“You might be sorry.”
“It’s only furniture, Grace.”
She looked at the wall one last time. “If you leave the ladder in here, I can repaint that wall a nice eggshell white.”
“It’d take more than one coat, and what’s the point?”
“It’d be a nice clean canvas so you can start fresh.”
Start fresh. If only he could.
WITH ROMAN IN SAN DIEGO, the big house felt empty, the polished gray French oak floors echoing Grace’s every footstep. She spent the first day painting the studio wall, and then called Selah. “I’ll pick Samuel up after work. He can stay with me this week.”
Selah said he would be too much for her on the job. Grace should leave him with her and keep to the plan for weekends only. Grace insisted she could manage. Selah asked if she had permission. Grace lied and said of course. She hadn’t asked, but why would Roman care, as long as the work got done? When he returned, she might ask if he minded a child in the house.
Selah didn’t think it was a good idea. “Samuel has an appointment with the pediatrician on Thursday. You would have to take time off for that, and you know how fussy he is after a shot. He always runs a fever. It’ll be much better for him to stay here with me.”
Grace bristled. Why did it have to be a tug-of-war? “I want more time with my son, Selah.”
“I know you do, chiquita, but you must think of what’s best for him. Samuel will be bouncing back and forth enough as it is, staying with you on weekends. He needs continuity. You don’t want him to feel like a yo-yo, do you?”
Grace wanted to insist, but she felt selfish for pressing. Selah was probably right. Samuel might not be content entertaining himself in a playpen in her office. She wouldn’t be able to put duty aside to play with him whenever he or she wanted. Selah would be able to see to his every need. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Everything in good time, chiquí. He’s doing so well. Everything will work out just as it should.” Selah’s mantra—and true enough.
Grace went shopping for guest room furniture and bedding and didn’t spend anything close to forty thousand dollars. By the time Roman returned, all would be in place, including the few touches she had added to make the room more welcoming. Back at the house, she checked the office voice mail and found a message from Roman. “Where are you? Call me.” He sounded irritated and repeated his cell phone number twice. “Call me!” She added it to her contacts, but called him back on the office line. He didn’t even give her a chance to say hi.
“Why didn’t you answer the phone?”
“I’ve been shopping for bedroom furniture.”
“Oh.”
“I just got back. Your guest room will be furnished by the end of the week. Stickley Whitehall.” Hopefully that information made it clear she hadn’t been sunning herself on a beach in Malibu.
“Whatever that is.” He sounded calmer. “Am I going to like it?”
“I don’t know, but your guests will be very comfortable.”
“Guest. Singular. Jasper. What about sheets, blankets—？”
“Purchased. Jasper will have two pillows from which to choose. I’ll make the bed as soon as everything arrives.” She told him how much, and hoped he was a man of his word and wouldn’t yell at her. “It’s the kind of furniture that will grow in value.”
“I’m sure it’s perfect.”
He sounded distracted. Did he have something else on his mind? “I have some messages for you.” One from his financial adviser, another from a Realtor who had a buyer if he was interested in selling. Roman told her to tell the financial adviser he’d be in touch after the art show, and he wasn’t ready to sell.
Grace gave a soft laugh. “I’m glad to hear that. I just moved in.”
“Oh?” He laughed low. “Are you sleeping in my bed?”
“I meant the cottage, of course.” At least he was in a better mood. “Do you have anything else you want me to do around here other than the usual? Anything that doesn’t involve entering your bedroom or studio? I did repaint your wall, by the way. You didn’t say I couldn’t.” When he was silent, she wondered if she’d overstepped. “I hope that’s all right.”
“Just thinking. You could deliver the last painting instead of having Talia pick it up.”
“I’ve heard Laguna Beach is a lovely town.”