Free Somewhere With You (Windswept Bay Book 2) by Debra Clopton

dig deep not to let them see how he affected her. Because the man definitely affected her. She jumped back from the crack of the door as he reached the landing and headed toward the office.
    “What’s wrong with you?” Jillian asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
    “No, no ghost.” She was already not doing a very good job of covering up what she was feeling. The way he made her feel was one thing but then the fact that he was so interested in her work…he’d asked so many questions about everything that had to do with the turtles and that thrilled her. He got it, got her life’s work and that was a hard thing to ignore.
    A knock sounded on the door and startled her out of her daydreaming. She spun toward her sisters as their gazes riveted to the man in the open doorway. She stood behind the door where she’d had her eyeball glued to the crack and now she took a step out into the open so Gage could see her.
    “Gage.” She hoped she sounded surprised to see him.
    “Hi.” His gaze practically sopped her up. “You told me to stop by and you’d give me a tour.” His eyes twinkled.
    “Yes, I did. And now’s the perfect time because…because I need to get out of the office and out of the building.” She grabbed his arm and started to lead him toward the door on the opposite side of the room. It led out of the building.
    “Hi,” Cali interrupted her, coming from around her desk to meet Gage.
    Jillian came to stand beside Cali and both of them looked at Gage with expectant expressions. “I’m Jillian.” She held out her hand. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
    “And I’m Cali and I know we haven’t met.”
    Both her sisters shot her looks that said she’d clearly been keeping something from them.
    “I’m Gage Lancaster and I feel like I’ve introduced myself a thousand times lately.” His smile broadened into that time-stopping smile that he had and Shar felt it from head to toe. “I’m staying at a beach house down the beach from Shar. It’s nice to meet the two of you.”
    “Likewise, I’m sure,” Cali said.
    Shar could hear the teasing in her voice as Gage shook her hand and then Jillian’s.
    Cali’s expression brightened. “You helped Shar save the sea turtle.”
    “I did. But I wasn’t much help; she had it all under control. She was amazing.”
    Shar felt her neck start to itch and warmth flowed through her at his words. And she didn’t miss the look that passed between her sisters. That made her neck itch more.
    When she met Gage’s warm gaze, she broke out in goose bumps the size of eagle eggs.
    Thankfully he broke the connection almost instantly as he shifted his attention back to Cali. “I understand congratulations are in order. I hear you and Grant Ellington are getting married this weekend.”
    “We are. Please, come join us. We’d love to have you. Since you’re new on the island, you should come—shouldn’t he, Shar? There will be a banquet and a dance under the moonlight afterwards. You need to come. We’d love to have you.”
    “Thank you. Shar has said the same thing.”
    “Oh really?” Cali asked, unmistakable delight in her voice. “That’s good. Come.”
    Shar took his arm, feeling suddenly a little desperate to get out of the office. “I’m taking Gage to see Grant’s murals by the pool and the beach. So, if anyone comes asking for me, you two feel free to handle whatever it is.”
    She started toward the door leading to the outside staircase and to her relief he didn’t ask questions or try to stall. She opened the door and led the way out into the sunlight. She ignored the chuckles as the door closed behind them.
    “Your sisters are nice. Friendly. You seem a little on edge.”
    She felt her brow crinkle in consternation. “A little. For one, they’re tacking far too much onto me showing you around. And for two, they know I’m using you to avoid meeting Mrs. Albert Talbert.”
    “Oh, the infamous Magnolia Women’s group is