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

you realize you aren’t comfortable or this isn’t what you want, then pull back. But at least you’ll have stretched yourself and moved past a barrier.”
    “And that’s all I want for you.” Shar rubbed her arm. “That you’re happy. I want my sister back.”
    “I get that. I am happy, but you might have to settle for this me. Both of you are single and seem to be happy about it. Olivia is single and loving her life. And then we haven’t even gotten to our brothers. All four of them are as busy as can be and seem to be fine. I’m the only one who married and failed and now I’m happy, thrilled even, to be single again. I don’t understand why the two of you seem to think I need a man to make me happy.”
    Jillian looked thoughtful. “I think all of us—well, maybe not some of the brothers—but most of us are willing to admit that we’re getting of the age that we would welcome the right person coming along. I’m all for it. I really would love to start a family. And Shar, she’s—”
    Shar cut her off with a laughing declaration. “Is not ready.”
    Cali’s mouth dropped open. “Then why are you pushing me?”
    “Because the man makes you pink. I’ve been saying that all along. You are never pink. You are a calm, cool, collected gal with your act together who used to like to have fun. Your jerky ex-husband rattled your existence and stole something from you that you need to get back. Your mojo…your confidence—the thing that made you sparkle. You are a smart, sexy, desirable woman, who’s a fun and genuinely good person. Who got pushed off the path. Pink tells me things. Tells me that this guy is shaking up your world in a good way. It’s time to get your mojo back.”
    Cali could not help chuckling. If there was one thing about her sister Shar, it was that she was brash and always would be a cheerleader. “Okay, I get it, Dr. Lovejoy. You should get your own late-night radio show. You could put the real Dr. Lovejoy out of business.”
    “Yeah, right. I’ll stick with giving you advice and let the mysterious Dr. Lovejoy have everyone else.”
    “That’s probably a good thing,” Jillian told her and then looked at Cali. “Yesterday was a good start for you. Now, keep it up. Go for it.”
    “Perfectly said, sister,” Shar drawled.
    “So is he taking you anywhere today?” Jillian asked.
    She shot her sisters a face of mild exasperation. “Hopefully, he starts painting today. Remember, that’s what he’s here for.” She was tired of the focus on her personal life.
    “That’s true.” Jillian’s expression said she got the hint. “I just came from the beach area and the scaffold has been set up for the beach wall. The crate of supplies is in the gardening supply area but it’s unopened.”
    He’d asked Cali whether she would be available today and she’d told him she would be. However, so far she found herself wondering what he was doing. Or where he was.
    “Maybe you should go check on him. This is, after all, your project to handle.”
    “You’re right,” Cali agreed with mixed emotions. It was her project. She headed toward the door. Her sister looked so innocent but Shar had found the push button needed to get her to make a move when she’d reminded Cali that this was business. “If he comes by here, let him know I’m looking for him.”
    “Oh, we will,” they said in unison.
    Cali didn’t bother to answer them but instead gave a wave over her shoulder as she headed into the hallway and down the stairs.
    Horace Finley, the maintenance man, looked down from the ladder where he was repairing a light fixture. “Smile, Cali girl. You look like you just smelled bad fish.”
    She laughed. “Gee, thanks, Horace.”
    “Oh, no thanks needed. Just telling it like I see it. But, see’n how you’ve got that look on your face already, maybe I might as well break the bad news to you. The AC unit is on its last leg. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.”
    Cali’s shoulders