With This Ring (Windswept Bay Book 6)

by Debra Clopton

  Lana grimaced. “Your hearts spoke to each other. And I didn’t really realize how strongly you felt the pull when I first pushed you to have an open heart and not run away from feeling again. Now I feel a little bit responsible, like my daddy must have felt raising me.”

  Despite her worrying, Jessica chuckled, glad to have something humorous to think about for the moment. “I can only imagine how it must have felt being raised by a rodeo daddy and with five older brothers.”

  Lana rolled her eyes and drawled in her best Texas cowgirl twang, “Honey, they smothered me with love, I can tell you that.”

  “But you made it. I will too. Stop worrying. Ryan and Jillian will be there, and I’ll get to meet Jillian’s family. I’m just going to enjoy the afternoon and let Kevin and Roscoe play with Jaco.” All she had to do was keep telling herself that.

  “How’s it going with Jessica?” Ryan asked Levi on Friday afternoon. It had been a busy few days at work. “You’ve been pacing this office like a caged lion. Jillian and Jessica had coffee yesterday. She said she’s coming to your mom’s birthday party with you and you haven’t said a word. Jillian really likes Jessica.”

  Levi cupped his hands on the desk in front of him and shot a narrow gaze at his brother-in-law. “I’m not sure where it’s going. It’s complicated.” That was the understatement of the year.

  “So how are you and Jillian doing on the baby quest?” He felt for his sister, knowing she might not be able to have a child if it didn’t happen in the near future.

  “Actually, she’s been seeing the doctor lately and we’re waiting to hear results from the test today.” Ryan smiled. “I’m hoping I have good news when I go home. Man, I’m tense myself.”

  Levi grinned. “So do you have any idea, any good feeling about what the doctor might say?”

  Ryan shrugged. “No but I really hope for Jillian’s sake that the doc gives her good news. Then she’ll have the perfect present for your mom tomorrow. But, we’re going to adopt if we don’t get pregnant the biological way. Jillian really wants to carry at least one baby herself and experience what that feels like. Even if it’s just one and then we adopt all of our other children.”

  “I hope she gets to do that.” Levi’s thoughts went to himself on that one. He hadn’t thought about being a daddy. He had been busy thinking about his career and thinking that eventually he would get to the family portion of his life. But to really think about fathering a child and holding that little baby in his arms and knowing that it was a part of him? He hadn’t thought about that. But now when he contemplated fatherhood, he thought about Kevin and Jessica.

  “What are you thinking about?” Ryan asked.

  Levi realized he had been so deep in thought, he’d zoned out. “Just thinking about life. It’s not always fair. You and Jillian understand that—you’re old enough—but Kevin, poor little boy’s just a kid.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. So I think his mother is wise to move slow. I just hope she gives you a fair shot.” Ryan stood and walked over to the coffee pot.

  “Me too.” Levi was really going to have to think about the best way to proceed because if there was ever a time to be wise his entire life, this was it.

  Ryan’s phone rang. He spun to look at Levi and then he whipped his phone from his pocket. “It’s Jillian. I’ll take this outside. Be right back.”

  Levi went and poured himself a cup of coffee. He watched Ryan pace out on the sidewalk and prayed for the best.

  “He’s here, Momma! And Jaco’s with him!” Kevin exclaimed the next morning. He’d been waiting at the window for an hour despite her telling him it was early.

  Before she could stop him, Kevin yanked the door open and raced outside.

  “Kevin!” she called. She grabbed her purse from the hall table and a plate of fudge she’d made and then followed him outside. She reached the front steps just in time to see her son throw himself into Levi’s arms and give him a huge hug.

  The scene had her stopping in her tracks and her heart cracked into a thousand pieces.

  Caution.

  Caution was the word and action of the day. Her son’s heart was at stake. That was much more important than her own heart.

  Levi stood and smiled. His eyes bore into hers. He looked so good. She had missed him. But that wasn’t important right now. Kevin was and she better remember that.

  “Hey there,” he said, his voice low, gentle.

  Her heart thundered against her ribs. “Hi. Are you sure you’re ready for this? Kevin and Roscoe are about to explode with excitement.”

  Kevin grinned. “It is going to be a grrreeat day! I can hardly stand it, I’m so excited.”

  That was the understatement of the year and despite all the turmoil inside her, Jessica laughed.

  Levi’s eyes twinkled as they met hers and he gently tousled Kevin’s short hair.

  “Everybody’s excited to meet you, too, little buddy. Let’s load up.” He picked Kevin up and placed him into the backseat of the truck.

  She pulled the booster seat from the backseat of her car and started toward his truck. He hurried toward her.

  “I’ll take that,” he said, striding to her. He took it; their hands brushed and her stomach trembled as she quickly let go. “Have you had a good week?” he asked, as if he’d felt nothing.

  “I’ve had a great week,” she quipped, not admitting that she’d been tied in knots all week. “How about you?”

  “Oh, great,” he said over his shoulder as he put the seat in the truck and reached around to fasten it.

  She watched the play of muscles across his back and decided she’d be better off to get into the truck instead of watching him. She hopped into the front seat, yanked the seat belt across her and snapped it tight. The man had had a great week—he’d probably slept like a baby in his sexy body, while she’d hardly slept at all. She was feeling quite grumpy as he drove and knew this was not how she needed to be feeling.

  Levi chattered as they traveled past the Windswept Bay Resort and turned onto Oceanview Drive as it followed along the coast. The sparkling blue water called to her as they rode with the windows open. The dogs both had their heads hanging out each side of the truck. The salty air helped ease the butterflies that were in an uproar throughout her.

  “My family is looking forward to meeting both of you,” Levi said.

  “I’m looking forward to meeting them too,” Kevin called from the backseat. Jessica looked back at her son. He had one hand on Roscoe’s back and one hand on Jaco’s back, and he was grinning from ear to ear.

  Jessica would have laughed if she weren’t so scared she was taking her son in the deep water of heartache if she wasn’t careful. She had to get a grip.

  Levi reached across the console and placed his hand on her forearm, drawing her to look at him. “Relax,” he said. “Just relax. You’ve been tense since I arrived.”

  How did he know that? Did he also know she was about to have a heartburn attack?

  “Yeah, Momma—relax.” Kevin mimicked his new hero. “All she does is worry, worry, worry.” Kevin held his hands up in exaggeration of a six-year-old.

  Jessica groaned. Any other time, she’d have laughed. Now she was too busy trying to ignore the warmth of Levi’s hand on her forearm.

  Levi chuckled too and smiled at her as he gently squeezed her arm before he placed his hand back on the steering wheel. The warmth of his touch lingered, as did the tingle of awareness.

  “I think she worries because she wants everything to be perfect for everybody around her. My mom was that way and she had nine kids.”

  Kevin’s mouth fell open. “Nine kids? You have that many brothers and sisters?”

  Levi laughed. “Yes, there’s a bunch of us.”

  “Wow. That’s why you will be a good daddy because you’ll know how to get me some brothers and sisters. My friend Percy told me that getting a daddy was the way I could get a little brother like he just got.”

  Jessica gasped and
she closed her eyes in disbelief. Levi’s hand touched her arm again.

  “So now I understand.” He gave her arm a gentle caress. “It’s all going to be okay.” He patted her arm and she looked at him in total bewilderment. “Stop worrying,” he murmured and then louder so Kevin could hear, “Come on, let’s go meet everyone. You’re going to like my brothers.”

  “I know I will. Because I like you.”

  Levi reached over the truck seat and patted Kevin’s knee. “And I like you because you’re a good kid. Unbuckle and let’s go have some fun.”

  Jessica got out of the truck but the only place she wanted to go now was home.

  Chapter Eleven

  Moments later, she was being introduced to Violet and Sam Sinclair, Levi’s parents.

  Sam reminded her of Levi. “Welcome. We’re glad you’re here.”

  “Yes, I’m so thrilled to meet you.” Violet gave her a hug. “And you must be Kevin?”

  “That’s me.” Kevin grinned. “I’m Kevin, and I like your house on the ocean. We have to walk to the ocean from my house.”

  Violet chuckled. “You remind me of my boys. I bet you keep your mom guessing.” She looked at Jessica.

  Kevin looked from her to Violet and then to Levi. “Can I go outside with the dogs?”

  Levi looked at her. “Do you mind?”

  “No, not at all.” She wasn’t sure after what Kevin had said earlier whether it was a good idea or not, but how could she refuse now?

  “Jessica,” Jillian called and rushed toward her.

  Levi waved fingers at Jessica and then led Kevin to the patio doors. They went out onto the porch, where there was a small gathering of men.

  Jillian hugged her. “I am so excited you’re here. And with Levi. I know you’re just here but I’ve got to tell you, Levi doesn’t bring women around. My brother is so busy being police chief that he puts himself on the back burner. Yes, I know, I know—this is not a date. He has already informed me as such. But I’m still glad to see you two spending time together.”

  Jessica wanted to ask her about her doctor appointment but decided not to ask until they were alone. Moments later, Jillian’s sisters surrounded her. Shar and Olivia were Jillian’s triplets and though Jillian and Olivia were blonde and almost identical, Shar was brunette and had a look all her own. Cali was a couple of years older and beautiful.

  She winked. “This is so exciting. Levi hasn’t brought a date to a family gathering in forever.”

  “Oh, this isn’t a date,” Jessica told her.

  “Looks like a date to me,” Shar said. “And Levi looked like he might be confused about it too.”

  “No pressure.” Olivia shook her head at her sisters. “We’re all hoping for him to settle down. He doesn’t know he’s ready but he is.”

  “But really—it isn’t.” Jessica tried again.

  Shar pushed her dark hair behind her ear and rolled her eyes. “I’ll just say what we’re all thinking. It’s about time he started thinking about himself. That man works his tail off for our community and he looks genuinely relaxed today. And I think that’s because of you.”

  Violet moved to stand beside Jessica. “Okay, girls, back off. We don’t want to scare Jessica off. Let’s take her over here and give her something to sip on.” Linking her arm in Jessica’s, Violet walked her over to the kitchen area, where a feast was laid out.

  “I almost forgot to wish you happy birthday,” Jessica said, having forgotten her manners completely with all the different things being thrown her way just now.

  Violet shot her a sideways glance and looked very happy. “Thank you. Celebrating my birthday is a good excuse to have my family come home every year. Although my Max is who knows where right now, and Cam must have gotten tied up on his trip. I haven’t heard from him yet. Texas is a long way away when it comes to family gatherings. But he’s happy there, so this mama can deal with that.”

  “I know how you feel. Kevin being happy is the most important thing to me. I can handle him growing up and moving away from me if that’s where his life takes him and he’s happy.”

  The thought had Jessica thoughtful for a moment.

  One day Kevin would be an adult and very well could move somewhere away from her. The idea was hard on her. Her gaze went to the window, where she could see him playing down by the beach with Roscoe and Levi.

  “I’ve been lucky that Cam is the only child not living near me. Cali and Olivia lived away but both came home to roost.”

  “Cam probably won’t be doing that, Mom,” Jillian warned.

  “Not Cam,” Shar agreed. “He might have been born in Florida but like the saying goes, ‘he got to Texas as fast as he could.’”

  “That’s the truth,” Jillian told her.

  Jessica smiled. “My friend Lana is from Texas. She’s my co-teacher at school. Her family owns a big ranch there in Texas and I get tickled when she talks about her dad and her five cowboy brothers. They weren’t happy about her coming to Florida.”

  Olivia got a twinkle in her eyes. “Maybe we need to introduce her to Cam next time he’s in town.”

  “That might be fun,” Jessica said. “I’m not sure she’s looking for a way back home, though.”

  Violet chuckled. “Maybe it could be Cameron’s way back home.”

  “No, Mom, you know Cam’s not ever leaving his ranch. He’ll come visit but that cowboy loves his ranch.”

  “On the other hand,” Shar said. “It would take a herd of wild horses to drag Levi from Windswept Bay. That man will marry and grow old here on the bay.” Everybody’s gazes locked onto Jessica and suddenly she felt very exposed.

  “You know,” she stammered. “I’m not really looking for a relationship either. At least not right now. But I think Levi is a wonderful man. I’m just not ready.”

  “I’ve already told them that,” Jillian said. “But there’s always hope. And you never know when love will strike. And I can tell you that when it does, it has a way of changing timetables while exchanging minds and hearts.”

  Jillian’s sisters all nodded agreement.

  “I don’t want him or any of you to get false hopes.” Jessica was starting to worry as she felt the pressure of matchmaking surrounding her.

  Violet smiled. “Ignore us. We are showing very bad manners. You’re very smart to move with caution. I think you’re a good mom to worry about such things and I love the way that you’re not jumping into something. Your heart has to heal.”

  “Did I miss the party?” a deep voice called and Violet gasped and spun toward the foyer.

  “Cam,” Violet exclaimed as a handsome man with a cowboy hat walked into the room.

  “Hey, Mom. I didn’t miss the party, did I?”

  Violet moved across the room and into his arms. Delight lit her expression.

  Jessica’s heart clutched and tears welled in her eyes watching the sweet exchange. She looked immediately back out the window to watch Levi and Kevin running along the beach down below the house with the dogs. Two other men were with them who she’d seen at the Thanksgiving celebration and knew were Levi’s brothers. One looked like Levi. She’d heard he had a twin but hadn’t thought much about it until seeing them together.

  “That’s Jake and Trent. Trent is Levi’s twin,” Violet said. “It looks like they’re having fun with Kevin.”

  “Yes, it does.” She was happy for Violet. All her kids were home to celebrate with her but Max.

  Moments later, all the guys came inside, with Kevin chattering excitedly with Jake and Trent. Levi sought her out immediately and she felt a warm glow fill her, as if she’d just stepped into the morning sunshine after a stormy winter’s night…

  She looked away and caught Jillian watching her. The twinkle in her friend’s eyes told Jessica that Jillian did not believe she and Levi were just friends.

  “How are you doing?” Levi asked as he went to stand beside Jessica. She probably didn’t even realize that her eyes were huge as he entered the roo
m. What had she been lost in thought about when he and Kevin walked in?

  “I’m doing great. And Cam’s here, which has made your mom so happy.”

  “Yes, that would do it. If Max had been here, everything would be perfect.”

  As everyone filled the room, coming inside from all directions, Levi moved closer to Jessica, standing slightly behind her as his brothers-in-law moved to stand beside his sisters. Jillian and Ryan moved to stand beside the birthday cake.

  The soft scent of Jessica’s hair drew him closer as he leaned in and whispered in her ear, “She’s about to get happier.”

  “Is this what I think it is?” Jessica turned her face to his quickly, bringing their lips almost crashing into each other.

  It happened so quickly he didn’t have time to move away, and had to force himself not to lean into her, closing the space between them and feeling her lips pressed to his. He swallowed hard and wondered whether his eyes had grown as wide as hers as she realized they were almost kissing.

  “Mom,” Jillian said, excitement in her tone. “You are going to be a grandmother.” Jillian’s voice broke with emotion as she said the words.

  Levi had learned earlier in the day, through Ryan, that his sister had found out she was having a baby and he was thrilled for them. As was the entire family. Everyone moved to give Jillian a hug and to congratulate them.

  “I am so happy for you,” Jessica said, giving Jillian a hug and then Ryan. Kevin had been sitting with Jake since they’d come in from outside but launched himself at Ryan.

  “When will your baby get here?”

  Ryan gave her son a hug and Jessica marveled at how Kevin had attached himself to the men of this family. And they were all being so gentle and kind to him. Ryan hugged him and crouched down.

  “Well, Kevin, it’ll be about eight months from now. Are you going to come spend some time with him when he arrives?”

  “I sure am. I can babysit him.”

  Ryan chuckled. “Well, you won’t exactly be old enough for that but he will definitely like you coming over to play with him.”