“I know.” He stopped and eased her to one side so that a family loaded down with beach gear could pass them. “Raising a child isn’t about locking them away until they’re eighteen and then pushing them out of the door. It’s about giving them the tools to be independent. You should be pleased she was happy to stay with Agnes. She could have been clinging to you, especially after what happened. But we both know that this isn’t all about Lizzy. You’re looking for an excuse to avoid me.”

“That isn’t true.”

“No? So look me in the eye.”

“We’re in public.”

“I know and I promise not to rip your clothes off. Now look at me.”

“What happens when people don’t do what you want them to do?”

“If it’s something that matters to me, I’m persistent.”

Was he implying that she mattered to him? The thought of it made the blood rush from her head. Normally she was a calm, logical thinker, but whenever she was this close to him her thoughts scattered. “You have to back off, Ryan. I can’t think when you say things like that.”

“Good. You need to think less, not more.” He took her arm and guided her across the street away from the bustle of the busy harbor, to the relative calm of Main Street with its attractive buildings and colorful storefronts. They walked past several sea and surf shops and a few high-end boutiques catering to the wealthy set who had fallen in love with the beauty and relative seclusion of Puffin Island. Emily had seen the lavish summer houses dotted around the island, from colonial homes to elaborate beach houses. Despite that, or perhaps because of it, the place had an eclectic, cosmopolitan feel.

“Where are we going?”

“I’m going to buy you an ice cream.”

“A—what?”

“You said you’d eaten breakfast and didn’t want lunch, so I’ll buy you an ice cream instead. Simple pleasures. If you’re going to teach Lizzy how to live, you need to start doing it yourself. The next thing I’m going to do is get you out of those clothes.”

She felt as if she were trapped in an airless room. “You mean you don’t want me to wear so much black?”

He gave her a wicked smile. “Take it any way you like.” Without giving her a chance to respond, he pushed open the door of Summer Scoop and smiled at the young woman behind the counter. “Hi, Lisa, how’s it going?”

“Good, thanks.” The woman used that overly bright tone that people adopted when things were totally crap.

The place was empty.

“I’m treating Emily to ice cream.” Ryan put his hand on the small of her back and eased her forward. “Something smooth, creamy and indulgent.”