Cali glared at her. “I’m not—”
“You are too. It’s okay if you are, Cali.”
Her insides balled up in a knot, causing a dull ache. She knew it was okay to think about another man and to have a new relationship if she chose. She didn’t choose. It wasn’t that easy. Shar just didn’t understand. “I know that, Shar.” She wished she could just go crawl under a rock.
“So what happened? Tell me all about it.” Shar perched on the edge of Cali’s desk. She looked momentarily like the kid sister who’d always waited up for Cali to come home from a date. Back then, she would rush into Cali’s room and jump onto her bed and demand to hear all the details of the date. Back then, Cali had liked having someone to talk to about her hopes and dreams and girlish romantic notions. A girl could dream all she wanted to about romance and how perfect her life and love would turn out…but she’d learned the hard way that wolves could hide behind the shiny armor that a knight in shining armor wore while dating. The ugly came out after the vows were said.
These days, she just didn’t feel like talking about her sordid past and misplaced trust. The reminder had Cali glaring at her sister—who, as far as Cali knew, had never had a serious relationship in her life. Cali wasn’t sure why that was, considering she was always interested in everyone else’s love life.
“Come on, give me the details,” Shar pressed.
“This is the problem with having so many siblings. The brothers are protective and the sisters are nosey. Especially you.” Cali had been away long enough that she’d forgotten just how nosey they could be. There could be more inquisitions if she let on that she was interested.
But she wasn’t. She wouldn’t let herself be.
Shar made a face. “Yes, I missed my calling as a writer for the National Enquirer. Now stop stalling. Did he like your ideas? Did he like you?” She waggled her eyebrows on the last part. “It appears you liked him.”
Cali pushed Shar’s leg. “Stop it. He didn’t want to hear my ideas. He barely looked at the walls where he’ll be painting the murals. Said he needs to get the feel for the place.”
“That makes sense. Now, about those McDreamboat lips up close and personal. Did you want him to kiss you senseless and have his way with you?”
“Nooo.” Cali glared at Shar. “Who are you? The things that you say sometimes boggle my mind.” It was the truth: Shar was offbeat and loved to tease. But now was not the time. And she certainly didn’t want to be reminded that she’d had thoughts of kissing when she’d been near Grant…in his arms, rolling in the sand.
“You’re blushing.” Shar gasped and peered at her. “Seriously blushing. He did want to have his way with you.”
“He did not! Now stop. Don’t you have a tour to lead? A turtle to rescue?”
“Not for another hour. I’m yours for another thirty minutes at least.”
“Gee, I’m so lucky,” Cali muttered just as Jillian walked in.
“What’s up?” She walked into the room, carrying a vase of fresh cut Hibiscus.
“Pink Hibiscus.” Shar looked from the flowers to Cali and grinned. “Oh look, Cali, just your color.”
Jillian peered at her. “Why are you the same color as my Hibiscus blooms?” she exclaimed and of course Shar nearly collapsed with laughter.
“Okay, what’s up?” Jillian looked from laughing Shar to frowning Cali.
“I think Cali likes our Mr. McDreamboat.”
“Ellington,” Cali snapped. “How old are you anyway?”
Shar sobered. “Old enough to know what I’m seeing. The question is why are you denying that you saw a great guy, are obviously attracted to the man, and are denying it with all your heart?”
“Yes, why?” Jillian placed her hands on her jean-clad hips, fully alerted now. “Your divorce was final months ago—thank the good Lord. You’re allowed to find men attractive, especially after what you went through. And don’t try to deny it. I know there’s more to the story than you are letting on. I’m thrilled to see those blushing cheeks and a bit confused as to why you’re so hesitant.” She gave Shar a pointed look. “Stop teasing her. We don’t understand it but this is obviously hard for Cali.”
Cali stood and had to fight the desire to run. Literally. Running soothed her tattered nerves and helped her go numb while she was tracking steps. Running helped her cope.
“I’m fine.” She was. Really. “You’re both right. I’ve been flustered from the moment I met him this morning. And despite what you think, I don’t want to be. I need to get my life back on track. To be cool with myself for a long while before I even think about opening up to another man. Or if I ever will. It’s a risk I really don’t want to take.”
“I get that to a point,” Jillian said. “I have my own walls that I’m not ready to climb over but I guess I was hoping for you the process might be sped up. All you’ve done since coming home is bury yourself in work. You move through the days but there isn’t any light in you.”
“Right now there is,” Shar interjected.
“I enjoy the work and there’s a lot to do.”
“True,” Shar said, “but it is a tropical paradise, so you need to stop and dig your toes into the sand some. And for crying out loud, when something or someone piques your interest, pursue it.”
“She’s right, Cali.” Jillian headed for the coffee. “So tell us what happened.”
Cali gave up. “I ran into him downstairs.” She omitted that she meant literally slammed into him. “He wanted to see the walls but then he just didn’t seem to pay attention to them. He wants to get the feel for the place. He won’t even listen to my ideas at this point.” She let out a frustrated breath as her sisters watched her as if she were on the movie screen. All they needed was popcorn. “It’s frustrating.” She did not tell them about rolling in the sand…the very remembrance had her insides going fluttery.
Her sisters were both smiling when she finished.
“You left him at the base of Lookout Point?” Jillian asked.
“Yes. I had things to do.”
“Why do I get the feeling you left something out?” Shar asked with an all-too knowing expression.
Jillian tugged at her ear. “This is going to be an interesting few weeks, I think.”
Goose bumps prickled Cali’s skin at the idea. “There is nothing going on, you two. Grant Ellington is here to paint, not be my boyfriend.”
There was a knock on the wooden frame of the open door. Everyone turned to find Grant standing there, in all of his amazing glory.
Cali’s pulse fluttered and she tried for a poker face to conceal her reaction from her nosey sisters.
“Well, hello, Gorgeous,” Shar drawled and stood. “Come on in. We’re excited you’re here.” She winked at Cali and then grinned back at Grant.
Cali groaned and tried not to look guilty of talking about the man. It hit her then: what if he’d heard them as he approached the doorway? She quickly reviewed what had been said in the moments before he knocked on the door and remembered her adolescent boyfriend declaration.
This was a disaster that just kept growing.
Chapter Four
As he stood in the doorway of the offices of the Windswept Bay Resort, Grant caught the flicker of worry that crossed Cali’s face the moment she realized he was there. He’d heard her boyfriend remark just before knocking on the door. He had a feeling she’d realized he’d probably heard that remark. She hid the worry—or was that guilt?—he saw in her eyes before she shot him a weak smile. Something was up. Her words had to have been due to something her sisters had said; otherwise, he couldn’t imagine her just coming out and saying something like that. And yet the idea of being her boyfriend or more had him instantly thinking about moonlit beaches and holding hands and kisses.
He needed to get those thoughts out of his head. But, right now, looking at how lovely she looked, it wasn’t happening.
Instead of saying something to Cali first, he decided it might be best to speak
to her sisters first. He turned his focus on the beautiful woman with the short, curly brown hair and the teasing eyes who’d called him gorgeous.
He chuckled as he commented on her observation, “I don’t know about the gorgeous statement but I’m excited to be here.” He moved into the room and placed the picnic hamper he was carrying on the desk. It was past lunch but that didn’t matter at the moment. “You must be Shar. And I believe you must be Jillian,” he said to the beautiful blonde, whose long hair was tied loosely at the nape of her neck with a colorful scarf.
The brunette laughed. “Gorgeous and you’ve done your homework.”
“You’ve guessed correctly,” Jillian said, her eyes warm. “But then, since you’re a friend of Cam’s, I’m thinking maybe you’ve seen our pictures…” She hitched a quizzical eyebrow.
He smiled. “Cam’s not a huge talker but he has mentioned all of you and I have seen pictures. Even if not, Cali mentioned your talents with the landscape, Jillian, and you’ve got a little dirt on your knees.”
She laughed, a delightful sound, soft and earthy like her as she glanced down at her knees. “You got me. I was digging in the dirt a few minutes ago. I can’t seem to help myself.”
“Gorgeous and observant,” Shar said with a sassy grin before he could reply to Jillian. “So what’s in the picnic basket? I’m the nosey one, if you haven’t yet figured it out.”
Till now, Cali had remained quiet as she watched him with her sisters. He looked at her and hoped she was up for his suggestion. “I’m here to paint murals for the resort and like I told Cali, I like to be inspired by the area before I know what to paint. I thought it would be good to tour the island. And a guide would be nice.” He directed the comment to Cali. Her eyes narrowed instantly. Wariness or curiosity? He wasn’t sure what it was but she was listening. “I thought you would be the perfect guide since you’re the one who has a strong idea of what you believe should be on those blank walls.”
“That’s a great idea!” Shar exclaimed. “Cali, you do know your vision. Now you can convince Grant that it’s the right vision. You can inspire him.”
“It’s perfect.” Jillian agreed.
Grant watched her sisters gang up on Cali. By the look of horror on her face, he wasn’t sure whether to be insulted by her reaction or concerned for her.
She would kill her sisters later.
Completely aghast that they looked so overjoyed at the idea, Cali fought for calm and unruffled. “But, I can’t. I have work—”
“You have work, yes you do,” Shar snapped, sending a determined look Cali’s way. “Helping design the walls that will draw people to the resort. You have very important work. This resort needs something eye-catching to set it apart and Grant is absolutely right—he needs someone to help him find that inspiration. You’re the one for the job and since I’m sure he doesn’t have a lifetime to spend on our project alone, you need to get on it right now.”
“Shar and I can handle anything that comes up.” Jillian walked around the end of the desk to stand beside Cali. When Cali made no move, she nudged her in the ribs. “Go. We’re very lucky to have Grant doing this for us. The least we can do is show him the island.”
Grant could tell that Cali was feeling a little hemmed-in by her sisters’ enthusiasm. He had his own reservations about spending time alone with her.
He hadn’t felt anything in so long and he didn’t feel he had a right to feel anything like he felt just looking at her, much less when he touched her. But right now, he couldn’t help himself. If he was going to be able to paint, he needed all the help and inspiration he could get.
“I’ll go,” she said at last, and then, sounding very prim and businesslike, she added, “We are grateful that you agreed to come and do this. So, I’ll do whatever you need to get the job done. But, I’m still not comfortable paying you so little compared to the far greater price I’m sure you normally ask.”
He’d told Cam he’d do it for the cost of room and board on the island but Cam had insisted that the resort wanted to pay the sum they’d budgeted for the project. He’d agreed to that but planned to find a charity or something to hand over the money to.
“Like I said in my email, I owe Cam. I would have done it for room and board only, but he insisted on payment.”
“And he should have. He denies that you owe him anything. That said, you two seem to both be stubborn, so it’s worked out for the resort either way.”
“It’s the Texan in us.” He grinned, because it was true.
Shar cocked her head. “You’re probably right. He might not have been born in Texas but as he says, he got there as fast as he could.” She laughed. “Are you the same way?”
“I was born in Texas and love it there, but I also have sea legs. I love the water.”
Jillian smiled. “Cam always says a cowboy can have interests outside the ranch. No wonder you two are friends. I have a feeling you’re good on a horse, though. You’ll have to get Cali to show you her riding. She’s good.”
That took him by surprise. “You ride?”
That becoming rose tinged Cali’s high cheekbones. “No. Not anymore.” She glared at her sisters. Jillian and Shar just smiled.
Grant felt for the poor soul who fell in love with Shar. She’d keep the poor guy on his toes. He liked her vibrant personality and he liked Jillian too, but something about Cali took his breath away every time he looked at her.
“So go. Take him to the falls,” Jillian urged. “You know you always loved that place.”
“And have a good time,” Shar demanded.
Cali sighed. “Fine. We’ll go to the falls.” She picked up her purse and slung it over her shoulder in a not-so-gentle manner as she walked past him. At the door, she paused to look over her shoulder. “Coming?”
The smile that unfurled inside him was huge. He picked up the basket. “Ladies,” he said and followed her out the door.
His creative mind churned as he followed her down the winding staircase. Her slender fingertips trailed along the dark, gleaming banister. She didn’t pause as she stormed down a side corridor, through a door and into the sunlight.
They were in a parking lot on the side of the resort. The brilliant sunshine had him pulling his shades from his head and placing them on his eyes. The scent of Jillian’s tropical flower gardens filled the air. But he was focused on the long, fluid movements of Cali as she headed toward a white, roofless Jeep. She tugged off the casual jacket she’d worn with her sundress and tossed it in the back before she pulled out a pair of shades from her purse and then dropped it beside the jacket. She jammed the shades over her green eyes and then climbed into the driver’s seat. Clearly she was miffed, as his mom would say. There was fire beneath that calm exterior and he liked it.
He set the basket in the backseat, taking his time before he hopped into the passenger seat beside her. “Nice ride. Is it yours?”
“It is. You seem surprised.”
“I am.” He chuckled, something he’d been doing a lot since meeting her. “I’ll admit I didn’t picture you in an off-road ride.”
“I didn’t picture you in cargo pants.”
He laughed again and couldn’t help himself. “And how exactly did you picture me?”
To his surprise, she laughed finally. “In jeans and boots, wearing a Stetson, like you are on your website. Which, I will admit, seemed at odds with the sea life that you’re famous for.”
“Sorry to disappoint you. These cargoes work better for island life. And as Jillian pointed out, cowboys do not always fit the stereotype.”
“Point taken.” She looked at him across her shoulder; even through the pale amber shades, her eyes sparkled in the sunlight with a hint of mischief. “Buckle up, Cowboy. You wanted me to show you the island. So now, we’re going for a ride.”
He did as he was told. This had the makings of a great day.
The man aggravated her—and also drove her to want to let her hair down.
That w
as something she hadn’t done in such a long time.
Cali had been uptight and somewhat withdrawn from parts of herself ever since the divorce. A divorce, she’d learned, despite her usually strong self-confidence, had a way of stripping everything away and leaving a person feeling bared and lacking. Even her.
She’d once been more adventurous—thus her Jeep—but now it was only when she was alone that she felt the zing of herself wanting to bust out of the cage. But then she’d question her bad choices and know that adventurous side of herself had helped get her into the mess she’d made of her life.
So many wrong choices. Funny how life had a way of whittling a person down.
Today, something felt different. She actually squealed the tires as she cut the corner out of the parking lot and headed for the tallest spot on the small island. It was one of Windswept Bay’s hidden gems.
The rush of the salty air and the heat of the sun calmed her.
“You like this?” Grant called over the wind that swirled around them as she drove down the street.
A stop sign had her pressing the brake. When she came to a halt behind another car, she looked at him. “I do. But I’m in the office most of the time.”
“This suits you. Do you rock climb?”
“No. I used to hike. I’ve never gotten a thrill from hanging off the side of a mountain by a thin rope and a hook that I nailed into a crack in the rock.” She laughed and shifted gears as she moved through the intersection. A few people on the sidewalks waved as they passed and she waved back. “How about you? You’re a beach-painting cowboy from Texas. What else contradictory do you do? Climbing mountains would go against stereotype.”
He laughed. “Nope. I’m the same way. I get out of the saddle long enough to paint, but other than flying in a plane…” He paused briefly and she glanced at him, saw his jaw tighten. “Other than flying, my feet are planted firmly to the ground. Hiking is great, though. We’re on the same page.”
The crash. It was obvious the mention of flying had caused his hesitation. She found herself wanting to ask him about the crash, about how he was doing but she held back. She wasn’t ready to get so personal. “My sister Olivia, she’s horribly afraid of heights. It’s a phobia and drives her crazy. Thankfully, I’m not like that. I just like control too much to trust—” She broke off, realizing, despite not planning to or wanting to, that she was revealing more about herself than she was comfortable with.
From This Moment On: Heartwarming Contemporary Romance (Windswept Bay Book 1) Page 3
