THEY LAUNCHED AT each other the second they closed Gracie’s bedroom door. With her arms draped around his neck, Summer surrendered herself to Rafael’s touch and he took immediate possession. He tangled his hands in her hair as his lips moved across hers, his genuine feelings for her there in the urgency of his kiss.
The cyclone of lust twisting their bodies around one another was in danger of whisking them off to the fantasy land where this was possible.
‘Where’s your room?’
Rafael questioned her decision with a raised eyebrow but she was a woman who knew exactly what she wanted.
He took her by the hand and led her to the room at the end of the hallway, kicking the door shut behind them before reclaiming her with his arms and lips. His kisses were every bit as confident and sexy as she’d been recalling all day, apparently without exaggeration. Now they were alone and free to express the desire that had been building since last night, clothes seemed an unnecessary hindrance, although it had been a while since she’d slept with a man and admitted as much to him, so there was no confusion about the significance of what they were about to embark upon together.
‘I...er...haven’t done this for a while.’ She was gulping feverishly as he kissed his way down her neck, opening the buttons on her shirt to follow the path into the valley of her cleavage.
He briefly paused his expedition to give her a smirk. ‘Neither have I, Summer. I’m sure we can help each other remember what we’re supposed to be doing.’ The glint in his eye sent shivers of delight rippling across her skin and he continued to strip her while covering her in hot, sensual kisses.
By the time she was clad only in her underwear she didn’t care about anything other than soothing that ache for him within. He slid the straps of her bra excruciatingly slowly down her arms, undid the clasp and let her breasts spill free. The shock of the air on her skin puckered her nipples and she gasped when his mouth found them.
‘Rafael...’ She was on the brink of incapacitating ecstasy, pleading for release when she hadn’t even touched him or undressed him in return.
‘I’m enjoying getting acquainted with you. If it’s okay with you, I’d prefer to take my time.’ Even in the dark she could tell he was grinning, relishing the fact that he’d rendered her speechless.
‘Uh-huh.’ She closed her eyes and left her body at his mercy.
He hooked his fingers inside her panties, slowly drew them down her legs and proceeded to trail his tongue down the centre of her torso until she was naked and he was kneeling at her feet.
She was breathless with want as his hot breath skimmed over her inner thighs and he teased her open with the tip of his tongue. Her legs were trembling as he plunged deep inside her wet core, lapping the arousal about to consume her whole. She held onto his shoulders for support as he continued to drive her closer to the edge of oblivion.
With his hands squeezing her buttocks, his tongue a swirling tornado inside her, he whipped her into a frenzy of lust. His relentless quest for her orgasm sent her spiralling much quicker than she’d ever believed possible. She shuddered again and again, every aftershock of her climax leaving her limbs quivering with the effort of holding her upright.
Once Rafael had rendered her completely incapable of speech and mobility, he established control of her ragdoll body and carried her towards the bed. Although she’d have been happy to divest him of his clothes, she was equally content to watch him do the job himself, revealing the physique she’d been drooling over ever since he’d arrived on the island.
The evidence of all his sporting prowess was there in every toned, tanned inch of taut muscle, although his most impressive body part had been gifted to him by Mother Nature. Summer considered herself a very lucky woman indeed.
The way she was unashamedly staring at his naked form, her eyes dark with desire, was hardening him even more than bringing her to climax with his mouth alone. She made him feel wanted, desirable in a way he hadn’t experienced since Graciela had been born.
She was lying here beneath him, beautifully exposed for his appreciation and panting with want for him, and he was going to savour every second. He slid slowly between her soft thighs into that slick, tight heat that made him jerk and almost abandon his vow. His groan chorused with Summer’s as they finally forged that connection they’d been afraid of from the start.
Once past that initial, brief resistance as she adjusted to him inside her, Rafael began to move, both of them voicing their pleasure with every thrust and making a mystery of why they’d waited so long for this. Sex had always been about more than the physical act for him. For him the act was the culmination of his feelings for someone, not the starting point, and he wouldn’t be here with Summer if he didn’t believe she was someone special in his life.
He knew it was the same for her when she’d confided in him about how much her ex had hurt her. There was no way she’d have rushed into this with him based on lust alone, even if it felt like that when she was digging her nails into his backside and urging him deeper inside her. She was making it difficult for him to prolong their mutual satisfaction when she was sucking his earlobe into her mouth and grinding her pelvis into his.
His head was pounding with the rush of blood and endorphins coursing through his veins at breakneck speed. She leaned into him, her breath in his ear causing the pressure in his loins to build until he was no longer able to contain it. Then she contracted her inner muscles around his shaft and the dam burst in a spectacular roar.
He poured everything he had into her and with the last strokes of his climax he carried her there again with him.
They clung together, sweat glistening on their skin, chests heaving with the effort of breathing, and Rafael couldn’t wipe the grin from his face. She was as amazing as he’d been afraid of because he knew he’d never want to leave her bed again.
When they finally extricated themselves from one another, bodies limp and breathing laboured, it was Summer who spoke first. She only managed one word but one that echoed his own thoughts.
‘Wow!’
He rested his hand on his chest, feeling his heart beating fast and clear and making him feel more alive than he had since Christina had left, when he’d thought his whole world had ended. It was a reminder he still had a right to a life of his own outside his role of a parent. Not only was he a father and a surgeon but he was also a red-blooded man with his own loves and wants and he should no longer be content to set them aside.
He was almost afraid to recognise his current mood for fear of jinxing it but as he lay in the afterglow of their lovemaking he was content. Maple Island had provided him with a home, a job, a safe community for his daughter and a partner with whom he hoped to share all aspects of his life.
He turned onto his side but found himself too choked up to tell her how much she meant to him so he showed her with a kiss. Her lips were reciprocating all those emotions that went beyond great sex.
For what seemed the longest time they lay staring into one another’s eyes, only breaking eye contact every now and then to indulge in some more sensual caresses and generally making the most of the little world they’d created for themselves in this room.
He smoothed the flat of his hand over the contours of Summer’s body, mesmerised by her curves as his hand dipped in at the indent at her waist and over the flare of her hips, and wishing they never had to don clothes again.
‘I’ll have to leave before Gracie sees me.’ Summer reminded him he had responsibilities beyond his libido and it showed how much she cared about his daughter that she even raised the subject.
‘There’s still plenty of time before she wakes.’ He wouldn’t want to upset his little girl by finding a woman in his bed but he’d give anything to be able to fall asleep here for the night with Summer in his arms.
She nodded to show her understanding of his situation but the worrying of her bottom lip with her teeth showed she didn’t want to leave either.
Rafael didn’t want to treat Summer as second best to his daughter but there would have to be a gentle lead in to their relationship around her. It would require specialist juggling skills to balance family duties with his love life now that he might have one.
Summer’s selfless attitude and empathy for Gracie was the sort of unconditional love and understanding a mother should have. She would never expect him to choose between them, jealous of the attention he devoted to his daughter, but neither did he wish to confine her to the shadows.
‘You know I’ll be accompanying Paisley on her transfer to Boston?’ She’d needed some time to recover from her operation but tomorrow they’d be moving her to the mainland. A gem of an idea had shone in his thoughts as he’d searched for a way to combine his time with those most precious to him without upsetting anyone. It would be impossible, not to mention painful, to expect the woman in his life to remain at arm’s length now.
‘Hmm...’ She eyed him with caution but he wanted a concrete plan in place to see each other again.
‘Why don’t you and Gracie come over on the ferry and we’ll spend some time in the city together?’
Her eyes grew wide at the suggestion and her ensuing response would surely set the tone for the continuing nature of their relationship.
Summer knew this was a big deal and in some ways a greater step forward for them than sleeping together. Although that had been spectacular in itself and she was thoroughly satiated from the experience.
Spending the day with Gracie, being given sole responsibility for her welfare and getting her to the city was a sign of Rafael’s trust in her. A decision he would not take lightly when he’d spent so long trying to protect her from outside influences.
However, she didn’t want his sudden keenness to integrate her into their family life to override everything else. Not only was it going to be a difficult transition for Gracie to get used to seeing her in a more personal capacity but Summer had a position at the clinic that extended beyond one adorable child and her delectable dad.
‘Isn’t that a lot to expect from Gracie at such short notice?’ Summer could rise to the challenge if they were all in agreement but it could prove a step too far for Gracie to take her out of nursery to embark on a trip without her father.
‘I know I can count on you to take care of her and I’m sure she’ll love the idea of visiting Boston again.’ That level of faith in her when he’d fought against her for so long raised goose-bumps along her skin. She knew it came from more than sharing a bed but she couldn’t help but think it was such a turnaround he could be making rash decisions based on his current euphoria. It also dragged her further into their family dynamic and she was afraid that would lead to more hurt if it all went wrong and she lost that mothering role to Gracie as well as being Rafael’s partner. She’d be the one left with the gaping hole in her heart when he’d still have his daughter.
‘What about nursery or, you know, my job? I can’t just call in and inform them I’m taking the day off so I can play hooky with you.’ It was what she wanted to do but she had to be an adult about this. Her position at the clinic was important to her and she wasn’t about to blow it off simply for that first flush of excitement that came with a new relationship.
‘Alex and Cody have asked me to be in that helicopter. I’ll tell them I don’t want to leave Gracie and you’re the only one who can bring her across, which is all true. I’m sure the clinic can manage without us for one day.’
There was more chance of him swinging her the day off when his position here was superior to hers. ‘I suppose one day off isn’t going to kill me, or anyone else.’
‘Our patients will still be here when we get back and there are plenty of staff to take care of them in our absence. That is, if the idea of spending the day with us appeals to you? I wouldn’t want to railroad you into agreeing.’
‘I’d love to spend time with you and Gracie away from here. I just don’t want to jeopardise my job in the process.’
‘I would never ask you to do that, Summer. I promise I’ll sort out the details first thing but it’s important you know I’d never force these decisions on you. You will always be free to do whatever you’re comfortable with. Including if you decide to walk away.’ All the tension was back in his face, his jaw clenched, frown lines running across his forehead and his brown eyes almost black with the sincerity he was expressing to her.
He couldn’t have been any clearer that he wasn’t pressuring her and that she should want to be with them by her own volition. She could only imagine the burden of guilt he’d endured in the aftermath of his divorce if his ex had made him feel as though they’d been lead weights dragging her down.
‘There is nowhere I’d rather be. Well, maybe one other place.’
She snuggled her naked body closer into his and hoped the morning wouldn’t come too quickly when she’d have to sneak away before she was spotted.
‘No Dolly.’ Gracie lifted the doll Summer had been using to try and persuade her to get into the car and threw it on the ground.
They’d both spoken to Gracie about their plans, omitting any reference to personal developments. It had been a mutual decision not to rush her into the middle of that until she’d had time to get used to Summer sharing her father. Otherwise it would be overwhelming for her to accept that her nursery teacher was kissing Daddy.
He’d kissed them both—his passionate embrace with Summer out of sight from impressionable young eyes—and set off for his helicopter transfer to Boston. Now, realising she was expected to get into a strange car and leave the island without her father, Gracie was understandably distressed.
The important thing was for Summer to remain calm and not get hung up on Rafael waiting for them. Gracie would pick up on her stress and it wouldn’t get them on the ferry any quicker. What this would take was patience, reassurance and some ingenuity.
‘That’s a shame.’ Summer brushed out Dolly’s wool hair and Gracie turned down the volume of her screaming. ‘Dolly was looking forward to her day out at the aquarium seeing the fish. She was hoping to make some new friends too.’
Curiosity shifted Gracie’s focus from the absence of her father to the doll in Summer’s hand. Summer waited patiently, silently with the car door open and let the child believe this decision was hers alone. After a time Gracie snatched back ownership of Dolly and climbed into the back seat with her.
Once both were safely belted into the car, Gracie’s buggy loaded into the trunk in case her sprained ankle became too painful to walk on, Summer let out a long, steady breath. It was entirely different managing a child with challenging needs in a controlled environment such as the clinic or the nursery compared to out in the real world. She had no authority, no current support or even a right to be here. This was Gracie’s world and Summer would have to adjust in order to fit in.
Rafael had been right to be cautious when it came to their relationship. A casual affair would never work when he was devoted to Gracie and anyone he got involved with would have to be equally as dedicated. Not all women would be prepared to take on the responsibilities she represented. Thankfully Summer had already formed an attachment to the little girl and was honoured Rafael had acknowledged that by inviting her further into their lives.
Although it was a tad daunting when she’d been here before with Marc and her bruised heart should’ve been a reminder to maintain some detachment. Impossible when she’d already fallen for the two brown-eyed beauties. She would never comprehend Christina’s decision to leave her lovely family behind when they’d already become such a big part of her life in a relatively short space of time.
The calm crossing and long drive lulled Gracie to sleep for the duration of the journey so there were no more dramas between Maple Island and Boston.
The hustle and bustle of the city she’d been raised in came as a shock to the system after the sedate nature of island life she’d become accustomed to. Being plunged back into sensory overload with the bright lights and noise of city life could have an adverse effect on Gracie too. Rafael had commented on how the slower pace on Maple Island had lessened the frequency of her outbursts so it was a concern the reverse could happen back in Boston.
Although he’d taken that into consideration given the itinerary he’d planned, meeting them at the aquarium where Gracie would find some relief from the crowds on the bustling streets.
The guilt about taking time off at short notice to play happy families hadn’t left her, even though Rafael had apparently smoothed it over with the big bosses. Perhaps it was because her job had become her whole life since leaving the mainland, the only relationship she’d had since Marc, and she was cheating on it with Rafael and Gracie. They were claiming huge chunks of her time and her heart, moving her away from being a workaholic avoiding emotional entanglements back into a fully functioning human being who was starting to think she could have it all.
Her phone buzzed with a message from Rafael.
I’ll be there soon. Missing you. Xx
Every letter broadened the smile on her face further, knowing they’d be reunited shortly, he was missing her and sending virtual kisses, making her feel as giddy as a teenager with her first love.
‘Good news, Gracie, your father is going to be with us soon.’
Gracie giggled, her attention elsewhere as the stingray came to the surface of the touch tank to let her stroke him. Every now and then he splashed some water over the edge of the tank onto her shoes, making her laugh like Summer had never heard before.
‘I think he likes you.’ The feeling was mutual, as illustrated by the inordinate amount of time they’d spent here, but Gracie was in her element. She’d been enamoured by all the exhibits and an absolute joy to be around. It was a shame Rafael had missed this part of the day but she’d taken plenty of photographs to mark the occasion. If it wasn’t too far out of her jurisdiction she might suggest he get a pet for Gracie when she was as engaged as this.
‘You two seem to be having fun together.’ Rafael’s voice, low in her ear, coupled with his arms sliding around her waist, made Summer every bit as happy as their budding marine biologist.
She kept her eyes on Gracie as Rafael kissed her neck and once she was sure they wouldn’t be spotted she spun around to give him a much-too-quick peck hello.
‘So far, so good.’ It wouldn’t do any good to recount the blip they’d had this morning before boarding the ferry when it was the same trying to get any small child to comply and she didn’t want to spoil the rest of the day by mentioning any problems to him.
‘Hola, Graciela.’ He moved towards his daughter and she rewarded him with a toothy grin and sticking his hand in the cold water to meet her new friend.
‘I think you could have trouble if you try to get her to leave. Her fingers will be wrinkled by now they’ve spent so long in there.’ Neither of them minded when she was enjoying herself but Summer was looking forward to whatever else Rafael had in store for them today.
‘That would be a shame when I’d planned another trip for us.’ He spoke loud enough for Gracie to hear and she sidled closer around the perimeter of the tank to listen.
‘I guess we’ll just have to stay here until closing time.’ Summer huffed out a sigh and played along.
‘We’ll save the boat trip to see the whales for the next time.’
Now she would be genuinely gutted if they couldn’t go. It had been years since she’d gone whale watching and there was no one she’d rather share the experience with than current company.
The prospect of more sea life proved irresistible to an inquisitive three-year-old and she eventually whispered goodbye to the stingray and presented her wet palms to her father.
‘I think this means she’s ready to go.’ He laughed and dried her off with the paper towels provided for the ray-whisperers.
Summer held out a hand and Gracie slid her fingers in to interlace with hers and grabbed her father with the other hand so the three of them strolled through the halls of the aquarium all linked together.
The transition from the clinic to Boston Harbour Hospital had been as straightforward as the team could’ve expected. Once Rafael was sure the patient was comfortable he’d hardly been able to wait to reunite with Gracie and Summer.
Nothing ever ran to plan with a child on the autistic spectrum and those not used to his daughter’s quirks were often stressed at the end of their time with her. It hadn’t been a test when Summer had previous experience with her but he was able to relax once he’d seen for himself how well they’d managed without him. There were bound to have been some hiccups along the way but Summer apparently didn’t deem them significant enough to mention.
It was great for him to be able to delegate some of that responsibility and not be obligated to apologise or gush thanks for it but it would take some getting used to. For the duration of Gracie’s young life so far he’d made every decision on her behalf, decreed he was to be consulted night and day on anything affecting his daughter, and it was a huge step to believe that Summer could manage without his input. He’d entrusted the most precious thing in his life to her and that wasn’t something he did without considerable thought. It was a decision he’d taken in order for them to progress in their relationship and show her he was opening up his heart and his family because she was so special to him.
He’d have been devastated if Summer had declared she’d had enough after trying to wrangle Gracie on the journey, and would’ve spelled the end of the affair. There wouldn’t have been any point in continuing if she couldn’t accommodate his daughter and vice versa because there was no alternative available. He had no intention of embarking on a fling because it would be impossible to divide his time so completely between a partner and his family, even if he’d only been after a physical affair. He wasn’t, of course, he was enjoying Summer’s company, especially as she understood them better than anyone else ever had.
Deep down he hadn’t expected her to let them down because he’d never have left Gracie in her care if he’d imagined she couldn’t cope. Now he had definitive proof he could throw off the shackles of the past and live in the moment with both of them.
‘Are you cold, querida niña?’ Despite the appropriate layers of clothing they’d donned in preparation for their whale watching, Gracie wasn’t always able to communicate to him if she was too cold.
‘I can take you downstairs where it’s warmer,’ Summer offered, but Gracie clung tighter to the side of the catamaran, content to wait it out for the promised whale sighting.
The boat lurched on the choppy sea along with his stomach. For all his planning he hadn’t figured motion sickness into the equation.
‘How are you doing?’ The gentle hand rubbing his back as he leaned over the rail was as comforting as the sound of her sympathetic words.
He couldn’t remember the last time anyone asked him about his well-being. That warm glow inside that it gave him knowing someone cared immediately improved his condition.
‘I’m fine. I wouldn’t miss this for the world,’ he said, hoping she realised that every time he took her hand, in his head he was kissing her. Hand-holding had suddenly become acceptable in Gracie’s eyes, alternating between him and Summer, sometimes clinging to both, other times insisting he and Summer held hands too.
He didn’t know what had brought this on other than it being a sign she was comfortable in the company of both adults and accepting their intimacy at hand-holding level. It was more than he’d expected but it was a positive boost for the bonds they were attempting to forge.
Summer responded with a squeeze that he chose to interpret as a lingering embrace. His pleasure at being close to her was matched by the joy of seeing and hearing his daughter pointing and shrieking at everything that came into view. From the harbour seal they passed, to the squawking gannets who’d swooped down to plunder his freshly caught fish and the frequent bombardment of gulls, she’d cherished every sighting. Both he and Summer took time to educate her on the species she spied while they had her attention.
‘I think we’ll have to do this more often. I mean if you want to, or it could be something you and Gracie might prefer to do on your own.’ Her assumption she’d be joining them on another family outing made him smile just as much as her attempt to take it back. She was already thinking of them as a unit and he didn’t mind a bit.
‘We will have to do it again. All three of us.’
She stopped rambling once he assured her she was welcome to join them any time. It made trips out fun for him as well as Gracie to have someone there he could have an adult conversation with and share the experience. Until Summer had entered his life he hadn’t realised how lonely and empty his life was outside work and fatherhood. He had nothing of his own.
She lived up to her name, bright and sunny, lighting up the world around her when it was needed most. Rafael stepped in between the two females in his life and put his arms around them, making precious memories to last for ever.
All at once a chorus of shrieks went up around him.
‘Look out there.’
He followed Summer’s instruction and spotted a whale, which the on-board naturalist informed them was the elusive, and critically endangered, North Atlantic whale.
Further out in the water a humpback cast its fluke to wave as they passed. The amazing sights left them all spellbound. Watching Summer’s eyes sparkle and cheeks flush with every new visitor was as exhilarating as the brisk wind and the glories of nature.
Some of the whales performed synchronised diving for their audience, drawing applause from the passengers. They soon had another species vying for their attention as a group of Atlantic white-sided dolphins began leaping in and out of the sea and showing off for anyone present. They captivated one particular fan.
‘Oh, Rafael. They’re beautiful. This is the best day of my life.’ Summer clapped her appreciation for their acrobatic display, her enthusiasm mirrored by Gracie, who was holding up her doll so she could watch too.
Even with such a wondrous visual feast before him, Rafael was still drawn back to the face of the woman beside him, so excited by the spectacle she was in danger of bursting.
‘Mine too,’ he whispered, and felt her quiver beneath his touch. He was looking forward to some quality alone time with her once Gracie was in bed.
On their return to the harbour it became clear the fresh air had caught up with the youngest member of their party as she dragged her feet about getting off the boat again.
‘We can’t leave you here overnight, you’ll freeze.’ Summer tried to coax her into her pushchair as the rest of the other passengers disembarked. They’d waited until the rush to the exit had subsided in case the crush proved too much but Gracie was equally uncooperative on the almost empty vessel. His daughter’s response was to stamp her feet, throw Dolly at Summer and refuse to budge.
That lightness Rafael had been experiencing dissipated, his body grounded once more by the prospect of one of Gracie’s epic tantrums. It wasn’t that he got embarrassed or that he wasn’t used to dealing with them but because every time she displayed traits of her condition he worried it would cause Summer to have second thoughts about what she was getting into with them. Even though she’d been nothing but supportive so far.
‘Gracie, we’ve got to get off so we can go home. You want to get back to Maple Island, don’t you?’ He tried to physically move her but that only resulted in further screaming and his shins taking a few well-aimed kicks from his surprisingly strong daughter.
Unfortunately, her meltdowns didn’t run to any typical schedule and there was no way of predicting how long this would last or to what extremes her temper would reach. All anyone could do was let her work through it until she was ready to move on. That was difficult to explain to strangers, or those not sympathetic to the condition, who thought this behaviour was down to bad parenting. Summer might understand the circumstances better than most but it didn’t make it any easier to live with.
When Gracie reached the stage of jumping on and off the seats, Summer simply took a seat on deck and waited with him for her to tire herself out.
The boat captain appeared and tutted. ‘We have another party due to leave soon.’
It was Summer who tackled him on Gracie’s behalf. ‘I understand that, sir, but if you could leave us for a few minutes we’d have a much better chance of getting her to co-operate.’
The man screwed his face up in disapproval before turning on his heel and walking away.
Rafael was impressed with Summer’s defence of his daughter and her acceptance of the situation as if it was the norm. It was a relief to have someone on their side, who wore her heart and her allegiance to his family for the world to see. She had their backs and he was thankful that he no longer had to do this alone any more. With her they were no longer outsiders pushed out to the peripheries of existence but very much participants who deserved their place alongside everyone else.
It was this unconditional support from her that eased open the final latch on his heart. Summer was the one and only person he knew he could trust with that fragile part of him when she’d proved time and again she loved his family as much as he did. He wanted a future with her in it and he could only truly have that if he gave everything of himself to her. Once they got home he would make sure she knew how strongly he felt about her and stop holding back because of what had happened in the past. She wasn’t Christina, she was Summer, who had been there for him and Gracie since the day they’d met.
With the certainty she wasn’t going to be put off by these outbursts from time to time, he took a leaf out of her book and reacted as though what was going on around him was perfectly normal. Well, it was for him, it was the rest of the world that had to get used to it and make exceptions for those who didn’t fit perfectly into the norms of society.
He and Summer continued discussing everyday topics like what they were having for dinner and what time they’d make it home to Maple Island as though they were any other family. Something he’d thought he’d never have again.
Once Graciela had exhausted herself she climbed into her buggy of her own accord, as Summer had expected she would, eventually.
This time spent with Rafael and Gracie had reminded her how much she enjoyed being part of a family unit. That sense of belonging and feeling complete only came for her when she was with them. Even on the rare occasions she ventured home to visit her mom it left her with the same emptiness inside she’d had when half of her family had been taken away from her. Without her brother and her father in her life she’d thought she’d never find that missing part of her again. Marc and Leo had filled that gap for a while but in hindsight that might have been what had attracted her to him in the first place—a ready-made family who’d taken her in and let her play make-believe.
This was different. Past mistakes should have made her steer clear of Rafael, but if today had shown her anything it was that she genuinely cared for him. She wanted to be with him and Gracie for no other reason than who they were and what they meant to her. They certainly hadn’t been looking for a replacement wife and mother any more than she’d been planning on getting involved in someone else’s complicated family matters. It had just happened and now she was content to let fate do its thing when it seemed to know better than she did what would make her happy. Apparently, that was no longer hiding away from a life outside her job.
Rafael insisted on one last stop before they left to catch the ferry. ‘I know how much you loved the rays, Gracie. Why don’t we go to the gift shop and see if we can find a new friend for Dolly?’
‘You go on ahead and we’ll wait outside. It’s pretty busy in there.’
‘If you’re sure?’ He didn’t wait for a reply but simply kissed her on the cheek and disappeared into the aisles of souvenirs and novelty gifts.
Summer turned Gracie’s pushchair away from the shop so she didn’t notice him slipping away and took a seat opposite the entrance. It was easy to keep track of him as his dark head bobbed above the throng of tourists eager to spend their money. She watched his progress across the floor towards the cash registers as he wasted no time in selecting his purchases. The next time she glanced up the crowd had thinned out and Rafael was deep in animated conversation with a glamorous, dark-haired woman.
He walked away scowling but the stranger tugged his arm, urging him back. It was clear she knew him and though Summer was aware he’d had a life before Maple Island it was a slap in the face to be reminded of it. Seeing him with someone else, despite his reluctance to be engaged in conversation, made her realise it was the strength of her own feelings for him that made it so painful to watch.
She’d fallen for him and couldn’t bear to think of having to share him with anyone except his three-year-old sweetheart. It was impossible to change his past any more than she could her own and she had to accept he had exes out in the world. However, Rafael was different from Marc and committed himself whole-heartedly to everything important to him. She had to believe she was included in that list and he wouldn’t be so cavalier about her feelings as to cast her aside as she had been in the past, or she would never be able to move forward with him.
‘Time to go,’ Rafael said on his return, putting a protective arm around her and propelling them all towards the exit in a hurry.
‘Who was that? Is something wrong?’ Of course, Summer had witnessed his run-in, she missed nothing, but he refused to let anything ruin their day.
‘I’ll tell you later. Let’s go home.’ If Summer had any further questions she didn’t raise them. Not that he gave her much of a chance he was in such a rush to get back to the island, away from the ghosts of relationships past, but he didn’t want to discuss it in front of Gracie.
Seeing his ex-wife in Boston had been a shock, and a nasty one at that. There might have been a time when he would’ve been pleased to see her, begged her to come back and try again, but not now. Gracie was his family and Summer was a bigger part of her life than her mother had ever managed.
Given the choice, he’d have preferred never to have set eyes on Christina again. One brief moment back in his life and she’d already wedged herself firmly between him and Summer. The secret of her identity made the silence on their journey home unbearable.