With This Pledge (Windswept Bay Book 8)

by Debra Clopton

  When they made it inside, he immediately headed toward the couch. “Sadly, the ice pack has me drooling more than the thought of pie.”

  “Well, hang on, surfer boy—one ice pack coming up.” She headed into her kitchen and he was distracted from his pain by the sway of her hips in rhythm with the bounce of her pretty hair.

  He had, he decided, the best seat in all the world. “Why did you call me surfer boy?”

  She laughed as she opened the refrigerator, pausing to look his way. Even from the distance, he saw her eyes twinkle.

  “You have two surfboards at your house. You aren’t a surfer?”

  He got it. “I am, or at least I used to be. My injury might end that too, but it won’t kill me if I don’t get to get back on a board. Now, if I don’t get that pie and coffee you’re working on, I might have a problem.”

  “Then you’re okay because it won’t take but a few minutes once I hand you this.” She brought him the ice packs and leaned over to gently place one under his knee and one on top of it. It was all he could do not to run his fingers through the thick mane of hair that fell in a curtain between her and him. When she was finished, she pushed the hair out of the way and smiled.

  “Is that better?” she asked, so close all he could think about was kissing her.

  “Better,” he muttered, wanting so much to kiss this woman who’d captured all of his attention.

  “Then I’ll be right back.”

  He watched her walk away again, clueless to what she did to him. He leaned his head back on the couch and let the relief of the cold ice work magic on dulling his pain as he listened to her move around in the kitchen. It was comforting…which was an odd thought for him—and yet he realized, it fit as much with how he felt about Kelsey as did the fact that she drove him nuts with wanting more from their relationship. A lot more.

  “Here you go,” she said moments later.

  He opened his eyes, startled that she was back so soon. She held a tray with two plates of apple pie. The scent told him it was warmed and his mouth watered instantly at the sweet scent.

  “Did you make this?” He took the plate from her.

  She rolled her pretty eyes. “Though I’m tempted to tell you yes, I cannot tell a lie—I bought it. There was an adorable little girl helping at a bake sale outside the grocery store yesterday and I could not turn her down.”

  “That was nice of you and it makes this all the sweeter.” He dipped his fork into the golden crust and took a bite. It was delicious. “Someone knows how to bake a pie.”

  She paused as she set her plate on the coffee table. “I thought you’d like it. I’ll be right back with the coffee. How do you drink yours?”

  “Black.”

  She picked up the mug and handed it to him. Then she sat down in the chair across from the couch. He wanted her on the couch next to him but his iced-down knee left no room.

  “I’ll be ready for the surgery to be done and this knee on the mend. Next time I come to sit on your couch, I’m hoping you’ll sit beside me instead of all the way over there.”

  She smiled. “That can be arranged.”

  His life had taken a drastic change but in that moment, looking at her pretty smile and the promise in her eyes, Max felt more content than he had in weeks.

  Chapter Ten

  When Max got ready to leave, Kelsey walked him out to the truck. She had had a wonderful night. They hadn’t held hands. They hadn’t kissed…but she wanted to kiss him. They hadn’t even sat on the couch together, but she felt so close to Max. When they reached his truck, he placed his cane inside the truck and then he turned to her.

  His expression was so serious, and she believed he was feeling all the things that she was feeling. Anticipation raced through her; her heartbeat increased, her pulse climbed and when he gently slid one arm around her waist and then tugged ever so slightly, giving her a good option to move toward him or to move away, she willingly stepped toward him. His hands slid around her and pulled her close to him. He let his back rest against the truck, helping relieve pressure on his knees, and then he cupped her face with one hand as his gaze searched hers.

  She knew he was giving her the opportunity to move out of his embrace and to step away from him if she wanted to. But she was, in that moment, right where she wanted to be.

  Anticipation filled her for his kiss and there was absolutely no way she was stepping away from him. She had no plans to resist him. As she looked into his eyes, he leaned forward and kissed her.

  The hand cupping her face pushed into her hair as he deepened the kiss.

  It was a moment that would stand in time forevermore. It was as if her heart met his heart. And she understood that if he had kissed her before she had known he was out of the military, this kiss would have changed everything. This kiss, the emotions that it pulled from her, would have given her the conflict of her life because she’d never felt this depth of emotion before. Military or no military, she would not have been able to step away. Her knees went weak and of their own accord, her arms went around his shoulders as he deepened the kiss.

  Was this how her mother had felt about her dad? Was this how all those other military wives felt about their husbands? This was an emotion that was as unstoppable as his love and desire to serve his country.

  Suddenly she felt dampness on her cheeks.

  She swallowed hard and lifted her head. His fingers immediately came to her cheeks and his thumb wiped away her tears.

  “Kelsey? What—what are you crying for?”

  “I didn’t know.” Her voice trembled. “I didn’t understand.”

  His brows met and his gaze searched deeper. “Didn’t know what, darlin’? I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

  “I…Max. Our relationship is moving really fast. I mean…I—I’m worried that I’m feeling more than I should feel. I’m worried that I’m feeling more than is possible. But I’m sorry.” Her breath caught. “My mom—even after my father’s death—my mom and I, we were at odds for so many years. Because I was so resentful, so resentful of what the country had taken from me…they’d taken my dad, even before he was killed in action. And I was mad at my mom because my mom, she stood up for him. She stood up for him despite that he had put his country before us. She supported my father’s decision; she supported the risk that he took. She took her loss of him with what I thought was too much acceptance. I didn’t understand…until now.”

  Max pulled her head to his chest. His arms tightened around her.

  “I didn’t understand that she had loved him enough. Loved him for the man he was and the commitment he had made. That was the fabric of him. She had told me this oh so many times, in so many ways and I didn’t understand.” She looked up at him. “I do now. I hope that’s not too much information.”

  A gentle smile curled at the corners of his lips. “Kelsey, that’s the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me. And I can understand how you felt. Thank you for telling me that. Thank you for feeling that. I’m expeeriencing an amazing feeling right now myself. Blessed beyond measure despite my circumstances with my military career and this knee.Holding you, it’s more than I can believe. So no, you’re not feeling things too quickly. I’m right there with you.” He kissed her lips, then her temple and then her forehead and then he kissed her lips again.

  He rested his cheek against her hair and just stood there. “Levi is taking me in the morning and if all goes well, I’ll be out the following morning. So, I’ll see you when I get out and, if all goes well, in two weeks I’ll be up and starting to get to move around. I won’t be a hundred percent but I’ll be better than right now. I’ll talk to you—”

  “I can come to the surgery,” she said, wanting to be there.

  “No, it’s okay. Levi will take me. I’m fine.”

  She felt disappointed that he didn’t want her there, but she didn’t push. “Okay then. I’ll talk to you after surgery.”

  “I’ll call you when I get home. Stay watchful
and keep those doors locked. And if your ex-boss shows up, call 911 and they’ll have someone here. Okay?”

  “I’ll be fine,” she said.

  “Call if you need them.”

  “Okay, I will.”

  “Go ahead and head inside and lock up. I’ll wait until you’re in.”

  It felt nice for him to be concerned but she didn’t point out that she’d been taking care of herself for a very long time. Instead, she went inside and locked up and then waved from the window. Only then did he get in the truck and leave.

  Kelsey prayed all would go well tomorrow. And as she got ready for bed, she still could not believe the emotions she was feeling.

  She didn’t hear from Max the next day. She went about her business and finally after lunch, she decided to call someone. Both Lana and Jessica were teaching school so she couldn’t disturb them, so she called Shar.

  “What’s up, cowgirl? Thanks again for helping save the turtle the other day.”

  That made her smile. “I had a blast. Hey, um.” She felt awkward asking. “I know Max had surgery this morning. Have you heard how he did?”

  There was a pause. “So that’s how it is,” Shar said, a tease in her voice. “He did great. He’s being released in the morning. The doctor said his knee was really destroyed and he had no idea how he’d managed the pain but he’ll be better now. Crazy brother, keeping that from us that he was in such pain. Men! I tell you, sometimes you just want to pinch them. I told Gage he better not ever try to hide something like that from me or I’d cook his goose.”

  Kelsey laughed at that. Shar and Gage were really cute together. “I’m sure he couldn’t and wouldn’t want to hide something like that from you. Max is just really private.”

  “Yes, he is, but you obviously knew. That’s a good sign. But don’t feel bad that you haven’t heard anything. Though he was awake and talking this afternoon, or so Levi told me, Max had told all of us that he didn’t need a room full of family hovering at the hospital—it was just a knee. So we stayed away.”

  That made her feel a little better.

  “So, you and Max. I like it.”

  “Oh, well, actually, we’ve just been talking.”

  “I was talking to a friend this morning who said she saw Max having dinner with someone night before last at the Paradise Grill. That wouldn’t have been you, would it?”

  “Yes. He wanted to have dinner before he went in for surgery.”

  “Like I said, I like it. My brother—he’s very quiet, not one to talk about his private life much. You know, who he might be seeing or things like that. He stays holed up out there working on his place in between missions and sometimes the guys just have to go drag him out into the open. But that’s Max. We were really startled when he agreed to do the Valentine auction and hopeful. Anyway, just warning you that he’s not the easiest to get to know. He’s all macho but a sweetheart. He doesn’t want to bother anyone but he’s dedicated beyond belief and well, he’s a good guy. I’m really glad y’all are talking and I hope there’s more to it than that.”

  Kelsey was smiling but didn’t know what to say. “Thanks. Well, I’m glad he’s doing good. I just want to make sure.”

  “He’ll be home tomorrow. I’ll update you if there’s more.”

  “Thank you for the update. I need to get back to work now.”

  “Okay, me too. I’m glad you called. I’m sure you’ll hear from him soon.”

  Kelsey was relieved as she ended the call and slipped her phone into her pocket. Shar had reiterated what she already knew: Max had walls and barriers built around him, even for his family. Probably stemming from the fact that on his missions, so much was kept secret and he couldn’t tell anyone, share anything. It was worrisome. But that part of his life was over and now she hoped he could relax those walls. For a relationship to work, he would have to.

  A truck drove into the drive and she could see the family she was taking on a ride. She was thankful to be busy for the afternoon. She waved and headed toward them and placed thoughts of Max on the backburner…or at least she tried. She realized quickly that there was no putting Max in the background.

  Thoughts of him followed her everywhere.

  Chapter Eleven

  Max was glad to be home.

  “Okay, so you’re good?” Levi asked after they got inside Max’s house. “You’re sure you don’t need help?”

  Max was on crutches. He looked over his shoulder at his brother. “I’m fine.”

  “You know, it’s okay to ask for help.”

  “Sure, I know, but I’m fine. Thanks for taking me and getting me home. And for everything.” He glanced over and saw food on the counter. And he knew his refrigerator would be full also. “I know that everyone is trying to take care of me but I’m okay. I can get around. I don’t need to be coddled or…I just don’t.”

  Levi smiled and shook his head. “Yes, sir.” He looked understanding but skeptical. “Is there anything you want to tell me? Are you seeing someone?”

  Max hopped around so he faced Levi. “Why do you ask?”

  “Jessica called and told me that Shar had called her and told her that Kelsey had called, asking about you. She and your sisters are excited about the thought of the two of you maybe being an item.”

  He’d been feeling guilty for not calling Kelsey. Of course she would be worried. The fact that she’d called Shar to find out something showed him that she cared but he’d left her hanging. He was too used to keeping everything locked inside and to himself.

  “Yeah, I took her out the night before surgery. Well, as good as I could take her out since I was in a fair amount of pain. But yeah, we’re talking. She’s really great.” He said the last words thoughtfully.

  His brother grinned. “I think that’s good news. Your sisters are now really excited about this. So, you might be getting a little encouragement from their end. Just warning you.”

  Max did know his sisters. They had been getting into their brothers’ business all their lives. Growing up with a bunch of romantic hearts had been something the guys had endured all their lives. Now he also had sisters-in-law to throw into the bundle.

  “I think I need to call Kelsey. She’s probably wondering why I haven’t called.”

  “You should’ve called her yesterday. Not a good thing to leave her hanging like that. Shar felt bad for her, though she said Kelsey tried to act cool about the whole thing. There was a little bit of awkwardness at first. Jessica said Shar smoothed it over.”

  “Thanks for the heads-up. And thanks for having someone feed Charlotte—she appreciates it. I’ll call if I need anything.”

  “Long as you call. That’s all we ask.”

  After Levi left, Max eased down onto the couch and propped his leg up on the table beside the bottle of pain meds Levi had set within arm’s reach. He still had a good bit in him from the hospital as he picked up his phone. He’d be taking it on a regular basis, supposedly. He hesitated before he dialed. He was used to taking care of himself, in the field and at home. He had to rely on himself. This letting people in was going to be something new.

  He punched Kelsey’s number. She deserved a call from him. “Hey, Kelsey,” he said the minute she picked up. “It’s me.”

  There was a long pause. “Hi. I guess you’re home.”

  He heard the strain in her voice. He’d messed up. “Yeah, Levi just dropped me off. I’m on the couch now, still medicated with a few painkillers but I’m doing okay.”

  “I’m glad you’re okay. I called Shar yesterday to make sure.”

  “Levi told me. Shar called Jessica and she said something to him. Now all my sisters—”

  “I’m sorry if I inconvenienced you.”

  Her clipped words startled him.

  He grimaced. “Kelsey, you didn’t inconvenience me. I’m sorry. I should’ve called you. I should’ve told someone to give you an update. ” How did he go about this? “Believe me, I feel bad. I’m wondering if you want to come out.
”

  “I have a ride this afternoon.”

  His stomach tightened. Tension radiated between them, despite the painkillers in him. “Maybe this evening?”

  Another long pause…then she sighed.

  “Kelsey,” he said, softly.

  “I’ll come out,” she said at last. “If you’re sure. But, Max, we’ll need to talk.”

  Kelsey tried not to be mad. Told herself not to be. But she was.

  She told herself that he’d just had surgery. That he was drugged and that he hadn’t meant anything by not calling her. But there had been a hope inside her that maybe he would call at least later that evening after she’d called Shar. But he hadn’t. And then this morning he hadn’t called either. No, she’d had to wait until now. She glanced at her watch—two o’clock. He was home and he had finally decided to call her.

  She knew they were just starting this relationship and maybe she shouldn’t be upset but she was. She was opening her heart; she knew she was. There was no denying that her heart was going to be involved with Max Sinclair. And if he wasn’t going to let her into his heart or his world in more ways than just telling her he was going to treat her like a lady, maybe they had two different ideas about what that was. If he cared about her, he would know that she needed to be included in things like this.

  It was six thirty when she pulled into his drive. The gate was open. Well, at least she wasn’t going to have to hop the fence and walk to his house. That was a good sign. But then again, it hadn’t been him who’d left it open. No, she assumed it had been Levi. Max was going to have to start leaving his heart open, along with his gate.

  She drove up to his house, angry and guilty for feeling angry. And mad and guilty for feeling mad. And upset and guilty for feeling upset. This was what it felt like to care for someone. She’d never felt this emotional rollercoaster. Oh, she’d had teenage angst growing up about boys she’d had crushes on. But this—this emotional connection with Max was all grown up emotions and something she was struggling with. There was a numbness inside her that had seeped into her with his silence and it was left over from what she felt after her dad died.