Nicole wilted into a chair. She looked ready to cry. “He’s an important man doing important work, and I feel important when I’m with him.”
Shanice gripped Nicole’s shoulders, leaned down, and kissed her cheek. “You’d be important without him, honey.”
“I’m just an office worker, Shanice.”
Grace felt Nicole’s pain. “So am I.”
“You don’t understand. I’d do anything for Charles. Anything!”
Grace understood all too well, wanted to warn her friend. “I did everything for Patrick, Nicole, and none of it mattered to him. It’s hard to think clearly when you’re vulnerable and want something so much.”
Brian came in with a case of sodas and a man Grace hadn’t met. “Nice afternoon for a barbecue.” He gave Grace a quick kiss on the cheek. “This is Nigel Campbell, one of our hardworking deacons. You’ll have to do the honors. I’ve only met Miss Tyson.” Brian gave Shanice a nod. Shanice ignored him as she gave Nigel a quick greeting and went back to stirring the beans.
Grace introduced Ashley and Nicole. The minute Nigel spoke, Ashley’s face lit up. “You’re a Brit!”
Roman and Jasper came down the cobbled pathway from the main house and Grace went outside to welcome them. Jasper carried a big watermelon. Roman had a six-pack of Heineken beer and a bottle of champagne. Roman followed Grace inside, where Shanice and Brian stood on opposite sides of the table, the air vibrating with tension. Setting the beer and champagne on the table, Roman extended his hand to Brian. “Henley, right?”
Smiling, Brian shook his hand. “Looks like our prayers were answered. This is Shanice. She was at the hospital, too.”
“Grace said you came. Thanks for looking out for her.”
Jasper winked at Grace and leaned close. “He’s on his best behavior today.”
Grace put the beer and champagne in the refrigerator. Samuel was pounding on the toy piano, and Jasper went over to have a closer look. “And who is this little fella?”
“My son.” She lifted Samuel and sat him on her hip. “Samuel, this is Mr. Hawley, Mr. Velasco’s friend.”
Brian plucked Samuel away. Holding him up, he jiggled him until he laughed, then laughed with him.
Roman watched Brian with Grace’s son. The baby obviously knew him, and Henley was comfortable handling him. Brian carried Samuel back to Shanice, and the two of them talked in low voices. Roman watched the interchange, wondering if Grace noticed. She didn’t seem bothered that her boyfriend was showing considerable interest in her friend. Shanice took Samuel from Brian and joined Roman. “What are you working on? Another mural?”
“Something new. Grace’s idea. Hoping to keep my mind off the trip to hell.”
“Thankfully, that’s a trip I’ll never take, though I deserve it.” She blew a raspberry against Samuel’s neck.
“I thought he was yours. You were holding him the first time I met you.”
Shanice laughed. “You mean the day we were all checking you out to make sure you didn’t have dishonorable intentions toward Grace?” She lifted Samuel to her shoulder. “I grab this little guy every chance I get. No guarantees I’ll ever have one of my own.” Her eyes lingered wistfully on Brian. “He’s pretty special.”
“Are you talking about the baby or Brian Henley?”
Shanice looked embarrassed. “I meant Samuel, of course, but Brian’s pretty cool, too. Nicole, Ashley, and I picked him out for Grace.” She explained about the matchmaker website and how many men they’d considered before deciding Brian was the perfect guy for Grace.
It must be nice to have friends who cared enough to search for a prospective mate. Charcoal already started, Mr. Perfect put sodas into an ice chest outside while talking with Ashley and Nigel. Samuel had fallen asleep on Shanice’s shoulder. Grace took hamburger patties and bratwurst from the refrigerator. He caught her looking at him and felt a twinge of satisfaction. At least her eyes weren’t glued to the man who had built the fire.
“Nice gathering.”
“I’m glad you came.” Grace slipped an apron over her head. “You didn’t seem overly enthused when I invited you.”
“I wasn’t sure I’d fit in.” He’d decided this was his backyard, not Brian Henley’s.
Brian came in for the platter of meat. “Charcoal is ready.”
They all sat outside to eat, and Roman listened to the easy conversation rolling around him, answering questions when they were directed at him. Nicole said she had to leave and Grace walked her to her car. When she returned, Shanice asked if she’d gotten anywhere with Nicole. Grace shrugged.
Jasper told a couple of stories about working with a pain-in-the-neck kid at Masterson Ranch, leaving no one to wonder who he meant. Roman was less than happy about it, until others volunteered a few of their own stories of youthful pranks. Brian admitted he and a couple of high school friends stuck wet cotton balls all over the principal’s car during a Midwest winter. “It was three weeks before the weather warmed up enough to get them all off.”
Roman laughed. “Did you get away with it?”
“My conscience beat me up so much I confessed.”
Shanice faced Roman. “I want to hear what happened when you were resuscitated.”
Apparently, they all knew. “Grace did CPR.”
Grace shook her head. “There was a man who helped me, and then the paramedics. Tell them what happened, Roman.”
Was this why Grace had invited him? Roman didn’t like being the center of attention. “I didn’t believe there was a hell until I went there.” They all stared at him.
“That’s it?” Shanice protested. “That’s all you’re going to give us? Come on! We want to hear everything.”
Jasper chuckled. “Better do it. I have a feeling that girl doesn’t give up.”
Roman told them about the demons, the tunnel, the stench, the screams. He looked at Grace. “You and I had just been talking about Jesus. I wouldn’t have thought to scream His name otherwise.” Her face softened.
“Did you see Him?”
“What?” He faced Ashley. “I saw light and felt a hand grab hold of me. I didn’t see a face, but I know who it was.” He looked at Grace again. “I have no doubt Jesus saved me, but I don’t know why He bothered.”
Brian leaned forward, hands clasped between his knees. “He loves you.”
Roman gave him a mocking smile. “You think so?”
“God’s love and Grace’s prayers.” Shanice patted Roman’s knee. “Whatever the reason, it’s clear God’s not done with you yet.”
Jasper had said the same thing. “Well, you all know the Bible better than I do.”
They sat around the fire pit as the sun went down. Ashley had brought fixings for s’mores. Brian talked about camping with the Boy Scouts. Somehow, sometime during the evening, Roman stopped hating the man and felt absorbed into membership of this small group. These people talked easily about Jesus and the power of God.
Grace went inside to put Samuel to bed. Roman thought about following her. Brian was looking at him as though he knew what Roman was trying to hide.
Everyone helped clear the bowls and platters and gather the paper plates and cups. Pitching in, Roman took out the garbage. When he came back, Brian announced he had to leave. Church came early in the morning, and he’d better be wide-awake and ready to teach his band of little brothers and sisters. He extended his hand to Roman. Prince Charming had a firm grip and looked him straight in the eyes. “Let’s get together for lunch sometime and talk.” He produced a card. “My number.”
Roman didn’t want to like him. He tucked the card in his shirt pocket and watched Brian approach Grace. No kiss this time, but they had an audience. They stood close, talking quietly. The intimacy between them stung Roman. They embraced briefly. Brian and Nigel left. Ashley followed soon afterward.
Shanice sat with Roman on the wall. “Beautiful night, isn’t it?” She tilted a look at him. “Please be careful with my friend.”
“I haven’t done anything to earn a warning.”
“It’s the way you look at her when she’s not looking that concerns me.”