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Thorn's mysterious smile widened as they stepped out of the building and into the small car park. 'Later, no doubt. But I have this end covered for now.'

'OK.' She fastened the zip of her jacket against the kiss of the cool autumn air, hooking the strap of her bag over her shoulder. 'I hope it works out.'

'Me, too.'

She frowned at the amused edge to his tone, sensing there was something he wasn't telling her. 'Goodnight, Thorn.'

"Night,' he answered. 'Give my love to Maria.'

'I will.' She was about to step away when Thorn tugged gently on the long braid hanging down her back. Halting, she turned and faced him again. 'Yes?'

For a long moment his gaze searched hers. Then he nodded and smiled again. 'You never know what waits for you around the next corner. Good luck, Gina.'

More confused than ever by Thorn's curious comments, she walked away, feeling his gaze on her until she turned out on to the street. Shaking her head, she switched on her mobile phone, finding two texts awaiting her—both Holly and Ruth cancelling their evening. Disappointed, she rang her grandmother to ask if she needed anything from the shops, and to let her know she was on her way home.

Home. She loved it here, but she had felt so restless since returning from Italy. Her time on Elba with Seb had been a fantasy. Now she was back to earth with a bump, with only the memories of a few snatched days and nights of happiness to sustain her...memories of a magical passion she knew she would never experience again.

Seb watched from his hire car as Gina left the building, his breath catching and his heart kicking as he drank in his first glimpse of her for far too many days. Then his eyes narrowed as he noted the man who followed her out. From
where Seb was sitting, the guy was being far too familiar with Gina—a fact borne out when she turned to walk away and the man reached out a hand to catch her braid.

'Who the hell is he?' Seb growled, overcome by a wave of possessive jealousy.

Nic di Angelis, his companion in the car, chuckled. 'No one for you to worry about,
mio amico.
That's Thorn.'

'Thornton Gallagher?' he exclaimed, unable to hide his shock.

'The one and only.'

As Gina disappeared from view, Seb returned his attention to Thorn, watching as he sauntered in their direction. He had spoken to the clinic's director several times by phone in the last days, and he had formed an image in his mind of an older man—a no-nonsense and deeply committed doctor. Yet Thorn was around his own age. Needing to be open about the reasons for his interest in the centre, and where Gina fitted into his plans, Seb had uncharacteristically taken Thorn into his confidence, finding a willing ally.

Even with Rico, Thorn and Nic pulling strings for him it had taken several days to get his papers in order and make the necessary arrangements for major changes in his life— the success of which rested on seeking Gina's forgiveness. He didn't know what he would do if he couldn't talk her round, if she didn't love him even a fraction as much as he loved her.

Nic and his lovely wife Hannah had welcomed him to their home the previous night, after his arrival from Italy, offering him a place to stay. They had been friendly and helpful, and Nic had also shared his experiences of living and working as a doctor in rural Scotland.

'I've been here nearly five years to the day, and they have been the happiest of my life,' he had told him with obvious sincerity. 'It's a great place to live.'

'What about the weather? The cold winters?'

'It's not that bad. And there is much to be said for cuddling up in front of a log fire with the woman you love,' Nic had responded, warm amusement in his dark eyes.

'I would be happy anywhere with Gina by my side,' he'd agreed, filled with renewed determination. 'Now I have to make it happen.'

Earlier that day he had visited Maria and won her support. She had invited Gina's friends Holly and Ruth for lunch and, after their initial reticence, he had been able to bring them on board, too. All that remained now was to meet Thorn in person, look round the centre... and then face Gina.

'I can see why you told me to dress casually,' he commented as Thorn, wearing jeans and a sweatshirt bearing the centre's logo, approached the car.

'Thorn doesn't stand on ceremony. But don't be fooled by his relaxed, lazy air.. .he's as sharp as they come,' his new friend advised. 'He's a first-class doctor, and his maverick nature makes him perfect for this job.'

As Nic opened the passenger door and climbed out, Seb followed suit, slipping from behind the steering wheel and exchanging a firm handshake with the man he hoped to be working with in the very near future.

'Good to meet you, Seb.' Thorn smiled as Nic introduced them. 'The coast is clear. Gina's heading home via the supermarket, so you have a while.'

'She doesn't know I'm here?'

'She has no idea,' Thorn confirmed. 'But I wanted to test the waters. Even I can be subtle when needed.' A wry smile curved his mouth before he sobered. 'If I didn't think this was in her best interests, we wouldn't be here. Come on in and have a look around.'

* * *

Gina pushed open the front door, juggling keys and carrier bags as she was greeted by an enthusiastic Monty, his wagging tail beating a tattoo against the hall radiator. 'Let me put the shopping down first.'

The dog trotted after her to the kitchen, where she found her grandmother putting the finishing touches to an evening meal. Surprised at this change to their normal routine, Gina halted and stared at her.

'Gina!' The older woman smiled. 'Good—you are home.'

'Is everything all right?' she queried, setting her bags down on a free piece of worktop.

'Yes, of course. As Holly and Ruth are not coming, I wanted to make you something special for supper,' she informed her, turning back to the counter. 'I have done your favourite apple and blackberry crumble for pudding!'

'Nonna, it's kind of you, but I'm really not that hungry.'

'Nonsense. You must start eating properly again,' her grandmother chided.

Sighing, Gina put the shopping away. 'How did you know Holly and Ruth had cancelled?'

'I talked to Ruth earlier.' Her grandmother's cheeks were stained pink, and Gina's gaze sharpened in suspicion. 'She was telling me the latest news about that Julia—Holly's awful sister. Holly's so upset. How Gus Buchanan—'

'Nonna,' Gina interrupted, confused and frustrated.

'I just wanted to do something nice for you,' her grandmother explained, making her feel bad for her lack of appreciation. 'I know you are tired. And sad.'

Gina closed her eyes, trying to shut out the pain. 'I'm fine.'

'We both know that isn't true...and why.' Shaking her head, her grandmother tutted again. 'Go upstairs, now. Have a shower and change into a nice frock.'

'But...'

'Make the effort for me,
ragazza mia
,' she requested firmly. 'Please?'

Anxious to escape another discussion about Seb, and their disagreement over leaving Elba so suddenly, Gina escaped the kitchen and went upstairs to change. It was unlike her grandmother to be so dogged, or so tactless—yet she gave her no peace, seeming unable to understand why she was so hurt by Seb's lies. Her heart aching, she sat on her bed, feeling listless and very much alone.

She missed Seb so much. How could she have fallen in love with him in such a short time? She would never feel again as she had with him. Not just the spectacular experience of making love with him, but every thing... just being with him, how he made her feel, the way he listened to her. Yet he had shared so little about himself.

Her gaze strayed to the bedside chest. Apart from memories and a broken heart, she had taken only three things from Elba. The beautiful piece of Elbaite Seb had bought her, with its delicate colours and intriguing textures. The white rose, pressed now between the pages of a book. And she had kept his jumper—the one he had taken off and pulled over her head that night on the terrace. She had never given it back. Now she tortured herself, sleeping in it, keeping it, a small part of Seb, close to her. She picked it up now and buried her face in it, breathing in his lingering scent.

'Gina! I can't hear the water running!'

As her grandmother called impatiently up the stairs, Gina choked back a fresh welling of tears. Setting the jumper aside, she rose to her feet, taking off her trousers and the sweatshirt with the centre's logo that constituted their informal uniform. After a quick shower, she stared at her wardrobe. Her red dress caught her eye and new pain lanced inside her. She couldn't wear it—not without remembering her night out with Seb at the restaurant in Marciana
Marina.. .the night he had kissed her for the first time. That sensuous, confident woman had been put back under wraps again. There was no room for her here—and no Seb to set her free.

Drawing in an unsteady breath, she pulled out a floaty skirt and a button-through top, her fingers shaking as she dressed. Her grandmother was behaving very oddly. Gina just hoped she was not to be subjected to another lecture about Seb, or she would never survive the evening with her emotions intact.

'What do you think?' Thorn asked, closing his office door and bringing their tour of the centre to an end.

Seb had met the staff on duty, and found the place and the whole philosophy behind it exciting and intriguing. 'I'm really impressed. And enthusiastic.'

'You are vastly over-qualified, but if you are sure this is what you want, I'd be delighted to have someone of your experience on the team here.'

'Thank you. I might be unable to perform surgery again, but Gina helped show me that I can still be useful—still be needed,' he told Thorn, having already confided in him about his background as a child on the streets. 'I'll need to brush up on some areas, and I will be happy to take any courses you recommend. I've heard so much about this place from Gina, and I share her belief in what you are doing.'

Thorn nodded, his amber gaze assessing. 'And now you need to see her.'

'Yes.' Anxiety rippled through him at what still lay ahead. 'The final decision on whether I stay or go rests with her.'

'I wish you luck.' Thorn shook his hand, his expression serious. 'As a friend to Gina—and I hope soon to you—get this right, Seb. You hurt her once. Don't do it again.'

Admiring the man, and appreciating his genuine concern, Seb nodded and went outside to join Nic. Hannah had
arrived to collect her husband, and they wished him well on the next stage of his venture. He watched them leave before crossing to his hire car and making the short drive back to Gina and Maria's cottage.

He planned to win Gina back—to prove to her that he was worthy of her and not some flash surgeon who had lost his soul and forgotten why he had become a doctor. Having Gina in his life had opened his eyes and his heart to where he had been going wrong. It wasn't too late to get his career back on track. He just hoped it wasn't too late for him and Gina.

As agreed with Maria, he used the key she had given him and slipped in through the back door of the small but homely cottage situated in a quiet, leafy road. The views of the hills and woods appealed to him—he loved what he had seen of the region in his first hours here, and he couldn't wait to explore with Gina. He hunkered down in the kitchen to greet Monty, having bonded with the dog earlier in the day. Maria cracked the door open and peeped round it.

'Gina will be down any moment,' she whispered, hazel eyes sparkling with conspiratorial delight. 'I'll lure her into the living room. You come along when you are ready.'

Seb nodded. The door closed again, and his heart lurched as he heard Gina's footfall on the stairs and Maria's voice calling to her. He'd give them a few moments—and himself time to try and steady his nerves. He was more scared than at any time in his life. He had support from Maria, Rico, Thorn, Nic and Hannah, even Ruth and Holly. Now it was all down to him. Could he persuade Gina to forgive him and grant him a second chance? He
had
to succeed. Life without Gina was unthinkable, unbearable.

Leaving a disgruntled Monty in the kitchen, and closing the door behind him, he walked quietly along the corridor. Any moment now he would face the most important test of his life. Female voices became clearer, and Gina's words temporarily shocked him to immobility...

Gina stood in the living room, her hands tightly clasping the back of a chair as she faced her grandmother's latest challenge.

'Have you given any more thought to what I said about Seb?' Hazel eyes reflected fierce determination. 'It's been a week, Gina.'

She knew how long it had been—was aware of every painful second. 'Seb lied to me, Nonna.'

'Did he tell you he was caretaker of the villa?'

'No. But he knew that was what I thought, and he did nothing to correct me. He never told me he was a surgeon, that he was rich and famous, or that his family owned the place. He deliberately deceived me.'

'And why do you think he would do that?'

Gina shrugged, upset that her grandmother was pushing her like this. 'We've been through all this before, and it isn't going to change anything. It was stupid of me to ever believe in a fantasy,' she stated, hurting inside at the thought of Seb's duplicity and her own foolishness.

'You don't think there may be other, more understandable reasons,
ragazza mia?'

'What reasons could there be?' Her hands tightened their grip on the chair as she battled her emotions. 'Seb didn't respect or care about me enough to be truthful, to trust me. And I'm nothing compared to the women he's used to dating.

Her grandmother tutted in annoyance. 'That's rubbish.'

'Anyway, it was different when I thought Seb was just a normal guy. I—'

'Exactly.'

With a cry of shock, Gina spun round as Seb's voice sounded behind her. Her heart thudded wildly at the sight of him. He looked divine.. .casually rumpled, the thickness of his hair tossed by the early autumn breeze, the beginnings of a five o'clock shadow darkening his jawline, that delectable body encased in dark-grey chinos and a chunky black jumper. For a moment she swayed, certain she must be hallucinating. But when she closed her eyes and opened them again Seb was still there. She glanced accusingly at her grandmother, whose expression was one of defiance mixed with guilt.