From This Moment On: Heartwarming Contemporary Romance (Windswept Bay Book 1) (14 page)

“Me too,” Jax called from where he was cleaning his brushes. “Thanks for this opportunity. I’m proud of that, even if it’s not as good as yours.” He nodded toward his seal.

“Your work is excellent. Own it, man.”

Jax laughed. “Easy for you to say. I painted that mural on the side of the wall just for the heck of it. I never took it seriously. To tell you the truth, this is still freaking me out a little bit that I’m actually painting with you. But, I like it. You’re a good guy.”

After Jax left, Grant went looking for Cali. He’d given her space all day, but now it was time. He had to make sure she was all right.

Did she plan to hide from this for the rest of her life? He was trying to understand but he didn’t. Why had she stayed? She was a strong woman; he just didn’t get it. Never had understood why women stayed in those situations. But he wanted to.

He knew he had to if there was going to be more between them and that was what he wanted. He just hoped she did.

Cali was walking out of the office, where she’d been hiding all day, buried in plans for a wedding, a fifty-year anniversary party, and details for a small mini conference that had just booked for next month.

She was grateful for so much to do today considering avoiding Grant was high on her list and hiding out at home wasn’t an option. Shar was busy with the sea turtle hospital today and that kept her away from the resort, a small miracle because Cali wasn’t up to her sister’s meddling today.

And Shar would have been suspicious if Cali hadn’t been down there watching Grant paint. But Cali couldn’t be around Grant today, so she was thankful Shar was not here.

She read the last row of numbers she’d typed into the spreadsheet and realized she’d typed them wrong. Her concentration was shot but like she’d done all day, she erased the numbers and retyped them very carefully.

She wondered how the painting was looking. He’d been at it all day, or so she’d heard. Thoughts of him brought back the vivid remembrance of his kisses last night. Kissing him had been enough to put her into a tailspin but then, unloading all of her sordid past…it was just too much. What had she been thinking?

She hated the way she’d felt trapped in her marriage, hated the way she’d felt afterward too, looking back and asking herself why she hadn’t left sooner.

It would have been best to keep it all buried in the past. But no, she’d told Grant.

Jillian came into the office and hurried to her desk. She’d been working in the gardens all day, trying to make certain her crew had everything perfect for next week’s wedding.

“How’s it going?” Cali asked, pausing her work on the computer.

“Fine. I just found the most wonderful fountain for the wedding garden. I’m about to head over to look at it in person and arrange for its delivery. Want to come?”

“No, better not. I still have some calls to make.”

Jillian leaned against her desk. “Did you have fun last night? Everyone really liked Grant. Mom was charmed.”

Who wouldn’t be?
“I had a good time. He did too. He’s intimidated by our big family.”

“Ha! Proves we’ve been right when we tagged him as smart and talented the day he arrived. Have you been by to see the mural?” Jillian asked.

“No, I’ve been busy here in the office. If he needs me, he knows to call.” She hoped that would satisfy Jillian. Questions appeared in her sister’s eyes.

“I can’t believe you didn’t go peek. I just came that way and it’s rough at the moment but taking shape. He’s also normal and not obsessed like before. He told me this one is shaping up in sections. A gorgeous sea turtle and a seal are pretty much finished and they look fabulous. Jax is really talented.”

“I know, he is.” Disbelieving and relieved at the same time that she wasn’t getting the third degree about not going to see the mural, Cali jumped on Jax and pushed the conversation toward him. “Grant really wants to help him give some support and recognition his way.”

“I love that. Okay, I’ve got to run. I’m supposed to look at the fountain in thirty minutes.” She started toward the door and then paused. “You sure you’re okay? You seem quiet.”

“I’m fine. Please stop worrying about me.”

“Okay, okay. Ta-ta for now. See you tomorrow.”

And then she was gone. Curiosity burned through Cali.
What did the mural look like?

She checked her watch. It was almost five, so maybe they had called it a day and he’d gone to his room.

Maybe she could just go down and take a peek. She didn’t have to go all the way over to the courtyard to see it. She could stop at the swan bridge and be able to view it just fine.

Before she could talk herself out of it, Cali headed out of the office and down the back staircase that led out to a private employee entrance that opened into the courtyard beside the swan lagoon.

She walked along the path and over the small bridge. People were everywhere, so that was good—okay, so she felt like a child sneaking around, but her curiosity had her moving forward until she could see the wall. She halted; her hand went to her throat. Even from this distance, she could see the blue background and the seal and turtle. It was going to be outstanding.

“Well, hey there, stranger.”

Cali yelped and spun toward Grant. He’d come up behind her and stood there on the swan bridge, looking as good as an ice cream cone on a hot day.

“Didn’t mean to startle you.”

Her heart thundered and momentarily she wondered why in the world she would even try to hide from this man. “I came to look.”

He wasn’t smiling. Just looking at her, as if searching for something. Her mind more than likely considering he probably thought she’d lost it last night.

“It’s gorgeous.” She pulled her gaze from him to focus on the painting.

“Are you all right? I thought you’d come down earlier.”

He moved closer to her and her traitorous body reacted to his nearness as warmth flooded through her. “I had a lot of important work to do.”

His expression tensed. “I thought the mural was important. I thought you’d want to make sure I was painting something you approved of.”

“And I thought you got your inspiration and painted what you wanted. That was the impression you gave me when you first arrived.”

“And you made it clear you had ideas. I’m hoping—” He rubbed his neck, looking away from her momentarily before he cut back to her. “What are we doing, Cali? I don’t want to skirt the issues. I’m worried about you. I care about you.”

Her heart stumbled and then raced. “I can’t do this, Grant. You heard what I went through. I’m not ready for a relationship. I can’t—”

“I’m not ready for you to avoid me.”

The solid statement and certainty of his words and voice stopped her denial. They stared at each other, silence and tension straining between them. Cali’s heart squeezed tightly and then thundered in her chest.

“I didn’t avoid you. I just needed some space after last night.”

“I kissed you before I understood what you’d been through. I hope you know that I wouldn’t do anything to harm you.”

“I want to believe that but can one ever truly know that about someone?”

“It’s called trust. And he took that from you. I want to give it back to you. I’d never hurt you. I’m not him.” Disgust rang in his words.

“I’m not ready and I don’t think I ever will be.” The words sounded stale to her ears as her gaze took in every line and contour of Grant’s face.

His jaw hardened at her words. “I thought a lot about what you went through and I can see how trusting someone new would be an issue. An understandable issue. But I wouldn’t hurt you, Cali.”

Her heart clutched.
Did he really understand?
She gave a slight nod.

“Cali, I’m not your ex. Just remember that. Now, how about I show you the painting?”

She nodded. His determination was a definite attraction. “Lead the way.”

He smiled. “I plan to.”

She was certain he wasn’t talking about the painting as he turned and took the lead across the courtyard. She watched him walk away, lean hips and strong back and arms she still remembered the feel of embracing her…and she stepped out and followed him.

Chapter Sixteen

Two days after he’d started the mural at the pool, it was finished. Grant studied it with a critical eye, as he always did, looking for anything that needed attention. He’d worked hard on it, with Jax beside him.

“I like it.” Jax stood beside Grant. “And the kids dig it too.”

That was the part Grant loved: watching the kids enjoy his work. They were out of the pool, touching the animals with their fingertips as they oohed and aahed over it. Their parents had all told him and Jax how much they loved it. Many of those who’d watched them begin it were sad to leave before they saw the finished product, but those who’d happened to check in that first day he’d started were able to see the entire process and were enthusiastic about having been there for the entire project.

“Thanks for your help, Jax. You’re bringing joy to those kids and many more to come.”

“I like the feeling.” Satisfaction resonated in his words.

“So you’re ready to tackle the exterior wall?”

“Hey, you say jump and I jump. I’m more than ready.”

“You sound like me when I got the bug. We’ll start in two days. Take the weekend off. I’m sure you have things to tend to at the lagoon.”

“I do. And I need to spend some time with my girl. Speaking of, there she is. I’ll catch you in two days.” He grinned and jogged off to sweep up the young woman Grant had met a few days ago. They looked young and happy as they walked back into the resort.

He wished his and Cali’s relationship could be so easy.

As he’d promised, Grant had pulled back and was taking his time. He understood that he had to build trust with Cali if he had any shot at winning her over.

“I like the turtles.” Shar came up behind him.

“Thanks. I hear you’re very involved in saving turtles.”

“I am. I’m on my way there now. We’re taking a recovered turtle and releasing it back into the ocean this afternoon, so I’m really excited.”

“I was in the Florida Keys last year and just happened to be on the Bahia Honda Beach when the Marathon Key Turtle Hospital came out and released a recovered sea turtle. It was a really inspiring moment. People were everywhere. And when they released it and it swam into the water, everyone cheered.”

“Exactly. It is an exciting moment. We rescue the turtles in all kinds of shape—from having infections to digestive tract troubles to having bites taken out of them. All kinds of things happen to these magnificent animals and we doctor them and give them time to get healthy again and then we set them free. It is a celebration in every form of the word.” Her face was lit up as she talked. It was easy to see that Cali’s sharp-witted sister had a soft spot for creatures of the sea.

“Hey you two.” Cali came up, wearing a smile that caused his pulse to quicken just by the flash of it.

She looked at ease today. She’d come by several times over the last couple of days to look at the painting. They’d kept everything about the job and he hadn’t pushed, just like he’d said he would. That didn’t mean he hadn’t wanted to wrap his arms around her and kiss those amazing lips of hers.

“You should come to the release.” Shar’s expression lit up.

“What?” Cali asked.

“To the turtle release. We’re doing it at four, just down the beach. We’re releasing Jason Bourne this afternoon. It’ll be great. Come to it, Grant, and bring Cali.” She winked and started to walk away.

“Hey, wait,” he said. “What’s this about Jason Bourne? Who is that?”

She laughed. “You know, from the movies about Jason Bourne. It’s our turtle. Whoever finds the turtle and calls the 911 number gets to name the turtle. This guy decided to name his rescue after the movie hero that Matt Damon plays. The guy said he hoped to inspire Jason, the turtle Jason, to be stealthy and a fighting machine like the movie character he’s named after.”

Grant chuckled at the vision of a sea turtle fighting machine. “I just can’t picture it but I appreciate his thought.” He looked at Cali. “I’d like to go. Do you want to go with me?”

“Cali’s already coming,” Shar said. “You can show him where the beach is. We need all the support we can get. Come see what our little hospital does and maybe you’ll want to get involved in some way.”

“What do you say?” he asked Cali.

“Sure. I’ve got to finish up here and then I’ll meet you out front about two. I want to get there early so we can be up front when they release our stealthy turtle back into the wild. I love watching it.”

“Will there be a big crowd?”

“Oh yes. We let our guests know about it in case they want to go and the islanders love to cheer the turtles on.”

“You’ll love it,” Shar quipped. “And maybe with you having painted the turtles on this incredible mural, we’ll get some publicity somehow.” Shar looked at Cali. “PR pro, can you get us some extra publicity with this?”