From This Moment On: Heartwarming Contemporary Romance (Windswept Bay Book 1) by Debra Clopton Read Free Book Online Page A

about why you said you owe Cam. He never said anything about you owing him. Only that he mentioned the renovation project to you and my vision for having murals and you offered to do them. I will say that I was surprised when he called and gave me your number. And told me you were flying out here so quickly.”
    He placed a piece of cheese on a cracker and then doubled a slice of turkey and handed it to her. She thanked him and then watched as he made his.
    “Cam wouldn’t tell you because he keeps telling me that he did what anyone would have done. He saw a grass fire heading toward my house and he put himself in danger to protect my home. He was hurt in the process. My stuff isn’t worth someone getting harmed over. I was grateful the house and my belongings were saved, but he’s worth more than stuff. I owed him.”
    “I see. Of course he neglected to tell me that. He didn’t come out here while he had the injury. None of us knew he’d even been hurt. Mom and Dad went to visit him and saw the scar on his arm and that was the first we knew of it.”
    “Sounds like him. He denies vehemently that he did anything heroic, and I kid him and tell him he’s right—it was idiotic. His life is worth more. Still I owe him.”
    “And the resort is benefiting.”
    “I think it’s a perfect solution. This meant a lot to him, helping all of you get the resort going, and his plan was to pay me the difference of what you had budgeted. I flat-out refused doing the job if that was the case, so we finally compromised and I’m accepting the payment.”
    “But then donating it.”
    “It’s a win-win. Don’t you think?”
    She had to admit that it was.
     

Chapter Six
    “So tell me about yesterday,” Shar demanded the moment she saw Cali the next day.
    “It was great. He’s a nice man.” A man she hadn’t stopped thinking about all night.
    Shar’s mouth dropped open. “A nice man. That’s all I get? Are you kidding me? I want details. Did you kiss him?”
    “Oh, for Pete’s sake,” Cali snapped. “Are you kidding me? I’m not going to kiss the man. Why are you even asking that?”
    “Because I want you to. You need your life shaken up some. Grant Ellington seems to be the man who might be able to do exactly that. Just because you got a bad apple on the first go-round doesn’t mean it’s time to give up on all men.”
    No way was she letting on that she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Grant.
    “You’re thinking about him right now! You’re turning pink and Grant’s the man who causes that reaction in you.”
    “What—” Cali glared in denial at Shar just as Jillian walked by the door. “Jillian, come in here,” she demanded.
    “Boy, do you look flustered,” Jillian said. “Get that from your afternoon with a certain handsome man?”
    That did it. “Okay, look you two, we need some boundaries. I’m just going to say this once. You two need to stop pushing.”
    Jillian cleared her throat. “I haven’t been pushy. I just hope you’ll not shut yourself off from doing something for yourself, like exploring possibilities with someone you’re attracted to.”
    Cali knew there was no hiding it from her sisters. “Fine. I am attracted to him.” She moved to the door and closed it, not taking any chances on Grant walking up and overhearing her conversation. It would be too embarrassing and it just simply wasn’t good. He might get the wrong impression. She turned back to her sisters and shot a very pointed look at Shar.
    “I don’t know what to do. There, are you both satisfied? I went through a horrible divorce, a betrayal that rocked me to my core. I’m scared but I can’t stop thinking about him.”
    Shar gave her a hug. “It’s okay to be scared. It means you’re taking a risk, pushing past boundaries that are trying to hold you back. It’s a good thing.”
    “I don’t know,” Cali murmured.
    “Cali.” Jillian’s voice was gentle. “You can do this. You are in control. If