In the Line of Duty Read Online Free

often. Callie washed her hands quickly and grabbed the phone.
    “Hi, Mom,” she said, tucking the phone under her ear and reaching for a skillet. “How is warm, sunny Florida?”
    Her mother’s laugh rolled over the connection. “Neither warm nor sunny at the moment, but no doubt still nicer than Michigan in March.”
    Callie flicked her gaze out the kitchen window, over the melting snow, the patchy brown grass that would soon be mud, and the bare branches. While she’d never regretted moving to Michigan with Jason, some days she missed her native Florida. “You’d be right.”
    They chatted for a minute, then Callie said, “I’ve got to get something going on the stove. I’m going to give you to Eli and Liam.”
    It took only a moment to set them up on speaker, and she returned to the kitchen to get the chicken going. When she went back out to the living room, she heard them all laughing, and wished her mom could be closer. She had, in fact, urged Callie to move back home. But somehow the idea of leaving behind this place where she’d made a life with Jason—even to return to her childhood home—was too much. They’d come here because he’d always wanted to be a firefighter in Grand Rapids, like his dad before him. She’d been happy to accommodate his dream. Now he was gone, but she and her sons were firmly settled in. She didn’t want to uproot them now.
    “Okay, guys, it’s my turn. Say bye to Grandma.”
    They did with a loud chorus, and Callie picked the phone up. “What did they talk about? Legos?”
    “Mmm, somewhat. But mostly about a dog. And a guy.”
    “Matt?” Callie’s mind went completely blank. And when it clicked back in, she realized she’d made a crucial mistake. But still—the boys had noticed Matt? Why? They hadn’t even talked to him. Her mom, of course, pounced on her slip.
    “They didn’t tell me his name. Who is he, Callie? Are you dating someone?” There was no censure in her mother’s voice, only a gentle curiosity. Horror rushed through Callie, followed by a sort of emptiness.
    “No. No, of course not, Mom. Why would I do that?” She tried to keep her tone light, keep this conversation from going any further.
    Jean’s sigh carried over the connection. “Why wouldn’t you? It’s not a bad thing, Callie. You’re young. Gorgeous. There’s no reason you can’t love again.”
    Callie let out a little laugh, but it sounded forced. “Of course there is. I loved my husband, Mom. I’d never—I’d just never.” Especially with a man who’d been his friend.
    “Well, no, of course you wouldn’t if he were alive, honey,” Jean said. “But you don’t have to be alone now he’s gone. He would never want you to be alone. If he’d been able to make sure you were taken care of, he would have.”
    A powerful sorrow pressed on Callie’s chest. “I can take care of us.”
    “Of course you can. And you do. You do a wonderful job of it. But who takes care of you, Callie? And don’t say you do,” she added. “I’m not talking physical care of yourself and you know it. I’m talking emotional. A partner to share the day to day with. You don’t have to be alone. I haven’t wanted to say anything, but since this is the first time the boys have mentioned anyone outside of your little circle, I thought I’d ask.”
    Callie stabbed at the chicken with the spatula, barely able to see the skillet through her tears. “I’m fine, Mom,” she said, even though the thickness of her voice with the tears belied her words. She swallowed hard. “I take care of myself just fine. And Matt is our new neighbor. He’s got a dog that keeps escaping.” She didn’t mention the dog kept coming to her house. Or that Matt was—well, Matt.
    “Is he young? Available?”
    Now Callie had to laugh at the hope in her mother’s voice. “I don’t know how old he is, Mom. Older than me, I’d guess, but not by much. And I’m not interested enough to know if he’s available. He’s