Back on the road, she talked more. Her aunt had been a career woman and didn’t enjoy travel. “We had to take several connecting flights from Memphis to Fresno. It’s the only time I’ve ever been in an airplane.”
Roman told her about flying to Rome and traveling around Europe on a motorcycle. The more he talked, the more relaxed she looked.
“You’ve visited places I’ll only see on the Travel Channel.”
He looked at her. “You never know.”
“Did you study art in Europe?”
“I never studied anywhere. Formally, anyway.” He eased off the gas as he went around a curve. “I never did well in an environment where someone was telling me what to do or how to think.”
“Talia said you don’t follow rules. Maybe that’s why people like your work so much.”
“But not you.”
“I don’t matter.” She looked away and gasped. “Stop!”
Roman slammed on the brakes, sure he was about to hit something. The car fishtailed. He corrected and pulled onto the side of the road. He uttered a foul word. “What’d I hit?”
“Nothing. I’m sorry I startled you.” She opened the car door.
“Where are you going?”
“Roman, look around you!” She laughed, her face radiant.
The hillsides were covered in purple, yellow, and orange wildflowers. He gave them a cursory glance, and watched her picking her way into the field. She looked around in wonder and then back at him. “Veronica was right. Have you driven this way before?”
“Once.” He hadn’t chosen this route to see the color-splashed hillsides. “It’ll be over in a few weeks.”
“Then it’s perfect timing we’re here now.” She spread her arms. “Look what God can do with weeds.”
God again.
She kept walking farther into the field. She bent to pick something up and tucked it in her pocket. He took out his phone and snapped a picture of her standing among the lupines and poppies. Leaning against his car, he took several more. He pocketed the phone when she headed back.
She looked at him. “I guess you want to get going again.”
“We’re in no hurry.” She was showing him a world he’d never noticed. “Why don’t we stop in Fresno for the night? I can meet your aunt.”
The joy left her face. “Aunt Elizabeth doesn’t like surprises.”
“I take it you don’t get along.”
“We get along. I call her twice a month and visit whenever I can.”
Roman hadn’t noticed any older women showing up at the cottage, and Grace hadn’t mentioned going on any trips, short or long. “Give her a call. We can swing by on the way back.” He wanted to meet the woman. The aunt might also be more forthcoming with information.
Grace didn’t take her phone out of her purse.
After a couple more hours on the road, they stopped for a late lunch in Lemoore. The time passed pleasantly enough, even if Grace was less than open with personal details about her past. When they returned to the car, Roman sensed Grace’s tension. She barely talked as they approached Fresno. He had a dozen questions he wanted to ask, but knew better. He merged onto 99, heading north out of Fresno. Her body relaxed. She took a breath and let it out slowly. He glanced over, but she avoided eye contact.
Roman touched the car computer screen and did a search of Merced hotels with pools. After a day in the car, it’d be nice to swim some laps. “Did you bring a swimming suit?” The look she gave him was answer enough. Roman used the voice activation system to ask for directions to a sporting goods store. “I’ll buy you a suit.” When Grace protested, he cut her off. “You can pick it out or I will, and I’m paying for it. I’m hot, I’m tired, and I want to swim.”
“I’m your personal assistant, Roman, not your lifeguard.”
“You need to cool off as much as I do.” He pulled into a shopping mall and parked. “Come on.”
When they got into the store, Grace meandered until he looked pointedly at a neon-pink two-piece on a mannequin and grinned. She quickly found a functional black one-piece suit. He couldn’t resist needling. “Chicken.”
He paid for the suit before he realized she’d opened her purse and pulled out her wallet. She didn’t thank him or even look at him on the way to the car. Roman glanced at her when he got in and saw the hot blush that had climbed up her neck and filled her face. Why was she so embarrassed? “It’s not lingerie, Grace.”