“And to Emily coming home to Birch Street, where she belongs.”

I raised my water glass two inches off the tablecloth.

“You’re in a good mood tonight, Daniel.”

“We’ve got every reason to celebrate,” Daniel said, passing the heavy platter of roast beef toward my plate.

“Actually, I was thinking about your travel schedule this morning.

A lieutenant colonel needs real leather luggage for official command trips, not standard-issue army canvas.

I’m buying you a three-piece leather trunk set before your next deployment.”