sound as if you’d like to adopt him.”
“Now you mention it, he’s like one of those stray dogs who have been badly treated and no one ever wants to give a home to because they’re afraid of being bitten.”
“Not every stray dog can be tamed.”
“Agreed. So what happened after he’d performed epic spider removal? He left?”
“Right after I virtually accused him of stealing from my purse.”
“You didn’t! Brit? Why would you do that?”
“Because—because—I don’t know.” She was upset with herself. “I was feeling vulnerable. And he had just broken into my house.”
“To save you! Do you want to know what I think?”
“No.”
“I think seeing him really messed with your head and you wanted to see the worst in him.”
“Of course it messed with my head. I was naked! And I have no idea what I’m going to say next time I see him.”
“You say ‘thank you for removing my spider.’ What are you doing this morning?”
“I’m supposed to be meeting Em for breakfast. She’s in love.”
“I know. Can you believe it? And Ryan is gorgeous. How come we never met him when we came to stay?”
“Bad timing, I guess. Up until four years ago, he was always traveling. How do I handle the fact that Zach is here?”
“How do you think you should handle it?”
She went through the options. “Anger would imply I still care, happy would be too hard to play, so I was going with indifference.”
“Indifference sounds perfect to me.”
“But he saw me naked.”
Sky laughed. “Honey, it’s not the first time.”
BRITTANY TOOK THE PRETTIEST route to the harbor and the Ocean Club, walking up the coast path and then cutting across the fields that skirted the wooded interior of the island.
With the sun shining and the air filled with the scent of grass and wildflowers, it was impossible to feel anything other than pleased to be home.
The spectacular coastline of Maine matched anything she’d seen in the Mediterranean. From the lush, emerald perfection of Acadia National Park to the granite islands inhabited only by puffins and cormorants, Penobscot Bay was a wild, unspoiled paradise.
From high up on the bluff she could see fishing boats bobbing in the sheltered harbor and yachts and windjammers dotted across the bay.
It took her a little over an hour to walk to the Ocean Club. She arrived to find Ryan and Emily already sitting on the deck along with Lizzy, Emily’s six-year-old niece who was now living with her. The little girl was clutching a wooden boat to her chest and the moment she saw Brittany she moved closer to Emily.
Brittany watched as her friend scooped the child onto her lap and murmured words of reassurance.
She knew how hard the past few months must have been for Lizzy, but she also knew how hard it had been for her friend who had always vowed never to have children.
“That boat,” she said slowly, “looks exactly like the Captain Hook. Can I take a look? Where did you get it?”
Lizzy hesitated and then handed it across the table. “John made it for me.”
“He did? I’ve never known him to make anything like this for anyone before.” She turned it in her hands and read the words on the side. “The Captain Lizzy. This is beautiful. You’re lucky. John must think you’re very special to have made you this.”
“It floats.”
“You’ll have to show me.” She handed the boat back. “John taught me to sail when I was your age.”
“I’m learning. Ryan is teaching me.”
Brittany had known Ryan Cooper her whole life. She’d spent her summers with his sister Helen at Camp Puffin and babysat his younger sister, Rachel, to earn money.
She greeted him with a quick kiss on the cheek and then settled down in the vacant seat.
“Good to have you home.” Ryan tilted his chair back and reached for Emily’s hand. “I hear you’ve already seen Zach and the two of you managed to keep it civilized. You didn’t kill him.”
Civilized?
There was nothing civilized about the chemistry between them. Never had been. Being with Zach had been the most dizzying and exciting time of her life.
Until he’d dumped her.
“Why would I kill him? It doesn’t bother me whether he’s here or not.” Ignoring Emily’s raised eyebrows, she sat back while Kirsti delivered food and drinks to the table.
“A special welcome home, Brittany! Fresh blueberries, our homemade cinnamon-and-honey granola, Greek yogurt in case you’re missing Crete, coffee and pancakes. I’m pretty sure they don’t make those in Greece. And I added a side of bacon to your order because I know it’s your favorite. Enjoy.”
Brittany’s stomach purred. Apart from a mouthful of the muffin Emily had produced, she hadn’t eaten since the flight. “If I eat this I’ll be the size of a small yacht.”
“You’re tired. Fuel will help that. And diet soda isn’t fuel.” Kirsti gave her a knowing look and Brittany returned it with a sheepish grin.
“It was my breakfast of choice in Greece.”
Kirsti shuddered. “I know nothing about Greek history but I’m fairly sure that isn’t part of the traditional Mediterranean diet. Eat your granola.”
As she walked away, Brittany glanced around the crowded terrace. “Business is good? I don’t see many empty seats.”
“Business is good.” Ryan reached across and rescued the soft toy Lizzy had dropped.
Looking at the plush puffin, Brittany knew instantly where it had come from. “Rachel had a million of those when she was little.”
“Because she kept losing them and couldn’t sleep without one.”
Knowing that Ryan’s experience of raising his younger siblings had left him with a thirst for a child-free existence, Brittany was surprised by the change in him. “How is Alec? Is he in London at the moment?”
“No, he’s back. Had a drink with him last night. Zach
