Ben stowed the fishing rods then climbed into the back of the Jeep. Jace introduced them, and picked up instantly that Ben had mixed feelings about her. Curiosity, for the woman who had snared his friend after one brief night, and caution, that she shouldn’t walk back into his life and wreck his nascent relationship. He should have told Ben more—should have told him that Ally didn’t know about Crystal. This expedition was fraught with problems before it even began.

So he steered the conversation to business as they drove to the lake. To their business. Luckily, Ben could talk about coffee roasting all day, and Ally seemed genuinely interested in types of beans, and the whole roasting process.

All seemed to be going to plan until she spotted the name of the boat.

“Bang Bang.” Her eyebrows rose at Ben. “Do you like shooting?”

Jace cast off and started the engine.

“It’s a long story.” Jace took the wheel. Ben stood on one side next to him, and Ally on the other. “My wife is called Cher, so we decided to name it after one of her songs.”

“Oh, I remember it.” She sang the first couple of lines of the song with a smile. “Clever.”

“Cher and I are separated at the moment.” His shoulders slumped.

Ally said “I’m sorry” at the same moment that Jace asked, “Shall we head straight out to the island?”

Ben cast Jace a glance and his head jerked in a quick nod. Then he returned his attention to Ally. “This is the first time I’ve sailed Bang Bang since our split.” His face looked bleak. And before Jace could dive in there with a distraction, it was happening. Ben was about to over-share—something that always happened when he was upset. It had been that way since they were kids. He’d dropped Jace in trouble with his mother time and time again by not knowing how to keep his mouth shut. So much so, that when his mother suspected they’d skipped school, or when they were older, that they’d been drinking, she didn’t even bother confronting Jace—all she had to do was fix Ben with ‘the look’ and he confessed.

“I’m damned unhappy about it.”

Ally’s face was full of sympathy. “Divorce is hard.”

“Are you divorced?”

“No. I’ve never found the one.” She stared out over the water, and her cheeks flushed pink as though that statement wasn’t a hundred percent true.

“Jace thinks he might have. Don’t you, bud?”

They were both looking at him—talk about being put on the spot. “I’ve been dating a woman for a couple of months.” Shit, he should have mentioned this before. He should have been straight with Ally from the start. “We only see each other weekends. She doesn’t live nearby.”

“I haven’t met Crystal yet,” Ben said. “She hasn’t visited Shepherd’s Creek.”

“I’m not sure she ever will.” Jace wished he and Ally were alone for this conversation, but there was no stopping now. He’d flirted, and hadn’t given a hint that he wasn’t one hundred percent available. Not because he wanted to cheat on Crystal, but because Ally being here changed everything. Made him re-evaluate what exactly he was doing with the cool blonde. He turned to Ally, and did a bit of over-sharing of his own. “Before you walked back into my life I was set on one particular course that led to a committed relationship. But right now I’m rethinking that. I’m rethinking everything.”

A strangled hiss from Ben. “Man…”

Jace turned to Ben. “I’m sorry. I know we…”

“You what?” Ally touched his arm, forcing his attention back to her. “What’s going on here?”

Jace cut the engine. “Ben knows about our night together.”

Her eyes widened in shock.

“He’s always known.”

“We’re best friends,” Ben said. “After New Years, Jace couldn’t talk about anything else but finding you. He was obsessed. Like Prince Charming searching for that girl who dropped the crystal shoe. Whatever her name was.”

“Cinderella,” Ally whispered. “I need to sit down.” She sank onto the white leather bench seat, and Jace sat next to her. Ben perched on the identical seat opposite.

It was exactly like that. Imagine Prince Charming had given up on ever finding his dream girl and started dating another princess from a kingdom far away. And then found Cinderella again. Had found the woman he’d been sure he wanted moments before he was due to commit to someone else. Life would be easy if everything was a fucking fairytale, wouldn’t it?

“All I’m saying is that now I’m not so sure. I don’t know what the future holds.” He might as well be goddamned honest.

“I’m no Cinderella.” Ally wrung her hands, agitation in her movements. “You and I were ages ago. Things are different now.”

“Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen,” Ben said. “I came along today to keep things casual—not to bring everything to a head.”

“You joined us as a chaperone?” Ally’s gaze flickered between them. “That’s crazy. I had no intention of jumping Jace.”

“Ben came along to stop me from doing anything stupid. For giving in to temptation. You’ve done nothing to be ashamed of, Ally. Neither of us have.” But hell, I want to.

* * *

Obviously deciding to give Jace and Ally some privacy, Ben got up, started the engine, and took the wheel. To be honest, Ally didn’t know how she felt. Thoughts were jumbled around in her mind, as though she’d been shoved into a washing machine and just completed the spin cycle. When had things gotten so complicated?

Jace touched the side of her face, bringing her attention back to him. Then his hand fell to his side. “You probably could have done without knowing my reaction to your leaving.” He glanced at Ben. “Ben doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut sometimes.”

“He’s just looking out for you, I guess.”

“Yes. He’s sensitive about people making crazy decisions on a whim. And acting on their instincts without thinking things through.” He looked at her mouth then back up at her eyes, and electricity sparked between them. “If you and I were alone, God knows what might happen.”

“Well, now I know that you’re in a relationship, nothing will happen.” Which was a lie. Because she knew he was in a relationship before she arrived in Shepherd’s Crook, and starting something—or evaluating whether he was likely to be faithful or not—had been her mission from the start. “We’re not animals controlled by instinct. We’re human beings. We decide what we want and what we don’t want. We decide what we will do in any particular situation. We have control.”

Listen to yourself, you sound desperate. What was it Shakespeare said: The lady doth protest too much?

But her protestations were what she’d always believed, because to think otherwise was to take away responsibility for someone’s actions. Cheaters could claim they acted on impulse. They’d been carried away by an urge to cheat stronger than the need to keep the faith with their partners. That they were victims of desire. But they’d be lying. Everyone had a choice.

Jace made a choice when he asked his friend to join them today. A sensible choice.

He admitted he was tempted. Had more or less confirmed that he wouldn’t resist the pull of attraction between them, even though he was dating Crystal. But it didn’t constitute cheating. Smiling and flirting wasn’t enough for a mark to earn Cheater stamped on the front of their file. This wasn’t something she’d have to report to Crystal.

And the fact that he’d explained his relationship—that he’d admitted there was someone else in his life, was positive. It meant that fundamentally, Jace wasn’t a man with cheating in his DNA.

It didn’t change anything between them though. She still wanted him and the look in his eye showed he felt the same way.

“We should just enjoy the day.” Jace angled his thigh away from hers. “We’ll land on the island and take a stroll around.”

“Good idea.” She stood and walked to where Ben was staring out over the water.

He shot her a glance. “We good?”

“Yeah. We’re good.”

Ben pointed. A small, green island lay ahead. “We’ll be there in a minute.”

“Do you guys come out here often?”

“For fishing.” Jace pointed to an area some distance away where a rocky outcrop angled down into the water. “We usually set up there.”

“I want to fish. Anyone want to join me?” Ben asked.

Ally shook her head.

“I want to show Ally the old house.”

They tied up at the dock and walked worn wooden planks to the island. Ben took his leave, heading in the direction of the fishing spot.

“We’ll catch up with him in half an hour. Hopefully, he’ll be ready to go by then, and we can continue on to The Eye. The island is uninhabited,” Jace said. “A hundred years ago, a family built a homestead here, but they’re long gone.”

The island was shaped like a croissant—a green crescent with a thickly forested center that rose sharply from the sea. There was a little beach covered in light brown sand, which then turned pebbled as it dipped under the waterline. The water was clear as glass. “It’s beautiful in the spring.” Jace waved to an area of untouched grassland. “This whole area is covered with wildflowers.”

A rough track led into the forest. “There’s a great view from up here.” Jace started along the path. She followed.

The path was well trodden, and even though a thicket of blackberries crowded the verges, they were able to walk without impediment. As they strolled, Jace pointed out different varieties of trees. Majestic Douglas firs, light green willow. The shriek of a large bird swooping overhead was the only sound that broke the silence.

“Osprey,” Jace said. “This whole region is a haven for birds of prey.”

The sun cut through the leafy canopy, throwing dappled light onto the path. Ally paid careful attention as they climbed, not wanting to risk turning an ankle on the rough ground.

Before long, the ruins of an old house came into view.

“It must have been strange living here.” Ally stood with her back to the ruined arch, which once would have been the front door, and stared out. The land sloped down to the water, and houses could be seen on the far shore. “You’re not really isolated, and yet you’d be living in your own little world.”

“Yes. Civilization is less than half an hour away. But back then, it would have been much longer. Rowing across to the island would have taken time. If the weather was bad some days, it might have been impossible.”

“So near, and yet so far.” Just like Jace. If she stretched out her arm, she could brush his chest with her fingertips. But the chasm between them was as wide and as difficult to navigate as the expanse of water on a stormy, unforgiving day.

* * *

If Ally hadn’t known about the owner of The Eye’s Egypt fixation, she never would have guessed. She’d imagined an eye of Horus on the restaurant sign. Hieroglyphics and statues of Anubis the dog god in the foyer. Instead, they tied up to the dock, and strode down the path to a discreet building with a deck overhanging the water. A royal blue sign with The Eye painted on it hung from an ornate metal post outside, and inside, the ambiance was warm and welcoming. Three walls were painted pale terracotta and adorned with mirrors, and the fourth was a full-length expanse of glass that faced the water. The tables were set with linen tablecloths and gleaming silverware.

A beautiful young woman was waiting behind a podium at the entrance. Her face transformed with a smile when they walked in.

“Jace. Ben. Lovely to see you.” She looked at Ally.

Jace made the introductions, “Angelique, this is Ally.”

“Cleo told me you were coming in. Let me show you to your table.” Angelique picked up menus and turned to the room.

“I think Cleo wanted us to sit outside—we’re not exactly dressed in our best,” Ben said.

She brushed off his protestations with a smile. “Cleo told me she joked about that. And that I was to show you to our best table.” She stopped at a table next to the floor length glass that formed the wall of the restaurant. “It’s cooler here. The day is heating up.”

Jace pulled out a chair for Ally, and when she was seated, took his.

Angelique handed out menus. “Today we have a couple of specials: pan fried bass with a lemon and lime jus, and wild mushroom risotto. I’ll leave you for a few minutes, and let Cleo know you’re here.” She handed the wine list to Jace. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“Just water for me,” Jace said. “I’m driving.” He looked at Ally with eyebrows raised. “Would you like something, Ally? Ben?”

Wine would take the edge off. “I’d love some white wine.”

Jace handed her the wine list, and she ordered a bottle.

“The water? Sparkling? Still? Will I just bring a jug for the table?”

“A jug for the table sounds great. Thanks, Angelique.”

When the woman left, Ally looked around the room. This place was popular. Practically every table was taken; diners also sat at the tables on the deck above the water. The hum of quiet conversation filled the room.

“This place is great. Do you come here often?”

Before either had a chance to respond, a regal looking woman glided across the room to their table. “Cleo.” Jace started to stand, but she waved him back.

“Don’t get up.” She smiled at Ally. “Good afternoon, and welcome to The Eye. I’m Cleo.” Die-straight black hair. Cut into a bob with bangs. Eyeliner, of course, and blue eyeshadow that only one woman in a million would be able to pull off—and she was that woman. She wore a black maxi maxi-dress, which clung to her figure, with a V-neck bordered in gold trim and royal blue beads.

“I’m Ally.”

“I’ve been trying to get these boys back for a meal here for months, but they’re always in a rush.” Cleo’s eyes sparkled. “You know we serve Carter Coffee exclusively, don’t you, Ally? Jace and Ben have mixed the restaurant a special blend.”

“I didn’t know there was a special blend for The Eye.” Ally smiled back. “I’m looking forward to trying it.”

Cleo chatted for a while longer, recommending things she thought they might like from the menu, and when they’d decided, she waved Angelique over to take their orders.

Jace chose the bass, Ben went for a steak, and Ally settled on the wild mushroom risotto. When she’d eaten the last grain of rice from her plate, Ally leaned back in her chair, and sipped the chilled Sancerre, patting her stomach. “That has to rate as one of the best meals I’ve ever had in my entire life.”

“Wait until you try the desserts,” Ben said.

“And the coffee.” Jace put down his silverware. “The coffee’s to die for.”

Ben chuckled.

There was something happening a few tables along. Three well-dressed women were dining together. They caught Ally’s eye early on because they seemed to be having such a good time. She guessed they were old friends from the ease that they had with each other, and for a moment she wished she had friends like that to share a sunny weekend lunch. Now, one of the women was on her cell phone, and the others were listening, talking, and waving to catch Cleo’s attention. An air of panic settled over the little group. There was a problem. And it looked like a serious one.

Cleo made suggestions, but the woman shook her head looking close to tears.

After a couple of minutes, Cleo strode across the room to their table.

“What’s up, Cleo?” Jace asked.

“One of my customers has just had some bad news.” Her voice was low, so as not to disturb the other diners. “Her son has been in an accident, and they’ve rushed him to hospital.”

The woman was off the phone now, and her friends were comforting her.

“Shepherd’s Crook Hospital?” Jace pushed his chair back. “How did she get here?”

“Drove.” Cleo chewed her bottom lip. “She’s in no state to take the wheel now, but one of her friends said they’d drive her.”

“We can take her.” Jace stood up. “She needs to get back as soon as possible, and the boat will shave off at least half an hour.”

Cleo’s lip quivered as she forced a smile. “I knew you’d say that. I knew I could count on you both.”

“Her husband can pick her up at the dock. I’ll talk to her.” Then he was gone, striding across the restaurant.

Cleo sank into his vacated chair. “I feel terrible. You haven’t even had dessert yet or your coffee.”

“Forget it.” Ben placed his hand over Cleo’s. “The poor woman needs help, and we can provide it. I’ll be back in a minute.” He walked to the front of the restaurant where he consulted earnestly with Angelique. They disappeared into the kitchen.

“These men you’re with”—Cleo’s gaze locked on Ally’s—“they’re wonderful. I knew if I needed help, they would give it without question. Nothing is more important to them than helping people. I’m so glad they were here today.”

“We should settle the check.” Ally reached for her bag.

Cleo shook her head. “It’s on the house.” She patted Ally’s hand. “And I hope you will all come back here for dinner as my guests sometime soon.”