CHAPTER NINE

SUMMER COULDNT WAIT. If she didn’t manage to sneak in a quick Rafael fix to satisfy the craving she’d worked up with those text messages, there was no way she’d be able to concentrate on anything.

She’d managed to grab five minutes out of the nursery on the pretext she had to consult him on the matter of Gracie’s pick-up today. It wasn’t a complete fabrication since he hadn’t given her a definitive time frame for their romantic evening and it might be easier for her to bring Gracie home straight after work.

She knew she couldn’t keep on this way, texting and snatching moments with him during working hours. Sooner or later people would notice and start to talk and they couldn’t keep their relationship quiet for ever on this small island. They couldn’t exactly gag Gracie either if she chose to tell anyone about their sleepover.

Besides, she was fit to explode with happiness at the turn their relationship had taken and that wouldn’t go unnoticed for long with her co-workers, who didn’t think she had a life beyond her job. She was beginning to believe that all this time she’d spent alone was so she’d appreciate having Rafael and Gracie all the more. It was amazing how much joy there was to be had in simple things like a day out or having a meal in company.

Despite voicing her concern about spending too much time at their house, she knew she was too far gone to help herself. She wanted to spend every waking moment with Rafael, as well as the sleeping ones. He was so protective of his daughter he wouldn’t have issued the invitation if he didn’t whole-heartedly believe she would be a permanent feature in their lives.

That thought was both exhilarating and terrifying. Whilst she considered herself lucky to have found someone so loving and willing to share the most precious thing in his life with her, opening her heart left her more exposed to harm, compared to the protected life she’d led these past months on her own.

Hopefully, they’d have an opportunity to discuss what it was they both expected out of this relationship later and put her mind at ease that getting into something serious with him wasn’t simply a step closer to heartache. For now, she’d be content to catch a minute or two alone with him. A quick kiss would be enough to carry her through the rest of the day on cloud nine.

Her pace increased with anticipation the closer she came to his territory, her heart beating that much quicker and the smile on her face becoming broader. It was amazing the effect a new relationship could have on a person, though she was sure he’d always possess the ability to send her body into raptures without having to lay a finger on her.

As she turned the corner into his department she paused to check her reflection in one of the glass panels lining the corridor. He’d seen her at her worst with bed head and yesterday’s mascara smeared under her eyes. Her hair tied up in a ponytail and minimal make-up was essential for work and would have to do for now, but if she had some time later she’d prefer to go to a little more effort for their first official date.

When she found him waiting in the doorway of his office she was tempted to push him back through the door and ravish him on the desk she was so overcome with lust at the sight of him.

‘I couldn’t stop thinking about you.’ She had her arms open, about to throw them around her man, when she saw a tall figure over his shoulder and composed herself again. The second she recognised Christina she could feel every painful splinter as her heart shattered.

‘Who is this?’ Although Christina addressed Rafael, she was clearly referring to Summer. As she looked her up and down, assessing her with a critical eye, Summer couldn’t help but feel inadequate compared to this well-dressed, flawlessly made-up beauty. Rafael had dismissed their encounter altogether but she’d followed him here, proving she had some serious unfinished business with him.

‘This is Summer Ryan. She’s our child life specialist and nursery assistant at the clinic.’

Not ‘my girlfriend’, ‘partner’, or even ‘friend’. A matter that wouldn’t have bothered her if he was introducing her on a professional level, but they were supposed to be in a relationship now.

The unwelcome embodiment of her fears held out a hand for her to shake. ‘Christina Valdez. Rafael’s wife.’

The white noise was so loud in Summer’s head she barely registered Rafael’s correction. ‘Ex-wife.’

‘Sorry. I didn’t realise you had company.’ She turned away, tears beginning to blur the edges of Rafael’s frame in the doorway. When he didn’t reach out to try and stop her leaving, they fell in earnest.

‘We’ll talk later.’ His words were a promise he’d see her again but not any more than that. She was clearly an outsider here, not included in their discussion of the future.

This should’ve been the start of their life together but with Christina back in the picture Summer’s own position in his life was in jeopardy. She’d been here before, and knew she couldn’t possibly compete with the mother of a man’s child. It was a bond she could never hope to replicate or interfere with. Not that she ever would.

That threat she’d feared most was real now but she was in too deep to come out of this without adding a few more scars. She knew how this played out. Once the ex made it clear she was open to a reconciliation Summer would become a cuckoo in the nest. Christina was a real part of the family she could never call her own.

Even if they didn’t get back together she was going to be gradually pushed out of her relationships with Rafael and Gracie when Christina claimed higher priority in the pecking order.

She didn’t know why Christina had come back but she did know it was bad news for her. Summer was the poor substitute for a missing wife and mother, second best, and faced with a choice a single dad would choose to save his family.

She couldn’t blame anyone for that decision when a child was involved. If she hadn’t come to the island and her ex had wanted to try again she might have chosen familiarity over the unknown quantity of a new relationship. With Christina back on the scene she didn’t know if she would have a future for herself with the Valdez family. It was a difficult decision to make but she wondered if it would be best to end things now, instead of waiting for Rafael to come to the same conclusion when she was in too deep to ever recover from the loss.

Although the idea she was saving herself from more pain than she was currently experiencing wouldn’t soften the blow of letting him go now.


‘What are you painting for us today?’ She forced some brightness into her tone so Gracie wouldn’t pick up on the fact something was wrong when she went back into the nursery unit. This was for her father to explain, not her, even if she had a clue what was going on.

‘Boat,’ the little girl said, as though it was as plain as day what the splodges on the paper represented.

Then it became clear that the three multi-coloured splats on the paper were supposed to be the three of them yesterday on their trip. Summer swallowed back the wail she wanted to release at the injustice of the new loss she was to suffer.


Rafael was walking on shards of glass, pacing the room as he waited for Summer to arrive. She’d barely glanced in his direction when he’d gone to pick Gracie up from nursery. Not that he blamed her. There was so much they had to talk about but at the time he’d simply wanted to put some space between her and Christina.

That’s why he hadn’t been in any hurry to inform his ex about Summer’s real identity as his new partner. He wouldn’t put it past her to try and make trouble through pure jealousy. Her pride would decree it if Christina thought she’d been replaced. Which she most certainly had.

Tonight was supposed to have been romantic, something for Summer and him to look forward to when they could simply enjoy each other’s company in private. Now he knew they were going to have to spend the evening discussing his ex-wife, what she was doing here, and how he was determined not to let her interfere in their personal business. That was before they came up with a plan of how to introduce her back into Gracie’s life with minimal disruption.

All of this could only be achieved if Summer forgave him his earlier brusqueness to show up here for dinner. With Gracie already in bed they’d be able work through any problems in peace and quiet, and pick up from where they’d left off this morning. Preferably back in his bed, leaving the rest of the world outside the door.

His confidence in their relationship had been knocked by Christina’s arrival, as he was sure Summer’s had. An ex-wife was a reminder of all the ways in which he’d failed as a husband and a partner. Whatever her reasons for leaving, he hadn’t been enough for her to stay and he couldn’t be sure it would be any different with Summer.

In an effort to convince her that despite the evidence of one failed relationship he was worth a chance, he’d pulled out all the stops tonight with a home-made seafood paella and sangria for his seduction attempt. He wanted Summer to remember there was more to him than work and emotional baggage.

He lit the candles in the centre of the dining-room table and when the rap on the door finally came, he poured two glasses of fruit-infused red wine to help them both unwind. Until then he hadn’t been sure she’d keep their date.

‘I’m so glad you came—’ His relief was short-lived when he found Christina standing on the doorstep instead of Summer.

‘Hello, Rafael.’

‘Christina, now is not the time,’ he said, making no effort to hide his disappointment.

‘You’re the one who gave me this address.’ She shrugged and pushed past him into the house. He followed her, without even bothering to close the door because as far as he was concerned she’d be going straight back through it once he caught up with her.

‘We’re going to have to discuss boundaries and the importance of sticking to a schedule if you want this to work,’ he said with a frown.

She helped herself to a glass of sangria and made herself comfortable on his couch. ‘So, you do agree we need to sort out an arrangement for me spending time with Gracie?’

If she’d arrived a week ago he would’ve said under no circumstances but events had made him re-evaluate decisions like that and how they would affect Gracie. It shouldn’t be down to him to deny them from getting to know each other. Perhaps it was about time Christina realised how wonderful their daughter was but not right now when Summer was supposed to be on her way over.

‘I’ll agree to think about introducing you but not tonight. She’s in bed.’

‘Can I at least pop in and see her?’

‘No. If you wake her it’ll take all night to settle her again. I promise I’ll sort something out so you can meet her but I really need you to go.’ She had no clue about Gracie’s needs and it was going to take time to understand them, if she was willing to put in the effort. That wasn’t something that could be taught, and so far Summer had been the only one who’d truly understood what it took to make a difference in Gracie’s life, and his too.

‘I’m so happy you’ve decided to give me another chance, Raf.’ Christina bounced up from her seat to plant a kiss on his cheek and he could feel the glossy imprint of her lipstick stain his skin.

‘Sorry, am I interrupting something?’ A pale Summer stood at the door, watching their interaction, and Rafael immediately sprang away from his ex-wife, feeling guilty for even having her in the house.

‘Christina just stopped by to talk about Gracie. She’s going now.’ Rafael stared daggers at Christina, willing her to take the hint that she’d outstayed the welcome he’d never issued in the first place.

‘No, you stay, Christina. I’ll go.’ Summer turned on her heel and walked back out the door without any further discussion. This was not the seduction he’d had in mind.


‘I had no idea she was coming here tonight,’ he said, chasing after her.

‘What is it she wants? What is it you want, Rafael?’ This time she did meet his gaze but all he saw in her eyes was uncertainty, replacing the desire he’d seen there earlier today.

‘She says she wants to be part of Gracie’s life again and to make up for her mistakes. I have to think of what’s best for my daughter.’ He didn’t want anyone to get hurt and believed the only way to handle this was if they all worked together.

‘Two parents.’ Summer agreed with the conclusion he’d come to too. He didn’t want or need Christina in his life but it wouldn’t be fair for Gracie to suffer because of their issues.

‘How’s that going to work when you’re here and Christina’s in Boston?’

‘We haven’t figured that out yet.’

‘You’re seriously thinking of moving back? For Christina?’

‘I want to do whatever’s best for Gracie.’ He didn’t want to uproot her but the arrangements were going to prove tricky. The first step was at least to agree she could meet her mother.

‘I see...’ Summer reached up and rubbed at the spot where Christina had kissed him earlier.

‘Summer, it’s not how it looks.’ He scrubbed at the lipstick evidence of his ex-wife’s over-exuberance and cursed his bad luck. It was understandable Summer was upset when their supposed romantic evening had ended up with Christina firmly in the middle of it but he had no interest in any other woman. He thought she knew that.

‘You’re Gracie’s parents. It’s probably best if I let you two work things out between you.’ With that, she walked out of the house and disappeared off into the night.

‘Summer, come back. There’s nothing going on between us. Summer...’ he called out into the darkness, hoping his word was enough for her. It wasn’t as though he could rush out and explain things, leaving Gracie here by herself. Summer knew that and by walking away she wasn’t leaving any room for discussion.

He felt bereft standing in the doorway, waiting for her to come back once she’d cooled off, but she didn’t. He wasn’t sure if her parting words pertained to cancelling their dinner or their whole relationship. Christina was Gracie’s mom and it was inevitable Summer would feel slighted by her arrival when she’d done so much for the little girl, but it shouldn’t have affected their relationship.

He tried to find comfort in the fact that he hadn’t actually done anything wrong. Summer meant so much to him he wasn’t going to let things end like this. If she wouldn’t talk to him tonight he was going to make sure she heard him out tomorrow. On an island this small she couldn’t avoid him for ever and he would track her to the ends of the earth to give their relationship a fighting chance. He just hoped she felt strongly enough about him to put up with the hassle of having his ex in the picture.

He’d opened his home, his family and his heart to her, believing she was the one who could love him and Gracie without conditions, and prayed this wasn’t a sign she’d turned tail and run at the first hurdle, rather than tackle it with him.

Perhaps a painful break-up had been inevitable. That wouldn’t make it any easier to accept losing the woman he loved.


Summer stumbled down the steps blinded by the tears she worried would never stop. Rafael had sworn he’d never hurt her and he was doing the same thing Marc had done by putting his ex before her. Despite his insistence nothing was going on, she’d heard Christina thanking him for giving her a second chance and seen the evidence of her kiss on his cheek. He hadn’t come after her or put up any sort of fight for her, much less considered her feelings about any of this. Perhaps he was hedging his bets by keeping both of them onside but she’d already been pushed out of the decision-making that would affect her life as much as everyone else’s.

If she threw away everything she’d built for herself on Maple Island on a man who could cast her aside when the mood took him then she obviously hadn’t learned her lesson well enough the first time around.