A Brush With Love

by Grace Roberts

  A Brush With Love

  Destiny’s Cove series, book 2

  Grace Roberts

  Copyright © 2018 by Grace Roberts

  All rights reserved.

  Edited by Indie Editing Chick

  Cover design by Dark Water Covers © 2018

  To discover other titles by Grace Roberts, please visit her website: authorgraceroberts.com

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and remains the copyrighted property of the author. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For more information, address: contact@authorgraceroberts.com

  If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to purchase their own copy.

  Thank you for your support and for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Contents

  Newsletter

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Epilogue

  Afterword

  A Trip With Destiny (Destiny’s Cove, #1)

  A Trip With Destiny - Chapter 1

  Also by Grace Roberts

  Acknowledgments

  Sign up for my newsletter and become a member of my clan of readers.

  authorgraceroberts.com/signup

  “You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.” - George Bernard Shaw

  To all the artists around the world.

  Chapter 1

  Welcome to Destiny’s Cove.

  The green, wooden sign seemed to smirk at Kyla Callaghan as she drove the cherry-red rental Mini past it, as if mocking her for coming back to her hometown in the southwest of Florida. She didn’t want to feel welcome. She actually didn’t even want to be back so soon after her last visit, last Christmas. But she couldn’t miss her parents’ fortieth wedding anniversary—they would never forgive her if she did, nor would her big brother. And even though the relationship with her parents had been strained ever since she’d left Florida and headed for the Big Apple to follow her dreams nine years ago, she loved her brother too much to risk ruining their relationship because she couldn’t swallow her pride for a few days. So she’d taken a week off from her job at a prestigious art gallery in New York and flown to Miami, then drove the 150 miles to her hometown with only the company of her toy poodle.

  “We’re nearly there, Sugarpuff,” she said, waking her travel companion from her two-hour-long nap. The dog yawned and stood on her hind paws, staring out the window. Kyla returned her attention to the road. It had been a while since she’d driven a car, and she wasn’t comfortable being behind the wheel, but you couldn’t be in Destiny’s Cove and not have a car. Just another thing about her hometown she wasn’t fond of.

  She’d just left Kismet Row, the least desirable part of town, behind when Sugarpuff started whining and scratching the window.

  “What’s wrong, baby?”

  Kyla slowed down and pulled over. She didn’t like the idea of stopping in this neighborhood, but she had a feeling her dog needed a toilet break, and she didn’t want to pay an extra fee to the car rental because of stained seats.

  She got out of the car and went to open the passenger door. As soon as she did, Sugarpuff shot out as if a wolf was after her. Kyla chuckled. Yes, stopping had been a good idea. She kept her eyes on her dog, while throwing glances around her to make sure nobody would jump out of the woods and steal her car.

  After Sugarpuff did her business, she came trotting back toward her, but just before Kyla could reach for her and pick her up, the poodle stopped and started barking at something. Kyla took a step toward her and spotted a yellow butterfly on a daisy.

  “Leave it alone, baby.” Kyla reached for the dog, but Sugarpuff barked again, and the butterfly spread its wings and flew away. The dog immediately took off running after it.

  “Sugarpuff, don’t!” Kyla yelled, stumbling as she chased after her as fast as her heels allowed. “Come back, right this minute. I don’t have time for this now. We have to get going!”

  The poodle ignored her and sneaked underneath a metal fence with a “Private Property—No Trespassing” sign, happily headed toward a stream that snaked through the trees. She stopped close to the bank, barking like crazy at something in the distance.

  “Come here, Puffy. Here, girl. Come on.”

  Kyla climbed over the fence and rushed toward the pooch. She had nearly reached her when low, frantic barks came from behind her. Sugarpuff’s barking turned wilder. Kyla spun just as a huge, black-and-white beast—a Bernese mountain dog, if she wasn’t mistaken—trotted at full speed toward them. She let out a high-pitched shriek and stumbled backward.

  A splash had her whip her head around.

  “Puffy!”

  Dread filled her at the sight of her beloved dog struggling to keep her head out of the water. But even more at the thought of having to get into the stream. Ever since that dreadful day in high school when she’d nearly died, she stayed well away from streams, rivers, oceans, and whatever else involved gallons of water. Even tubs gave her the creeps.

  The giant dog jumped into the water and Kyla let out another shriek. She couldn’t let that beast eat her baby. Sugarpuff had been her only companion through lonely nights; she’d offered comfort when Kyla was feeling down. Her pup was like her own child. She had to get over her fears and save her. She inhaled deeply and dove head-first—then regretted her impulsive decision as soon as the water engulfed her. Panic squeezed her lungs, her throat constricted, and she barely managed to let out a yelp before water filled her mouth and she went under.

  Chapter 2

  Caleb Morgan loved living on the outskirts of Destiny’s Cove, on a secluded property nobody but the mailman ever dared to visit for fear of the curse. The stupid innuendos and town gossip had made his life as a kid a real nightmare, but now they came in handy. Nobody bothered him here, and he was free to paint in peace and do his job without needing to leave his house for days on end. He didn’t feel lonely or anything. He had Bear to keep him company—his furry, loyal companion was better than any two-legged creature. He only had to interact with people when he went into town for shopping, even though sometimes he still preferred to drive to the nearest town so as to avoid the looks and whispered words that ensued whenever he walked down the streets. Narrow-minded didn’t even begin to describe these people, but he had made a life for himself here, he had a beautiful house and didn’t have to worry about nosy neighbors or annoying roommates. He could do his job anywhere, as long as there was an Internet connection, but he wanted to stay in Destiny’s Cove—at least as long as his father was alive.

  His hand holding the brush stilled on the canvas, as Bear’s frantic barking reached his ears. He thought he heard a shriek, but he couldn’t be sure, with the crazy barking covering every other sound. It was odd. Bear hardly ever barked, unless he spotted some kind of wild animal. He’d only ever barked like that when he’d found that baby alligator on the edge of his property. Caleb dropped the brush onto the nearby three-legged folding table where he put his palette and color tubes, and took off r
unning toward the river. He just hoped it wasn’t the baby alligator’s mom this time.

  When he reached the stream, his eyes were immediately drawn to the woman flapping her arms while barely keeping her head above the water. Was it some kind of joke? Bear was in the water too, paddling toward the bank with what looked like a small, white dog sitting on his head. From the way the animal was soaked, with the white fur sticking to its tiny body, it might as well be a rat.

  “Help!”

  The desperate shout brought his attention back to the woman in the water. Okay, so it wasn’t a joke. He groaned as he walked into the stream—getting drenched hadn’t been on his to-do list today. With two steps he was close enough to grab the woman by the arms and pull her up. Only, she didn’t follow his lead to stand. She threw her arms around him, nearly knocking him off balance. He groaned again and swept her off her feet to avoid ending up flat on his back. Only then did he realize she was shaking like a leaf—and it couldn’t be because she was cold, since it had to be at least eighty-five degrees today. No, the woman was genuinely terrified. He spun around to get out of the water, but she clung to him so tight she nearly strangled him.

  “No, wait! My dog. She jumped into the water, I have to save her!”

  He rolled his eyes. “Calm down. Your dog’s fine.”

  She wriggled in his arms and he was tempted to drop her, before she pulled them both down. “You don’t understand! She was drowning and I had to dive in and—” She stopped with her mouth open. “Caleb Morgan?”

  He frowned and took a good look at her for the first time. Her long, dark hair was plastered to her head, partially covering a cheek, but when he met her eyes, recognition hit him like lightning. He’d recognize those blue eyes anywhere.

  “Kyla Callaghan.”

  Her name left his lips on a whisper, as if he were afraid that saying it louder would wake him up from the dream. The girl he’d crushed on for the better part of high school was in his arms. If he believed in the silly legend of the matchmaking ghost haunting their town, he’d probably think Destiny O’Hara had something to do with this fortuitous meeting.

  “You remember me.” It wasn’t a question, though her tone was surprised. Yes, she’d grown and he hadn’t seen her in nine years, ever since they graduated high school and they both left town, but she was still as beautiful as she was back then. Only, a more mature, more sophisticated kind of beauty.

  She smiled brightly, with her hands still wrapped around his neck, and it was all he could do to keep control of his actions when a loud voice in his head shouted, Kiss her, you fool!

  “And you remember me.” Ugh, could he have said something more stupid than that?

  She laughed, nodding and showing no intention of easing her hold around him. He suddenly became aware of the touch of her fingers against his skin, and a warm jolt traveled down his spine.

  He opened his mouth to say something a bit smarter, but her eyes locked with his again and the words died on his tongue. Apparently, even at nearly twenty-eight, he was still the awkward teenager who got all tongue-tied around the beautiful Irish girl who was way out of his league. It wasn’t like he hadn’t dated in college, but no other girl had ever made him feel like Kyla had back in high school—and apparently still made him feel. And, just like it happened back in those days, he couldn’t look away from those enchanting eyes. He should probably put her down and put some distance between them, before he did something stupid like listen to that voice in his head and find out for himself how those lips would taste.

  “Hey, wait a minute.” She frowned, as she looked down at the water. For a moment he feared he’d voiced his thoughts without realizing, and he was already coming up with excuses he could give, when she shook her head and let out a chuckle. “You’re standing.”

  Well, duh. Of course he was.

  She chuckled again. She must have read his thoughts, seeing his eyebrows go up. “I mean, if you’re standing, the water isn’t as deep as I thought. Which means I could’ve just stood up and avoided the pathetic drowning scene you’ve just witnessed. I guess you can put me down now and put me out of my misery.”

  He smiled and released his hold so she could get back on her feet. His body felt cold the moment it lost contact with hers. How could she still have the power to turn him into that lovesick teenager he’d thought he’d grown out of?

  “Um… thank you. And, well… sorry you got drenched because of me. Again.”

  He smiled, remembering that first time he’d pulled her out of the water ten years ago. When her stupid friends’ joke had nearly caused her to drown. They hadn’t found it funny when her head had disappeared under the water, though. They’d stopped laughing and started screaming, but none of them had made a move to get in and save her. He’d often wondered whether the fact that he’d taken a different route for his jog that day and walked by the beach had been a coincidence, or more like the clever maneuver of a ghost who wanted to bring them together. Not that he believed in the silly town legend.

  A deep bark broke into his reveries and Kyla’s shriek effectively brought him back to the present.

  Chapter 3

  “Puffy!”

  Kyla stepped onto the bank and scooped her baby into her arms. She’d completely forgotten about her dog, as memories of her high school years swam in her head. Funny that the first person she should meet as she came home was the guy she’d crushed on for all of her junior and senior years in high school—and who’d practically ruined her for everyone else. Nobody had ever made her feel all discombobulated the way Caleb Morgan used to, and apparently still did. And it was even funnier that he should be the one rescuing her—as if it hadn’t been embarrassing enough that he’d already pulled her out of the water once. At least that time she’d been in the deep waters of the Gulf, though—not in a three-feet-deep stream. He must think she was pathetic.

  The giant beast that had caused all the drama approached her then, and she took a step back, waving her hand in front of her while holding Sugarpuff close to her chest.

  “Bad dog. Shoo, go away. Shoo.”

  If Caleb hadn’t been there, she probably would have spun around and run back to her car as fast as she could. But she wanted to keep at least a little dignity so that he wouldn’t think she was a complete klutz. The dog took a step closer. If she took another step back, she’d fall into the water again.

  “Bear, sit.”

  The dog immediately sat on his hind paws and cocked his big head to the side to stare at Caleb. Realization dawned, and she felt a bit more stupid, if that were even possible.

  “That’s your dog?”

  He nodded. “He’s a big boy but he wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

  “But he nearly ate my baby!” Perhaps she could have kept her tone less on the whiny side, but she couldn’t help it; her baby was like family to her.

  Caleb laughed, stepping closer to the black dog. He patted his head and the dog wagged his tail happily. “He actually saved your baby and brought her back to dry land.”

  “But… but…” She felt like a real idiot now. So she did what she’d learned to do when she felt embarrassed and confidence deserted her—she let out her claws. “Sugarpuff fell into the water because your dog attacked her!”

  “Sugarpuff? Is that her name?” His laughter only fueled the mixed emotions she was feeling.

  “Yes, it is. And I don’t find it funny.” She glowered, hugging the dog to her chest. “And you should put a muzzle on your dog, or at least keep him on a leash, instead of letting him run free.”

  He lifted a shoulder. “I do, when I’m in town. But I don’t need to keep him on a leash at home. He’s a guard dog, after all—he’s supposed to keep trespassers away.”

  “Wait. Are you saying this is your property?”

  He nodded.

  “All of this is your property?” She waved her hand to encompass all of the surrounding fields and trees.

  He nodded again. She remembered the sign on the fenc
e and cringed.

  “And I’m trespassing.” She wanted to jump back into the river and die. It would be less painful than the feeling of shame that was burning her face.

  A corner of his lips tilted up as he nodded once again. He had never been a guy of many words and never spoke more than was necessary. Well, it seemed he hadn’t changed much over the years, and in all honesty, she’d always loved this trait in him. The broody boy who always sat well away from the cool kids, listening to who-knew-what music on his MP3 while sketching on a notepad.

  “So, um… I guess I should go…” Although leaving him so soon was the last thing she wanted.

  Caleb bit his bottom lip and tucked his hands in the front pockets of his cargo shorts. “You’re dripping wet.”

  Kyla rolled her eyes. “Well, duh. I nearly drowned.”

  A lopsided smile curled his lips. “What I should have said was: can I offer you a towel and a change of clothes, while yours dry?”

  She tilted her head to the side. “Are you inviting me back to your place, Caleb Morgan?”

  She could be mistaken, but she could have sworn his cheeks had pinked a little, although it was a bit hard to tell under the dark blond scruff that covered his face.

  “I was trying to be polite,” he said, his posture stiffening as if a brick wall had snapped up between them. “But I know what people say about me—about my house. So you’re free to leave, if you prefer.”