Trevor pushed his chair back from the table and gazed thoughtfully out the window. Melanie remained quiet.
Eventually, he resumed the conversation. “Forgive me. I obviously know Chelsea better than you. Even if hurt and jealousy play a role in her rudeness, the rebellion burns deeper. She was always jealous of anything out of reach. Her father spoiled her, and she did not handle his death well. With her mother also out of the picture, I’ve tried to compensate and introduce her to a world she must earn for herself. But my efforts have lacked results. It is not a shortage of love for the girl on my part, so far, her soul has been unreachable. That’s the way I read my niece, and I will be hard-pressed to change my opinion at this stage of her plan.”
Melanie’s breath quickened. “Yes! A plan? Are you aware of a plan that involves material gain?”
“Most definitely, but I don’t let her close enough to the books to have any real influence over my business decisions and finances.”
“Perhaps another reason for her jealousy?” Though she said this quietly, it dropped like a bomb.
His voice raised in irritation. “Is it not enough that Chelsea has labeled you a druggie, a liar and perhaps a murderer? That she has forced the same precinct you worked for in Georgia to investigate you as a suspect in her outlandish charges? Do you take pleasure in someone bashing your character?”
“Certainly not, but I’m innocent, Trevor, and believe that the system will find the truth.” She hated the gulf she felt expanding between them, and apparently, so did he.
“Discord between us would satisfy Chelsea to no end, and I won’t let her have that victory.” He covered her hand with his. “Please, Melanie, let’s not talk about the case anymore tonight.”
She could not help but fall prey to his tender, pleading eyes. “Agreed. We have a date. Best not be late for church, Mr. Knight.”
Blessings come in all shapes, sizes, and often disguises. Love searches for lonesome hearts.
Chapter 14
The evening was still young when they returned from Bible study. High humidity had turned the weather into a sweat bath. Heat hung in the air like an ominous cloud. Inside, the air conditioner hummed to keep the household cool, but Melanie didn’t want to spend the hours before sleep pacing inside her room.
Still sipping her Oreo-flavored milkshake, she proposed an alternate plan. “Do you swim in that pool of yours or just entertain there?”
“I can swim.”
“Up for some laps before we retire?”
“That sounds better than going back inside my office and working until midnight. You have a date.”
Melanie swallowed hard. “I didn’t mean to imply that the swim was a date.”
“Why not? If I recall, you labeled going to church as a date. This is merely an extension of that. First the spiritual, and then the physical.”
“I suppose.”
“Melanie, you aren’t much younger than me, and you’re quite eligible to pursue, should we wish to travel that path together.”
Melanie attempted to avoid debating the latter part of his comment, feeling certain her giveaway blush would contradict any defense her objections might offer. “Let’s start with a swim.”
Trevor chucked as they headed for the stairs to change.
“Seems we are doing a lot of startups, Miss Braxton, but you will find me a very patient man.”
“I’m a quick change. Bet I can beat you to the pool,” she challenged to keep them on a more playful topic.
“No doubt you will,” he said as they mounted the steps. “Our time spent in the House of God appears to have given you a boost of energy.”
“Thanks for inviting me. It was the push I needed to examine my spirituality. I always figured that membership and attendance were enough to gain entry into the Kingdom.”
“Many are wrapped up in the man-made part of religion, but truth has a way of reaching a seeker’s heart.”
“The relationship aspect of abiding with Christ is a new idea. I used to think God sat on his throne in the sky looking down to judge every time I messed up – which is a lot. I like the idea that He walks and talks with me daily. I don’t have to work to earn a relationship with Him. He offers new life as a free gift.”
“Just like Christmas.”
“I love Christmas, but I suspect this year, the story might find a deeper connection in my heart.” They’d reached the top floor, and before they parted – her to the left and him to the right – he grabbed both her hands and spun her around to face him.
“Sounds like you might be joining the family after all,” Trevor said.
“The family of God?”
He grinned.
She surmised that he’d inferred the Knight family as well as God’s family. It pleased her to realize she was not appalled by such an idea.
“You’re teasing me,” he said, the reflection from the overhead chandelier infusing sparks in his eyes.
“Perhaps. I believe I heard one of your buddies tonight say that healthy competition hadn’t been outlawed in your church.”
“Such a cynical overview of a Christian’s existence,” he said.
“One that is fast departing,” she said. “I’m ready for that swim.”
He watched as she rubbed her hands together in excitement. “Are you trying to make this little swim a competition?”
“It’s always a competition, dear sir.”
Trevor checked his watch. “Ten minutes. I’ll bring the stop watch.”
Melanie arrived first and threw her oversized towel on a lounger. Underwater pot-lights streamed horizontally in multi-colored rays, casting a tranquil mood around the pool. The outside lights
