* * *

Kelly lay in her bed, numbed by the painful memories. And now, here on this island, she was supposed to forget the past. Put it behind her. Move forward and pick up where she and Ryan had left off.

Forgetting that she’d been horribly betrayed by people she trusted.

When Ryan knocked softly at her door, she roused herself from the weight of her thoughts, cursing that it was already morning and she’d done little better than catnap.

She struggled out of bed and hauled her robe around her body then staggered to the door to open it.

Ryan stood outside, dressed in slacks and a dress shirt. He had impending business written all over him.

“I’ve left breakfast on the bar for you. I have to run out to the construction site for a few hours. Will you be all right alone?”

She nodded, relieved that she wouldn’t immediately have to face him. She needed time to regain her composure. Time to mentally reconstruct her defenses.

“Yes, of course. When will you be back?”

He checked his watch. “It’s eight now. I shouldn’t be later than noon. We can have lunch in the hotel restaurant and then go for a walk on the beach if you like. Take it easy while I’m gone. I’ll worry if I know you’re on the beach by yourself.”

She rolled her eyes. “I think I’m capable of leaving the hotel room alone.”

“I know you are,” he said quietly. “I just worry and I’d prefer to be with you.”

There wasn’t much she could say to that, so she nodded. “I’ll see you at lunch.”

He lifted his hand in a wave and then walked away. For a moment she stared after him and then she closed the door, leaning against it.

Day one of attempting to forget the past and forge ahead.

“How’s that working out for you?” she muttered as she traipsed into the bathroom.

Though she had every intention of at least taking in the portion of the beach right outside the patio of her suite, she still wanted a long, hot bath. Even if it meant she’d still have to shower when she came in with sand in all her nooks and crannies.

After drawing a tub full of steaming water, she sank up to her ears and sighed in complete bliss. She hadn’t made the water too hot, and she wouldn’t stay long. Then she’d go bake in the sun for a bit.

After twenty minutes, regretfully, she toed the lever for the drain and then hauled herself out of the tub. Her stomach growled and she hurriedly went through the motions of dressing and putting on enough makeup to look presentable in public.

She devoured the bagel, the cinnamon roll and the fruit Ryan had left for her. She ate every crumb and licked her fingers, feeling like a pig, but a very satisfied pig. It had been a while since she’d had a hearty appetite and it had been weeks since anything had actually tasted good to her.