She was interested. And scared. The greater the emotion, the greater the capacity for hurt, and she knew this relationship could go nowhere.

“I have Lizzy. That’s more than enough to adjust to for now. And children are the perfect contraception.”

“True. On the other hand I might be able to help with that. Would you trust me with Lizzy?”

“I have trusted you with Lizzy. She’s sleeping upstairs with your kids.”

“I mean overnight. I swear if a photographer knocks on the door, I’ll kill him with my bare hands. Even if I didn’t already hate them after everything they printed about Mike’s accident, I wouldn’t let anything happen to Lizzy. I already love her.”

“I trust you, Lisa. It isn’t you, it’s me. I have a problem with letting go.” Over a glass of wine, she’d told Lisa the truth about Lizzy’s identity, but she hadn’t shared the story about Katy. “I want to be there the whole time to protect her.”

“Are you really worried the photographers will come here?”

“Every day that passes makes it less likely. Ryan thinks the trail will have gone cold. That they’ve lost interest.”

“So leave her with me,” Lisa urged. “Go on a date. Have a night of wild sex. Believe me, if that is ever an option for me, I’ll be dropping the twins with you!”

A wild night of sex.

Was she the only person in the world for whom sex had never been wild?

Feeling inadequate, Emily shook her head. “That isn’t going to happen.”

Chapter Thirteen

Thirteen

Two days later Ryan was on his way to deal with a problem at the marina when he saw Emily walking hand in hand with Lizzy toward the section of the harbor reserved for the boat tours. The child was talking nonstop, and Emily was listening attentively, occasionally nodding and interjecting.

He compared it to the first day when she’d sat in the Ocean Club staring at Lizzy as if she were a bomb that might detonate at any moment.

Instead of using the path down to the marina, Ryan diverted and joined them on the waterfront. “Taking a trip?”

“Yes.” Lizzy was so excited she was almost dancing. “We’re going on the boat. I swam on my own yesterday for the first time, and now Emily is taking me to see the puffins before they fly away for the winter.”

It was impossible not to respond to that excitement. Also impossible not to wonder how much of a treat it would be for Emily.

“Sounds like fun.” He cast a look at Emily and saw shades of pale under the bright smile. It was her skin color that made up his mind. “Why don’t I take you myself?”

Emily shook her head. “That’s not necessary. I know you’re busy.”