“You’re staying to eat,” Maggie announced as she slipped out of Cody’s awkward embrace.

“Oh, Mags, that’s not a good idea—” Louisa said at the same time Cody said, “I’m sorry. I don’t think I can.”

Maggie harrumphed. “I know you Coasties. You don’t get a lot of home-cooked meals. And you’re here, so you’re obviously off duty.”

“No, Maggie, he was ordered to be here.”

Maggie frowned, and Louisa thought it would be a good idea to convince the old woman to tweeze her eyebrows. If she wasn’t careful, they’d start to look like two fuzzy caterpillars.

“Are you still on duty?”

Cody paused. “No, ma’am.”

“Ma’am?” Maggie laughed. “You can stop that right now.” She picked up her bags and toddled off to the kitchen.

Alyssa stepped forward as if presenting herself to Cody. “I’m Alyssa.”

He extended a hand, which she dutifully shook, and Louisa willed her friend not to say anything else that would embarrass her.

“Most people call me Ally.”

Cody nodded, then looked down at their hands. Alyssa seemed to have no intention of letting go.

“I’m Lou’s friend. We met in college. I tutored her in economics. She’s told me about you. Not just about today, but before today—”

“Ally,” Louisa cut her off. “Don’t you need to go help Maggie?”

Ally looked stunned for a quick second, then finally let go of Cody’s hand and walked into the kitchen.

“Sorry about that,” Louisa said.

“I really can’t stay,” Cody said.

“Good luck telling Maggie.”

A conflicted expression washed over his face.

“Sit down, Cody.” Maggie was back, this time carrying a glass of iced tea. “I had to get good tea while I was out because Louisa never remembers to buy it. And you can’t have a well-stocked kitchen without good tea.”

He reached out and took the glass, then did as he was told.

It was strange to see, really. Cody had never been much for rules or taking orders. Why would someone like that choose a career in the Coast Guard? And why wasn’t he the guy in charge by now?

“I suppose you’re here to do some damage control,” Maggie called out as she walked back to the kitchen.

“Ma’am?”

She popped her head out and shook a spatula in his general direction. “If you call me ma’am one more time, I will swat your backside with this and don’t think I won’t.”

Cody almost smiled at that. Almost.

It was enough of a teaser to convince Louisa that the only thing in the world she needed to see to die happy was a genuine smile from Cody Boggs, though she had a feeling that would be hard to come by.

He was still every bit as icy toward her as she expected him to be.