“I really want to help. For now you’re living here with me, so that’s one problem solved.” Joanna paused. “If that’s what you want. Maybe it isn’t. Maybe you’d rather go somewhere else, in which case I’ll help you find somewhere safe and comfortable. And your hospital bills should be paid from Cliff’s estate. After all, you were only there because of him. But leave that one with me. I’ll talk to my lawyers and we’ll decide the best way to move forward from here.”

“You have lawyers?”

“I was married to Cliff for two decades.” Joanna’s tone was dry. “You’d better believe I have lawyers. Good ones, who charge me a fortune. Forget that for now. Are you happy to live with me in Otter’s Nest? At least while we figure out what your best next steps are?”

Happy? Ashley thought longingly of the beach house. That big comfy bed. The breeze through the open doors. The fact that you could hear the ocean from every room in the house. Her own bathroom. Paradise. But the real appeal of the place, she realized now, had been Joanna herself. Joanna, who had been there for her from the moment she’d walked into that hospital room. Joanna, who had given her somewhere to recuperate after her accident. Joanna, who had put aside her natural urge to keep a low profile in order to come after Ashley. Joanna, who had treated her with compassion and kindness right from the start.

“Staying with you is the safest and most comfortable I’ve felt in a long time. I—you saved me. I don’t know what I would have done without you.” Ashley stumbled over the words, trying to express how she felt. “I’m grateful. That’s partly why I left. I didn’t want to make life tough for you.”

“I’m the one grateful to you.” Joanna sat back in her chair and closed her eyes. “Listen to that.”

“What?” Ashley glanced around her. What was she missing? There was a couple laughing at a table near them, a clatter of crockery from inside the café, more laughter, the crash of waves on the beach just steps away. “What am I listening to?”

“Life.” Joanna opened her eyes. She looked a little dazed. “Normal life. Do you have any idea how long it has been since I’ve felt normal? I’ve lived in a small protected world for as long as I can remember. My choice, but I didn’t feel as if I had options. I didn’t want the attention, and thanks to Cliff it was almost impossible for me to live normally without attention. That became my normal. I never questioned changing it. And then you came along and I pulled you into my world to protect you.”

“And I feel guilty that—”