’t have women falling all over him his entire life. “How is that possible?” the question came out in a breath.

His hands cupped his glass of water, and he gave another little shrug. “I dunno. I guess I was focused on parenting my younger brothers until Jake went off to college, and he’s only three years younger than me. Then I just turned my focus onto establishing my career.” He looked up at her then. “Actually, part of the reason I moved here is because Pops and Jake think I don’t have enough of a social life. They think I don’t know how to relax and have fun.”

Cassie recalled what J.P. had said about Whispering Pines being the only place he ever saw Wade relax when he was growing up. She thought of him baking with his Nana, hiking in the woods, and playing on the beach with his brothers. It must have truly eased his burden to let go and let his grandparents take the reins for a while.

“Sounds like they’re probably right,” Cassie said, resting her chin in her hands. “You do seem pretty intense when it comes to your work.”

“I just feel it’s an important job,” he said. “And I want to do it well.”

“And you don’t like amateurs butting in?”

“I told you, I’ve given up trying to stop you from helping us. And I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time,” he added, his golden eyes glinting with amusement. “It’s just that you can be frustrating sometimes. And stubborn. And kind of arrogant. And—”

“Okay, okay, I get it!” She held up her hands in mock surrender. “Why did you ask me out again?”

He laughed.

“But seriously, after that first thing with Lakeside Latté’s camera, I’ve shared everything I found with you guys.”

“That’s true,” he said.

“And talking to Olga, well, I just wanted to make sure she was in the loop. Communication is critical, you know,” she added lightly, licking the salt from one of the tortilla chips off her fingertips. His eyes dropped to her mouth as she did this, and she suddenly felt self-conscious, remembering again that intense moment they’d shared in the hallway of the police headquarters, and then again in the water at the beach party.

The arrival of their entrees rescued her from further contemplation. As they ate, their conversation flowed more easily than she could’ve ever imagined. For all Wade’s stiff, rule-following formality when he was on the job, he actually had a great sense of humor. Plus, she found they shared a number of interests, like outdoor activities and dreams of travel.

As they talked, the flaming sun dipped slowly toward the water, searing a molten path across the waves.

Cassie was having such a good time with him that when their plates were finally cleared away, she realized she wasn’t ready for the evening to end. “Would you like to walk on the beach for a bit?” she asked, surprising herself.

He turned that dazzling smile on her, making her heart race. “Absolutely! Just a sec...” Then he pulled out his cell phone and made a few taps on the screen.

“What was that for?”

He looked up. “Nothing, just checking it off on my list for tonight.”

She looked at him. “You made a list for...you know what, never mind.”

They made their way down the steps off the deck to the sand in front of the restaurant. Cassie took off her sandals and Wade removed his shoes, rolling up the bottoms of his pants. They strolled leisurely along the shoreline, not speaking, just letting the silky waves lap at their ankles. They walked close, their shoulders and hands brushing against each other at times. Cassie felt a ridiculous little thrill each time it happened.

“Here it comes,” Wade said after a few moments.

“What?” Cassie looked up from watching the wet sand squish between her toes.

Wade put his hands gently on both her shoulders and spun her to face the sunset.

“Oooh.” Cassie marveled at how the sky had melted into overlapping swaths of lavender, peach, and deep pink. “There’s nothing like it, is there,” she said with an appreciative sigh.

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