Deep Waters

never forgive you if you so much as touch him." Elias smiled faintly. "See what I mean? She's very protective."
    Davis scowled furiously and turned to confront Charity. "I'm not going to hit him. At least, not yet. I'm here to find out what he's up to."
    "He's not up to anything." Charity halted, breathless, in front of Davis. "At least not in the way you imply. If you wanted answers, you should have called me before you barged in here and confronted poor Elias."
    "Poor Elias?" Davis shot Elias a derisive glance. "That's not the way I heard it." Elias tried to look harmless.
    Newlin scowled at Elias through his small glasses. "You need any help here?"
    "No." Elias nodded at Newlin, Yappy, and Ted. "Everything's under control this time. I don't think Charity will let her brother break my nose. But thanks, anyway. You might as well close up your shops and take off."
    "Okay." Newlin hesitated. "If you're sure."
    "I'm sure."
    Ted gave him a level man-to-man look. "Holler if you change your mind."
    "I will," Elias said.
    Yappy shrugged and turned to lead the other two out of the shop. He lifted a hand in farewell. "See you."
    Davis ignored the three departing men. He glared at Charity. "Meredith talked to me after she had lunch with you. She says you're involved with Winters."
    Charity raised her chin in the imperious style that Elias had learned to recognize. "Yes, I am. What about it?"
    Davis shoved his fingers through his hair. "Hell, Charity, I told you when you called me about him that the guy was definitely a player. I warned you to be careful. He's got something going out here. Lord only knows what it is, but one thing's for certain."
    "And just what is that one thing?" Charity demanded.
    "When it's over, Winters and his client, whoever that is, will be the only ones who come out on top. I don't want you to be used."
    "I can take care of myself," Charity said. "A year ago, I would have agreed with you." Davis stopped abruptly and shot an annoyed look at Elias. Then he lowered his voice. "But after what happened, Meredith and I are concerned. You know you're not supposed to put yourself into highly stressful situations."
    The outrage faded from Charity's eyes. A tremulous smile tugged at her mouth. "Davis, you came all the way out here to protect me, didn't you?" Davis flushed. "You're family."
    "This is so sweet," Charity said softly. Elias groaned. "Don't you hate it when she does that?"
    Davis frowned. "Does what?"
    "When she calls you sweet." Elias smiled cheerfully. "Irritates the hell out of me. But, then, I guess it's different when you're her brother."
    Davis began to look confused. He turned back to Charity. "What's he talking about?"
    "It's complicated," Charity said. "Don't worry about it. The important thing is, I am really touched by your concern, Davis. I can't tell you how much it means to me."
    "It's a little more than just concern," Davis muttered. "Meredith and I are damn worried."
    "I'm okay." Charity patted his arm reassuringly. "I've been handling stress very well lately. Look, I have an idea."
    "Brace yourself, Truitt," Elias murmured.
    Davis pointedly kept his back to Elias. He fixed his attention on Charity. "What sort of idea?"
    "I think the two of you need to get to know each other better," she said briskly. "What's missing here is basic communication."
    "We're communicating better than you think, Charity," Elias said. "Your stepbrother wants to smash my face, and I would rather he didn't. Real simple and straightforward stuff."
    She glanced at her watch. "It's after five-thirty. Elias, why don't you lock up Charms & Virtues and take Davis to the coffee shop in town. Neutral territory, so to speak. The two of you can sit down together and have a cup of tea."
    Elias exchanged glances with Davis, who looked distinctly wary now. Elias didn't blame him. He wasn't feeling terribly enthused about the idea, either.
    "Tea?" he repeated cautiously.
    Charity gave him an approving smile. "You need to sit down together and communicate. I'm sure everything can be cleared up between the two of you. Run along. I'll look after Otis."
    Otis muttered under his breath at the mention of his name.
    Davis began to look genuinely alarmed. "Charity, I didn't come here to have tea with Winters. I'm here to make sure he doesn't drag you into one of his Machiavellian schemes."
    Charity widened her eyes. "It would mean a lot to me if you and Elias made an effort to get to know each other, Davis."
    Elias almost felt