She looked straight ahead, feeling Grant’s gaze on her as she headed through the tiny town with its touristy sidewalk wares, colorful buildings filled with fudge shops, ice cream, and coffee shops. Why had she talked so much? The man was here to paint and then he would leave. She was simply the woman who was overseeing his time here.
“The town’s nice.”
She glanced at him, relieved that he wasn’t asking her more questions about herself considering she’d left the door wide open for them. “Yes, it’s your typical tourist town. At least Main Street is. The regular business places and shops are farther down the street or on the side streets.”
“So how busy does the island get?”
“Not as busy as it could. That’s one reason we are renovating the resort. We can bring in more tourists if we can offer a more up-to-date boutique setting that caters to a wider demographic. Some Grant Ellington artistry will go a long way on moving us up on the destination meter.”
They were out of the town now and headed along the coast. “This road winds around the entire island—all twenty miles of it. Though most people drive back the way they went. There is an area along the southern tip of the island that is passable but only for the adventure seekers. It’s fairly treacherous in areas. Believe it or not, we get some tourists here just for that stretch of land. We’re wanting to reach as wide a group as possible. To have something for everyone—and that begins with a special accommodations and experience at the resort.”
“Cam told me the town struggled some. I’m not sure my murals are going to be the saving grace, though. That’s a lot of pressure.”
She glanced at him. “In the words of Shar—gorgeous and humble. Hang on.” She cut off the main road and hit a dirt road that immediately began a climb up the dirt trail. “You know you and your name have clout.” She held the steering wheel with both hands as the road was rough.
Grant had straightened in his seat and was clearly enjoying the ride. She could practically see his interest.
“What I know is I paint pictures that engage people and seem to touch people. Whether it increases revenue, I can’t guarantee.”
She took her foot off the accelerator. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
His forehead creased as concern filled his eyes. “Yeah, I am. So far, what I’ve seen of the island has been beautiful. And it’s an ideal place for a vacation away from the hustle and bustle. But don’t bank your renovation on me. On my work.”
She now pressed the brake and stared at him. “Well, I’m not placing all my hopes and dreams for the place on you, but I am placing some of it. I didn’t just hire any ole painter.” She was serious, but half teasing him when she realized he looked truly troubled.
She turned off the Jeep and unbuckled her seat belt. “Hey, relax. Don’t look so troubled. You said you wanted to be inspired and if that’s what you need to be totally on board, then follow me.” What was wrong with him? Cam had said he hadn’t painted since the crash. Was that part of why he’d seemed so agitated just now?
Instead of getting out, he removed his shades and, squinting in the sun, he stared at her. “I’m serious, Cali. You and your sisters have obviously put a lot of thought into this renovation to the resort and your ‘why’ for doing it is a great one. Don’t get me wrong. I’m on board but—don’t bet the bank on me.”
“You’re really blowing me away. Are you really not confident?”
“I’m confident that I’ll give you something your guests will find pleasure looking at. But hoping it will be the thing that sets you apart and makes you a destination is just not what I do. You need to make sure you have more. And the truth is you do. I’m guessing the waterfall is through those trees?”
“You are so correct. This way. And don’t worry, we haven’t put all our bets on you.”
“Good. Is there a place to set up our late lunch where you’re taking me?” He reached into the back of the Jeep and lifted the small hamper. “Or is it better that we see it and then eat when we get back to the Jeep?”
He looked like an ad for every girl’s dream date, standing there looking at her with those intense eyes and a quizzical smile on his lips.
Oh wow.
She was in tune with the forest and very aware of the sounds of birds echoing through the trees and the muted sound of the falls that only someone who knew what they were listening for could hear. But above everything, she was aware of the canopy of leaves overhead locking her into very private surroundings with Grant.
The gorgeous, intriguing man was what she was most aware of. He smiled and her heart thundered.
“You can bring it. I’m sure there’s room somewhere.” She didn’t stop to analyze her thoughts; instead, she headed into the woods, following the well-worn path that led through the tropical landscape and then headed down a steep path. She could feel Grant behind her and wondered whether he could tell that he got to her. The musty scent of damp ground and clean, sweet air filled her lungs. And the ever-so enticing scent of his aftershave.
She’d known him for less than five hours and every moment in his presence was making it harder and harder to focus on anything but him. It was disturbing, to say the least.
He was handsome in a way that appealed to her more than she could understand. She’d seen plenty of gorgeous men in her life and many since her divorce, but she’d never been so instantly drawn to a man.
Since her divorce, she’d not felt anything toward any man.
No, instead, she’d been determined to keep her distance from all men. And now, as she tromped down the path through the plants, she felt a sense of anticipation about having lunch with him in the most romantic spot on the island.
Not that she was going to let him know that.
Chapter Five
The soft, lush roar of the falls grew the closer they got. Because this was a small fall and not Niagara Falls, it was a sound that set the tone for romance.
Okay, Cali, stop with the romance, would you please?
“We’re almost there,” she called over her shoulder, more to take her mind off her thoughts than to warn him.
“Sounds good. But I’m enjoying the hike.”
The man was in great shape and there was no way this short hike was making him hope the journey would end soon. She led the way around a curve, pushed a banana leaf out of her way and held it back as he moved to stand beside her. His arm touched hers as he moved up beside her. Energy bolted through her like a power surge and the goose bumps she’d had earlier came back in full force. The waterfall was a gentle roar.
“Beautiful,” he said, leaning close to her ear.
Grant’s warm breath sent a shiver of awareness through Cali and she shifted instinctively toward him. The action brought his body closer to hers as her pulse crashed fast and furiously off the charts. Her mouth went dry and she could only nod as words stuck in her throat.
“Is this place special to you?”
Unable to stop herself, she turned her head toward him and found herself very closely face to face with him. The call of a tropical bird echoed from the trees, emphasizing the sense of them being completely alone in paradise. She couldn’t move. Not an inch. Not a finger. Not an eyelash. He made no move either, just held her gaze as time stalled.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered at last.
A shiver raced over her and, thankfully, she forced her feet to move and she stepped away, driven by the need for space.
What was wrong with her? She had just met Grant and yet she had to fight the urge to throw herself into his arms. It was not like her to feel such reckless emotions. Especially after all she’d been through.
And yet she wanted to fall into his arms and—
She wrapped her arms around herself and forced the thoughts out of her mind. She should have never brought him to this spot. She should have never told him to bring the picnic lunch.
“Are you all right?” That concern etched his expression again and he reached to touch he
r arm.
“I’m fine. Just…” What could she say? “Just hungrier than I thought I’d be. What do you have inside that basket?” It was the only thing she could come up with.
“Hopefully something you’ll enjoy. Where should we sit?”
“There’s an alcove at a midway point of the falls. There is plenty of room there.”
“Then lead on. You’ve got my attention.” In the shade of the forest, they’d both removed their shades and now, his beautiful blue eyes sparkled with a surprisingly playful glint.
And suddenly, Cali felt reckless.
The gentle fall of the water over the cliff, near where they’d decided to stop to eat, sounded peaceful as Grant reached into the basket and pulled out a couple of bottles of water. He, on the other hand, was as far from peaceful as he could get as he handed a cold bottle to Cali. Their fingers touched and the jolt of electricity that seemed to go with being near her zinged through him.
Unnerved by the continuing reaction to her, he concentrated on pulling a bowl of fresh fruit from the basket. He handed it to her and then pulled out one for himself. Then he pulled out a plate of assorted cheeses and crackers and thinly sliced deli meats.
“You thought of everything,” she said.
“I try,” he answered, liking the surprise he heard in her voice. “I wasn’t sure if you were a vegetarian or maybe gluten-free so I went with caution.”
A soft smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “You are a very thoughtful man. I’m neither but it was a nice thought.”
He liked that smile. “There’s more in here, if you want something else. I didn’t want to overwhelm you. Then again, compared to other picnics you might have been on, I didn’t want to come up on the short end of the stick either.”
“I’ve never done something like this before.”
He paused pulling out a container. “You’ve never been on a picnic?”
“Not—” She halted, and turned crimson. The woman could blush like nothing he’d ever seen. “I mean, with my family, certainly.”
“Oh, you meant with a date.”
She fidgeted. “This isn’t a...a date.”
She was cute. “No, I guess not. But I’m still in shock that no man took you on a picnic. Are the men in Windswept Bay blind? Or just stupid?”
“Well, ah…” Her brows bunched together and then she let out a soft laugh. “I don’t have a clue. You really throw me off.”
“You look really pretty in pink.”
Her fingers went to her cheek. “It’s a curse I’ve suffered with all my life.”
“Aw, and I thought it was just me who brought it out in you.” He wasn’t sure what had come over him. It had been months since he’d felt like himself, but since being around her, his old self kept jumping out with these bad one-liners.
“So are you being inspired?”
He couldn’t look away from her. “That’s a loaded question but yes, I am. Very much so. Cam didn’t tell me I was going to be mesmerized by one of his sisters. Well, he did dare me not to fall in love with one of you but I thought he was joking.”
She stiffened and the color drained from her face. “I… Look, Grant. I need to be up-front with you. I appreciate that you’re a nice guy, personable, and you believe in repaying a debt you believe you owe my brother. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with you but I need to be blunt—I’m not on the market. I’ve been through a divorce several months ago and believe me, I’m not interested in a repeat. I came strictly to show you the island so you can be inspired. Just like you requested.”
He put a fork into the melon in his bowl and berated himself for being so insensitive. “I apologize for pushing. I wasn’t thinking. I take it your divorce was a rough one?”
She didn’t say anything for a moment and he wanted to kick himself for his thoughtlessness.
“It’s none of your business, but yes. It was rough.” She pulled a grape from the bowl and placed it in her mouth. She chewed slowly while she studied the waterfall, lost in thought.
“Have you ever been married?” she asked at last.
“No. I’m thirty-two and have never even been tempted to marry. I’m not sure if that says something bad about me.”
“I think being able to wait until you find the right person is great. But in reality, who actually knows, until the deed is done, if it’s going to work out.”
“That’s pretty cynical.” He shouldn’t have been surprised after what she’d obviously been through.
“Absolutely. And I really hate it, but that’s all I can feel right now and it goes against my normal nature. Being lost inside yourself is a bad thing,” she finished softly.
He knew this was something she didn’t share with many people. He could tell by the way she said it. He reached across and laid his hand over hers. “You just need time.”
She released a ragged breath and didn’t make a move to pull away. “Maybe. If I focus on the resort, it helps me step outside my problems and it’s better. I came home because I needed to have some new direction to my life. This resort means the world to me in so many ways.”
He could look at her all day. Get lost in the emotions of her eyes and the silken sound of her voice. But mostly he could get lost in helping her find her way back to the woman he knew she so desperately was searching for. Her confession helped him see that but then he felt it too. Maybe it was because he could relate. He hadn’t been the same since the crash and didn’t think he ever would be. A part of him wanted to be the man he’d once been—but then, a part of him couldn’t cross that line. Couldn’t let go of what had happened. Of what had been lost.
But this wasn’t about him. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze; he’d give her what he could give. “Not the same thing, but I don’t know if you know that I recently lived through a plane crash?”
“I did know that. And I wanted to tell you that I was sorry for the loss of your friends. I just didn’t want to bring it up because I know it has to be hard for you. What a horrible tragedy it was. And awful to live through.”
“Thank you. They were good men who didn’t deserve to die. Their loss and the crash…changed me. I can’t imagine that I’ll ever get back to the person I was before, but, like you, I’m trying to find my footing in the new reality. It’s not easy. Coming here is my first step toward moving on.” Reluctantly, he released his hold on her. “You’re going to come out of this stronger and even more dynamic than the woman I’ve already come to know. You inspire me.”
“Thank you, but…” She halted, as if to pull herself back. A curtain seemed to fall over her gaze. “I brought you here so you’d be inspired by the falls.”
He forced himself not to cup her cheek because it was so obvious that she was fighting to stay distant. “Believe me, I’ve been inspired more than you realize.”
“Fine, but I need a painting and the last thing I want is a painting of me.”
He laughed hard at the sternness of her tone. “Relax, you’ll get your paintings.”
The laughter felt good.
Cali plopped another grape into her mouth and chewed; it was the best way she could hide the smile that she wanted to allow herself. It was a defensive move. Grant had gotten to her and she couldn’t let him know how much. He seemed to understand her in ways that she was not going to analyze right now. “So, tell me about why you said you owe Cam. He never said anything about you owing him. Only that he mentioned the renovation project to you and my vision for having murals and you offered to do them. I will say that I was surprised when he called and gave me your number. And told me you were flying out here so quickly.”
He placed a piece of cheese on a cracker and then doubled a slice of turkey and handed it to her. She thanked him and then watched as he made his.
“Cam wouldn’t tell you because he keeps telling me that he did what anyone would have done. He saw a grass fire heading toward my house and he put himself in danger to protect my home. He was hurt in the process. My stuff
isn’t worth someone getting harmed over. I was grateful the house and my belongings were saved, but he’s worth more than stuff. I owed him.”
“I see. Of course he neglected to tell me that. He didn’t come out here while he had the injury. None of us knew he’d even been hurt. Mom and Dad went to visit him and saw the scar on his arm and that was the first we knew of it.”
“Sounds like him. He denies vehemently that he did anything heroic, and I kid him and tell him he’s right—it was idiotic. His life is worth more. Still I owe him.”
“And the resort is benefiting.”
“I think it’s a perfect solution. This meant a lot to him, helping all of you get the resort going, and his plan was to pay me the difference of what you had budgeted. I flat-out refused doing the job if that was the case, so we finally compromised and I’m accepting the payment.”
“But then donating it.”
“It’s a win-win. Don’t you think?”
She had to admit that it was.
Chapter Six
“So tell me about yesterday,” Shar demanded the moment she saw Cali the next day.
“It was great. He’s a nice man.” A man she hadn’t stopped thinking about all night.
Shar’s mouth dropped open. “A nice man. That’s all I get? Are you kidding me? I want details. Did you kiss him?”
“Oh, for Pete’s sake,” Cali snapped. “Are you kidding me? I’m not going to kiss the man. Why are you even asking that?”
“Because I want you to. You need your life shaken up some. Grant Ellington seems to be the man who might be able to do exactly that. Just because you got a bad apple on the first go-round doesn’t mean it’s time to give up on all men.”
From This Moment On: Heartwarming Contemporary Romance (Windswept Bay Book 1) Page 4
