Caden gets up and helps her to her feet, laughing a little. He leads her up the beach towards his house and looks out at the waves. "I love the water, but I couldn't tell you why. I just do. Feels like home."

He's shivering, fingers and lips nearly blue by the time they reach his back deck. He unlocks the door with trembling fingers and leads her inside, going over to the thermostat almost instantly. There are copies of his new book stacked on the coffee table waiting to be signed and sent out to various bookstores, along with coffee cups and markers, and scribbled in notebooks. "Sorry, it's kind of a disaster area in here. I've been sort of lost in my work."

The fireplace is gas, thankfully, so he gets it going quickly and holds up a finger as he ducks into his bedroom. He comes back with a pair of sweats that are too small for him and an undershirt, both neatly folded and smelling of fabric softener, and hands them over. "Here. They'll be too big, but it's the best I can do right now. You can shower in the guest room. There are towels in the cabinet and soap and stuff in the shower. And I can wash your clothes when you're out."

He looks at his pea coat and wonders if it can be salvaged. No big deal if not, he can just get another one. "I'm gonna grab a quick shower and order some food. Pizza okay?"