Is It Any Wonder (Nantucket Love Story #2) - Courtney Walsh Page 0,23

wasn’t strong enough to swim against it.”

In a flash, Cody was eighteen again, in the water not far off the shore of Nantucket. He was lost, disoriented, destined for death—all because he’d been foolish and impulsive. He wouldn’t have survived if it weren’t for his father, who appeared as the waves pulled Cody under. His dad hauled Cody toward the shore, close enough to ensure his son’s safety. But the waves were fierce, and seconds later, the current captured his dad.

His father had said not to get in. “The winds are strong tonight,” he’d said. “Stay out of the water.”

But Cody was stubborn. And angry. And he had something to prove.

He’d proven nothing except that he was a stupid kid, same as every other cocky kid who couldn’t handle the sea.

“The Coast Guard was there in a flash,” Maggie said. “They tried to save Jackson, but he couldn’t grab on to the ring, so they had to move on to the next survivor.”

Cody winced. Nobody ever wanted to have to make the decision of whom to save first, but that was protocol.

“By the time they got Jackson out, he was unconscious. They aren’t sure how long he went without oxygen.”

“He’s in a coma,” Louisa said. “Has been ever since that day.”

“Sounds like an accident,” Cody said, aware that a lot of accidents could’ve been prevented. So many accidents were the result of one foolish decision.

“The winds are strong tonight. Stay out of the water.”

“It was, but Jackson’s parents were devastated, of course. They were angry he was the last one to be pulled from the water, especially because the other boys were all stronger swimmers,” Maggie said. “They fired off a few accusatory remarks aimed at the Coast Guard.”

“And the guardsman who’d saved Jackson fired back,” Louisa said.

Cody frowned. Didn’t sound like any of the Coasties he knew. They were trained to handle themselves. They were trained to rise above the criticism doled out by grieving loved ones.

“Who was the guardsman?”

“Aaron Jessup,” Alyssa said.

“I know Jessup,” Cody said. He’d been on the boat with them that morning. Cody was a little surprised they hadn’t transferred him out of Nantucket. “What did he say?”

“All he said was it was really dumb for those kids to be out swimming at night and even dumber for them to be drinking,” Alyssa said. “He wasn’t wrong.”

“It was insensitive,” Louisa said.

“But it was true,” Alyssa said. “You don’t go swimming in the ocean in the dark when the water is that choppy. You’re just asking to get killed.”

The words hung there, and Cody tried to swat them away, but he couldn’t. They were the smack across the face he didn’t want or need. After all, the reminder of his own poor judgment was as fresh as an open wound thanks to his present company and location.

Louisa’s jaw went slack as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

Cody cleared his throat and pushed his chair away from the table. “I should go.”

“So soon?” Maggie stood.

Cody glanced at Louisa, aware that his abrupt departure would say something about himself to her. It would say, I’m not over this yet. I haven’t forgiven myself yet. I haven’t forgiven you, either. Even so, he couldn’t sit at that table for another second.

“I just came to make sure Louisa was okay,” Cody said. “But I have work to do.” He nodded at Louisa, then at Ally. “Thanks for the meal.”

Maggie shuffled behind him as he strode away, making quick work of the distance between the kitchen and the front door, as if he couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Because he couldn’t.

She was talking, but he wasn’t listening. Something about a bonfire or a party—and then she added, “I expect you to come visit me now that you’re on the island.”

He gave her a wave and walked out the door, practically racing down the stairs of the little cottage and out to his Jeep. He started the engine and drove around the block, aware that Maggie stood on the front porch, watching him go. He didn’t need to be watched. He needed to be alone.

It was everything. This island. Seaside. The story of this kid. Louisa nearly drowning.

Coming here had been a mistake. And he needed to figure out a way to undo it.

Dear Dad,

I’m sitting in the backyard of our house in Chicago. I’m wearing that black suit Mom picked out for my last homecoming dance—you remember, the one that I can’t stand? I