With This Forever

by Debra Clopton

  The small jab hit its mark. He deserved the distance. “I should have come by, true. But we’d made plans, so I just thought we had a date.”

  She frowned. “No, no date. I’m really too busy. I have some sewing to do.”

  “But what about your bucket list?” He didn’t like the distance she was putting between them—no, that he had put between them. He had done this.

  “Look, Jake. It’s fine that you’ve been avoiding me. I never expected you to spend all your extra time helping me. You’ve been wonderful, and I think that kiss the other night was probably the last bucket list item I’ll be doing for a little while. I have business to tend to. And, well, that kiss shook you up and sent you running and I never planned on that happening.”

  Sammy Jo had grit and that took him by surprise. He looked away from her as she stared him down with cool eyes. “Yes, that sums it up. That kiss…”

  “Scared you.” Her brows arched.

  He really didn’t want to admit that to her, but he bit the bullet. “Yeah, it scared me.” He straightened and raked a hand through his hair. “But I talked it over with Trent and he told me for a guy like me it was normal and I should just slow things down.” Boy, was he digging himself deeper into a pit or what?

  “I see. And what about what I think? Do I get a say in what happens in this relationship or do I just sit back and take whatever you dish out?” Her eyes flashed.

  “Yes, sure.” He had messed up.

  “Good. Then, I’m saying, I have a grand opening and I’m shelving the bucket list project for now. I’ll finish that on my own after I get my shop going. Now, I need to go finish a skirt. Oh, and by the way, your sisters are fantastic. I like them very much.”

  And then she closed the door and left him staring at it.

  He frowned. This was not at all what he’d expected. He started to knock again but pulled his knuckles back from rapping on the door. Instead, he walked back to his dive shop in a daze.

  Soft, quiet Sammy Jo had just shut him out.

  Now what?

  What had she done? Sammy Jo leaned against the door and waited for her heart to stop thundering. She’d thought long and hard about how to handle the situation with Jake and what she’d just done had happened spontaneously. It had just come to her as she stood there looking at him. It felt good to have cut him off instead of him cutting her off. If this relationship was going nowhere, then it was best to nip it in the bud now. She was not going to be toyed with. And after talking to his sisters, she felt as if Jake probably got whatever he wanted out of a relationship. Well, not this time. This was her new life and she was calling the shots.

  But he had looked so good. Dear goodness, the man caused her circuits to go crazy every time he came near. But she was determined to ignore all electrical tingles, tickles, and temptations that tried to influence her choices when Jake was around. And she would not think about kissing him again.

  It was too risky. She could fall for him—was falling for him. And then what? He wasn’t the commitment kind of guy and she would be hurt if she let anything else happen. She had just moved here and there was no way she was going to let herself be miserable because she fell for the guy next door and couldn’t have him.

  That was not the way to make a new life somewhere work.

  She was strong and determined, and she wanted to at least keep Jake as a friend, so knocking off the romantic stuff was imperative.

  So, she would end this. She would end it now.

  On Monday, the Windswept Bay Chamber of Commerce came out with a red ribbon cutting ceremony and the paper came to take pictures. Cali, Shar, Jillian, and Olivia were there, as were several of their sisters-in-law. She met Lilly, who was an author, and Kelsey the horse trainer, and Jessica the schoolteacher and Kevin, her adorable little boy. Jessica’s husband Levi was the chief of police and he was there also. He was very handsome and obviously very in love with Jessica.

  Jake’s mother came too. Violet Sinclair was beautiful, with long silver hair and kind eyes.

  She took Sammy Jo’s hands in hers when she met her. “I’m so glad you’ve made our home your home. My girls tell me your beloved grandmother just passed away recently and that she and your granddad met at our resort. I’m so very sorry for your loss and if there is anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask. Losing someone you love is hard and yet, you’ve chosen to start over. You are very brave and I admire you.”

  Sammy Jo was touched. “Thank you. It has been hard. But I feel close to her here. She told me this is where I belong and I think she is right. This place speaks to me.”

  “Good. Well, we are having a family dinner at the house on Friday and I’d love for you to come. I’ll get Jake to bring you. You and Jake are friends, I understand.”

  She hesitated and glanced across the group to where Jake was talking to his brother Trent. “Um, yes, we are. But I wouldn’t want to intrude, though.” She hadn’t actually talked to him since she closed the door in his face. So it was a bit awkward.

  As if sensing she was looking at him, he met her gaze and a smile curved the edges of his lips. She looked away, feeling terrible. “Really, I probably shouldn’t—”

  “Nonsense. It’s a madhouse at our family dinners and there is always room for more. Everyone wants to get to know you better, so please come. Jake will bring you out so you don’t have to hunt the place down on your own. Besides, I doubt very much that he will mind.”

  “Well, okay, that would be great.” There was really no graceful way to get out of joining them and she really wanted to. If only there wasn’t this tension between her and Jake.

  “Jake,” Violet called and waved him over.

  “Yes, Mom? Do you need me?”

  “Yes, I’ve invited Sammy Jo to dinner on Friday night. Would you be a dear and pick her up and bring her out to the house?”

  He stared at Sammy Jo and she wanted to cringe.

  “Sure. I’d be glad to.”

  “Good, then it’s all set. Now, I need to go inside and see this store of yours.”

  Sammy Jo watched the elegant lady walk inside her shop. She was speechless. She had just been railroaded. She felt eyes on her and looked to see Jake grinning at her.

  “She got us on that, didn’t she?”

  She scowled at him. “Yes, but you don’t have to pick me up. I’m capable of driving myself.”

  “Nope. I promised my mom and I don’t break a promise, especially one to my mom.”

  Figures. “I see. Well, that’s a good virtue to have.”

  He laughed. “Relax. You’ll have fun. But if it bothers you for me to pick you up, then I understand.”

  “No, as long as it doesn’t bother you.” They stared at each other and she could practically hear the seconds ticking off.

  He smiled finally. “It doesn’t bother me. I’ll pick you up at six. Come casual. We may play Frisbee on the beach or have a bonfire. Kevin loves doing that. And you’ll get to meet Rosco and Jaco, Kevin’s two dogs, and they are big and active.”

  She relaxed a little. “I love dogs. But I never had one of my own. I’m thinking one day I’m going to get a small one. One to keep me company in my little apartment.”

  “You should. We have a great shelter here. That’s where Jaco came from. He’s a growing moose so the shelter was glad someone took him.” He laughed and the sound caused her to laugh too.

  “Well, maybe when I’m settled in, I might just go down there and get me a little furry friend.”

  “It will be a lucky dog.”

  “Thanks.”

  “It’s the truth.” His eyes warmed. “Look, I hope we’re okay. I know I messed up the other night.”

  “We’re fine. It’s just better this way. We’re going to be neighbors for a long time. And we just need to be friends.”

  “Right.”

  Moments later, everyone gathered behind the red tape and the newspaper photographer snapped a photo of Sammy Jo cutting the red ribbon
. It felt exciting and as if she were part of the community. She was beginning to belong and it felt right. It did. She just had to keep Jake at a distance as a friend.

  On Friday night, Sammy Jo closed up the shop, and said a prayer of thanks for the wonderful week she’d had. So many people had come to the shop and she’d sold several outfits. Wearing a smile, she walked up her stairs and into her cozy apartment. It had been a good week. She’d stayed fairly busy and had decided she was going to have to hire some part-time help. She was excited to think that her small business had seen a small victory.

  And now she was going to have dinner with new friends. It was a little overwhelming for someone who had as little social life as she’d had for so long. She wanted to make the right impression. She hurried into her tiny bathroom and washed her face and combed her hair. She applied a small amount of makeup and nodded at her reflection in the mirror. “You look fine,” she told herself. “Take a deep breath and enjoy yourself.” She thought about Jake and knew that was going to be easier said than done.

  Her stomach fluttered. She went into her room and opened her closet to go through her clothes. Casual. She decided her skirts wouldn’t work if they played Frisbee. She’d never played Frisbee. But she had seen people jumping and stretching and catching and throwing the disk before. She opted for a pair of skinny jeans and flip-flops and one of her seafoam tops. She took a deep breath as she walked back into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of water. The knock on the door had her heart instantly racing.

  She’d told herself all week not to overreact about spending time with Jake tonight. It wasn’t as if he had asked her out. His mother had set this up. He was just her ride.

  “Just my ride,” she muttered as she swung open the door and found him standing there looking better than any man had a right to look. He had a tight, faded T-shirt on with the logo of Jake’s Dive Shop on his heart.

  He blinked hard as his gaze took her in. “Hi. You look lovely, Miss Lovely. You ready to go?”

  “Thank you.” She felt like the butterflies erupting in her stomach were having a nervous breakdown. She forced her voice to sound bright and under control. “Let me grab my purse and I’m ready.”

  She hurried to grab her purse while telling herself to pull her heart back, to hide it somehow. Bury it. Really, it was as if Jake just made her lose her mind when he was near. She had to keep her distance.

  She had to.

  Moments later, they were driving down the coastal road out of town. “So, you have a very big family. It was so sweet of them to come out to my grand opening and they all bought something. Which they did not have to do.”

  He looked baffled. “Your stuff is gorgeous. Of course they all bought something. You should advertise to husbands and boyfriends and you’ll make a mint.”

  He had a good idea. “Look at you, Mr. Marketer Extraordinaire. That is a very good idea.”

  His blue eyes twinkled and she couldn’t look away. “It just makes sense to me. Did you have a good week?”

  “I did. I really did. I love it here. It’s as if my gram knew I would.”

  He shot her a smile, his eyes warm. “Your gram knew you really well. She probably did know you would enjoy it here. I’m really glad she sent you to Windswept Bay.”

  His words settled in her like warm honey. She fought to keep her feet on the ground. “Even with all the trouble I’ve been?”

  “You’re no trouble. Here we are.” He drove into a circle drive of a rambling home with beautiful landscaping. There were cars and Jeeps everywhere.

  “This yard is so pretty.”

  “There are so many vehicles it’s hard to see the landscaping but my mom and Jillian have very green thumbs, fingers, and toes. They designed the yard. Jillian does it at the resort too.”

  “Yes, they told me that. I forgot. I don’t have a green anything.”

  “But you can certainly sew.”

  “True. Maybe one day, when I decide to buy myself a small place, I could talk Jillian into giving me some pointers.”

  “She would. She’s a sweetheart. And wait till you meet little April.” The warmth in his words was unmistakable.

  “You sound like you enjoy children. You talk about Kevin in the sweetest way and now April. I’m sure you’re a great uncle.” She studied him as he put the truck into park. Keep your distance, Sammy Jo.

  “I try to be. I love kids.”

  Of course, he did. She knew he might not realize it yet but he would make a great father.

  “Do you love kids?” he asked.

  She nodded. Her heart caught at the thought of being a mom and holding her own baby in her arms. “I do. I want several—not anytime soon. But one day.” She had to remind herself not to rush her life. Things would come in their own time. Despite the fact that her life had seemed to be on hold for so long.

  He studied her with gentle eyes. “You’ll be a wonderful mother.”

  She fought a sudden lump in her throat. “Thank you. I know that I will love my children with all my heart.” She would give her children what her own mother hadn’t been able to give her.

  “Yes, and they’ll be blessed to have you as their mother.” He cleared his throat and she tried to breathe as every piece of her soul seemed to want to reach out and cling to him.

  “I guess we better go in,” he said. But didn’t move. They stared at each other.

  She managed to nod. “Yes, that would probably be wise.” She grasped the door handle and pushed her door open and scrambled from the truck. If she didn’t get out of there that she might very well have launched herself at Jake.

  He stopped a foot in front of her and placed his hands on his lean hips. “No kidding, Sammy Jo. You will be the best mother.”

  She could not move. She was in so much trouble because there was no way she was not going to fall in love with this man.

  You are not going to fall in love with him. You are not.

  She just had to keep repeating the mantra.

  Chapter Nine

  With knots in his stomach, Jake watched Sammy Jo laughing with the crowd of women who now made up the Sinclair women. They were all admiring baby April and looking as happy as could be. It was amazing how they all just clicked. Sammy Jo looked happy and he felt good for her. She had lived such a solitary life and he knew how much making friends and fitting in meant to her. She hadn’t even had to tell him that. He had read it in her expressions when she talked about moving here and starting a new life. And when she talked about his family too. She’d just lost everyone who meant anything to her. His heart ached for her. And when she smiled, it made his heart happy. It was a feeling he found he relished.

  “You are really lost in thought.” Trent walked up and leaned against the counter beside him. “You have it bad, brother.”

  Jake grunted. “Yeah, but look at her. How can I not have it bad, as you say? But she’s happy right now, loving being part of a big gaggle of women. I’m not going to do anything to mess that up.”

  “Mess what up?” Max came up to lean against the counter too. He reached for a chip and dipped it into a bowl of cheese dip.

  “Our brother Jake is in love, but he won’t admit it.”

  Max grinned. “I thought I recognized that dreamy gleam in your eyes.”

  Jake frowned. “Funny, you two.”

  “You do have the look,” Max reiterated. “It’s shell shock. I had it. Felt it. But then I realized Kelsey was everything I ever wanted. Ever needed. Had to have. And there was no way I could let her go.”

  “I can’t risk hurting her. She’s lost too much already.”

  “Then, figure it out.” Max wasn’t one to ramble on. He and Trent were the quietest two Sinclair men in the family and both of them had just given him heartfelt advice.

  “Thanks, fellas.”

  His dad walked past. “Jake, come help me bring in the burgers.”

  “Sure.” He followed his dad out onto the deck that overlooked the ocean down the hi
ll. Kevin was having a blast. He, Jaco and Rosco were romping on the beach with Levi and his brother-in-law BJ. Gage and Grant were leaning against the railing, watching them and talking.

  Jake knew his dad had asked him to help for a reason. There were plenty of people standing around to help. He handed Jake the platter.

  “How are you doing?” Sam opened the lid to the massive grill and then began scooping up patties with his large spatula and transferring them to the platter. “We haven’t seen much of you around here lately.”

  “I’m staying busy, Dad.”

  “Finding some time to date, I see.” Sam grinned and scooped up another patty. “Your mom really likes that young lady in there. She thinks you really like her too.”

  “Sammy Jo is special.” He was officially feeling the pressure of his family’s expectations now.

  “Seems nice. She also seems to have a settling effect on you, I think. Your mom had that effect on me. Kind of makes a man take stock of what’s important in life.”

  Jake thought about that. “Maybe so, but Dad, we’re just friends.”

  Sam looked skeptical and paused his patty picking up. “Right. Truth is, that’s the best way to start. Let’s get these inside. Hey, Grant, call them up from the beach. Burgers are ready.”

  “Yes, sir. They sure smell good.”

  Jake followed his dad in and soon the clan was all sharing a loud and happy meal. He took his burger and sat at the table beside Sammy Jo. “You having a good time?”

  “Oh, Jake, yes. You have a wonderful family. I’m a little overwhelmed by so many people and all in one immediate family.”

  “Yeah, they’re cool. Someone always has your back, that’s for sure.”

  “Yes, that’s a comfort. I sometimes feel alone.” She gave a quick smile. “Well, I am alone but I have friends now.”

  He covered her hand with his. “Yes, you do.” They looked at each other for a long moment. Jake couldn’t explain what he felt, except that he felt very protective of her.