Bryce nodded. “I agree.” Then she said, “Well, I want to volunteer to help you tomorrow for at least half a day. I’ve always wanted to go back out on a Chambray boat.”

“How are your sea legs?” he asked as his gaze roamed down her legs.

Certain she was imagining things and his gaze hadn’t been as intense on her legs as she’d thought, she said, “I admit I haven’t been out on a commercial shipping boat for years. At least not since that time you sneaked me on board as a stowaway.”

They looked at each other and simultaneously burst out laughing. After wiping tears from her eyes, she said, “You know it’s a crying shame when two adults can remember one of their outlandish escapades as teens and laugh about it.”

“Your parents didn’t do anything to you when they found out, but my dad raised holy hell and grounded me for a week.”

Bryce still giggled at the memory. “He only punished you because it was me. He didn’t like me and didn’t care who knew it.” Bryce had known she was Mr. Chambray’s least favorite person because he had wanted Kaegan to date one of the Pointe-au-Chien tribe girls living on the bayou. She could think about that now and not feel threatened by it.

“Well, I liked you, and that’s all that mattered.”

“Yes, but we should not have tricked your dad that way.”

“He would not have found out the truth if we hadn’t got caught in that storm and a search party hadn’t been sent looking for us.”

Bryce recalled that day as if it was yesterday. Kaegan was to master his own shipping vessel, the one she’d been a stowaway on. It was one of the smaller boats in the fleet. They thought they’d succeeded with their plan to outwit his father. Then out of nowhere a summer storm blew in and the two ships got separated.

Kaegan had skillfully handled the vessel and they had made it through the swamp to Eagle Bend Inlet. It was there Kaegan had taken her to his private place on the inlet, an abandoned bunker he considered his secret home. It had provided shelter from the wind and rain, and protection from the wild animals known to come out at night. The search party had found them a little after daybreak the next day.

He glanced at his watch. “It’s late and time for me to go. Remember, no more studying tonight. Shower, drink some wine and go to bed.”

“I will,” she said, walking him to the door.

He stopped before opening it. “You sure about tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“Then meet us dockside at six.”

“Okay. I’ll be there, sea legs and all.”

“Thanks.”

“That’s what friends are for.”

Smiling, he nodded, opened the door and left.

* * *

KAEGAN WALKED TO his truck while whistling. He tried to recall the last time he’d been in such a good mood. He felt good about the amount of information he’d covered with Bryce over the last three nights. He was confident that she would pass that exam.