Change of Heart Read online

  “In that case, I’m glad you didn’t outright ask her. I know how much you love Chelsea, but—”

  “Mom, talking about this is embarrassing.”

  “I know it is, but remember that I’m the one who held you while you cried after she left. And I’m the one who has seen the way you’ve tracked her over the years. And I coined the phrase NC, meaning Not Chelsea, for all those poor girls who never stood a chance with you. And I—”

  “All right!” Eli said. “I get it. What’s your point?”

  “As much as I love her, Chelsea isn’t as clear in her purpose in life as you are. If you tell her you want her to settle down with you—”

  “She’ll run. Or jump on the back of her Venezuelan polo player’s horse and ride away.”

  “If I remember correctly, you’re rather good on a horse. Like your dad.”

  “Mom, please. This is a different time. Women today don’t go for men on black stallions.”

  “You think not?” Miranda didn’t give her son time to reply. “My advice is that you shouldn’t make things too easy for Chelsea. Think of it as one of your software games. If the warrior could walk straight to the princess, neither would want the other.”

  “I don’t think computer games and black horses have anything to do with real life.”

  “Are you sure about that? Absolutely and totally sure?”

  “When it comes to Chelsea, I’m not sure of anything. I have to go. Pilar’s got some guy here who Chelsea says is a three. I, unfortunately, am a one.”

  Miranda laughed. “I don’t know exactly what that means, but I can guess. I think I’ll call Chelsea’s mother and have a chat.”

  “I’d rather you didn’t do that,” Eli said. “Chelsea can make up her own mind about what she wants.”

  “I’m sure she can, but I’d lose my motherhood badge if I didn’t interfere.”

  Eli laughed. “That won’t happen. I really do have to go. I—”

  “I know. You have forty-some calls to make for your job. What happened to your taking some time off?”

  “After Chelsea leaves, I think I’ll double my schedule. Tell the kids I love them and to try to behave.”

  “I will,” Miranda said. “Eli, dearest, remember that Chelsea likes a challenge.”

  “I never forget it,” he said and clicked off.

  By the time he left the bedroom, Chelsea had found out some about Grace and her daughter. Eli was glad of that. Maybe if Chelsea focused on the kids she wouldn’t ask so much about Orin and the contents of the papers.

  After Chelsea went upstairs to get dressed, Eli called Mike Newcomb. All Eli had to say was that he needed some help and Mike agreed immediately. Eli couldn’t help thinking what an odd place Edilean was that big secrets were being kept. Eli told Mike that he needed to find out about the suicide of Gilbert Ridgeway.

  Mike didn’t ask questions, just said he’d get on it right away.

  By the time Chelsea came downstairs, Eli had everything in place. She had on jeans and a big white shirt, her hair hanging down around her shoulders, and she looked great.

  “Are you sure you want to go shopping with some giggly teenagers?” he asked, suggestion in his voice.

  When she sat down on the couch beside him, he closed his laptop. “What have you heard?” she asked.

  “Nothing. The papers we stole haven’t shown anything yet. It’s entirely possible that Orin is innocent.”

  “Except for being a lying, cheating piece of scum.”

  “Which is not punishable by law,” Eli said.

  “Too bad. You ready to go? I’d like to see this kid Abby. Don’t you find it interesting that her best friend is a nerdy little geek?”

  Eli couldn’t help wincing at the description. “She probably wants to improve her mind.”

  “Ouch!” Chelsea said as they went to the front door.

  Turning, Eli stopped and kissed her. But when it became deeper, he pulled away. “Another minute of that and we’ll never leave.”

  “Mmmmm. Shopping or sex? You always impose such difficult questions.” He half pushed her out the door.

  Eli drove into Williamsburg, down Richmond Road, to the huge collection of outlet stores.

  “Nice,” Chelsea said as he drove through the three parking areas. “I could do some damage here.”

  Eli backed into a slot in the middle area, near the Ann Taylor and Michael Kors stores. As soon as he turned off the engine, he went to Ben & Jerry’s to get them milk shakes.

  “I couldn’t possibly,” Chelsea said even as she took the strawberry one he’d bought for her. She took a deep drink. “I don’t think I’ve had one of these since I was a kid. What are you going to do after I leave?”

  Eli drank of his vanilla shake. “Get a life,” he said. “I think I’ve been waiting to start one, but Jeff with his new girlfriend, and Pilar and Lanny, have made me want . . . I guess it’s companionship. For years, Jeff and Pilar and I were a team, but it looks like that is going to change.”

  “Because of me?” Chelsea asked.

  “No. Because I held them back. I wasn’t aware of it, but I was making sure Jeff didn’t leave. I came up with things for him to do so he had to cancel dates.”

  “You were jealous?”

  “I don’t think so—but maybe I was. I was certainly jealous of his freedom to move on.”

  “But now you can go forward?” Chelsea was trying to understand what he was saying. He’d held back from any permanent relationship all these years because he was . . . what? Waiting for her? “I thought that maybe last night changed things between us,” she said stiffly.

  Eli, watching out the windshield for Abby, smiled. “Last night was great.” He glanced at Chelsea, then back. “It was really, truly the best sex I’ve ever had, but let’s face it, in the scope of a life, sex doesn’t mean much.”

  “I think a good sex relationship is very important,” she said softly.

  “Sure. At first it is. Look at my parents. The first few years they were together, they went to bed about six p.m. I was too young to understand about that passion where you can’t keep your hands off a person. Fingertips touching sends electricity through your body. The sound and smell of a person’s breath can make you weak with desire. Your mind is taken over with thoughts and images of the other person. Her hair, her eyes, her skin all penetrate your very being. Your shake is melting.”

  Chelsea was staring at him, eyes wide.

  “Your shake? You’d better drink it or it’ll melt.”

  “Oh, yeah. Sure.” She took a sip. “I’ve never heard you talk like that. I didn’t even know you felt like this.” She bent forward to kiss him, but he didn’t turn toward her.

  “Of course I do. But only about you.” He kept his eyes straight ahead. “My point is that sex doesn’t last. It’s fun, like it is now for you and me, but what happens tomorrow?” He looked at her as though waiting for an answer.

  Chelsea was still thinking about what he’d said about his desire for her.

  “Do you agree that the sex between us is extraordinary?” he asked. “At least it was for me. But you’d know better than I would.”

  “You mean because of my extensive experience?”

  Eli gave a shrug.

  “Just because I’ve not dedicated my life to the US government doesn’t mean I’ve jumped into bed with a hundred men.”

  He looked at her. “What does the government have to do with this? I just said that last night was the best time I’ve ever had in my life. On the stairs! That was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. You were great.”

  “Why do I feel like I’m being put down?”

  “I have no idea,” Eli said, his face innocent. “My point wasn’t about you and me specifically, but in a general way. Sex doesn’t last over the long term. Now even my par