Deep Waters
intense. "I don't know."
She took his arm. "It's okay, Elias. You did what you could. Now you have to let it go."
The elevator fell another five floors.
"Cozy little family scene back there in the dining room," Elias said.
"Mm"
"Was it hard?"
"Was what hard?"
"Seeing Loftus and your sister together? Looks like they're a couple."
"Yes, they are now." She was surprised by his insight. "And, no, it wasn't hard to see them together. I think they belong together."
"Did Loftus mean a lot to you?"
"I walked out on our engagement party, remember?"
"Yes, but the two of you were lovers, and knowing you, that had to mean something."
"Oh, for heaven's sake, Brett and I were never lovers. Whatever gave you that idea?"
Elias blinked the way Otis often did, an enigmatic gesture that betrayed no hint of emotion. "You were almost engaged."
"I told you, he was too big. You saw him. He's six and a half feet tall if he's an inch and at least a yard wide across the shoulders. He's a mountain. I got a severe attack of claustrophobia every time he kissed me."
"Claustrophobia?"
She shuddered delicately. "I couldn't imagine getting into bed with him. Poor Brett. I think he assumed I was just too stressed out to be interested in sex. I could hardly tell him that I felt smothered every time he put his arm around me."
"That's what you meant when you said he was too big? That he was too tall?"
"Too tall, too wide, too heavy. What did you think I meant?" Charity widened her eyes as understanding dawned. "Oh, my God, you didn't think I meant that he was, uh, too well endowed?" She broke off as a fit of giggles overtook her.
"It seemed a reasonable conclusion under the circumstances," Elias said dryly.
"Reasonable?" More laughter swept through her. She put her hand over her mouth in a vain effort to choke it back. "This is incredible. Reminds me of an old joke."
"What joke?"
"You know, the one about the guy who's six feet, six inches," Charity gasped. She was laughing so hard now, she could barely stand. "The lady says, forget about the six feet, tell me about the six inches."
"Very funny."
"Sorry. I never could tell a joke."
Very deliberately Elias moved to cage her against the wall of the elevator. He planted both hands beside her head and leaned over her. "I'm glad you're finding this amusing."
"Are you kidding? This is hilarious. I can't believe you thought I meant that Brett's . . . that his ... that his—"
"Family jewels?" Elias offered helpfully. "Manly root? Cock?"
Charity gasped for breath. "Thingy? I can't believe you thought that was what was so big about him. Good grief, I've never even seen it."
"Don't worry, you can look at mine any time. On one condition."
She fluttered her lashes outrageously. What condition?"
"That you never, ever call it a thingy."
15
A woman's love is a relentless flood that threatens any dam in its path.
- "On the Way of Water," from the journal of Hayden Stone
The journey down to the lobby in the elevator had been a trip through the looking glass. Elias considered the magic of it all as he drove north with Charity. No doubt about it. He had stepped into the cab on the thirtieth floor feeling grim and morose. By the time he had reached the lobby, his mood had undergone a sea change. Charity's laughter had had a reviving effect on his spirits. And other parts of his anatomy as well.
None of his problems had disappeared during the thirty-floor trip, he reminded himself. If anything he actually had a few more of them now than he'd had earlier in the day.
The newest one on the horizon was the obvious fact that Meredith Truitt did not approve of Charity's relationship with him. He had seen the deep suspicion in her eyes. Her sentiments were undoubtedly echoed by her brother, Davis. Elias wondered how much Charity would be influenced by her step-siblings' attitude. She had not seemed worried about the opinion of the movers and shakers of Whispering Waters Cove, but family was a different matter.
It had also made him uneasy to witness Brett Loftus's comfortable relationship with the Truitt women. It was not sexual jealousy that bothered him. He was satisfied that Charity felt no lingering attraction there. But the intimacy of a long-term friendship was evident. Elias was not certain how to compete with that kind of familiarity. He had spent a good portion of his life learning to keep others at a distance.
And, of course, he had still not found a way to float on past the
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