Grace had stuck by him through the entire ordeal. She even read to him when he couldn’t sleep. He’d awakened once and seen her asleep in the chair, one of her textbooks open on her lap. When he woke later, she was gone, but she’d left her Bible on his tray table. Paging through, he found passages she’d underlined in different colors, notes she’d written in the margins, names beside certain passages. Was his written somewhere?
Relieved she was back now, he smiled. “We can leave tomorrow.”
“Isn’t it too soon? You’ve only been here three days.” Her eyes were the color of dark honey.
“My heart is working just fine.” Pounding like a jackhammer right now.
Grace dug into her backpack and handed him a leather-bound Bible. “I wanted to have it engraved, but wasn’t sure what name you’d want on it—Bobby Ray Dean or Roman Velasco.”
Her phone jingled in her purse. She took it out and read the text. Thumbing a quick answer, she dropped it back in her purse. “Samuel has an earache.”
His situation had probably made things more difficult for her. “You missed your weekend with your son. You can have time off when we get back.”
“I’ll take you up on that.”
Jasper appeared around the curtain. “Here you are, hiding out with Grace.” He shook his head. “You’re always causing trouble, aren’t you?” Jasper greeted Grace before grasping Roman’s hand. “Has the boy been cooperating?”
“He hasn’t had much choice.” Grace got another call. Talia, this time. She handed the phone to Roman. Talia was relieved Roman sounded so good. She’d been worried she’d be attending his funeral. Why hadn’t he told her he had a heart problem? She wouldn’t have pushed him so hard. What did he mean he didn’t know? How could he not know? Maybe he needed a vacation. He should go to Europe. Or lie on a beach in Tahiti. Roman let her talk until she noticed his silence.
“Are you still there, Roman?”
“I’m breathing, but my ears are getting sore with all this motherly concern.”
“I don’t know why I put up with you!”
“The 50 percent commission.”
“Yes, there is that.” She chuckled. “When are you going home?”
“Tomorrow, but don’t expect any paintings anytime soon.”
“Whenever you’re ready, you know where to find me. Put Grace back on.”
Roman handed the phone back to Grace. She went out into the hallway to finish the conversation.
“Chet and Susan send their love.” Jasper picked up the Bible. “Are you becoming interested in something other than art?”
“Grace gave it to me.” He hesitated and then decided to confess. “I have no doubt Jesus exists. Not after what I went through.”
“And what was that?”
“I doubt you’ll believe me. So far, Grace is the only person who does.”
“Try me.”
Roman told him the whole story. He couldn’t tell if Jasper believed or not. He waited, but Jasper just stood there, grim and silent. “Are you going to say something?”
“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.