From This Moment On: Heartwarming Contemporary Romance (Windswept Bay Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

near Grant…in his arms, rolling in the sand.
    “You’re blushing.” Shar gasped and peered at her. “ Seriously blushing. He did want to have his way with you.”
    “He did not! Now stop. Don’t you have a tour to lead? A turtle to rescue?”
    “Not for another hour. I’m yours for another thirty minutes at least.”
    “Gee, I’m so lucky,” Cali muttered just as Jillian walked in.
    “What’s up?” She walked into the room, carrying a vase of fresh cut Hibiscus.
    “Pink Hibiscus.” Shar looked from the flowers to Cali and grinned. “Oh look, Cali, just your color.”
    Jillian peered at her. “Why are you the same color as my Hibiscus blooms?” she exclaimed and of course Shar nearly collapsed with laughter.
    “Okay, what’s up?” Jillian looked from laughing Shar to frowning Cali.
    “I think Cali likes our Mr. McDreamboat.”
    “Ellington,” Cali snapped. “How old are you anyway?”
    Shar sobered. “Old enough to know what I’m seeing. The question is why are you denying that you saw a great guy, are obviously attracted to the man, and are denying it with all your heart?”
    “Yes, why?” Jillian placed her hands on her jean-clad hips, fully alerted now. “Your divorce was final months ago—thank the good Lord. You’re allowed to find men attractive, especially after what you went through. And don’t try to deny it. I know there’s more to the story than you are letting on. I’m thrilled to see those blushing cheeks and a bit confused as to why you’re so hesitant.” She gave Shar a pointed look. “Stop teasing her. We don’t understand it but this is obviously hard for Cali.”
    Cali stood and had to fight the desire to run. Literally. Running soothed her tattered nerves and helped her go numb while she was tracking steps. Running helped her cope.
    “I’m fine.” She was. Really. “You’re both right. I’ve been flustered from the moment I met him this morning. And despite what you think, I don’t want to be. I need to get my life back on track. To be cool with myself for a long while before I even think about opening up to another man. Or if I ever will. It’s a risk I really don’t want to take.”
    “I get that to a point,” Jillian said. “I have my own walls that I’m not ready to climb over but I guess I was hoping for you the process might be sped up. All you’ve done since coming home is bury yourself in work. You move through the days but there isn’t any light in you.”
    “Right now there is,” Shar interjected.
    “I enjoy the work and there’s a lot to do.”
    “True,” Shar said, “but it is a tropical paradise, so you need to stop and dig your toes into the sand some. And for crying out loud, when something or someone piques your interest, pursue it.”
    “She’s right, Cali.” Jillian headed for the coffee. “So tell us what happened.”
    Cali gave up. “I ran into him downstairs.” She omitted that she meant literally slammed into him. “He wanted to see the walls but then he just didn’t seem to pay attention to them. He wants to get the feel for the place. He won’t even listen to my ideas at this point.” She let out a frustrated breath as her sisters watched her as if she were on the movie screen. All they needed was popcorn. “It’s frustrating.” She did not tell them about rolling in the sand…the very remembrance had her insides going fluttery.
    Her sisters were both smiling when she finished.
    “You left him at the base of Lookout Point?” Jillian asked.
    “Yes. I had things to do.”
    “Why do I get the feeling you left something out?” Shar asked with an all-too knowing expression.
    Jillian tugged at her ear. “This is going to be an interesting few weeks, I think.”
    Goose bumps prickled Cali’s skin at the idea. “There is nothing going on, you two. Grant Ellington is here to paint, not be my boyfriend.”
    There was a knock on the wooden frame of the open door. Everyone turned to find Grant standing there, in