In the Shadow of the Shield (Secret Lives Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

to his shotgun?”
    “Of course not! That’s so antiquated.”
    Only her kid would use the term antiquated. “So, you want to tell me what Lily and Chris were talking about in those texts you found?”
    “Not really.”
    “Want to explain how you found them?”
    “Nope.”
    Jackson concentrated on cleaning every last drop of ice cream out his bowl while she watched her son, feeling a little bit sad. It cut her to the heart when her only son hurt.
    She reached out and placed a hand on his arm. “Things always happen for a reason, Jack. We don’t always know or understand why, but the good Lord always has a plan.”
    He dropped his bowl and spoon in the dishwasher. “I suppose. Although I wish I knew why that plan included Dad dying.”
    “Me too, honey. Me too.”
    Jackson kissed her on the cheek. “I’m tired, Mom. Are you going to bed too?”
    “In a bit, honey. I’m not quite ready yet.”
    “Okay, well, don’t stay up too late. Good night.”
    He left her standing in the kitchen and headed up the stairs to his bedroom. Silence filled the house again. Still wired from her successful night on the call line, Diana needed to share her news with someone. It had been months since she joined her girlfriends online in their regular late night chats. Since she was getting things back to normal, it seemed like a good idea to see what they were up to.
    Heading back into her office with her laptop computer, she settled in at the desk and logged in. Her girlfriends had the late night habit of chatting online while their respective husbands worked. They were all married to cops who worked the night shift, like she had been. She hadn’t joined them in months; it had felt sort of wrong since Donnie died. Diana wasn’t technically a police wife anymore, but she really missed her girlfriends and she did have big news she needed to share with someone.
    When she reached their favorite social networking site, Cyndi, Angela, and Jessy were all logged in and chatting already.
     
    Diana: Hello ladies! It’s 2 a.m., do you know where your husbands are?
     
    Cyndi: Diana! OMG I am so happy to “see” you!
     
    Angela: Me too!
     
    Jessy: It’s been sooo long! I’ve really missed you.
     
    Diana: Aw, I’ve missed all of you as well.
     
    Angela: So, what’s going on?
     
    Diana: I missed you ladies a whole bunch.
     
    Cyndi: I’m so excited to have you back, Di. How are you feeling?
     
    Diana: A lot better actually. You will never guess what I did tonight?
     
    Jessy: Stayed up late and finally dropped in to see us? LOL
     
    Diana: LOL Yes! But I also went back to work.
     
    Cyndi: Back to work…? Oh…back to work! Yay!
     
    Angela: I’m confused.
     
    Cyndi: She’s back on the phone…it’s Saturday night…
     
    Angela: Oh! Back to work!
     
    Jessy: For crying out loud, just say it already! She’s doing phone sex again!
     
    Angela: So tell us—how does it feel?
     
    Diana: Pretty good, actually. I called Rick this evening and told him I was ready to return. He started me right up at my regular time.
     
    Cyndi: This means you are finally feeling like your old self again, doesn’t it?
     
    Diana: I think so, Cyn.
     
    Cyndi: Did Leo call in?
     
    Diana: LOL! No. He hasn’t heard that Misty Dawn is back to work yet. I doubt it will take him long, though.
     
    Jessy: So, what was it like?
     
    Diana. It felt right, Jessy.
     
    Cyndi: This is the best news I have heard all day. Our Diana is coming back to us.
     
    Jessy: All these years, and I just never understood how you could do that. I mean, didn’t Donnie…
     
    Cyndi: Jessy!
     
    Jessy: I’m so sorry, Diana. I didn’t mean—I’m just—sorry.
     
    Diana: It’s okay, Jess. I was married to the man for two decades. His name is bound to come up eventually. I miss him terribly, but I am lonely, and I am bored. Jackson is gone all the time, and I just wander around this big old house by myself.
     
    Angela: Well, I, for one, am glad you are back here. This