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“You mean you don’t want me just to be a stay-at-home mate?”

He laughed, recalling she’d said she would look for a job, but if she wanted to stay home, he was all for it. “I want you any way I can have you.”

She smiled. “Now you’ve said just the right thing. But you’re right. I’ll call Mom and tell her we have news.”

He wondered just how that would go over with her parents, never having met them and not getting her father’s approval.

“Hey, Mom, yeah, yeah, I’m all right. I’m putting this on speakerphone so you and Dad can listen to what I say.”

“Is it serious?” Mom asked.

“Well, yeah, but not a bad thing. A good thing.”

“Dad’s at the grocery store. I’m at an open house, dear.”

“Oh, well, I’ll make it brief then, and we can talk later when you’re both together at home. I’ve found my mate, and we’re getting married. No details on that, but I’ve met his whole family, and everyone is lovely. I’ll be selling my home, so I need you to list it, and I’ll know you’ll get the best deal ever.”

“Where will you live?”

Monica thought her mother would be more surprised! “In White Bear. You love to travel, and the whole family has homesand acreage enough for their parents, brothers, and cousins and their mates and their children.”

“What’s his name?”

“Oh, uh, Andy MacMathan. He has been working with me on a false kidnapping case. He’s a state trooper.”

“Oh. What about your job?”

“I’m giving two weeks' notice after I solve this case. I can’t leave it open like this, but when you meet your mate, he’s the only one for you. He can’t leave his family because he has adorable nephews and a niece of various ages that he loves to pamper, and I want to also.”

Monica smiled at Andy. He smiled back at her. She snapped a picture of him and forwarded it to her mom.

“Oh, he’s handsome.”

“He sure is, and he’s the best partner I’ve ever had.”

“What will you do when you leave the force?”

“I’ll decide that later. He has a week on at work and a week off, so I just want to be off to enjoy being a couple.”

Her mother started to cry.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Now, she hadn’t expected that.

“I’m just so happy for you. I never thought you would ever think of anything other than work. You’re so driven, you know. Are you sure you’ll be fine not working?”

Yes and yes! “After this case, yes. I’ve got to go. We’re almost to the jail and have to question some suspects.”

“I’ll tell Dad, and you can let us know when you can meet us. I’ll also send you a contract to sell your house.”

Now, that sounded like her mother, a top real estate salesperson.

“Okay, Mom. Love you.”

“Love you, dear. And I’m very happy for you.”

They ended the call, and Monica gave a little relieved laugh. “From happy tears that I’m finally settling down—she neverliked that I worked a high-risk job—to wanting to sell my house, and she’ll do so before I’ve even removed the personal things I want to take with me—that’s my mom.”

“That sounds like we need to get up there, pack your things, and have dinner with your family.”