He sat unmoving for what felt like an eternity, then took the card back and stood. He tucked it into his pocket. “If you think of anyone or anything—let me know.”

“You don’t have to run off,” Maggie said.

“I still need to unpack,” he said.

She nodded. Cody glanced at Louisa, and she willed him to be okay, but he quickly broke her gaze and started toward the door.

“I’ll see you out.” She stood and moved toward him as if he needed an escort. As if he’d want it to be her.

He didn’t, obviously, because he didn’t even acknowledge her, but again, grace rushed through her as she reminded herself of all he’d been through.

He opened the door and hurried out, and she had to jog to catch up. “Cody.”

He stopped but didn’t turn, and for a brief moment, she admired the strength radiating from him. Muscles shredded by hours of training, arms that had saved numerous lives, including her own. And yet, mixing clearly with that strength was a vulnerability he was trying to conceal.

She walked around to stand in front of him, but he stared over her head, refusing her eyes.

“What are you not saying?”

His jaw twitched. Was he grinding his teeth?

“Nothing.”

“I can tell something is bothering you.”

He looked away. “I’ll handle it on my own.”

“You think your father had something to hide?”

Now he looked at her. “We all have secrets, Lou.”

The words felt like an accusation. A decade-old wound reopened and exposed.

Cody took a step as if to walk around Louisa, but she moved at the same time and blocked his way. Once she’d blocked him, though, she realized she wasn’t sure why or what she planned to say.

“Maybe I can help?”

His jaw twitched again. A sign he was either annoyed or uncomfortable—or both. She didn’t care. He’d stopped trying to escape and she had his attention, and now that she was standing this close to him, her head felt dizzy and that fantasy of kissing him had come back.

Because his lips were full and they were right there. If she stood on her tiptoes, she was sure she could reach them . . .

“How?”

His gruff question was like a smack across the face, which she desperately needed given how ridiculous that rabbit trail had been.

“Well, I know everyone,” she said. “I mean, that’s my job.”

“But you have Maggie’s party. And the regatta. You don’t need to try and track down some mystery person for me.”

“Well, I won’t do it by myself. You’d have to help me.” She crossed her arms over her chest and waited for him to respond.

“Maybe it’s better we leave it alone,” he said. Another smack.