“I’m glad it wasn’t me on the receiving end of that lesson.”
“The last person I told thought I needed to talk to a psychiatrist.”
“I’m a Christian, have been for years. I stopped going to church after my wife died.” His mouth tipped. “Went back when I got cancer.”
“How is it I never knew this about you?”
Jasper sat in the chair by the window. He stretched out his legs as though making himself comfortable. “You never asked, and anytime I brought up spiritual matters, your eyes glazed over. There’s a time for everything under the sun, Bobby Ray. The time never seemed quite right with you.”
“I’m still having nightmares.”
Jasper gave a slight laugh. “Not surprising. I may have nightmares just hearing about your experience.”
“I’m still trying to figure out why Jesus rescued me.” He expected Jasper to make a joke.
“Apparently, He’s not done with you.”
Roman had the same feeling, but he had more questions than answers. “Any idea what He’d want from me?”
“You’re asking the wrong person. All I can tell you is faith is just the beginning of a long, difficult journey.”
Grace returned briefly and said she’d leave them alone to talk. Roman told her to stay. They weren’t talking about anything she didn’t already know. She said she had things to do since he’d received word he’d be sprung from his prison tomorrow. “Okay, okay.” He waved her away.
Jasper raised his brows. “Has Grace been with you the whole time?”
“Where do you think she’d be?”
“Home. It’s only an hour away. The girl has a life of her own, you know.”
“It was her choice.”
“Really?” Jasper drawled, a cool smile of reprimand.
Roman frowned. Had he made her promise to stay? He thought about Grace missing time with her baby. “I could send her home, but she doesn’t have a car.”
“Loan her yours. You can arrange a limo ride home. Or don’t you trust her with your keys?”
“I trust her with my life.”
“Then give the girl a break.”
“She’ll probably call Brian Henley.”
Jasper gave a soft laugh. “The fact that Grace stayed with you through all this should tell you something. The girl cares.”
Roman liked hearing that, but how deep did her feelings go? And how long would they last?
Jasper brought their conversation around to spiritual matters. They fell into an easy exchange as Jasper told him about his childhood, his parents’ religious beliefs that built a foundation for his own, his wife’s faith. He even told Roman what to expect if he ever decided to set foot inside a church. Roman couldn’t picture himself doing that anytime soon. Jasper said it was a good place to learn. It’d be easier to take that first sojourn into foreign territory with someone he knew.
“Someone like Grace, for example.” Jasper gave him a taunting smile. “Who knows? She might take you to Brian Henley’s church. Pastors know a whole lot more about Jesus and the Bible than I do.”
“I’d rather figure things out on my own.”
“You’ve always done things the hard way, Bobby Ray.”
Grace came back before Jasper left. Jasper said he’d stay in touch and probably come down for a visit when Roman was back home. He wanted to make good use of the nice guest room again. He kissed Grace’s cheek before leaving.
Roman decided to take Jasper’s advice and let her know she was free to leave if she wanted to. “You should go home too, Grace. There’s nothing for you to do, but sit around and wait.”
She looked taken aback. “All right.” She took the BMW fob from her purse and put it on his tray stand.
“That didn’t come out right.” He’d meant to sound self-sacrificing, not dismissive. “Keep my car.” She’d been using it to get back and forth from the hotel. “Pick up your son. Go home. Take a few days off.” That brought a look of surprise and relief.
“Are you sure?”
He realized how thoughtless he’d been. “You’ve been babysitting me for days, when you should’ve been with your son. I’ll call a limo service when they check me out of this hotel.”
“Do you need anything?”
Roman said he was fine, then missed her the minute she walked out the door.
Grace sent a text to Roman. Let me know when you’re close. I have your house key.
Her phone beeped with a new message just as she finished changing Samuel’s diaper. Roman. Be there in five.
She pulled Samuel’s blue-and white-striped onesie down and closed the snaps. “Come on, little man.” She swept him up and planted him on her hip.
A black Lincoln Town Car pulled around the circle and stopped beside the main house. Her heart quickened when Roman got out. She met him on the front walk, noticing how he relied on the cane. “It’s good to have you home.” She passed by him, heading for his front door, keys in her hand. Unlocking the door, she handed over the fob and house key. His fingers brushed hers, and she stepped back, holding Samuel closer. “It just occurred to me there’s probably nothing edible in your refrigerator.”
“I can always microwave a frozen dinner. It’ll probably taste about as good as hospital food.”
Grace couldn’t help herself. “You can come over for dinner, if you’d like.”
He grinned. “I knew if I sounded pathetic enough, you’d invite me. What time?”
She gave a nervous laugh, wondering if she was about to make a mistake. “Whenever you’re hungry, I guess.”
“I’m hungry now.”
Something in his tone made her put up her guard. “You’ll have to watch Samuel while I fix something.” She figured that would make Roman run for the hills.
“As long as I don’t have to change his diaper.” Roman closed the front door and walked alongside her. The cottage felt smaller the moment Roman walked in. He left his cane by the door. She put Samuel back on the blanket she’d spread on the carpet and strewn with toys. “Keep an eye on him. He can cover territory faster than you might think.” Roman sat on the edge of her sofa and leaned forward, seeming to take his duties seriously. Grace hesitated. “I haven’t started dinner, but I could make you a sandwich to tide you over.”
“What I’d really like is a cup of your coffee.” He picked up a stuffed rabbit and jiggled it. Samuel reached up and grabbed hold. “Is he trying to eat it?”
“Everything goes in his mouth right now. He’s teething.”
“Teething?”
“Don’t worry. He hasn’t drawn blood yet.”
Samuel sent the rabbit flying, surprising himself. Limbs stiffening, he screamed. Roman looked on the verge of panic. Grace took pity. Turning Samuel on his stomach, she patted his bottom. “Go get it, little man.” Calm again, Samuel pushed himself up. “He’s fine.” Grace returned to the adjoining kitchen. “I guess you haven’t been around babies that much.”
Roman gave a hard laugh. “I’ve done everything possible to avoid ever having a kid.”
Well, that told her more than she wanted to know. “How very responsible of you,” she muttered as she measured coffee.
“He’s sort of cute.”
Sort of cute? “Gee, thanks.” She poured water into the machine. “I happen to think Samuel is the most beautiful baby ever born.” Opening a cabinet, she took down a Raiders mug. “But then, I suppose every mother feels that way.” Samuel rolled over and managed to grab the rabbit. “He’s also very smart.”
Roman was still stationed like a bodyguard on the edge of the sofa. “If you say so.” Samuel lost interest in the rabbit and rolled over again, grabbing hold of the hem of Roman’s jeans. He started to fuss. Roman looked distressed. “Should I move him?”
“If you want.”
“It doesn’t matter what I want. What does he want?”
“He wants you to pick him up and hold him.”
Roman made a couple of tentative moves before he took firm hold and sat the baby on his lap. They stared at each other. When Samuel swung his arms around, Roman laughed. “I think he’s throwing punches at me.” He pretended to dodge. Samuel let out a baby giggle, which made Roman laugh.
“You’ll have to put him down if you’re going to have coffee.”