From This Moment On: Heartwarming Contemporary Romance (Windswept Bay Book 1) (5 page)

They were in a parking lot on the side of the resort. The brilliant sunshine had him pulling his shades from his head and placing them on his eyes. The scent of Jillian’s tropical flower gardens filled the air. But he was focused on the long, fluid movements of Cali as she headed toward a white, roofless Jeep. She tugged off the casual jacket she’d worn with her sundress and tossed it in the back before she pulled out a pair of shades from her purse and then dropped it beside the jacket. She jammed the shades over her green eyes and then climbed into the driver’s seat. Clearly she was miffed, as his mom would say. There was fire beneath that calm exterior and he liked it.

He set the basket in the backseat, taking his time before he hopped into the passenger seat beside her. “Nice ride. Is it yours?”

“It is. You seem surprised.”

“I am.” He chuckled, something he’d been doing a lot since meeting her. “I’ll admit I didn’t picture you in an off-road ride.”

“I didn’t picture you in cargo pants.”

He laughed again and couldn’t help himself. “And how exactly did you picture me?”

To his surprise, she laughed finally. “In jeans and boots, wearing a Stetson, like you are on your website. Which, I will admit, seemed at odds with the sea life that you’re famous for.”

“Sorry to disappoint you. These cargoes work better for island life. And as Jillian pointed out, cowboys do not always fit the stereotype.”

“Point taken.” She looked at him across her shoulder; even through the pale amber shades, her eyes sparkled in the sunlight with a hint of mischief. “Buckle up, Cowboy. You wanted me to show you the island. So now, we’re going for a ride.”

He did as he was told. This had the makings of a great day.

The man aggravated her—and also drove her to want to let her hair down.

That was something she hadn’t done in such a long time.

Cali had been uptight and somewhat withdrawn from parts of herself ever since the divorce. A divorce, she’d learned, despite her usually strong self-confidence, had a way of stripping everything away and leaving a person feeling bared and lacking. Even her.

She’d once been more adventurous—thus her Jeep—but now it was only when she was alone that she felt the zing of herself wanting to bust out of the cage. But then she’d question her bad choices and know that adventurous side of herself had helped get her into the mess she’d made of her life.

So many wrong choices. Funny how life had a way of whittling a person down.

Today, something felt different. She actually squealed the tires as she cut the corner out of the parking lot and headed for the tallest spot on the small island. It was one of Windswept Bay’s hidden gems.

The rush of the salty air and the heat of the sun calmed her.

“You like this?” Grant called over the wind that swirled around them as she drove down the street.

A stop sign had her pressing the brake. When she came to a halt behind another car, she looked at him. “I do. But I’m in the office most of the time.”

“This suits you. Do you rock climb?”

“No. I used to hike. I’ve never gotten a thrill from hanging off the side of a mountain by a thin rope and a hook that I nailed into a crack in the rock.” She laughed and shifted gears as she moved through the intersection. A few people on the sidewalks waved as they passed and she waved back. “How about you? You’re a beach-painting cowboy from Texas. What else contradictory do you do? Climbing mountains would go against stereotype.”

He laughed. “Nope. I’m the same way. I get out of the saddle long enough to paint, but other than flying in a plane…” He paused briefly and she glanced at him, saw his jaw tighten. “Other than flying, my feet are planted firmly to the ground. Hiking is great, though. We’re on the same page.”

The crash.
It was obvious the mention of flying had caused his hesitation. She found herself wanting to ask him about the crash, about how he was doing but she held back. She wasn’t ready to get so personal. “My sister Olivia, she’s horribly afraid of heights. It’s a phobia and drives her crazy. Thankfully, I’m not like that. I just like control too much to trust—” She broke off, realizing, despite not planning to or wanting to, that she was revealing more about herself than she was comfortable with.

She looked straight ahead, feeling Grant’s gaze on her as she headed through the tiny town with its touristy sidewalk wares, colorful buildings filled with fudge shops, ice cream, and coffee shops.
Why had she talked so much?
The man was here to paint and then he would leave. She was simply the woman who was overseeing his time here.

“The town’s nice.”

She glanced at him, relieved that he wasn’t asking her more questions about herself considering she’d left the door wide open for them. “Yes, it’s your typical tourist town. At least Main Street is. The regular business places and shops are farther down the street or on the side streets.”

“So how busy does the island get?”

“Not as busy as it could. That’s one reason we are renovating the resort. We can bring in more tourists if we can offer a more up-to-date boutique setting that caters to a wider demographic. Some Grant Ellington artistry will go a long way on moving us up on the destination meter.”

They were out of the town now and headed along the coast. “This road winds around the entire island—all twenty miles of it. Though most people drive back the way they went. There is an area along the southern tip of the island that is passable but only for the adventure seekers. It’s fairly treacherous in areas. Believe it or not, we get some tourists here just for that stretch of land. We’re wanting to reach as wide a group as possible. To have something for everyone—and that begins with a special accommodations and experience at the resort.”

“Cam told me the town struggled some. I’m not sure my murals are going to be the saving grace, though. That’s a lot of pressure.”

She glanced at him. “In the words of Shar—gorgeous
and
humble. Hang on.” She cut off the main road and hit a dirt road that immediately began a climb up the dirt trail. “You know you and your name have clout.” She held the steering wheel with both hands as the road was rough.

Grant had straightened in his seat and was clearly enjoying the ride. She could practically see his interest.

“What I know is I paint pictures that engage people and seem to touch people. Whether it increases revenue, I can’t guarantee.”

She took her foot off the accelerator. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

His forehead creased as concern filled his eyes. “Yeah, I am. So far, what I’ve seen of the island has been beautiful. And it’s an ideal place for a vacation away from the hustle and bustle. But don’t bank your renovation on me. On my work.”

She now pressed the brake and stared at him. “Well, I’m not placing all my hopes and dreams for the place on you, but I am placing some of it. I didn’t just hire any ole painter.” She was serious, but half teasing him when she realized he looked truly troubled.

She turned off the Jeep and unbuckled her seat belt. “Hey, relax. Don’t look so troubled. You said you wanted to be inspired and if that’s what you need to be totally on board, then follow me.”
What was wrong with him? Cam had said he hadn’t painted since the crash. Was that part of why he’d seemed so agitated just now?

Instead of getting out, he removed his shades and, squinting in the sun, he stared at her. “I’m serious, Cali. You and your sisters have obviously put a lot of thought into this renovation to the resort and your ‘why’ for doing it is a great one. Don’t get me wrong. I’m on board but—don’t bet the bank on me.”

“You’re really blowing me away. Are you really not confident?”

“I’m confident that I’ll give you something your guests will find pleasure looking at. But hoping it will be the thing that sets you apart and makes you a destination is just not what I do. You need to make sure you have more. And the truth is you do. I’m guessing the waterfall is through those trees?”

“You are so correct. This way. And don’t worry, we haven’t put all our bets on you.”

“Good. Is there a place to set up our late lunch where you’re taking me?” He reached into the back of the Jeep and lifted the small hamper. “Or is it better that we see it and then eat when we get back to the Jeep?”

He looked like an ad for every girl’s dream date, standing there looking at her with those intense eyes and a quizzical smile on his lips.

Oh wow.

She was in tune with the forest and very aware of the sounds of birds echoing through the trees and the muted sound of the falls that only someone who knew what they were listening for could hear. But above everything, she was aware of the canopy of leaves overhead locking her into very private surroundings with Grant.

The gorgeous, intriguing man was what she was most aware of. He smiled and her heart thundered.

“You can bring it. I’m sure there’s room somewhere.” She didn’t stop to analyze her thoughts; instead, she headed into the woods, following the well-worn path that led through the tropical landscape and then headed down a steep path. She could feel Grant behind her and wondered whether he could tell that he got to her. The musty scent of damp ground and clean, sweet air filled her lungs. And the ever-so enticing scent of his aftershave.

She’d known him for less than five hours and every moment in his presence was making it harder and harder to focus on anything but him. It was disturbing, to say the least.

He was handsome in a way that appealed to her more than she could understand. She’d seen plenty of gorgeous men in her life and many since her divorce, but she’d never been so instantly drawn to a man.

Since her divorce, she’d not felt anything toward any man.

No, instead, she’d been determined to keep her distance from all men. And now, as she tromped down the path through the plants, she felt a sense of anticipation about having lunch with him in the most romantic spot on the island.

Not that she was going to let him know that.

Chapter Five

The soft, lush roar of the falls grew the closer they got. Because this was a small fall and not Niagara Falls, it was a sound that set the tone for romance.

Okay, Cali, stop with the romance, would you please?

“We’re almost there,” she called over her shoulder, more to take her mind off her thoughts than to warn him.

“Sounds good. But I’m enjoying the hike.”

The man was in great shape and there was no way this short hike was making him hope the journey would end soon. She led the way around a curve, pushed a banana leaf out of her way and held it back as he moved to stand beside her. His arm touched hers as he moved up beside her. Energy bolted through her like a power surge and the goose bumps she’d had earlier came back in full force. The waterfall was a gentle roar.

“Beautiful,” he said, leaning close to her ear.

Grant’s warm breath sent a shiver of awareness through Cali and she shifted instinctively toward him. The action brought his body closer to hers as her pulse crashed fast and furiously off the charts. Her mouth went dry and she could only nod as words stuck in her throat.

“Is this place special to you?”

Unable to stop herself, she turned her head toward him and found herself very closely face to face with him. The call of a tropical bird echoed from the trees, emphasizing the sense of them being completely alone in paradise. She couldn’t move. Not an inch. Not a finger. Not an eyelash. He made no move either, just held her gaze as time stalled.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered at last.

A shiver raced over her and, thankfully, she forced her feet to move and she stepped away, driven by the need for space.

What was wrong with her?
She had just met Grant and yet she had to fight the urge to throw herself into his arms. It was not like her to feel such reckless emotions. Especially after all she’d been through.

And yet she wanted to fall into his arms and—

She wrapped her arms around herself and forced the thoughts out of her mind. She should have never brought him to this spot. She should have never told him to bring the picnic lunch.

“Are you all right?” That concern etched his expression again and he reached to touch her arm.

“I’m fine. Just…” What could she say? “Just hungrier than I thought I’d be. What do you have inside that basket?” It was the only thing she could come up with.

“Hopefully something you’ll enjoy. Where should we sit?”

“There’s an alcove at a midway point of the falls. There is plenty of room there.”

“Then lead on. You’ve got my attention.” In the shade of the forest, they’d both removed their shades and now, his beautiful blue eyes sparkled with a surprisingly playful glint.

And suddenly, Cali felt reckless.

The gentle fall of the water over the cliff, near where they’d decided to stop to eat, sounded peaceful as Grant reached into the basket and pulled out a couple of bottles of water. He, on the other hand, was as far from peaceful as he could get as he handed a cold bottle to Cali. Their fingers touched and the jolt of electricity that seemed to go with being near her zinged through him.