“You have to teach me that hand thing.” I wiped off my shorts as best I could, but I was pretty sure I was covered in sap and dirt. “And since this is exactly where I was attacked, I’m glad it’s you who Biz is greeting.”

“I had no idea you were so domestic.”

“Yeah, me either. And this is nothing. I had to wrestle my nieces to stop them from buying icicle lights to put along the roof.” For some reason I forgot to tell him about the inflatable vacation scene.

“You’re kind of getting into this kid thing. So your sister won’t be home by Christmas?”

I wanted to tell Teo the truth, but he had been a cop, and a popular one. He was probably still connected every which way except a paycheck to the sheriff’s department.

“That’s still up in the air.” I smiled, as if that was perfectly normal. “So did you just come by to stare at my butt? Or is there a better reason?”

“Better?” He shook his head. “Different. Just checking on my dog.”

“You can see how unhappy he is here. By the way, he’s a big fan of tea parties.”

“Don’t tell my students. They think he’s a killer.”

This was new. “Students?”

“I teach criminal justice at the local community college. Two afternoons a week.”

“I bet you’re terrific.” I felt better somehow. Teo was still using his considerable skills.

“Any new bad guys trying to break in?”

“No, and between Biz and neighbors moving back in for the winter, I doubt there will be. Although since I’m kind of the new kid on the block, I can’t tell who’s supposed to be here and who’s not.” We stared at each other, and finally I laughed a little. “I guess uncomfortable silences are to be expected.”

“I’m not uncomfortable. I’m just wondering how to invite myself to lunch.”

I felt a not-surprising rush of pleasure. “Any way you want to. I have a cupboard full of peanut butter and a fridge full of American cheese. It’s not gourmet, but you’ll be very welcome.”

“I actually brought lunch. Call me optimistic.”

More pleasure. “Or smart. I never turn down a meal. You remembered.”

“I guess I did. But I guess I wasn’t wholly optimistic. I left it in the car.”

“I’ll wash up. You may have noticed I need to?”

“I like the sap on your nose. At least I hope it’s sap.” He went to his car, and I went inside to wash. Biz went with Teo.

He was peering into the refrigerator by the time I’d scrubbed and dusted myself back to respectability. “No beer.”

“We’re an apple juice kind of place. But I can make tea. It’ll just take a minute.”

“I’ll watch.” He pulled out one of the stools and sat, leaning against the peninsula.

“Well, it’s complex, but I’ll outline the steps. What are we eating?”

“Grouper po’boys.”

For a moment I was paralyzed. Years had passed, but Teo hadn’t forgotten my favorite. “That’s awfully nice of you. Could they possibly be from the Shark Shack?”