Page 5 of Deadly Waves

“Duly noted.”

“It’s just … I’m going to miss him.” Emma looked momentarily lost. “What if he forgets me?”

Finn’s expression softened. “Oh, sweetie, that’s not possible,” he said. “He knows you’re his mother. He’s going to see you on the computer. He’s going to stay at James and Mandy’s house since Mom and Dad are having their new place painted and don’t want to risk him being around the fumes.

“They’re going to spoil him rotten,” he continued. “They’ve been dying to have extended time with him since they moved down here. Jeff is going to be here, too, and he will talk about you nonstop. I promise everything is going to be fine.”

Emma smiled at the mention of her brother. He helped raise her after their father went to prison and their mother abandoned them. He had troubles of his own over the years, although most of them sprang from a need to take care of Emma when he had no money. Since being released from prison, the siblings formed a bond that was stronger than ever before. She honestly was going to miss her brother, too.

“I want to thank you for putting Jeff in charge of the office while we’re gone,” Emma said, her expression earnest. “He was more excited about you guys trusting him to do that than you were about the cruise.”

“It’s no big deal,” Finn said. “He’s been working hard. He’s mostly going to be answering phones and filling out intake questionnaires. It’s not exactly a power position.”

“It is to him,” Emma countered. “He’s so happy … and I’m proud of him. I know this wouldn’t be possible if you didn’t have faith in him. I … thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” Finn said, pulling her in for a hug. “You just need to pack a skimpy bikini.”

Emma snorted as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m going to thank you as soon as that suitcase is packed and off the bed,” she whispered, kissing the ridge of his ear and sending an excited shudder up his spine. “I’m going to thank you until you beg me to stop.”

Finn sighed, happiness washing over him. “Does that mean you’re going on the cruise?”

“Oh, we’re going,” Emma said. “You just need to put up with three more meltdowns before we actually leave. That’s a mother’s prerogative. I can’t help myself.”

“Ah, the things I do for love.”

“I CAN’T believe I let you talk me into this.”

Sophie Lane wasn’t much for organization, so Grady Hardy didn’t bat an eye when he watched her toss a pile of clothing into their suitcase without folding it first. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing as she strolled to the dresser to gather panties and bras. His heart jolted at the sight of her fierce expression, love momentarily overwhelming him. He never believed there was one person in the world for everyone … until he met her, that is. Now he knew she was his one person and there would never be another. Now he just had to tell her with a big proposal and the ring he’d been hiding for months. He figured the cruise would be the perfect time for that, even though the added pressure weighed him down.

“Sophie, you haven’t taken a vacation since I’ve known you,” Grady pointed out. “In case you’re keeping track, that’s a year and a half. We’ve been together for eighteen months. You haven’t taken a vacation in all of that time.”

“Vacations are for pansies,” Sophie shot back. “I don’t need a vacation because I have you. You’re my relaxation and that’s all vacations are good for.”

Grady licked his lips. She was the only woman he knew who could make a compliment sound like torture. “If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to,” he said finally, opting to change tactics. He had every intention of making her go on the cruise if it came to it. He would knock her over the head and shove her in a suitcase if he had to. He figured guilt would probably work and be less strenuous than knocking her out, though. “I thought a little bit of rest and fun in the sun would be good for us.

“If you would rather be away from me for the week and send me to a ship full of women in nothing but bikinis, though, more power to you,” he continued. “I asked you because I couldn’t bear the thought of being away from you. Apparently you don’t feel the same way.”

Sophie balked. “Don’t say that,” she chided. “Don’t even think that. You know that’s not true.”

Grady cocked a challenging eyebrow. “Do I?”

“Of course you do,” Sophie said, wringing her hands. “It’s just … I’ve never been on vacation. I’ve also never been on a cruise. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to pack. I just … don’t know.”

Grady’s heart went out to her as he took a step closer. She was a workaholic. He didn’t mind most days because she went in spurts. She would work so much during any given week he would barely see her. Then she would take it easy the following week so he could get his fill of her wonderful smile. It was a balancing act, but they made it work.

“Then let me help you,” Grady said, striding toward the closet. “Cruise ships are laid back atmospheres, so you’ll need a bathing suit and plenty of shorts and T-shirts. You’ll also need some dresses and skirts for nightly dinners. They’re fancier affairs.”

“I have to get dressed up on a cruise ship?” Sophie didn’t look thrilled at the suggestion. “Can’t we just get naked and order room service?”

Grady barked out a laugh. “That’s definitely a possibility,” he said. “I will have to attend some of the formal meals because I’ll be working, though.”

“I guess I didn’t think of that.” Sophie rubbed her cheek, her expression earnest. “Did I mention I’m really excited?”

“No.”

“Well, I am,” Sophie said. “Sometimes my excitement comes out in the worst possible way, though. I don’t mean to be difficult.”

“You’re not difficult,” Grady said. “You’re work, don’t get me wrong. I think you’re worth the effort, though.” And I’m going to put in the work for the rest of our lives, he added silently. She knew about the ring. She knew about the pending proposal. What she didn’t know was that he had every intention of making things official within the next week. He was done waiting.