Free Disclosure of the Heart (The Heart Series) by Mary Whitney Page A

Juan Carlos, especially one who happened to also be a BBC reporter.
    I pulled away and patted the tears off my cheeks. “I know it’s silly, but if I have to fly through Houston, I’ll even schedule a long layover just to go to the cemetery.”
    “That’s nice, but your sister isn’t there,” he said, rubbing my back. “Not really. She’s with you. In your heart. Right?”
    Breathing deeply, I tried to pull myself together. “I know it makes no sense. Intellectually, I get it. Her soul is gone and elsewhere, but I hate that her remains are still there in that cemetery when none of us live near her.” I let out a throaty laugh. “I always said we should have scattered her ashes in the Gulf. Then she’d be everywhere.”
    “It does appear to have its benefits.” He grinned, probably happy I felt okay enough for a joke. He stopped rubbing my back but let his hand rest above my waist, and I didn’t stop him. “Do you talk with your parents about it?”
    Had he remembered so little about me? I’d turned to him when we were young in part because my mom had been so checked out and my dad lived over a thousand miles away. I gave him a skeptical look. “My dad brings Lauren up occasionally, but my mother…it’s not really a welcome topic.”
    “Still?”
    A smile escaped me. He had remembered. “Time has passed, and I may be older, but my mom still doesn’t talk about the death of her little girl.”
    He sighed and stretched out his legs. “And probably never will.”
    “Nope.”
    Silence ensued, and I felt his hand hesitantly withdraw from my back. After a moment, he declared, “Tell me about where you’ve been to—like China. I’ve always wanted to go there, but I haven’t yet had opportunity.”
    Good. We’re out of the emotional danger zone , I thought, and I really didn’t want to be a crying mess when Sylvia came back. I nodded. “China is an amazing country, but we were there talking trade. It’s odd that they’re Communists because they’re such ardent capitalists.”
    “I know. They’re Communists only when it comes to their authoritarian government. They couldn’t care less about redistribution of wealth.”
    “Exactly, but it’s still fascinating to be there, seeing modern China contrasted against its ancient history. The people were so friendly, and we were able to do some sightseeing. The Forbidden City is amazing, and I also went to the Great Wall.”
    “That’s something I’d like to see.”
    “Yeah. I wanted to go there because it was something Lauren always wanted to do.” Ugh . I’d done it again. I could not let Adam turn into my emotional sounding board. I had a boyfriend for that. With a quick pat of the bench to end the conversation, I immediately rose and said, “I need to find a ladies’ room. I’ll meet you back here.”
    After I pulled myself together in the bathroom, I stood in the hallway for a moment, scanning my emails and texts. I soon heard Sylvia’s stiletto boots clack on the floor and looked up.
    “Hello. I’m sorry you missed the display. It was amazing.” She grinned.
    “I’m sure,” I said with a smile. The woman still didn’t get that it was inappropriate for me on so many levels. Yet I sort of admired that she existed in her own little world where everything was simple and she was always right.
    When we met back up with Adam, Sylvia said, “Should we go to the National Gallery now?”
    Shaking my head, I pointed to my phone. “My conference call this evening was canceled because people are stuck in airports. It’s dumping snow outside. If I’m going to get a cab home, I should go find one now.”
    “A taxi? Don’t be silly,” Sylvia said. “Adam can give you a lift, but really you should stay for dinner tonight if you’re free. I’m cooking.”
    “Oh, that’s nice of you to offer.” I had no idea how to respond. I wanted to say yes, but should I? And did Adam even want me there?
    “Please do,” Adam said eagerly.