“Fine.” He suddenly leaned forward to whisper something to Gideon.
She cringed when his father said, “If you have something to tell me, you can say it in front of Heidi.”
Though Gideon hadn’t spoken unkindly, Kevin obviously took it as an admonishment. He sat back without another word.
Silence reigned the whole distance to the Calders’ beachfront home in La Jolla. The second Gideon pulled into their driveway, Kevin got out of the car and disappeared through an archway connecting the Spanish-style house to the garage.
As Gideon came around to open the door for Heidi, the bleak look in his eyes was so disturbing she wanted to take him in her arms. But she couldn’t do that because their hostess had chosen that moment to appear.
The stunning—and very pregnant—brunette hugged Gideon, then turned to Heidi. “I’ve heard a lot about you. All of it terrific. I’m Gaby Calder.” The warmth in her smile was heartfelt. Welcoming.
“I’ve heard wonderful things about you, too. I’m Heidi Ellis.”
The two of them shook hands before Gaby took her arm. “Come on out to the veranda. Max is fixing drinks for you. White wine okay? Until our baby’s born, I’m reduced to drinking soda, along with Kevin,” she confided.
“You’re so lucky to be having a baby,” Heidi whispered.
“Believe me, I know it,” Gaby whispered back.
A moment later Heidi was introduced to Max. Like Gideon, he was a tall, dark, powerfully built man. He smiled at her; despite his apparent approval, she sensed that he was watching her carefully.
“Where’s Kevin?” he asked.
Gaby glanced toward the ocean. “I told him about some starfish that were swept in by the tide early this morning. He ran down to look at them.”
Heidi bit her lip. “Did he seem okay to you?”
The other woman eyed her with compassion as she handed her a glass of wine. “Come into the kitchen while I finish getting dinner ready.”
Thankful for a sensitive person who understood Gideon’s son, she followed Gaby into the house.
“Oh—how beautiful!” The gleaming white of the kitchen was offset by dark wood beams and exquisite tile work in deep reds, blues, greens and yellows.
Gaby smiled. “I’m crazy about it, too!”
“How could you not be? I’d kill for a kitchen like this! So would my mother!” Heidi then proceeded to tell Gaby about some of the furniture imported by their family business.
“I’m going to have to visit her store. Except for the nursery, the rest of the house has a long way to go before it’s furnished the way we want. After dinner I’ll show it to you.” She placed the steaks on the hot grill.
“Can I do anything to help?” Heidi asked.
“No, everything’s under control.” Gaby raised her eyebrows. “Do you have any idea how many women around here have been in pursuit of San Diego’s most elusive bachelor?”
Heidi’s face went hot.
“You should blush,” Gaby remarked. “According to my husband, there are lots.”
“Kevin’s the reason he stayed single. Now that his mother’s said he can live with Gideon, he deserves to come first in his father’s life.”
“If you’ve been telling Gideon that, then it’s no wonder he looked so furious when he arrived.” She turned the steaks. “Do you love him?”
“Yes!” Heidi said in a tremulous whisper.
“Have you told him?”
“N-not in so many words. We haven’t known each other that long.”
“Max and I fell in love at first sight.”
“That’s what Gideon told me. But in our situation there’s still so much at stake.”
Gaby stared her down. “He needs the words, Heidi. He needs the love of a woman like you who’ll fight for him.”
“Even if it hurts Kevin?”
“Kevin’s always had the love of both his parents. He’s never known betrayal. The person who needs healing is Gideon.” After a pause she asked, “What are you afraid of?”
“That I’ll be the reason Kevin goes back to his mother’s. It would break Gideon’s heart.”
“No. You’re the only person who can do that,” Gaby countered. “I hope you realize it before it’s too late.”
GIDEON PUSHED AWAY from the table. “As usual the meal was superb, Gaby, but I’m afraid the three of us have to go or we won’t make it to class on time.”
“The steak was delicious,” Heidi concurred, “but I have to say the linguini and clams were absolutely incredible.”
“I second that.” Max gave his wife a resounding kiss.
“Your chocolate-mint pie was great!” Kevin said enthusiastically.
Gaby smiled at him. “I made it just for you. Come on. I’ll walk you and Heidi to the car.”
Gideon watched them leave the kitchen, then turned to Max. “Your wife outdid herself. That dinner was one of the best I’ve had in months. No, years.”
“We’ve been anxious to meet the woman you’ve fallen for—and fallen hard, I might say. So we wanted this evening to be special.” He paused. “Heidi Ellis is a knockout, in more ways than one.”
“Believe me, I know.”
“You want to hear my advice?” Their eyes met.
“Like me, you had to wait all these years for the right woman to come along. Now that you’ve found her, don’t waste another second.”
“I don’t intend to,” Gideon said. “That’s why I want to finish up this investigation by the weekend.”
“After reading that court case last night, Gabriella had nightmares.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“Did you find anything interesting on the Turners’ computer?”
“No. But there’s a phone number that needs to be checked out.”
“Give it to me and I’ll do it.”
“I’d appreciate that. How are thing at your end?”
“This morning I contacted Officer Crandall. He’s in Balboa Park running surveillance on Kristen and Stacy’s apartment. I’ll be joining him in another half hour. We’ll interview the neighbors to see what we can learn. Then we’ll ask the girls some questions. Expect a call from me around midnight.”
Gideon nodded. “Sounds good. I owe you.”
“I’ll consider all debts paid in full when you tell me you’re leaving Kevin here for a couple of weeks because you’re going on your honeymoon.”
“Lord, don’t I wish.”
“The woman’s crazy about you.”
“Maybe.”
“What do you mean?”
“Heidi’s afraid Kevin won’t accept her. She’s terrified of hurting him.”
“I like her better and better.”
“So do I. Thanks for everything. I’ve got to run.”
Gideon hurried out to the car. Just as he’d feared, Kevin sat in the back chatting with Gaby through the window while Heidi was ignored.
He gave Max’s wife a hug, then slid behind the wheel and turned on the ignition. “What do you think of the Calders?” he asked once they’d merged with the traffic.
“They’re lovely people. I can’t believe what a fabulous cook she is.”
“Kevin and I won’t argue with that.”
When he couldn’t get a response out of his son, he decided to concentrate on the woman seated next to him. He could feel her fear of saying or doing the wrong thing around Kevin. Damn, the situation infuriated him!
Max’s words rang in his ears. Now that you’ve found her, don’t waste another second.
Craving contact, he reached for her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. He could feel the tiny pulse beats. She tried to pull away, which only increased his determination to hold on. After a few seconds she gave up the struggle.
He began stroking her palm with his thumb. Her body quickened at his touch. He was satisfied to feel that much response, his frustration mollified, at least for the moment.
DESPITE HIS EARLIER declaration, Kevin entered the school
with them, but his continued silence, apparently aimed at his father, made the situation unbearable for Heidi. The presence of the animated writers standing outside her classroom had never been more welcome.
Once Gideon had unlocked the door, Heidi rushed inside to set up the chairs. It was a relief to have something to do with her nervous energy. As she looked carefully around the room, pleased that the substitutes were keeping everything in order, she saw Kevin take his usual place and open his backpack.
No sooner had she sat in her chair at one end of the semicircle than their guest speaker appeared at the door. The fiftyish-looking man with dark hair and a wiry build greeted Gideon as though they were old friends.
Heidi paid particular attention to him because he was the person who would be doing the autopsy on Amy’s body in the morning.
Gideon stood next to him. “Good evening, everyone. As promised, our guest speaker is renowned for the impeccable work he does as coroner here in San Diego.
“He’s the best of the best. We’re extremely fortunate he agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to present tonight’s lecture. Please give a hearty welcome to Dr. Carlos Diaz.”
Heidi clapped, along with everyone else. She cast a glance at Kevin to see his reaction. The teen kept his head averted.
The other man cleared his throat. “I’m honored that Detective Poletti has asked me to address this august group of mystery writers. He sang your praises. What could I do except say yes?” He smiled.
“You may not know this, but he’s a legend in the San Diego Police Department. That makes me doubly honored to be here.
“I’ll let you in on a little secret about myself. I used to write science-fiction stories when I was the age of Gideon’s son back there. I have no idea how good they were because I wouldn’t show them to anybody.”
A ripple of comments about understanding exactly how he’d felt ran through the group.
“It takes courage to put what comes out of your heart, your brain and soul, on paper. I commend you for your efforts. If anything I say tonight can help make your work more authentic and professional, then I’ll feel compensated.”
For the rest of the evening, he completely held their interest—a truly captive audience. Heidi was so fascinated by his presentation she protested like the others when the bell rang signaling the end of class.
They all rushed forward to congregate around him and Gideon. As Heidi started to straighten chairs, she noticed Kevin slip out the door.
She would’ve run after him, but she knew he’d reject any attempt of hers to be friendly. The situation was getting worse by the minute. Surely Gideon would agree that if Kevin continued to be difficult, they would have to rethink their relationship.
Suddenly he was beside her. His arm went around her waist. “Carlos, this is Heidi Ellis, the woman I told you about.”
“How do you do, Dr. Diaz. Your talk held us absolutely spellbound.”
The man’s dark eyes flashed with pleasure as he shook her hand. “So you’re the one fighting for your friend’s freedom. Tomorrow I’ll do my best to be as thorough as possible.”
Her eyes brimmed with tears. “Words are inadequate, but they’re all I have to let you know my gratitude. Thank you, Dr. Diaz.”
“You’re welcome.” His gaze swerved to Gideon’s.
“I’m going to start early. Call me around ten in the morning and I should be able to tell you what I found. Let’s hope it helps.”
Gideon shook his hand. “We appreciate your getting it done this fast.”
The second the door shut behind Dr. Diaz, Gideon turned her in his arms. His blue gaze burned into hers.
“Finally I’ve got you alone for a minute.”
She knew he wanted to kiss her, but she couldn’t forget that his son was waiting for them—maybe just outside the door.
“No, Gideon!” she cried, evading his mouth. “We can’t do this while Kevin’s with us. When we get to my apartment, please let me go in by myself. We can talk tomorrow after you drop him off at school.”
Twisting out of reach, she hurried into the hall, half expecting to find Kevin. Relieved he wasn’t there, she continued walking.
Gideon caught up to her near the office. His expression was so forbidding she practically ran out the doors to the car.
Kevin was leaning against the trunk of the Acura. He straightened when he saw them coming. Afraid to look him in the face, she lowered her eyes while Gideon opened her door.
“What did you think about what you heard tonight, Kevin?” he asked when he’d climbed into the driver’s seat.
“I didn’t hear that much because I was doing my math.”
“That’s too bad. It was an opportunity to learn about a subject few people understand. Dr. Diaz’s expertise might be the deciding factor in getting Dana Turner out of prison.”
Heidi waited for a response from Kevin. When it became clear that nothing was forthcoming, she stirred restlessly in her seat. If she could be thankful for one thing, it was that she lived close to the school. The drive home, with its agonizing silence, was about to come to an end.
After what she’d said to Gideon in the classroom, she assumed he’d pull away from the curb once she got out of the car. To her shock, he turned off the ignition and came around to her side.
“Good night, Kevin,” she called to his son.
“Good night,” he answered in a flat voice.
When she unlocked her apartment door seconds later, Gideon followed her inside and shut it. She’d left a lamp on. In the soft light the pained grimace of his features filled her with fresh dismay.
“We’re going to have that talk tomorrow,” he said in a gravelly tone. “Until then, this will have to do.”
His mouth descended with a hunger that reached deep inside her. As he enfolded her in his arms, she sensed, for the first time, what Gaby had been trying to tell her earlier. Inside this strong heroic man lived a soul that was yearning to be whole again.
In that instant she determined she was going to win Kevin around, because Gideon was life to her. She would fight for him, no matter what.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
IT WAS ONE IN THE MORNING; Max should have phoned by now. Gideon threw off the covers and got to his feet. After the strained evening Kevin had caused him and Heidi, sleep was out of the question.
But Gideon couldn’t blame his son for all his restlessness. Something else was haunting him. When he looked back on his relationship with Heidi, he realized he’d been the one to make every physical overture. Never once since they’d met had she taken the initiative.
She’d always responded to his kisses of course. Tonight at the apartment was a case in point. But was it only because he’d forced it?
Not for the first time, he asked himself if he was too old for her. Max had assured him otherwise, but after today more doubts had crept in. Was he fooling himself by believing she cared as much as he did?
Maybe the situation with Kevin was too difficult for a twenty-six-year-old woman who’d never been married.
Fay’s barb about Heidi being so young had found its mark, after all.
Unable to tolerate the blackness of his own thoughts, he dressed in his sweats and tiptoed out of his bedroom to the kitchen. In case Kevin awoke, he left a note on the counter. It said he was taking a short run on the beach and would be back by one-thirty.
He put his cell phone in the pocket of his hooded top and slipped out the back door without a coat. The fog had rolled in thick and misty.
He broke into a run, needing the workout to rid himself of built-up tension. Heidi’s presence in his life had brought on dreams he’d never dreamed, not even after meeting Fay. He hadn’t been mature enough back then to understand the richness life could hold, or the emptiness when it wasn’t right.
With Heidi he could see himself having everything he’d thought was beyond his reach. But that wouldn’t happen—couldn’t happen—if she wasn’t dreaming the same dreams. This fear was
what tormented him now.
The kitchen light was on when he returned to the house. No doubt Pokey had heard him leave and had disturbed Kevin.
Before he put his key in the lock, his son opened the door. He stared at Gideon without saying anything.
“I’m sorry if I worried you by leaving the house, Kev.” He locked the door behind him.
“You didn’t.”
“I’m glad. Let’s go back to bed, shall we?”
He turned off the light and started for his room. Kevin followed with Pokey.
Gideon took off his sweats and headed for the shower. When he came out in his robe, Kevin was sitting on the bed waiting for him.
“Dad? Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“I’ve had a long day. Can it wait until tomorrow?”
“I don’t think so.”
Gideon took a steadying breath. “If this is about wishing I’d never met Heidi, I already know how you feel. So does she.”
Kevin looked guiltily away. “This is about Mom.”
“Go on.” Gideon sank onto the bed next to him.
“She called me while I was in class today. When I went to the office to talk to her on the phone, she said she wanted me to come home on the bus after school. She said she’d get off work early so we could go for dinner.
“I told her we were going to Max and Gaby’s. That made her cry. She said she was coming over here to talk to you because she made a big mistake about letting me live with you if you’re going to marry some child bride.”
Lord.
“I tried to tell you about it in the car after school, but you told me I should talk to you in front of Heidi. The thing is, I didn’t want her to know what Mom said. That’s private stuff, and it could hurt Heidi’s feelings. I wasn’t trying to be rude to her, honest. I was trying to warn you in case you brought Heidi back here. I was afraid Mom would come over and embarrass her again.”
“Oh, Kevin.” He threw an arm around his son.
“Forgive me. I’m sorry I misunderstood.”
“Then you’re not going to make me go back and live with Mom?”
“No. Whatever gave you that idea?”
“Because I haven’t been very nice to Heidi. I remember what you told me about Frank being scared of me. I think maybe Heidi’s scared of me, too.”
My Private Detective Page 20