“This way, we know that no matter what, we’re always coming home to each other,” he said.

“But that’s twelve years from now,” she said.

“Do you think we’re going to lose track of each other?”

She shrugged.

“Not if I have anything to say about it.”

“Then why sign this?” she asked, blinking back new tears.

He reached out and touched her cheek. “It’ll give us something to celebrate.”

She knew it wasn’t only that. She knew he worried they would lose touch, the same way she worried. She knew that while he hadn’t said so, there was a part of him that thought she might meet someone new or they might outgrow each other. They’d argued about it off and on since the beginning of the summer. He was convinced she’d leave him for someone more serious, more put-together.

Still, she liked the idea of having something to hold on to—an assurance that no matter where life took them, along the same path or in completely opposite directions, they promised to connect one more time.

Right here, on their thirtieth birthday.

“I’ll sign your crazy pact,” she said. “But you have to promise me we’re going to try to make this work.”

He leaned over and kissed her. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

CHAPTER FIVE

“PHONE’S BEEN RINGING OFF THE HOOK.”

Cody sat in the chair opposite Master Chief Duncan McGreery, staring out the window where the American flag hung proudly on the side of the black-and-white lighthouse. Brant Point was the backdrop for so many of his childhood memories. But he still never thought he’d be back here.

“When I told you to drum up good press for the Coast Guard, I had no idea you’d work so fast.” The phone on the master chief’s desk rang, and Cody winced at the sound. Peace and quiet would go a long way right now.

His superior took the call, and Cody only listened long enough for the sound bite.

“Yes, we do think XPO Boggs did an excellent job this morning. We don’t like to use the word hero, but I’d wager that’s exactly how Miss Chambers is feeling.”

Don’t bet on it.

The image of Louisa’s lifeless body would haunt his dreams, same way the others did. But Louisa had survived. He’d saved her. That should ease some of his guilt, shouldn’t it? He did a quick gut check. Nope. Still there. Would it ever be enough?

“Boggs.”

Cody could tell by the other man’s tone that he’d said his name more than once.

“Master Chief?”

“You okay?”

“Never better.”

“Do we need to have a conversation about why you went in the water after that girl?”

“She was in distress,” he said.

“But that wasn’t your job,” the master chief said. “Not to mention you broke protocol.”