Bradley handed the dog’s lead to Leo. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else. Everything I ever wanted is on this island. How about you be in charge of Rocket, Leo?”
“Sure.” Her little man gripped the lead tight in his hands, grinning at his sister.
“Right, let’s go then. I feel there are seagulls to chase and Rocket is ready and willing.” He turned to April. “Enjoy your quiet coffee, April. We’ll be in plain sight during our walk and probably take about an hour or so depending on how the children feel. Okay with you?”
“Yes. I’ll buy myself a drink and have a quiet read if I can drag my gaze away from the view.” A quick stab of panic sliced through her as she watched the children walk away with him, but she chided herself. Drew wouldn’t have recommended him if he had any doubts that it was the right thing to do and he did say they would always be in sight. April ordered herself a coffee and watched them walk down the path to the beach. Tilly removed her sandals and left them by the steps to pick up later. Leo ran ahead with Rocket, scattering the seagulls, no doubt chortling with laughter as the little dog yipped in glee.
Before long, Tilly’s hands moved as they did when she was telling a story and April started to relax. The psychologist had obviously won her daughter over and for that, she was grateful. She opened her book and started to read, only pausing to thank the waitress for her coffee and to take a quick look as the trio traipsed down the beach.
So engrossed in her book, it took a while for her to notice when someone sat down at her table. She blinked, startled. “Drew. What are you doing here?”
“I thought you might like some company. I had you figured for stressing out while the children were with Bradley, but I see that’s not the case. You’re buried in your book.”
She slid her bookmark in between the pages and put the book down. “It’s not often I get the chance to read undisturbed so I was making the most of it.”
“I’m sorry. And here I am being a pain butting in.”
She gazed at his face, noticed the sparkle in his eyes, and melted just a little. He was being so kind. She didn’t deserve him but what harm could it do to be friends? She wanted more and so did Drew, but it didn’t seem fair to dump all of her garbage in his lap.
He reached out and covered her hand with his. “I can see that mind of yours ticking over. Tell me what’s going on inside that brain of yours.”
Drew had always had the knack of reading her face. No point trying to avoid his powers of deduction, she’d fail. “I worry that you’re taking on too much with me and the children. We have a long way to go before we’ll be settled, Drew. They have issues and you know I do as well. I don’t want to get you tangled up in our affairs and end up being hurt.”
He laughed and the sound went straight to her gut. “Oh, April. I love how you try to save me from myself, but honey, I don’t care about your baggage or your problems. I’m more than ready to take on anything and everything about you. I adore your children already. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because they aren’t yours? I don’t know, you tell me. We’re a frightful mess and a handful. Surely you would be better off starting from scratch with someone else that doesn’t have any issues and have your own children. Like you planned.”
“We planned to have children together. Just because they’re someone else’s before they become mine, doesn’t make any difference to me. I’d determined to make you see that I want you all, April. I don’t give up easily and you should remember that about me.”
“How can you say that after all the grief I’ve brought to your shores in the time I’ve been home?”
He sighed, shook his head. “They’re only problems because you make them seem bigger than they are. I see them as small diversions, road blocks that can be brought down. You have to stop thinking the worst. I’ve always loved you, you know that. The children are a bonus as far as I’m concerned, not a problem.” He squeezed her fingers in his. “Sure they have a few issues, understandable but nothing that we can’t all overcome together if you’ll give us the chance.”
“I want to, but I don’t know.” Tempting as it was to give in to him, something made her hold back. Could it be the fear of being hurt again, or was she still scared of what he would say if he knew all the dirty little secrets she kept from her marriage?
“Look, give me a chance to prove it to you. Gigi will be at your house at seven tonight to babysit. I’m taking you out for a romantic dinner, just the two of us. Let me show you how much I care. See how good we can be together.”
Did she dare to let herself get excited and hope it would all turn out right?
* * *
Drew gasped when April opened the door. She was gorgeous. Her dark hair had been swept up into a messy knot on the top of her head showing off the crystal drops shimmering in her ears. A swathe of midnight blue silk wrapped around her tall body, crossing over her breasts, scooping across her shoulders before draping from her hips down to float around her knees.
She smiled serenely while he stood desperately searching for words. He’d never seen her look so beautiful.
Gigi walked up behind him, nudging him out of the way. “Drew, stop staring with your tongue out. Use your manners.” She giggled and brushed past her nephew as
