“I don’t know. It depends on what you have in your pantry. You cooked breakfast for us and you’ve taken me around town all morning. The least I can do is pamper you awhile. Are your feet tired?”

She laughed even as her heart squeezed at the concern in his voice.

“My feet are fine, but I wouldn’t turn down a massage if you’re offering.”

He gave her a smile filled with genuine warmth. “I think that could be arranged.”

She flung her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. “Oh, Rafael. Today has been perfect. Just perfect. Thank you.”

When she pulled away, he had a befuddled expression on his face as if he didn’t know quite how to respond to her outburst.

“I had no idea shopping for jeans made you so happy,” he teased.

She flashed him a cheeky grin. “Only when I get to see you wear them.”

He patted her affectionately on the behind and then gestured for her to go ahead of him. “Let’s go then. All this shopping has worked up my appetite.”

She laced her fingers with his, delighting in the sense of closeness that had quickly built between them. Whether he remembered or not, the moment they’d arrived, Bryony had sensed a change in Rafael. He’d reverted to the more relaxed, easygoing man with whom she’d fallen in love.

He may not see himself as someone who would get away from the stress of the business world, or someone who would leave his cell phone off or his computer put away for a period of days, but Moon Island had changed him. She’d like to think that his relationship with her had changed his priorities. Maybe it was fanciful and naive for her to think such things, but it didn’t stop her from hoping that he’d rediscover the island—and her.

They drove back to the cottage but Bryony directed him to pull into her grandmother’s driveway instead of her own.

“I want to check in with her and see how she’s doing. I’ve only talked to her on the phone for the last week. I don’t often leave her for long periods of time.”

Rafael nodded. “Of course. Would you prefer I go ahead to your cottage and begin lunch?”

“Only if you want to. I don’t mind if you come unless you’re uncomfortable. I’m only going to talk to her a minute or two. Make sure everything’s okay.”

“Then I’ll go with you,” Rafael said. “I’d like to get reacquainted. You two seem to be very close. Did I spend a lot of time with her before?”