“Thanks, man. But, it’s not like doing that is going to pay my bills or anything. I’m into making a living. I plan to ask Blair to marry me soon and this business pays my bills.”
Cali couldn’t take it any longer. “Jax, this is Grant Ellington and he loves your work.”
Jax looked startled and then squinted; she saw recognition dawn.
“Holy smokes, it is you.”
“It’s good to meet you, Jax. And I’ve got to tell you that if my work inspired you to pick up a brush, then I’m pumped by that.”
“Wow, man. You’re excellent.”
“You’re excellent. You could be better than me if you took to it.”
Jax looked at them in disbelief. “You’re really serious, aren’t you?”
“Oh, I am without doubt. And I’d like to make you a proposition. I’m here, about ready to paint a couple of murals at the resort. I need an assistant. I’d pay you and you’d get some experience.”
“Seriously?”
The kid liked that word.
Grant nodded. “Why don’t you come by tomorrow and we’ll talk after I show you what we’d be up against.”
“Sure, man. I’ve got to at least hear you out.”
“Sounds like a plan. Now we’ll head out and see what magic waits for us down the lagoon.”
Jax grinned. “Have fun. I still can’t believe you’re here.”
“One day someone could be saying the same thing about you.”
Cali loved it. She took Grant’s hand and cautiously got into the front seat of the two-seater kayak. With her skirt, it took some maneuvering not to embarrass herself but in the end she made it without flipping the kayak and dumping herself into the water. Within a few minutes, they were headed down the lagoon. The green foliage was a canopy above their heads and the sounds of the forest once again took over around them. And the peacefulness surrounded them.
But she was far from peaceful. Grant had just shown her another side of him and the man just kept getting better and better. But she was touched by the fact that he didn’t just act humble; he was. “Are you going to give Jax a credit for working on the murals?”
“Of course. He’ll learn a lot on these projects. And if he’s as good as it looks like he is, then he can gain some great recognition. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to be doing this project for you but the thought of helping a guy out who has absolutely no idea how good he is is cool.”
“You love giving back.”
“I do. Paying it forward with an overlooked artist makes me happy. Jax is the perfect example of someone who is underutilizing his talent. And, this means a lot to me.”
She knew he was thinking about the men who’d died. “I can understand that. Artists come from all over to paint here. I think it’s a wonderful idea.”
They let the lagoon take them along then, and for a little while they were quiet. It dawned on Cali that it had been a very long time since she just relaxed. Hiking to the falls had been beautiful but it had been a hike. This was effortless. Yes, they were in a kayak with paddles but the lagoon was doing the work.
The only problem that she could see with the situation was that when the lagoon did the work, that left more time for her to think. And she was thinking about the intriguing man sitting behind her.
Chapter Eleven
“So, how does it feel to be a part of such a large family?” Grant knew that Cali’s family was huge and he needed something to talk about. Sitting behind her in the kayak, he found his attention constantly on her russet curls and the graceful movements of her arms as she dipped her paddle into the water. She was no stranger to kayaking but that wasn’t what his mind kept getting stuck on… He kept thinking about how she’d felt in his arms. He kept thinking about everything about her.
He needed something to talk about and he wanted to know more about her, so asking about her family seemed a good subject. She paused paddling and glanced over her shoulder. She had a face he could look at endlessly.
“It’s great and overwhelming at the same time. Can you imagine being a girl and growing up with five brothers? It was interesting to say the least. My only saving grace was that I had three sisters.”
He laughed. “I see your point. Then again, I see your brothers’ point too.”
“You would.” She chuckled. “On top of that, as you’ve seen since you’ve been here, my sisters are a bit nosey. That is not something new. Being the older sister with triplets as sisters has been interesting to say the least. I’ve often felt like their own personal test subject guinea pig.” She laughed and it said a lot.
“I’ve seen two of them in action.” He could only imagine how it had been with three mischievous younger sisters. He could hear the affection in her voice and the love. He imagined that she’d been a great big sister to the little gang of girls.
“Ah, you’d be right about that.” Cali dipped the paddle into the water and matched Grant’s rhythm. The words were out before she thought better of them.
“So they’re doing some matchmaking?”
She looked back at him, shocked. “No—” The quirk of his eyebrow halted her denial. “Maybe. Sorry, but so you know, it’s harmless. I’m not interested.” She wasn’t. Infatuated yes, but not interested.
His expression was almost comical at those words. “Well, thank you.”
“No, I meant…” How could she have been so careless? “That wasn’t about you. It was about me.”
A seagull cried in the air above them, signaling they were getting closer to the opening of the river into the ocean. Her gaze was caught by Grant’s and she couldn’t look away.
“It’s about me, too. And you are interested.”
She blinked but still couldn’t tear her eyes away from the direct look in his. She swallowed hard. How was she supposed to answer that? “True,” she said at last. “But I won’t let myself act on it and you should know that. No matter how hard my sisters push.”
“Is it because of your divorce?”
She nodded. “So you should be warned.”
The glint in his eyes sent a buzz through her. She got the uneasy feeling that her words had gone on deaf ears.
Grant had not known how Cali would feel about the day. He’d had to bring her, had to show her what he’d seen and he knew that there was no way he was going to walk away from the emotions that she was bringing to him. With her, he had been able to step away from the thoughts of the crash that rode on his shoulders constantly. He was starting to see his way again and it felt good. The survivor’s guilt was still there but he was dealing better with it. Cali made him feel as though there were a light at the end of the dark tunnel.
They guided the kayak from the lagoon out into the calm bay. They were lucky enough for a pair of porpoises to come swim beside them. Their slick gray bodies gleamed in the sun as they leapt from the waters, arching as they dove back into the waves in perfect time together.
“I never get tired of seeing them do that,” Cali called over her shoulder, shooting him a bright smile that was alive and joyful.
“Me either,” he called, loving her smile.
By the time they got out of the kayak back at Lagoon Adventures, Grant had scenes of Cali and the dolphins dancing in his mind’s eye. The joyful expression was one he knew most visitors felt when seeing the beautiful creatures. The problem with the murals was that he knew she wouldn’t want to be the subject of the paintings she’d brought him here to paint. But so far, he knew he’d put her in every one of them if he had his way.
When they made it back to the resort, Cali had work to do and was glad of it. She needed something to keep her feet on the ground. She’d had so much fun being with Grant. And had seen more and more what a good man he was—proving the articles she’d read about him were true.
Which made keeping the attraction she felt toward him all that much harder to hold back. She needed distance and she was thankful that today she had to meet with a couple again to go over the plans for the
wedding that would be held on the beach in two weeks. Jillian would be heading up this meeting because it was about the flowers and there really wasn’t that much that Cali had to do. Still, she needed to be there just in case there were last-minute detail changes.
When the couple and the bride’s mother left, Cali turned to stare out the window. Her gaze snagged instantly on Grant as he started working on the pool wall.
From the glass windows of the garden room where the wedding reception would be held, she had a clear view of him. He wore taupe cargo shorts that had paint droppings on them and a light-colored shirt with dried paint on it too. It was similar to what he’d worn in the lobby when he’d painted but today there was something different about him.
He was relaxed today. Not tense and possessed as he had been working on the amazing waterfall. Word was out and people were driving from Tampa and Naples so far to see it. And they were all planning to come back to see the final two.
He looked at home and comfortable, almost as if he belonged here on the island. Of course, he didn’t and she needed to keep that in her head. She could not forget that he was leaving.
“Earth to Cali. Earth to Cali—”
The sound of her name registered. “Hmmm?” she murmured, unable to tear her eyes and her thoughts away from watching him.
“That’s what I thought.” Jillian stepped up beside her. The movement and her words finally drew Cali out of the near trance that had hijacked her.
“Thought what?” Cali looked at her sister curiously.
“That this is far more than just a casual attraction. You’re absolutely besotted with your artist.”
“He’s not my artist,” Cali denied. She met Jillian’s knowing gaze.
“I beg to differ. Besides, I caught you staring.”
Cali sighed. “You are entirely too observant. I was thinking about my morning kayaking out on the bay with Grant. It had been spontaneous and fabulous… I had forgotten what it was like to feel the breeze and sun on my face and the water beneath me.”
Jillian’s face lit up. “Oh, Cali, that makes me so happy. You used to love to do that. I’m glad Grant got you back out there. He’s good for you.”
“I’ve known him less than a week.” What was it—four days? Five days? It felt as if she’d known him forever.
“So? He’s still good for you.”
“The man can be maddening. I wasn’t even dressed for it.”
“You aren’t wet or dirty, so it must have worked out.” A smile played at the corner of Jillian’s mouth and her eyes crinkled at the edges.
“It did,” Cali said, giving in to the need to talk.
“So has he kissed you yet?”
Cali’s mouth dropped open. She stuttered, “Wh-what…n-no. I expect questions like that from Shar, not you.”
Jillian laughed. “I can’t help it. You two looked extremely combustible when you’re near each other. I just thought maybe…”
“Combustible?”
“Absolutely. You’re turning red all over again.”
Cali had wanted Grant to kiss her so many different times on that trip that she’d been glad she was trapped in the front end of the yellow kayak. It kept her from launching herself at him. Not to mention the day he’d passed out on his bed. It was probably useless to try to deny her feelings when she felt heat roll through her every time she looked at him or thought of him. Could he see what her sisters so easily saw?
She certainly hoped not.
“Invite him to dinner at Mom and Dad’s tonight. Everyone wants to meet him.”
“Sure.” Cali knew Jillian was right but now she had to worry that everyone in her family might see her attraction to Grant. If—when—they did, what would she do then?
Chapter Twelve
Grant was almost finished applying his base coat on the wall in the pool area when his phone rang. He set the roller in the pan and pulled the phone from his pocket.
“How’s it going out there in paradise now that you’ve gotten some sleep?”
“Better. I didn’t tell you on the last call but this is a great place. Your family has a gorgeous property. I can see why it’s been around for so long.”
“Yeah, I miss it. I’m getting the itch to come for a visit. If I could raise and sell cattle and horses from there, I’d probably still be there full-time.”
“I can understand that. I did notice when I was out driving around with Cali this morning that there was a sign to a horse farm and riding not far down the beach.”
“It’s a small operation. Mostly for riding on the beach. Bess, the older woman who owns the place, has had it for years. I actually learned to ride there as a kid and that’s where I knew I’d grow up and own a ranch.”
“I’ll have to check it out while I’m here.”
“You should. So, Cali and you were driving this morning? You two seem to be spending a lot of time together.” Cam didn’t even try to hide his interest.
“She’s amazing. She’s showing me the island to help me get inspiration for the murals.”
“How does she seem to be doing?” Concern filled Cam’s voice. “I know you’re pretty observant. What do you think?”
“I think she’s been hurt. She’s very cautious and there’s a wall up that would stop a tsunami.” But I’m making progress.
“That’s what I figured. Look, while you’re there, would you look out for her? Maybe take her out to dinner. You’re a good guy, Grant. And I know you’ve been through a lot and have your own scars to get past. But, I hadn’t thought about it until now, you could show her that not all men are like that jerk that she was married to.”
“I’m glad to have you in my corner for that. But there are some things that have to be overcome in their own time. I can tell you that from my own perspective. I don’t talk much about it, Cam, as you know, but grief, regret—things that cut deep don’t just disappear because people around you want them to get better.”
Cam was silent on the other end of the line. Grant didn’t want to talk about the plane crash but he felt he could give Cam an insight into what Cali might be going through. He would be more than happy to help in any way he could. Maybe because he and Cali did have open wounds right now, they could help each other. Or at least be a distraction from the feelings that warred constantly inside him. Maybe it was the same for Cali.
“I get it,” Cam said at last. “But it doesn’t hurt a big brother to want to help. I know everyone in our family is worried that there was more to her divorce than she’s let on. She’s been very private about it. But she’s different. More closed off and it’s like a light went off inside her. Shar called and said she lights up when you’re around.”
“Cam, there’s something there but that’s all I’m saying. I’m on rocky land right now and it’s obvious Cali is too. So if you’re joining in with your sisters on matchmaking—”
“No matchmaking for me. I’d urge caution while at the same time a date couldn’t hurt either one of you.”
Grant thought about Cam’s words long after they’d hung up. Exterior walls took more time to prep. Applying cleanser to the wall to strip off any excess dirt or oils that might hinder his painting gave him mindless labor to do and plenty of thinking time. Laying on the primer added more time and though people passed by as he worked and some asked questions, most left him to himself. People had gotten used to seeing him working and were keeping back and giving him space. After all, they were too busy enjoying their vacations to get involved with what he was doing. He enjoyed hearing the laughter of children and the moms and dads playing with them in the pool. That was the part of his job that he loved: replacing a boring wall with something beautiful that would enhance the enjoyment of those who would be viewing it. Two days from now, if these families were still visiting at the resort, he hoped his mural would make them laugh and smile in wonderment. And that was the gift his talent gave him. Those smiles and happy faces. But today his mind was lost in thought of only one face: Cal
i’s.
When he was finished with his priming, he gathered up his supplies and cleaned up his tools.
“How’s it going?” Cali’s sweet voice broke into his musings. He turned to find her just steps away from him. His pulse had jumped at the sound of her voice and it surged when he found her smiling face. “Do you want me to get someone from maintenance to do that for you?”
He placed his hands on his hips and just took her in. “I like to do this myself. That way I know it’s right. Besides, Horace already offered.”
“I see. As long as you’re sure. Look, I have to go to my parents’ house for dinner. I completely forgot about it until Jillian mentioned it a few minutes ago. They’d love for you to come too.”
He paused. She looked conflicted about asking him. Disappointment washed over him. “You don’t look real enthusiastic about the prospect.”
She rubbed the crease that formed between her eyes.
Behind her, a child squealed with glee and then jumped from the side of the pool into the water. He saw this out of his peripheral vision because his eyes held Cali’s.
“Don’t get me wrong. I love my family desperately. But…since my divorce, they…” Her nose wrinkled slightly and he almost smiled. “They hover. They want what’s best for me and I almost think…” She paused and shook her head. “Sorry, scratch that. Family events can be suffocating at times, that’s all. I want to make them happy and to stop their worry at the same time. But it’s exhausting. And that sounds terrible.”
He smiled and held back a laugh at her truthfulness. “Go, relax and just enjoy your time with them. They mean well. I know Cam does, if he pushes, and I think he probably does. He didn’t talk about you much before I came out here but in the little he told me, I could hear the protectiveness in his voice. Him not telling me about you was, in a way, part of that, I think.”
She tucked hair behind her ear. “He’s giving me space, but then, he’s a long way away from Windswept Bay.”
From This Moment On: Heartwarming Contemporary Romance (Windswept Bay Book 1) Page 8
