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

I—that we—would do something to harm the wedding.”
    She didn’t believe him. “You’re up to something. Do not think I don’t recognize that twinkle in your eye. Heaven knows I was the recipient of the mischief behind that look many times growing up. I will personally hurt you if you goof this wedding up.”
    “Relax.” He turned serious. “I would not mess this up for anything. I’m just having a good time yanking your chain.” He grinned broadly.
    And she saw Gage grin too.
    “That being said, I’m still curious about why you’re standing on the little white bridge all hugged up and kissing Gage.”
    “Go away,” she demanded, struggling not to smile at the irritating brother who’d once tied her pigtails together while she slept.
    “I’m going.” He held out his hand to Gage. “Glad to meet you, man. Good to know someone can shake my tough sister up a bit with a little romance.”
    “Go,” she ordered before Gage could say anything.
    “Later, man,” Jake said. “I better go now so I can live to dive another day.”
    Shar did not blush but she did get hot and she felt fumes heating up her cheeks. Jake just went into the file with Meeks the plumber. When she got the nerve to look at Gage, he was leaning against the bridge railing, arms crossed and smiling.
    “He was just teasing you. No harm done.”
    “Easy for you to say. Now you know that having a big family does come with its drawbacks.”
    “I think you’re just embarrassed and that’s my fault. I’m sorry. And so you’re the tough sister?”
    She sighed, closed her eyes and counted to three as she fought to let the moment go. Why had Jake’s teasing gotten to her the way it had? “I’m blunt. People take that as tough.”
    “You’re also a kind-hearted softie.”
    That made her smile. “Well, don’t tell anyone or it might ruin my tough gal reputation.”
    He pretended to seal his lips. “Done. Let’s go see those murals.”
    She started to walk off the bridge; he fell into step beside her and slipped his hand into hers. The simple, easy gesture caused butterflies to flutter in her chest. And Shar realized that she very much liked the feeling.
     
     
    The pool and the mural came into view just a few steps from the bridge. “There it is.” Shar halted and let him take in the full effect of the water scene in front of them.
    “The main focus is sea turtles.” He knew this had to mean a lot to Shar and the way she beamed as she looked at it told him he was right.
    “McDreamboat did this to help bring attention to the sea turtles. And I love him dearly for it.”
    “It’s fantastic.”
    “Takes your breath away, it looks so real.”
    “Definitely,” he murmured, studying every aspect of it. Then he looked at her. She took his breath away. “There’s a lot to take in on the giant wall.”
    “I know. And there are things hidden, like a small crab peeking out from behind a shell and things like that. We have a game card that kids—or adults, for that matter—can get at the towel cabana and the kids can mark off each listed hidden surprise as they find it. Everyone is loving it. That was Cali’s idea because she knew that Grant liked to hide things in his paintings, so she made it into a game.”
    It was a brilliant idea, he thought. “I can’t get over it. So Grant painted this and Jax helped?”
    “Yes. Grant painted the majority of it, but Jax painted some of the plant life and the dolphin and other small creatures while McDreamboat, Grant”—she laughed—“focused on the focal points like the turtles. They did the same thing on the outside wall too. So do you know Jax?”
    “I met him. I broke down on the side of the road the first morning I was heading into Windswept Bay. I have to admit that I’ve never had any reason to change a flat tire. I have a driver in the city and when I travel, I usually have drivers. Needless to say, I was in a predicament when Jax pulled in behind my car and took one look