He climbed a few more feet and then hopped from the metal-framed scaffold and landed in the sand beside her. “There’s nothing for you to say. It’s just the way you make me feel.” He ran a knuckle along her jaw and then landed a quick kiss to the tip of her nose because he couldn’t help himself. “Some things just are. And the fact that you make me breathless is one of those things.”
“Are you sure it wasn’t the climb down that twenty-foot tall scaffold?” she teased, looking pleased that she’d figured out a comeback.
“I’m certain.”
He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Having had her on his mind every moment of the last few days wasn’t helping him pull back from her. It was a beautiful tropical evening and the promise of a spectacular moon was in the air. “Take a walk on the beach with me tonight,” he murmured. He almost kissed her and would have if she hadn’t sidestepped him and shot him a small smile.
“I can’t.”
“Or won’t? But that’s okay—I like a challenge.” And he wasn’t giving up. “I’m not giving up on us, Cali.”
Her eyes went wide and he wondered whether she understood how serious he was. But he decided not to push.
“So what are you going to paint?” She changed the subject. “This background that you’ve done with the paint gun has me so curious.”
“You’ll see. Trust me.”
Something flickered in her green eyes. Unable to help himself, he leaned toward her and pressed a kiss on her lips. “I promise you, people will want to see it. I better get back to work.” He turned to go to the table with paints. It was either that or sweep her into his arms.
“I do trust you,” she said, breathless in a way that had his mind completely not on painting. Had him stopping in his tracks and turning back to her slowly.
“I do,” she continued, not sounding exactly convincing.
“If you trust me on this, then we’re making progress.” Again, unable to stop himself, he took two steps back to her and pulled her easily into his arms and kissed her again. It was a kiss full of self-control and restraint, because he didn’t want to scare her off. “And now, if you want me to get this done, I better get back to work.”
“Maybe so.” She then backed away. “I’m here if you need anything.”
Boy, was that a loaded statement. He needed her. In every way imaginable—heart, mind, and soul, he needed her.
For the rest of the afternoon, Cali couldn’t stop thinking about what Grant had said. Or his gentle kisses. And what he hadn’t said.
He was trying to gain her trust. And she’d told him she did trust him.
As if understanding how hard it had been for her to say the words, he’d said they were making progress. That meant he wasn’t giving up on fully gaining her trust.
But he would be gone soon. How could he gain her trust if he was gone?
Would he move to Windswept Bay for her? He had a horse ranch. Cam made it to the island maybe two times a year but rarely more than three. Cowboys loved their ranches and as much as Grant traveled, he’d want to be on his ranch when he wasn’t painting some exquisite work of art on walls, making people smile.
She sighed as she watched him paint. Loving the way he moved, the way he threw himself into what he was creating. She loved everything about him.
But even if she ever truly gave up her freedom for a man again, she couldn’t—wouldn’t—leave the island. Her life was here at Windswept Bay.
And his was only here temporarily.
By the next afternoon, things were not so quiet on the beach. If Cali had thought Grant painting on the interior of the building was a draw to crowds, she found it was nothing compared to the interest in the exterior wall.
The third day, it was amazing how the wall began to come alive. As it did, the crowds began to show up, gathering on the sand to watch. Everyone was intrigued and it showed.
Shar and Jillian came from the office to help answer questions and give their support. They were all interviewed for the local news. Publicity for the resort was good.
Pictures and video and word began to travel across Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites as onlookers snapped shots of Grant painting. He did look spectacular up on the scaffold, working on near life-sized dolphins that were coming to life as they watched. She loved what she was seeing and couldn’t wait for the finished product. Obviously others couldn’t either.
Grant and Jax painting was big news. Jax and his Lagoon Adventures were also getting great publicity. And then, mid-afternoon, things started to shift as it seemed the dam broke as people and reporters arrived in droves. Reporters appeared with their vans and satellite feeds and helicopters began to buzz the beach, hovering and getting their shots of Grant and the mural.
One in particular seemed almost determined to get on the scaffold with Grant.
“This is getting crazy,” Shar yelled over the roar of the helicopter. “Where did all these people come from? The parking lot is full and there’s starting to be a traffic jam out on the street. These helicopters buzzing around are getting dangerous.”
Cali studied the situation. “Word’s gotten out. People who are close are coming to the island out of curiosity. Nothing like this has ever really happened here before.”
“That’s the truth. And look at him work. This is going to be gorgeous. You had a great idea.”
Cali felt pride, knowing her sister approved. “Thank you. Hopefully we’ll get some calls for reservations to perk up the coming weeks.”
“Oh, we are.” Jillian came across the sand, just as a gust from a helicopter nearly swept her away and sand blasted them. “If he gets any closer, the sand might mess up the wall!” she yelled.
“What is he thinking?” Cali yelled in alarm. Spinning toward the helicopter, she waved her arms, trying to tell it to get back. She glanced at the top of the scaffold and saw Grant turn toward the chopper. Her heart dropped as she worried that the helicopter blades were dangerously close to him.
He lifted his hands, his paintbrush still in his right hand, and he motioned the reckless pilot back too, just as a wind gust caused the helicopter to bobble badly.
People screamed and began running. The news crews on the ground were now getting footage of the reckless helicopter as it seemed to struggle. Miraculously, the pilot lifted the machine into the sky and flew away. Cali, Shar, and Jillian had been frozen as the dangerous moments unfolded.
“What in the name of thunder is going on here?”
Cali was dizzy with fear and relief as she spun to find Levi. His badge glinted in the afternoon sun and he’d yanked his aviator shades off to glare at her and then at the disappearing helicopter.
“Do you know how disastrous that nearly was?”
Cali shot a relieved glance up at Grant and saw that he was clamoring down the scaffold.
Levi continued his rant. “There is a traffic jam on the street. News vans from all over Florida are crammed out there. I have my men blocking the way into the resort but this is a circus. Why didn’t you give me a heads-up it would be like this?” He directed the accusation at Grant as he stalked over, his expression stormy.
Grant ignored Levi. “Are you all right? That helicopter was out of control.”
The intensity of his gaze was locked on her. To Cali’s surprise, she saw worry and fear for her there in those eyes.
“Are you all right?” he repeated, sounding as if he was barely controlled.
She nodded. “I am.”
Before she got the words out, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “I had a horrifying few moments up there, worried all of you on the ground were about to be decimated by that reckless—” His words broke off and he turned to Levi; still keeping his arm around her shoulder, he held her close. “Charges or something should be brought against that pilot. There was no sense in that. He could have harmed all these people.”
Levi still looked madder than a bull in a rodeo chute. “Does this happen every time you paint? Is
this normal? If so, me and my department should have been alerted to this circus. And believe me, we’ll find out who that pilot is.”
“It can sometimes get crazy but never like this. I didn’t think about it getting out of hand here or I would have said something the other night at dinner.”
Suddenly microphones were shoved at Grant and they were surrounded by reporters.
“Mr. Ellington, is it true this is your first marine mural since the plane crash that killed everyone but you?”
“How does it feel to be the only survivor of that crash?”
Questions came in rapid-fire. Cali felt Grant tense beside her. She brought her arm around his waist and squeezed, trying to give him support as a microphone bumped her in the cheek as some female reporter shoved it to get at Grant.
“That’s enough,” Levi barked, pushing between them and the reporters. “Everyone back up. And that’s an order.” When no one seemed to listen, he roared, “I said back up. Now.”
Everyone scurried back a couple of steps. Despite the way her heart was thundering, Cali marveled at her brother. Levi looked fierce and every bit the protector in that moment.
“Now, if you want to ask Mr. Ellington questions, you’ll do it in an orderly fashion or I’ll run your butts off this island so fast your heads will spin. Is that clear?”
Chapter Nineteen
They hadn’t gotten to talk much after the helicopter incident, not with the reporters and then the crowd jumping in with questions too. From the reporters, some questions were intrusive on the pain he’d suffered and the loss and grief he carried. But the crowd, his fans, had asked questions about his painting, about the marine life he loved to paint and she’d witnessed him come to life during those moments. But, she was afraid the questions about the crash had taken its toll; when they were done, he’d gone back to work.
Hours later, he climbed down from the scaffold where he’d been working on a school of yellowtail fish weaving through the brilliant coral. He gave her a distracted kiss and held his palm against her cheek.
“It’s been a long day,” he murmured and then he headed to his room for sleep.
Cali wanted to go after him but she didn’t. The day, the heat, the intensity of his artistry—all of it together was what had him exhausted and distracted. He needed sleep. He’d be better tomorrow.
She spent a sleepless night sitting outside her bungalow, burrowed in her patio chair as she listened to the surf and thought about her life. And about Grant. And about her life without him when he left.
On Friday, the crowds returned in full force, just as Grant warned they probably would because people would want to see the final product. He’d been right. With luck, by evening it would be done. Levi and his Windswept Bay Police Department made certain order was upheld.
.
Despite all the chaos going on around them, she watched along with the crowd as Grant and Jax put the finishing details on the amazing, amazing work of art. It took her breath away.
A gorgeous, brilliant reef started on the first floor of the building and rose up along one side, with vibrant-colored fish darting in and out of the colorful coral. Each day, the lower level of the mural had grown with each stroke of his and Jax’s paintbrushes. The detail was fascinating. Jax had been as talented as Grant had suspected and he’d worked tirelessly on those sections after Grant had moved up to the next areas. There he’d painted the dolphins, five in all, playful and dear as they dove and swam in the sun-dappled water below the surface. They looked so real it was unbelievable. And it was more than she’d ever envisioned.
He’d already been working when she’d arrived that morning. Unlike last night, he seemed happier and he spent time speaking to anyone who asked him questions. The intensity was gone today, as if now that the end was here he could relax and enjoy his creation as much as everyone watching him.
Cali loved him.
There was a kindness in him, and a passion that she wanted with all of her heart to embrace. She just had to trust herself.
When the last highlight on the mural was done and he signed his name and Jax signed his, the crowd cheered and Cali teared up.
Shar stood beside her and elbowed her in the ribs. “I hope you aren’t going to let that man leave without telling him you love him.”
Cali sighed. “Is it that obvious?”
Her brash, bold sister laughed. “From the very start, there was something there. I wouldn’t have pushed you if there hadn’t been.”
Jillian had been standing beside Shar and came to place an arm around Cali’s waist. “He’s a keeper and worth fighting anything you have to overcome to keep him. Don’t you think?”
Cali nodded. It was so true. “Wish me luck.”
“Ha, you don’t need it,” Shar hissed. “Go.”
Jillian chuckled. “Yes, go.”
Cali’s stomach was in knots as she moved across the sand toward Grant. He was moving toward her and they met halfway. Before she lost her nerve, she wrapped her arms around him. “I love you, Grant. And I don’t want you to leave but I don’t know what to do about it.”
He smiled at her and she thought there was nothing that could ever compare—not even his murals—to the depths of his blue eyes.
In one swift motion, he lifted her into his arms and the crowd cheered again.
“I love you, Cali, and I’m not going anywhere. All I needed was your love. We’ll work the logistics out after that. But I love your island. When I arrived here, I was in a dark place in my life. I think we were both treading water. We were both just trying to get by. You and your sweet spirit lifted me up, and I hope I’ve helped you. I’m home here, Cali, with you.”
Her heart was full. He was right: she was here, home where she belonged but until he showed up, she was simply going through the motions. He’d brought color back into her life.
And love. “Kiss me again and tell me you love me.” She drew his head to hers.
He paused. “You’re going to hear how much I love you from this moment on for the rest of your life. I love you, Cali.” And then he lowered his head and kissed her breathless.
And it was only the beginning.
More Books in the Windswept Bay Series
SOMEWHERE WITH YOU (Book 2)
Sassy, opinionated Shar Sinclair is passionate about the sea turtles she rescues in the Windswept Bay area and as needful of her freedom as they are. She’s content with her life, helping run the family resort and looking out for the wildlife around her. But sometimes she wishes she had someone to share her passion, and passions, with. But that might mean giving up some of her freedom and she’s not sure she could do that for anyone…
Gage Landcaster is a self-made millionaire used to getting what he wants, but lately there’s an emptiness and a restlessness to his life that he can’t seem to fill. While visiting Windswept Bay, he spies a beautiful woman on the beach, struggling to rescue a sea turtle tangled in fishing line, and goes to help. Gage is captivated by the fire and passion that radiates from Shar and he knows instantly he wants her. But this may be one time when what he wants might not be an option.
Sparks fly on the sunset beach and sparkling blue waters of the romantic Windswept Bay as Gage and Shar battle through their attraction. Gage is determined that this is one time he’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants. But can Shar open her heart to him? Can he convince Shar that love doesn’t mean shackles...but a lifetime shared with the one you love?
FOREVER AND FOR ALWAYS (Book 3)
Windswept Bay Series: Like the sweet music of a love song, Windswept Bay has a magic of its own and on moonlight nights and sun bronzed days love is in the air. Debra Clopton’s new series will sweep you away to romance that leaves your heart thumping with the satisfaction of pure heartwarming romance.
About the Author
Bestselling author Debra Clopton has sold over 2.5 million books. Her book OPERATION: MARRIED BY CHRISTMAS has been optioned for an ABC Family Movie. Debra is known fo
r her contemporary, western romances, Texas cowboys and feisty heroines. Sweet romance and humor are always intertwined to make readers smile. A sixth generation Texan she lives with her husband on a ranch deep in the heart of Texas. She loves being contacted by readers.
Visit Debra's website at www.debraclopton.com
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Copyright
From This Moment On
Copyright © 2016 Debra Clopton Parks
ISBN: 978-1-941491-16-4
This book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to an actual person, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, please contact the author through her website:
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Table of Contents
From This Moment On: Heartwarming Contemporary Romance (Windswept Bay Book 1) Page 12