He was fully aware that she’d avoided him the day before at the surgery, going to great lengths to make sure they didn’t bump into one another. Seeing her now, the emotion he felt was like a punch in the gut. He was attracted to her in a way he hadn’t been attracted to a woman in years.

‘She’d be perfect for you.’ Evanna’s voice came from behind him and he turned, keeping his expression neutral.

‘You never give up, do you?’

‘Not when I think something is worth the effort.’ Evanna replied. ‘Don’t be angry with me.’

‘Then don’t interfere.’

‘I’m helping.’

‘Do you think I need help?’

‘When you first came here, yes. You were so angry,’ she said softly. ‘I used to hear you sawing wood and banging nails. You swung that hammer as if you hoped someone’s head was underneath it.’

Ryan breathed out slowly. ‘I hadn’t realised anyone witnessed that—’

‘I came down to the lighthouse from time to time, trying to pluck up courage to ask you to join us for supper, but whenever I saw you your expression was so black and you were so dark and scary I lost my nerve.’

‘I didn’t know.’ He’d been aware of nothing, he realised, but his own pain. ‘So, have you become braver or am I less scary?’

Her smile was wise and gentle. ‘You banged in a lot of nails.’

‘I guess I did.’ He respected the fact that she hadn’t pushed him for the reason. She’d never pushed him. Just offered unconditional friendship. Humbled once again by the generosity of the islanders, he frowned. ‘Evanna—’

‘Just promise me that if I back off you won’t let her slip through your fingers.’

‘Life doesn’t always come as neatly wrapped as you seem to think.’

‘It takes work to wrap something neatly.’ She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. ‘You’ve been here for two years. It’s enough. Don’t let the past mess up the future, Ryan.’

‘Is that what I’m doing?’

‘I don’t know. Are you?’

Ryan thought about the kiss on the beach and the way he felt about Jenna. ‘No,’ he said. ‘I’m not.’

He knew Jenna was nothing like Connie. And maybe that was one of the reasons he was so attracted to her.

‘Is my wife sorting out your love-life?’ Logan strolled over to them, Charlie on his shoulders.

‘Who? Me?’ Her expression innocent, Evanna picked up a bowl of green salad. ‘Can you put this on the table, please? Next to the tomato salsa. I’m going to meet Jenna and make her feel welcome. She looks nervous. I’m sure she feels a bit daunted by the crowd.’