Page 69 of The Island Villa

Her choice.

It made her think of Mark, and she felt tension ripple through her. “You probably think I’m foolish to have come home.”

He frowned. “Why would I think that? This is your family. Of course, you have to be here. Family can be infuriating, and irritating and confusing—also misguided—but it doesn’t mean you abandon them. Not that my opinion should matter to you, but for what it’s worth, I think you’re right to be here. These are the people you love. The fact that the situation is difficult to navigate doesn’t change that. But that doesn’t mean you can’t also take care of yourself.”

He didn’t think she was foolish being here. He didn’t think she was making bad choices.

She glanced at his face and then toward the villa.

She imagined her mother sitting at her favorite table on the terrace, waiting.

Stefanos was right. The conversation would be better if she had a chance to calm down first.

Digging her phone from her pocket, she replied to the message.

Will join you for tea at 4.

She pressed Send, stuffed her phone back into her pocket and took a calming breath.

“Let’s do this right now, before I change my mind.”

She walked back to the boat, stepped aboard and watched while he untied the rope.

“I take it you’re not usually spontaneous these days.” He stepped onto the boat and it rocked gently.

“Never.” She steadied herself. “I’m a planner.”

He raised an eyebrow. “What happened to the girl who urged me to steal my father’s boat?”

“Borrow,” she corrected, “not steal. We were always going to return it.” But it was an interesting question. What had happened to that girl? “I think she had a bit too much of the unpredictable.”

He nodded. “So now you try and control everything.”

“As far as life can ever be controlled, yes. According to my father, it’s a trait that is ruining my life. Apparently, it’s not them who are being reckless and acting in an illogical fashion, despite the undeniable fact they decided they couldn’t live with each other last time, it’s all me.” She settled herself on the seat and secured her hat. The boat rocked on the water and the sky was a vast swathe of brilliant blue. “This morning my father made a point of telling me that I have my priorities all wrong and need to rethink the way I live my life.”

Instead of starting the engine, he sat down opposite her, giving her his full attention. “I’m starting to understand why you felt the need to scream.”

“Exactly. But I’ve said more than enough. I shouldn’t be talking about this.”

“Why not? There was a time when we told each other everything.”

The wind caught her hat and she slapped her hand onto it to stop it blowing across the water. “We were children. It’s not the same.”

“Don’t you believe it. I know things about you, Dr. Swift.” He started the engine and eased the boat away from the dock. “Big things. Small things. I could bring you down.”

“Is that right?” It made her smile. “Which piece of inside knowledge do you think would have the most devastating effect on my career?”

He increased speed and headed out into the bay.

“Tough one.” He kept his hands on the wheel and his eyes straight ahead. “There was that time when you broke your dad’s watch and buried it in the sand so he wouldn’t find out.”

“I dug it up again.”

“Or the time you let that stray cat sleep in your bedroom because you felt sorry for it?”

“It destroyed the room.” She gave a groan, remembering. “That was awful. I told my mother it must have crept through the window when I was asleep.” The truth was she’d wanted the comfort. She’d felt as alone and abandoned as that kitten. “You think I should add that to my résumé under life experience?”

“I think it might give you an edge. You probably shouldn’t mention that when you get stressed, you scream.”

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