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Much was said about near-death experiences and how they changed a person But it would appear that he’d begun his great transformation act before his accident

It was little wonder Ryan, Dev and Cam were so worried about hi mental hospitals in preparation for his breakdown

He rubbed his hand up and down Bryony’s arhed He had to ad on the island and spending time with Bryony and not just because he was anxious to recover his memory

She wrapped her ar warh but not in a particularly sexual way It was coe as it er Soo, he hadn’t remembered, and for all practical purposes had never laid eyes on

Yeah, his stateht before had been a little--okay, a lot corny--but it was absolutely true They fit She fit him And he had absolutely no explanation for it, other than somehow, he’d lost his heart and soul on that island and then the entire event had been wiped from his mind

Okay He accepted it Hell, he e it He was ready for whatever lay ahead So why couldn’t he rehtly to hirant, dark curls Tentatively he slid his hand down to cup her belly, the first tie the life inside her womb

She stiffened momentarily and then slowly turned her face up so she could look at him

He rubbed in a gentle back-and-forthhe could only define as htened his chest and flooded his heart

This was his child

So to be a father

The realization befuddled him and at the same time, he felt such a sense of awe He hadn’t planned on fatherhood In fact, he’d always been extremely careful in his sexual relationships Extrenancy

Had he purposely discarded protection with Bryony? Had he considered the fact that they could make a child? Had she entertained such a possibility?

He frowned as he reh that he’d screwed her over, but that he’d nant, too No, that didn’t strike hi

Evidently it hadn’t been so either of thereat lengths to prevent it

He kissed her upturned lips and she sret and carefully pulled away

"We’re nearly there We should go back to the car"

Bryony turned on her headlights as they rounded the sharp turn and began the drive north toward her cottage She frohen she saw several vehicles parked on the highway near her driveway

Her heart began to pound as fear gripped her Had sorandmother just hours earlier when she and Rafael had landed in Houston She’d sounded fine then and eager to see Bryony again

She recognized one of the vehicles as belonging to Mayor Daniels What would he be doing here?

She pulled into the gravel driveway and turned off the ignition Her grandmother stepped out onto the front porch followed by Mayor Daniels, ore a frown, and Sheriff Taylor, who didn’t look any happier

She opened her door and scraht? Are you okay?"

"Oh, honey, I’m fine Sorry if orried you The rander seat "We all do"

Bryony frowned and looked over at Mayor Daniels "It couldn’t wait? We’ve been traveling all day and got stuck in a traffic jaan to shake it, as he did every ti The sheriff put a hand on his shoulder

"Easy, Rupert, give her a chance to explain"

"Explain what?" Bryony demanded

"Why a ferry full of construction equipment landed on our island yesterday and why they’re set to start building some fancy new hotel on the land you sold to Tricorp Invester at Bryony

She shook her head adamantly "There must be some hten out this mess Rafael would have told in And I didn’t sell to Tricorp I sold to Rafael"

The sheriff grimaced "There’s no mistake, Bry I questioned the al I even asked to see the plans That whole stretch of the beach is going to be turned into a resort, complete with its own helicopter pad"

Her mouth dropped open and she turned to Rafael, dread and disappoint her "Rafael?"

Eleven

Rafael bit out a curse as he faced four accusing stares Bryony’s was confused, though, and a little dazed Pain and bewilderment made their way across her face and the look in her eyes an as he stepped forward

Rafael brought him up short with a jerk of his hand He stared hard at the otherthe sheriff in front of him for protection

"This is a matter between Bryony and myself," he said in an even voice "As she said, we’re tired We’ve traveled all day, she’s pregnant and she’s dead on her feet I won’t stand here arguing with you in her driveway"