stood in front of him naked, Brittany picked up her spoon and dug it into the granola and yogurt. “There’s no need to look so worried. Our relationship was over a long time ago. I can barely remember it.”
Ryan gave her a steady look but said nothing and she felt a rush of gratitude.
He’d been a good friend to her.
In those few initial weeks after Zach had deserted her, he’d been the one to pick up the pieces.
With his help and the help of her friends and grandmother, she’d healed.
And gradually she’d forced herself to accept the truth.
Zach had never loved her.
He wasn’t capable of it. He wasn’t capable of intimacy or sharing or any of the things that went hand in hand with love.
Brittany looked down at her plate and realized she’d eaten the food without noticing it. “Maybe I was hungrier than I thought.” She looked up just as Ryan reached out and stroked Emily’s cheek with his fingers.
They shared a look that reminded Brittany of Nik and Lily.
Everyone was in love, she thought numbly. Everyone was holding hands and exchanging long looks.
Unsettled, she finished her coffee and stood up. “Thanks for breakfast. I need to pick up a few things at the harbor. See you later.”
She walked out of the Ocean Club, enjoying the view of the bay. After the sweltering heat of Greece in August she was grateful for the sea breeze. High above, the gulls circled, hopeful of an impromptu meal delivered by careless tourists.
The Captain Hook was leaving on its late-morning trip to the mainland, its squat bulk and red paint making it instantly recognizable. Knowing that this was the busiest time of the year for John, the harbormaster, she didn’t pause to talk to him and was surprised when he came striding across to her.
“Hi, John! I saw the boat you made Lizzy. It’s beautiful! It’s good to see you after— Oh.” She staggered as he pulled her into a giant bear hug. She’d known him since before she could walk, but this was the first time she could ever remember him hugging her. “That’s nice.” The words were muffled against his shoulder and then he released her, his eyes fierce.
“You’ve been away too long. I hope this time you’ll stay awhile. No more of those flying visits.”
“I was working, John. I was on a dig in Greece, and before that I was studying.”
“I know. Oxford and Cambridge. Doctor Forrest. The night Ryan and Alec told us, we all raised a glass up at the Ocean Club.”
“You did?” Surprised and touched, Brittany felt a rush of affection for the islanders.
“We always knew you’d do great things. Kathleen would have been proud of you.” His voice was gruff. “And all I can say is I’m sorry. A good girl like you deserves better.”
Confused, Brittany looked at him blankly. “Er—better than what?”
“Better than coming home with so many achievements to celebrate and finding that cheating ex-husband of yours living on your island.”
Her stomach lurched.
“He didn’t cheat, John, and it’s not my island. He has a perfect right to be here.”
“You were here first. And you’re local. You belong here.”
As a child it had both fascinated and offended her principles that people had to “earn” the right to be accepted on Puffin Island. As far as she was concerned, people had a right to come and go as they pleased and the place would be all the better for the variety.
“There’s room for both of us.”
“I hear he was the one who flew you from the mainland.”
It was inevitable that the manner of her arrival would have been the subject of local gossip, but still the thought of it grated over her skin like sandpaper. “He did.”
“That must have shaken you up some.”
She chose to deliberately misunderstand. “Not at all. The weather was smooth and Zach is an excellent pilot.” He’d been a lousy excuse for a friend and an even worse husband but she didn’t intend to discuss that with anyone, no matter how much they probed and how much she loved them. She tried to turn the conversation. “How are you, John?”
“I’m good, considering. Must have been awkward for you, seeing him again. By my calculation you haven’t laid eyes on the man since he left you all those years ago.”
“That’s why it wasn’t awkward. It was so long ago I barely remember it. I appreciate how much you all care, but no one needs to worry about me. Good to see you, John. I have to pick up a few things from Harbor Stores before I go back to the cottage.” She extracted herself from the inquisition, crossed the road and bumped into Hilda, who had been a close friend of her grandmother’s.
“Hilda!” Genuinely pleased to see her, she gave the old lady a warm hug. “How are you doing? I hear Agnes has moved near you. I bet the two of you never stop talking.”
“Talking with friends is one of life’s pleasures, especially now that my hips won’t let me rush anywhere. Can’t even run away from a handsome man, not that there are too many chasing me these days.” Hilda patted her arm. “And on that topic, I just want you to know we’re all watching him so you don’t need to worry.”
“Watching him?”
“After the way he treated you last time—” Hilda gave her a fierce look that would have repelled the most determined invader. “If he puts a foot out of line, we’re going to deal with him. There are some who have forgiven him everything because he flew that child to the hospital when no one else would, but as far as I’m concerned, he still has to prove himself. And if you ask me, Ryan should be a bit more careful in picking his friends.”
There was no need to ask who she was talking about and Brittany sighed. “Hilda—”
“Don’t you worry yourself. You live your life and leave it to us. We’ve got your back, honey.”
“I’m trying to live my life, Hilda, but people keep—”
“Caring.” Hilda patted her hand. “It’s the least we can do. Protecting our own is one of the perks of island life. Welcome home, pumpkin. Your grandmother would be proud.”
Feeling eight years old, Brittany gave a weak smile. “Thanks, Hilda. You take care now. And please don’t worry about me. It was a long time ago and I have no feelings for him.” She fled and took refuge inside Harbor Stores.
Holy crap.
No wonder so many people left and moved to the mainland. If it carried on like this, she’d be joining them.
If there was one thing she hated it was pity. She’d all but drowned in it after Zach had left her. And what did Hilda mean when she said they were watching him?
She
