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She sucks in a deep breath followed by a small cry. I can picture her shocked expression in my head.

“You didn’t?”

“I did, and she said yes. Please don’t ask for details.”

“Oh my God,” she responds tearfully. “She said yes?”

“Of course, she said yes. What did you think she’d say?”

“I didn’t mean it to sound so surprised; it’s just so soon.”

“Soon for whom? I’m almost thirty-one years old. I’ve waited a long time to find a woman like Emerson, so why wait?”

“You are exactly like your father!”

“On that, I have to agree, and look at how it’s turned out.”

“When did you ask her?”

I skip the part about not really asking. “Four days ago, she paid me a surprise visit. The timing was right. I wasn’t going to let the moment slip away. But that’s all I have to say about it. If Emi wants to share the details, she can.”

“I’m so happy for you, Walker.”

“Thanks, Mom, now can I go? I’ll touch base in a few days.”

“I’m going to plan a trip into Charleston this weekend. Maybe Emi would want to meet for lunch and shopping.”

“You can bet on that. It’ll help keep her mind off me being gone. I’d appreciate you keeping her busy. Maybe set up a spa day at the salon y’all go to. Text me the number and I’ll call them. It’ll be my treat.”

“Okay, love you.”

“You too.” I disconnect and climb out of the truck, eyeing the surrounding area. Unlike Charleston and Columbia, Beaufort is a much smaller town. SLED has set us up in a large, state of the art warehouse, well-equipped with everything we need.

Agent Kelly and I talked about it this morning and agreed, something’s going down soon. All our surveillance has paid off, proving the involvement goes deep. Chatter indicates people are getting restless, and the five men from Suite have returned several times. SLED agent Sam has been transferred out of undercover work in bars and is now in an office working intelligence surveillance. He has been able to interpret that the shipment is coming into the state via land and waterways. We’ve increased our manpower with DEA agents at checkpoints on the southern border of the state line and have agents still scouting the populated coastal cities.

My gut clenches, looking around the darkened parking lot outside the warehouse. Nothing looks out of place, but the hair on the back of my neck stands. I check the time and shake off the feeling. I need to call Emi.

She answers on the first ring, almost breathless. “Hey.”

“Babe, you okay?”

“Yes, I just tore through my house looking for my watch.”

“You lost your watch?”

“Apparently so. I can’t find it anywhere.”

“When’s the last time you had it?”

“I wore it to Columbia. I remember putting it on after our shower and before we went to breakfast.”

“Hold on.” I go to the passenger side of the truck and open the door, searching for it. The shiny silver catches my eye, lodged between the seat and the console. “I have it. Must have unlatched somehow.”

“You mean when we got carried away with our goodbye kiss?” I can hear the smile in her voice.

“That could be it.” I grin at the memory that seems so long ago. I pocket the watch and make a mental note. “I’ll stop by the post office tomorrow and mail it to you.”

“You don’t have to as long as I know it’s found. I’d rather you deliver it in person, along with yourself in perfect condition.”