With This Kiss (Windswept Bay Book 3) (6 page)

There were more photos of his mother and the older man, some with the toddler.

“Is that your mother?” Gage asked.

BJ met Gage’s serious blue gaze and like that first time he’d met Gage something felt familiar. “It is. But I don’t recognize the man.” He looked closer at the toddler and it struck him that it was him as a baby. “And this is me? Right?”

Gage nodded. “It is. And that’s my father, Milton Lancaster holding you.”

BJ studied the photos again. His mother looked incredibly happy. But she’d always looked happy. She’d been a loving woman with a big heart.

“We’ve been looking for you for years, BJ. We’d need to do a DNA test to be certain but I’m convinced you are my brother.”

BJ’s head whipped up from studying the photos. “Excuse me?”

“Believe me,” Gage said. “I felt the same shock when the lawyer at the reading of the will told me I had a long lost brother. It is one heck of a revelation.”

BJ took a step back, his heart was ramming against his ribs and his hands were cold. “My father died when I was a baby.”

“No, your father died three months ago in Manhattan.”

“Maybe you need to sit down,” Shar said, speaking for the first time. “It’s a lot to take in.”

“I’m fine standing.”

Shar handed Gage another folder and Gage pulled a photo from it and held it out to BJ. “Your name is Brandon. This is my dad when he was your age.”

BJ reached for the photo and stared at the headshot of Milton Lancaster. He looked at Gage and then he looked at the mirror on the wall over the sink behind Shar. Gage’s eyes had been familiar because they were his eyes. They were Milton’s eyes.

His gut tightened, he felt ill and the room was suddenly hot. Why? If this was true, why would his mother have lied to him? He asked the same question to Gage.

“From what my dad’s friend and lawyer revealed to me was that my dad wanted to marry your mother. He loved you and her and he wanted to bring you home where I was and make us a family. But your mother was a free spirit who had no desire to move to New York. I think she grew worried that my dad would try to take you from her if she wouldn’t agree to marry him. And to be honest she might have been right. My father was used to getting what he went after.

“But then you and she suddenly disappeared from Windswept Bay and despite the investigators he hired to locate you he never could. His PI got a lead on you finally but my dad, our dad, had a massive heart attack before the lead could be followed. I learned about you at the reading of the will. You, of course will have to be tested just for legalities sake, but you are now a partner in Lancaster Industries.”

BJ just stared at Gage and then Shar. This was crazy talk.

“What if I tell you that I’m quite happy and satisfied with my life just the way it is?”

“You’re still my brother and you’re still my partner. Nothing changes that. And I have to tell you, I’m anxious to get to know you. I have no other family except Shar and my future in-laws.”

“We know this is a lot to take in, Brandon.” Shar looked sympathetically at him.

“I prefer BJ,” he said and knew it was gruff. Unreasonable. But this was a lot to take in.

“BJ.” Shar smiled and came to touch his arm. “We know this is all a shock. But, there will be time to work it all out. However, we are going through with our wedding tomorrow and we would love for you to be there. Gage would love for you to be there.”

BJ rammed a hand through his hair and tried to take it all in. He was a guy who went where the whim took him. He had a boat that he moved from port to port and a way of life that suited him. He was not a guy who wore a suit. “I think I need some time to think about this. He pushed the folders toward Shar.

“Those are yours. We have copies.”

“Take them and we’d love to have you at the wedding tomorrow at three. We’re moving it up. I’m tired of waiting to marry the woman I stood up once.” Gage smiled at Shar.

BJ could see the love between them. But he wasn’t willing to accept all that they’d said. Not yet. “I wish you both well and a happy wedding. But right now, I need to think.”

Turning he walked out of the room down the hall onto the elevator.

But as much as he wanted to deny that his mother had lied to him, something in his gut and in his eyes told him he couldn’t. He had a brother.

And now, what was he going to do about it?

Chapter Eight

“Tell me he’s out there,” Shar said as Jillian came hustling into the dressing suite with a huge smile on her face.

“Yes he’s out there. He’s been here for hours. I think he camped out in one of the rooms so he wouldn’t have to drive.”

Cali chuckled. “I heard rumors from our brothers that he might have slept in his tuxedo so he’d be ready.”

Shar laughed. “You are so funny. I was just teasing. I have no doubt that he’s out there. He’s been sending me sweet text messages all morning.” He wasn’t moving very fast right now, with the wound still fresh but he wouldn’t have it any other way, he wanted to get married. And even though he’d not had any confirmation from BJ that he would be at the wedding, he’d said that all of that would work itself out in time. But it was time for a wedding. Past time for them to wed.

And she agreed.

There was a knock on the door and Jillian answered it. Her dad smiled at her from the doorway. “It’s time, Superwoman.”

Shar chuckled and could feel it all the way to her toes. “Nope, today I’m just me.”

Gracie smiled over Sam Sinclair’s shoulder. “Okay, ladies, it's marching time.”

“Then let’s get this show on the sand,” Cali said, her eyes twinkling.

She and Jillian led the way and Shar followed them. She slipped her arm through her dad’s and then one by one her sisters started walking down the path. There was a small pang of regret that Olivia hadn’t made it even after the delay but Jillian and Cali had finally shown her the gossip magazine with Olivia’s photo splashed over the front of it. And later she’d spied it at the grocery store. Her level-headed sister had gotten herself into an interesting mess.

Cali had spoken with her. Olivia had assured her that she had things under control and all was not as the photos and write up had made it seem. She was handling it.

Shar figured her sister could do worse—she was after all kissing the number one hottest ticket in Hollywood. Having her photo splashed across a magazine cover was probably a small price to pay for a kiss like that.

Then again, the only kiss Shar was interested in was the one Gage would give her when the preacher said, “You may kiss the bride.”

Today she was selfish, this was her and Gage’s day. She’d worry about Olivia later.

As the music started and she and her dad began walking down the path that led to Gage she saw him and her heart soared with the sea gulls drifting on the clouds in the soft blue sky.

His gaze locked with hers, and butterflies danced inside of her. She had to hold herself back and walk with her dad at the appointed pace but it was the longest walk she’d ever made.

She thought of the first day she’d seen Gage, jogging out of the surf to help her rescue a sea turtle. Even in that moment she felt a connection and it was one that would last a lifetime.

He smiled as she took her place in front of him and they joined hands. The sea air surrounded them, the gentle surf serenaded them as the pastor began leading the ceremony. They only had eyes for each other. And when the pastor said, “You may kiss your bride” Shar’s heart thundered and she could not stop the smile that exploded across her face…Gage hitched a brow, winked one of his beautiful sea toned eyes at her and then he wrapped her in his arms. “I’d sweep you into my arms if it weren’t for my wound,” he said, and then he kissed her with all of his heart.

“I love you Mrs. Lancaster,” he said after a long moment.

And I love you,” Shar murmured, then tugged his head back to hers and continued the kiss. This kiss was going to go on forever.

This has been a short story that connects
Somewhere With You
to the next book in the Windswept Bay series. Don’t miss
Forever And For Always
as BJ McCall seeks to navigate the new turn his life has taken and Olivia Sinclair returns home to cope with the turn her life has suddenly taken…you won’t want to miss
Forever And For Always
.

More Books in the Windswept Bay Series

FROM THIS MOMENT ON
(Book 1)

Hurt by her failed marriage and dashed dreams, Cali Sinclair returns home to Windswept Bay with her heart wary and closed to the dreams of true love she so desperately wanted. Determined to never again risk her heart, she throws herself into running the family’s small boutique resort on the Florida coast, a place so full of romance that it’s a reminder every day of what she’ll never have. But when renowned artist Grant Ellington shows up to paint a mural on the wall of the resort, she’s swept away by her response to the artist. Suddenly, every time he looks at her, Cali finds it harder than she ever thought possible to keep her heart protected.

Grant Ellington loves his ranch, his horses, and his life as a sought-after artist. But after walking away from a plane crash that killed his best friend and the young pilot, he’s still struggling with survivor’s guilt as he heads to Windswept Bay. Painting a sea life mural at the resort started out as a favor to his neighbor, but one meeting with the beautiful Cali and he feels alive again—and determined to spend time on the moonlit beaches with her in his arms…

But, like him, Cali has her own emotional scars—can they learn to trust the love that sparks between them and move forward from this moment on?

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 4)

Publicist Olivia Sinclair has been away from Windswept Bay for years, busy helping the Hollywood elite get out of one scandal after another. But now, she’s in the middle of her own scandal and splashed all over the gossip tabloids. Suddenly, coming home to lay low in Windswept Bay is her own best advice to herself.

Life as he knows it has just been altered for charter boat captain, Brandon “BJ” McCall. He’s just learned he has a brother and he’s inherited millions—complicated…just a little and he’s not exactly sure how he feels about either. But rescuing a beautiful, Pink Kitty shorty pajama clad female from the roof of her house is a complication he can enjoy.

Being rescued by a stranger who could rival any of her Hollywood clients—isn’t exactly what Olivia had planned when she came home to hide out. Falling for the guy who, she learns is perfect tabloid material in his own right is not a smart PR move. She’s trying to get off the cover of the gossip magazines—not hold her spot for eternity!

But it’s complicated.

Especially, on the beaches of Windswept Bay where romance is in the air and love is a complication that just might be undeniable.

HOLDING OUT FOR LOVE
(Book 5)

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.

WITH THIS RING
(Book 6)

A Windswept Bay Valentine Short Story

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.