Callie rubbed her hand across her eyes. “I think I’d like to go to bed for a while if that’s all right. Please don’t go to any trouble for me.”
“I won’t, but if you need anything, please let me know.”
Seth motioned to the stairs. “I’ll show you to your room.”
His mother shook her head. “I can do that. You go have a cup of coffee. I’ll come back down after I’ve gotten Callie settled.”
She grabbed Callie by the arm and guided her upstairs before he had a chance to object. Seth watched them go before he walked into the kitchen, poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table. He stared down into the murky depths of his cup for a few minutes until he heard his mother reenter the room. He looked up as she slipped into the chair across from him. A worried frown wrinkled her forehead.
“Are you all right, Seth?” she asked.
He nodded. “Sure. Why would you ask that?”
She glanced over her shoulder toward the hallway stairs and back at him. “The woman you wanted to marry has just come into our home again. I’m afraid her presence here is going to bring back bad memories for you.”
He shook his head. “I got over Callie a long time ago. When I saw Dan tonight, I knew he wanted me to watch out for her. I couldn’t very well leave her on the street after his house burned down. How would I ever face him again if I’d done that?”
His mother nodded. “I know.”
Seth raked his hand through his hair and swallowed hard. “I have to admit I was worried about bringing her here. You were angry with Callie for a long time after she left town.”
“I’ve prayed a lot about my feelings toward Callie, and God has helped me deal with them.” She reached across the table and covered his hand with hers. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt again.”
He tried to laugh, but the sound stuck in his throat. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m not about to put myself in that situation again. Callie may have broken my heart once, but she’s not going to get the chance to do it again.”
His mother stared at him as if she didn’t believe him. After a moment she shrugged. “If you say so.”
He picked up his cup and drained the coffee in one gulp before he pushed to his feet. “I’m beat. I’m going to grab a few hours’ sleep before I go back to the station.”
His mother stood to clear the table. “You go on upstairs. I may not be back from the mall by the time you leave. If not, I’ll see you later tonight.”
He stopped at the kitchen door and turned to face her. “Won’t you be home for dinner?”
“No, I’m going out to eat and to a movie with my church circle group, just like I told you yesterday. You and Callie are on your own for dinner.”
He grinned. “And Callie thought her staying here might be inconvenient for you.”
She laughed. “Not at all. I figure you two adults can take care of yourselves. I have a life of my own, you know.”
He smiled. “I’m glad you have a life, Mom. I wouldn’t want you sitting at home all the time.”
Her features darkened, and she walked over to him, reaching up to stroke his cheek. “That’s what I want for you, son. A life of your own. You’re just beginning to start going out again. I don’t want your being around Callie again to change that.”