‘Chill? What’s that?’ Jenna rolled her eyes in self-mockery. ‘I don’t know how to chill. But at work I’m sane, I promise. You must be wondering why on earth you gave me a lift. And a job.’

‘Your job is safe. I can promise you that.’

‘There’s no such thing as safe.’ She rubbed her finger over the table, following the grain of the wood. ‘A year ago I had a husband, a home and a job. I lost all three.’

He was silent for a long moment. ‘And now you have a home and a job again.’

There was something in his voice that made her look at him—made her wonder what personal trauma had driven him to this island.

‘What I want is for Lexi to be happy.’ Feeling calmer than she’d felt for ages, Jenna slipped off her shoes and curled her toes into the grass. ‘I’m hoping that this will be a fresh start. I want it to feel like home.’

‘If you need any help turning it into a home, give me a shout.’ Ryan checked his watch and rose to his feet. ‘I’m pretty good with a toolbox. Do you want any help unpacking? Is any of your furniture coming over?’

‘No. No furniture.’ Clive had claimed the furniture and all the belongings they’d collected over fifteen years of marriage. She hadn’t had the strength to argue. She’d packed her clothes, a few books and not much else. ‘I need to go shopping—oh, you said someone had stocked the place already?’

‘When Evanna told the town meeting that you were coming, everyone from the village contributed.’

Jenna blinked. ‘A group of people sat down and discussed my shopping list?’

‘There’s not a lot going on around here when the nightclubs are closed.’

‘That’s really kind.’ Touched, Jenna made a mental note to thank everyone. ‘Perhaps you could tell me the names. Then I can work out how much I owe everyone and pay them back.’

Ryan gave a faint smile, rolling up his shirtsleeves, revealing arms as strong as his shoulders. ‘Oh, you’ll pay. Don’t worry about it. Everyone will claim a favour from you at some point. Usually at the most awkward, embarrassing moment, because that’s how it works around here. One minute you’re buying yourself a loaf of bread and the next you’re giving an opinion on someone’s rash.’ He stood up. ‘If we can do anything to help you settle in faster, let us know. The key to the back door is in the top drawer in the kitchen. It can be temperamental. If it jams, jiggle it slightly in the lock. And the shower turns cold if someone turns on a tap in the kitchen.’

‘You know this house?’

‘I stayed here for a few nights before I completed the sale on the lighthouse.’