“No.”
“Did you have something in particular in mind you wanted to purchase today?”
“No.”
She offered a warm smile. “First time jewelry buyer?”
He smiled. “That obvious?”
“Let me find someone to help you.” The woman disappeared into the back.
Stryker perused the glass counters. He had no idea what he wanted to give Emerson, only that he wanted her to know how serious he was about her.
A different woman greeted him. “Hello, how can I help you?”
“I’m looking for something special for my girlfriend.” He had no idea where to start.
“Okay, let’s see if we can narrow that down. Does she wear jewelry?”
“She wore a diamond necklace to a formal event and she wears a ring. And earrings sometimes.”
“Is this for a special occasion?”
“No.”
“What does she do?”
“Police detective.”
“Hmm, that’s helpful.”
After looking at more jewelry than he’d seen in his lifetime, he settled on a diamond ring. Set in platinum, two brilliant round diamonds were separated by a gold X. The pattern repeated all the way around the ring. “This sixteen-stone ring is our most popular. What size is she?”
Stryker had no idea. “Medium. Mmm, could be small.”
The saleswoman laughed. “I’m going with a size six. If it doesn’t fit, bring it back and we’ll find the right size. Make sure you bring her along.”
As he drove to Emerson’s, his thoughts drifted back to his dad, and the hatred he’d long buried rose up to the surface.Why now, old man? What do you want from me?
He parked in Emerson’s driveway, entered through the garage, and dropped the cat bags in the kitchen. Not wanting to startle her again, he called out, “Baby, I’m home.”
“In my office.”
After hiding her gift in the bedroom, he walked into her office. “There’s my woman.”
Her brief smile was laced with angst. “I’ve convinced myself that Lyle is Casey Quinn.”
“That reporter I met?”
She pushed out of her chair, raked her hands through her hair, and harrumphed. “I’ve gotta take a break.”
As she walked past him, he slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Take it down a few notches.” He touched the area between her furrowed brows.
She inhaled a calming breath, rose on her tiptoes, and kissed him. “You’re right. What time is it?”
“After six.”
With his arm still around her, they sauntered into the kitchen. “You went shopping?”
