“I remember.” In fact, he was remembering a number of things. Like the last time she’d been out on a boat with him. He hadn’t been able to sleep most of last night, wondering if she would keep her word and show up today.

He’d been in his office before daybreak and had known the minute she’d arrived on the pier. Watching from his office window, he’d seen her arrive and he’d felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time. Love. He loved Bryce. A part of him knew he’d never stopped loving her, even during that time when he’d believed she had betrayed him. That was probably why he’d felt so much animosity toward her. He hadn’t understood how he could desire someone who had dishonored him the way she had. When it came to Bryce, love and desire went hand in hand.

It had taken him ten years to find out she hadn’t betrayed him. He’d been wrong, and he didn’t care how long it took—he was determined to earn back her love. He had to because he couldn’t imagine living another ten years without her.

Maybe that was the reason he’d felt a territorial tightening in his gut when he’d seen her talking to Vaughn. Kaegan knew that Bryce had a tendency to be friendly to everyone; that was why she was so well liked in the cove. The only reason he’d been so quick to believe the worst of her that time was because he’d also known Samuel’s reputation with the ladies. At least he’d known the one the man had perpetuated for years. On top of that had been the lies his father had been feeding him. He’d played right into his old man’s hands and he would admit that losing Bryce was what he deserved for not fully trusting her. For not believing she would not betray him.

Feeling territorial when it came to Bryce was nothing new and it wasn’t anything against Vaughn. He felt the same way whenever he saw her conversing with Isaac Elloran, or any other single man living in the cove, for that matter. More than once, he’d run into her out on a date. Either he’d been on a date, as well, or he’d been alone. Didn’t matter. He’d still felt the need to ram his hand into the nearest wall.

Since they were playing the “remember” game, he said, “I also remember that I was the one who taught you and Vashti to swim.”

“Yeah, but that was only after we begged you to do so.”

“Yes, the two of you did get on my last nerve.”

“Oh, we did, did we?”

They turned and saw Vashti standing there with her hands on her hips, while frowning at him. Instead of answering her, Kaegan asked a question of his own. “How was your nap?”

Vashti’s grin told him she was aware he’d deliberately switched topics and would let him for now. “It was fine. I guess next time you’ll think twice about letting me come along. I’m not much help today.”