Around eight that evening, as the sun hung low in the sky, sending light like shimmering diamonds across the ocean, all the boats in the harbor began honking, and the people on board clapped and cheered in celebration of the sweet old couple who’d loved each other for over fifty years.

It was a little surprise Louisa had planned for them, and they were both equally delighted when they realized the honking and clapping were for them.

The captain had brought their yacht to the exact location Louisa had asked him to, and seconds later, fireworks started in the sky above the island. More cheers from the Timmons family rose into the night air, filling the sky—and Louisa’s heart. This was why she loved her job.

She slipped away toward the stern, honking and shouting mixing with the crackle of fireworks overhead. Arthur and Tawny Morris waved as their sailboat passed. Louisa lifted a hand, waving back her thanks for their participation.

Another crack overhead drew her eyes, and as the firework disintegrated into nothing, her gaze fell, catching on the Coast Guard rescue boat cruising slowly by. A rhythmic, overzealous pounding reverberated in her chest as her eyes scanned the men on the boat. The captain sounded the horn in celebration, and the Coasties cheered.

As the boat made its pass, her eyes locked on to Cody’s and didn’t let go. He stood still as a statue, near the back of the boat, watching her. Another honk. Another round of applause. Another firework.

And then the rescue boat grew smaller on the horizon until finally he was gone.

It had been over a week since Louisa had almost drowned, and she’d yet to sleep through the night.

The dreams that woke her were less like nightmares and more like reliving her worst fears. Every time she closed her eyes, the waves forced her under again. Twice she’d woken up gasping for air.

Was this normal? Should she talk to somebody about it?

She attributed her stress to the fact that she had to give a presentation to the men stationed at Brant Point later that day. Her stomach turned at the thought.

She’d given dozens of presentations over the years. Pitch meetings with clients and business owners. In her previous job, she’d sold the hotel and all it had to offer along with her brilliant ideas for a perfect vacation or party to countless visitors and potential visitors.

But ever since she’d started The Good Life, ever since it had become her own business she was selling, a knot of worry had formed in her belly, and it tightened with every presentation or meeting. Today the knot had doubled because not only was she presenting her idea, she was presenting to the Coast Guard. She was presenting to Cody.