Deep Waters

finished."
    "Meredith wasn't sure how to tell you about us. I advised her to just lay it out, but she was concerned that you might be hurt."
    Charity smiled. "I'm glad for both of you. You're a perfect couple."
    Brett grinned. "I agree."
    Meredith frowned. "Charity tells me that her relationship with Elias Winters has become personal."
    Brett whistled silently and leaned back in his seat. "Winters, huh? I don't know a whole lot about him. Don't think anyone does. But that alone is a good reason to be careful. He swims in some very deep waters, Charity."
    "Funny you should put it that way." Charity smiled. "But for the record, he's changed career paths recently. He's become a small business proprietor."
    Brett made a face. "Like hell."
    "It's all right, I know what I'm doing," Charity said quietly.
    Brett lifted a hand. "I get the point. I'll back off. But speaking as a future member of the family, be careful, okay?"
    "Don't worry."
    Meredith looked far from reassured. "I don't like this, Charity."
    Brett's gaze went to the front door of the dining room. "Speak of the devil." Charity turned halfway around in her seat and saw Elias walking toward them. In his faded jeans and black pullover, he should have looked completely out of place in a room full of suits. Instead he subtly dominated the setting. Every eye in the place went to him and then slid away.
    Elias seemed oblivious of the discreet, assessing glances. He held Charity's gaze as he came toward her. A pang of disappointment went through her when she saw his shuttered, enigmatic expression. She knew at once that things had not gone well in the interview with Garrick Keyworth. She wondered if she had been wrong to urge him to pay the visit to his old nemesis.
    "Is that Winters?" Meredith asked in a low voice.
    "Yes." Brett slowly, politely got to his feet as Elias approached. "Someone pointed him out to me once at a business luncheon."
    "He looks as if he's been in a fight," Meredith said, in a low, shocked voice. . "Usually he wins," Charity assured her.
    "Winters." Brett stuck out his hand when Elias arrived at the table. "Brett Loftus."
    Elias shook hands briefly.
    Charity summoned up a bright smile. "Elias, I'd like you to meet my sister, Meredith."
    "How do you do," Meredith said very coolly.
    Elias took her elegantly manicured hand. "Your secretary told me where to find you and Charity."
    "We were just finishing lunch," Charity said quickly. "Do you want something to eat?"
    Elias looked at her. "I went to the Pike Place Market before I came looking for you. Had something to eat there. I also did some shopping."
    "I hope you stocked up on soba noodles and balsamic vinegar."
    "Among other things." Elias remained on his feet. "Join us for coffee?' Brett asked blandly.
    "No, thanks."
    No question about it, Elias wanted to leave, Charity thought. "We'd better be on our way." She grabbed her purse and got to her feet. "Long drive ahead, you know. Good-bye, Meredith. Brett. And congratulations."
    "Drive carefully," Brett said casually.
    "Good-bye, Charity." Meredith smiled, but her eyes rested thoughtfully on Elias. "Maybe Brett and I will get a chance to drive up to Whispering Waters Cove in a couple of weeks."
    "That would be wonderful." Charity leaned down to give her a quick hug. Then she straightened and looked at Elias. "I'm ready."
    He took her arm and led her away from the table.
    Charity was almost through the French doors at the far end of the dining room when she caught the low-voiced comments from a nearby table.
    "That's Winters, all right. Wonder what he's up to these days."
    "Heard he had a major deal going down somewhere up north."
    "Must be something involving Charity Truitt."
    "Can't imagine what it would be. She flamed out a year ago. Stressed to the max, they said. Walked away from everything."
    Charity knew Elias had overheard the remarks, but he said nothing. She waited until they were alone in the elevator.
    "You see?" she murmured. "Big city or little town. The gossip factor remains the same."
    "Yes." He said nothing more as the elevator cab started to descend.
    "Well? How did it go with Garrick Keyworth?"
    "We didn't exactly get closure, if that's what you mean."
    "No need to be sarcastic. I just asked." Elias exhaled slowly. "Sorry. It was my decision to see him. I shouldn't have snapped at you just because it didn't go well."
    "It may take a while to see the results of your visit. How do you feel about it?"
    He looked at her, his eyes