With This Pledge (Windswept Bay Book 8)

by Debra Clopton

  The warmth of his touch sent tingles of awareness pulsing over her and anticipation to what he had waiting for inside his house.

  When they walked inside, there was a table set for two. Candles flickered softly and romantic music played. She gasped. “Oh Max, this is so romantic.” And it was. Through the window, the soft moonlit water was visibleadding to the beautiful setting.

  “I wanted this to be special.” He looked into her eyes.

  Her heart fluttered. She had never had anyone do a romantic dinner for her. “This is lovely and unexpected.” Her heart clutched in her chest with love for this guy.

  She couldn’t help it. She knew that he was the man for her.

  There were no obstacles between them. He led her over to the table and took her into his arms. And then he lowered his head and kissed her with a deep tenderness that caused her world to spin and color to blossom through her.

  At last he said, “I haven’t worked on the house since the last time you came here. So there still a ton of stuff that has to be done. I have blueprints, but the plans can be altered. In my own life, I’ve learned that sometimes what we want can change. I’ve learned to adapt and move forward. And I’ve learned that the new future can be a blessing. You helped me see that. You were here for me when I was at my worst, Kelsey. I don’t think anybody knows how hard this injury and the loss of my buddies has been on me. But you knew. You sensed it and you saw it. And even though you had been through so much, with losing your dad and the thought of me being in the military was hard on you, you were still there for me. And I’ll never forget that.”

  He paused and kissed her hand. “I love you, Kelsey. I have been falling for you from the first day I saw you in the stables there at Cam’s place.”

  Kelsey’s knees had gone weak.

  “When I saw you at the engagement party and I asked the guys who you were, Cam told me you were his manager. I couldn’t help myself. I had to come out there to meet you. But I never dreamed that I was meeting the one. I just knew that something about you—your energy, your smile…something compelled me to come out there that next day and meet you. It was a shock how strong the pull of you was to me. I never dreamed that you were the one. I didn’t know—I just knew that I had to be near you and every day since you have captivated me.”

  Kelsey felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. He loved her. And he had told her so. She’d had to fight every instinct that told her to leave him, to walk away from everything he was and represented. But she had been unable to do that. Unable to listen to the warnings. Her heart seemed to have known before anything else that this was a man she could not walk away from.

  “I love you too, Max. It’s been almost the same journey for me. I’ve learned that sometimes you can love so much that you are able to go against what your logic is telling you and you are able to embrace, or tolerate, something that you didn’t think you could because the other person is so dedicated to it. And that is part of that person you love. I’m pretty sure that’s how my mom felt about my dad, and I could not understand that until you.”

  He was quiet for a moment and she could tell he was thinking. “I loved it,” he said after a moment. “And I served proudly and with all my heart for this country. But, Kelsey, now it’s a new chapter in my life. And I want you in it.”

  Kelsey gasped when he pulled a chair out and sank down into it. Still holding her hand, he looked up at her.

  “I can’t get on my knee. Not yet, anyway.” He grinned sheepishly. “But I can’t wait any longer. I can’t wait another three or four weeks before that’s possible. I want to ask you now if you’ll marry me. Will you, Kelsey Malone, be my wife?”

  She couldn’t breathe. Her heart shot into the stratosphere as her heart thundered and her knees melted to mush. “Yes,” she croaked through tears. “I want that so much. You have worked so hard to open up and I want to share my life with you.”

  His eyes looked bright as he stood. “You have just made my life beautiful. I am honored.” He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her deeply, passionately, and she could feel the love in his kiss. She felt the promise of tomorrow and every day after that in his kiss.

  Finally smiling, he pulled away and reached down to lift a napkin from the table to reveal a small jeweler’s box beneath it. He picked it up and then lifted the lid. “If you don’t like this, there’s plenty more where it came from. We’ll go and pick out whatever you want.”

  She stared at the beautiful, exquisite diamond ring glittering in the candlelight. The beautiful princess cut diamond was set in platinum and surrounded by a circle of diamonds.

  “I wanted the ring of diamonds around the solitaire to symbolize that my love for you is never ending and that it will always encircle you. From this day forward, you are the center of my life and my love will always encircle you and cherish you.”

  She was crying now. “It’s perfect. I adore it. I adore you.” And then she threw herself into his arms and kissed him.

  Suddenly, an awful noise ripped through the evening air. Kelsey jumped. The sound hadn’t been far from the house.

  “Was that Charlotte?”

  Max had already turned in the direction of the front of the house. He was on full alert. “It was Charlotte. Someone is here.”

  “But she sounded like she was in pain.”

  He nodded and his expression had hardened. Max had gone from lover to warrior in an instant. Moving as fast as he could, he moved to the window. She started to follow him but he held up his hand.

  “She’s not making any more noise,” Kelsey gasped.

  “Kelsey, blow those candles out.”

  She didn’t hesitate as she spun back to the table and blew the flickering candles out. Darkness instantly surrounded them. He took her hand in the darkness. “This way.”

  He led her toward the kitchen area, where there were walls, and he pushed her gently into the alcove where the refrigerator would go. “Stay there, in the back,” he whispered. “I need to know where you are. Something doesn’t feel right.”

  “But I don’t understand.”

  She heard a crunch of gravel. He heard it too. “Stay put.”

  And then he was gone. Her heart pounded. Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness and she was making out forms of studs and unfinished wall frames. Unable to stop herself, she moved to the edge of the opening and peeked around the corner, searching for Max. She saw a dark shadow of someone move into the house. Who?

  Her stomach felt sick with fear. What had happened to Charlotte? What was going on?

  Where was Max? Suddenly, a spotlight of light shot through the darkness and illuminated…her ex-boss. She gasped…and then she saw the gun.

  Her gaze swept from him to where the spotlight was. It was propped on a workbench but Max wasn’t there. Harrison glanced too; he only saw the light and then he focused back on her.

  “Move out here, Kelsey. I came for you. I can’t take it. I need you. I can’t let you go.”

  She had known Harrison was obsessive. Had seen his tendency to go to extremes to always get what he wanted but she’d never dreamed he would take that obsession and apply it to her. Where was Max? Fear for him shrouded her. She stepped out into the open.

  “Harrison, you need to put that gun away.”

  He waved it. “I’ll hang onto it, if it’s all the same to you. Come here and your boyfriend might not get hurt.”

  “Stay right where you are,” Max demanded. “You are not getting your hands on her. Kelsey, call Levi. Dial 911, now.”

  Her phone was in her pocket, thank goodness. Her hands shook as she pulled it out and managed to punch the numbers with trembling fingers. The dispatcher answered as Harrison managed to connect a fist to Max’s jaw. Max got a hit in and then in a split second, he flipped Harrison over. The gun skidded across the floor. Max yanked Harrison’s hands up into his shoulder blades.

  She immediately moved toward the gun just as Harrison kicked Max in his bad knee. Max grunted and
lost hold of Harrison’s wrist; in the next minute, Harrison was on top of Max. She had the gun.

  “Stop,” she yelled just as an awful sound erupted and Charlotte blasted into the house. Blood dripped down the poor pig’s head. She was a rotund flash as she let out a war cry and charged Harrison, slamming into him with all her considerable weight. Immediately Harrison was on the ground, his head slamming against the cement. He went limp as the pig sat on his chest and glared down at him.

  Max rolled away and struggled to stand. She hurried to help him and he pulled her to his side. Both of them kept their eyes on Harrison, who remained still. Charlotte continued to sit solidly on top of his back, staring at them as if to say she had it under control.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I’m fine. Terrified. Are you okay? How is your knee?”

  “I’ll live. But it didn’t help me in that fight.”

  She hugged him, so relieved he was okay. “I was so worried. He’s crazy!”

  “He’s got problems but he’s about to have time to work through them because this time charges are being filed.”

  She agreed. “I’ll press them this time.”

  “Good for you. But I’m pressing them too. He came in here to harm you and that is never happening again.” He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. Sirens could be heard in the distance.

  “Charlotte, you’re doing a great job, sweetie pie.”

  The pig grunted and then, as if to say she could do better, Charlotte stretched out on top of Harrison’s chest and let out a long, loud grunt before laying her snout against his cheek.

  “This isn’t exactly the romantic evening that I had envisioned,” Max said.

  She cupped his cheek with her palm and smiled. “But we’re both safe. And nothing that has happened has changed the fact that I’m going to be your wife.”

  He kissed her. “And that means I’m still the happiest and luckiest man alive.”

  More Books in the Windswept Bay Series

  FROM THIS MOMENT ON (Book 1)

  Hurt by her failed marriage and dashed dreams, Cali Sinclair returns home to Windswept Bay with her heart wary and closed to the dreams of true love she so desperately wanted. Determined to never again risk her heart, she throws herself into running the family’s small boutique resort on the Florida coast, a place so full of romance that it’s a reminder every day of what she’ll never have. But when renowned artist Grant Ellington shows up to paint a mural on the wall of the resort, she’s swept away by her response to the artist. Suddenly, every time he looks at her, Cali finds it harder than she ever thought possible to keep her heart protected.

  Grant Ellington loves his ranch, his horses, and his life as a sought-after artist. But after walking away from a plane crash that killed his best friend and the young pilot, he’s still struggling with survivor’s guilt as he heads to Windswept Bay. Painting a sea life mural at the resort started out as a favor to his neighbor, but one meeting with the beautiful Cali and he feels alive again—and determined to spend time on the moonlit beaches with her in his arms…

  But, like him, Cali has her own emotional scars—can they learn to trust the love that sparks between them and move forward from this moment on?

  SOMEWHERE WITH YOU (Book 2)

  Sassy, opinionated Shar Sinclair is passionate about the sea turtles she rescues in the Windswept Bay area and as needful of her freedom as they are. She’s content with her life, helping run the family resort and looking out for the wildlife around her. But sometimes she wishes she had someone to share her passion, and passions, with. But that might mean giving up some of her freedom and she’s not sure she could do that for anyone…

  Gage Landcaster is a self-made millionaire used to getting what he wants, but lately there’s an emptiness and a restlessness to his life that he can’t seem to fill. While visiting Windswept Bay, he spies a beautiful woman on the beach, struggling to rescue a sea turtle tangled in fishing line, and goes to help. Gage is captivated by the fire and passion that radiates from Shar and he knows instantly he wants her. But this may be one time when what he wants might not be an option.

  Sparks fly on the sunset beach and sparkling blue waters of the romantic Windswept Bay as Gage and Shar battle through their attraction. Gage is determined that this is one time he’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants. But can Shar open her heart to him? Can he convince Shar that love doesn’t mean shackles...but a lifetime shared with the one you love?

  WITH THIS KISS (Book 3)

  A Windswept Bay Short Story

  A kiss is just a kiss…or so some say. But I disagree…this kiss, can change a life. It did mine.

  YOU are officially invited to the wedding of Shar Sinclair to the man of her dreams, Gage Lancaster…if the groom ever makes it to the wedding.

  Where is Gage?

  There’s only an hour until the wedding ceremony and no one has heard from Gage, and he’s not answering his phone. Now, Shar’s ready to go looking for her man, because something just doesn’t feel right.

  After Gage receives the message he’s been waiting for from a private investigator, Gage can’t help but make a life-changing stop on his way to his wedding.

  But, things quickly spiral out of control and everything about this wedding day is about change…

  FOREVER AND FOR ALWAYS (Book 4)

  Publicist Olivia Sinclair has been away from Windswept Bay for years busy helping the Hollywood elite get out of one scandal after another. But now, she’s in the middle of a scandal herself, involving a big name actor and suddenly, coming home to lay low in Windswept Bay is her own best advice to herself.

  Life has just gotten complicated for charter boat captain, Brandon “BJ” McCall. He’s recently learned he has a brother and he’s inherited half of a multi-million dollar corporation that could alter life as he knows it. Finding a beautiful, shorty pajama clad female, frozen in fear on the roof of her house is a complication he doesn’t mind at all.

  Terrified and stuck on her roof…and in only her pj’s and being rescued by a stranger who could rival any of her Hollywood clients isn’t exactly what Olivia had planned. She’s trying to get off the cover of the gossip magazines—not hold her spot for eternity! Falling into the arms of a stranger, who turns out to be the long lost brother of her sister’s husband—and is a walking news worthy scandal in his own right, is not a smart PR move.

  Not to mention the family complications it could make if things didn’t work out between them. Plus, she has plans to go back to Hollywood the minute she thinks the smoke has cleared.

  It’s all just too complicated.

  But, on the beaches of Windswept Bay romance is in the air and love is a complication that just might be undeniable.

  HOLDING OUT FOR LOVE (Book Five)

  Jillian Sinclair needs a man and she needs him now. She dreams of being a mother-but the doctor just gave her the news that if she plans to carry a baby herself then her time is running out. She also wants true love like her sisters but will she have to settle for something less than that in order to get her baby? The last thing she needs is the only man she's loved and lost coming back to town.

  Undercover cop, Ryan Locke is back in Windswept Bay but for how long? He broke her heart once when he chose his career over her. Can he be the answer to her prayers or will his dedication to justice take him away from her once more?

  WITH THIS RING (Book Six)

  After her small son, Kevin, asked both God and Santa for a new daddy for Christmas, and then didn’t find him under the tree, schoolteacher Jessica Price is starting the new year out with a very unhappy six-year-old little boy on her hands. He can’t understand that she’s only been a widow for two years and she can’t imagine marrying again. But, unknown to her, Kevin has a plan and has decided that if God and Santa won’t give him what he wants, then maybe the police can! When the very handsome chief of police, Levi Sinclair, shows up as Kevin’s show-and-tell, he believes—as does she—that Kevin ha
s asked him there to show him off as the police chief—it’s a little awkward when her son introduces him as his next daddy!

  Things are getting a bit complicated on the shores of Windswept Bay! Come join the fun in With This Ring, book 6 of this captivating series. You’ve watched the four Sinclair sisters fall in love; now it’s time to watch the five Sinclair brothers find the women of their dreams.

  WITH THIS PROMISE (Book Seven)

  School teacher Lana Presley has sworn off cowboys. Which should work fine since she’s relocated from Texas and is happily adjusting to her new life in Windswept Bay. After a bad breakup-that involved her using her cheating ex as target practice for hurling chocolate covered cherries at…she’s happy to be single. And happy not to have her protective brothers and dad meddling in her business. Settling down on the coast permanently, miles away from Texas, is looking perfect.

  Then the drop-dead gorgeous cowboy, Cam Sinclair, comes to her rescue…several times and sets all of her carefully made plans into chaos.

  Rancher Cam Sinclair is just in town for a few days on business then heading home to his ranch in Texas. He’s got finding the right woman and settling down on his mind. And from the moment he meets spitfire Lana Presley she has his attention. But she’s made it clear that Texas and cowboys are not in her plans for the future. Can a road trip and Cam...and love change her mind?

  Things are getting a bit complicated on the shores of Windswept Bay! Come join the fun in With This Promise book 7 of this captivating series. You’ve watched the four Sinclair sisters fall in love now it’s time to watch the five Sinclair brothers find the women of their dreams.