First Time in Forever (Puffin Island 1)

Lizzy smiled. The first smile Emily had seen since she’d picked her up at the airport along with a suitcase. One suitcase, but more baggage than one small person should have to carry alone.

Emily licked dry lips. Right now it was her own baggage that was troubling her.

Grateful for the distraction provided by the dog, she retrieved the bags Ryan had abandoned on the step and carried them through to the kitchen.

He followed her. “You didn’t sleep.”

“How do you know that?”

“Pale face. Dark circles. It’s a dead giveaway. Don’t worry, I have the perfect gift for you.” He dipped his hand into one of the bags and pulled out two tall cups stamped with the swirling logo of the Ocean Club. “Iced cappuccino with an extra shot made by Kirsti’s fair hand.”

Emily reached for the cup gratefully. “I might love you.”

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He grinned. “Don’t threaten me so early in the morning.” He sprawled in the nearest chair, coffee in his hand, the bags abandoned on the table. “So, you were awake all night wondering how many people saw that newspaper.”

“Not just that. I’m used to city noises. I can’t sleep here.” She hadn’t slept a full night since the phone call that had given her a child she wasn’t qualified to raise.

“Most people find the sound of the sea soothing.”

She wasn’t most people. “What else is in the bags? Please, tell me it’s a month’s supply of iced cappuccino.”

“Better. You said you didn’t have time to stock up, so I thought I’d help. Here—” he pushed a bag toward her “—start with that one.” He glanced over his shoulder as Lizzy came into the room with Cocoa. “What’s your favorite color, Lizzy?”

“Pink.”

“Then this is your lucky day.” He pulled something pink from another bag and handed it to her. “It’s a hat. I thought when you were out in town, you might like to wear it.” His gaze flickered to Emily. “To keep the sun out of your eyes.”

And prying eyes away from her face, Emily thought, as she loaded the fridge and cupboards. Smart thinking. She wished she’d thought of it herself.

“What would you have done if she’d said blue was her favorite color?”

Ryan dipped his hand back in the bag and produced a blue one.

Lizzy clutched the pink one possessively. “I like this one. What do the words say?”

“Do you recognize any of the letters?”

“The writing is curly.” Lizzy stared hard and spelled out a few letters. “It says something Cl-ub.”

“Ocean. It says Ocean Club.” Ryan traced the words with his finger. “It’s a very special hat. Only people who have eaten waffles on the terrace can have one.”

Emily was touched. “Thank you. That was thoughtful.”

His gaze connected briefly with hers, and she felt that same ripple of awareness she’d felt on the first day. For a moment she stood, mesmerized by the unapologetic interest in those dark eyes. She had no idea how to respond. Her relationship with Neil had been comfortable, her emotions and feelings around him safely predictable. He’d never threatened her heart rate or her equilibrium. Ryan threatened both, and he knew it.

He turned his attention back to Lizzy. “Keep the brim pulled low, and it will keep the sun off her face. Not that I think there’s much risk of exposure.”

Emily understood that the “exposure” he referred to wasn’t solar driven.

Lizzy tugged it onto her head. “I like it.”

“Do you know Cocoa’s favorite game?” He dipped his hand into another bag and pulled out a ball. “Fetch. Take her into the garden and throw the ball. She’ll bring it back to you.”

Child, ball and dog tumbled into the garden to play while Emily stared dizzily at the image of her new life.

A month earlier she’d been living in Manhattan. Jobless, admittedly, but with plans and ambitions. At least two companies had made positive noises about employing her. When she’d thought about the future, it hadn’t looked like this.