By the time Bobby Ray Dean earned his GED, Roman Velasco had five thousand dollars in savings and several more jobs lined up. All thanks to Chet and Susan and Jasper and their investment in a kid nobody else had time for.
“Come on into the kitchen.” Susan led the way, laughing over her shoulder. “We always end up in here anyway.”
Grace lingered, studying the living room mural. Roman put his hand against the small of her back, wanting to steer her away. “You don’t like my work, remember?”
“Who’s Sheila?”
Roman froze. “What?”
“Sheila. It’s right there. And Reaper.” She tilted her head. “White Boy.” She looked at him, perplexed. “And there’s a bird in flight in the corner. Or are those letters, too? BRD.”
“Bobby Ray Dean.” His heart pounded. “We’ll talk about it later.”
Jasper spoke from the archway leading to the kitchen. “Is there a problem?”
“No problem.” Roman glanced over his shoulder. “We’ll be with you in a minute.” He blocked Grace and lowered his voice. “Don’t say anything about the wall.” The mural had been there for years, but Roman doubted that Chet and Susan had ever seen what he’d painted in it. How was it Grace saw what he’d been so careful to hide?
Her eyes flickered in surprise, but she nodded.
The kitchen had been remodeled, too, the scenes of Italy he’d painted long gone and replaced by pale-yellow walls and white crown molding. Susan slid a prime rib into the top oven and announced dinner would be ready by six thirty.
“We’re only staying an hour or two.”
She gave him a look he remembered from his time living in this house. “You’re staying for dinner, and you’re spending the night.”
Roman could be stubborn, too. “We have a lot of road to cover.”
“Chet, go let the air out of his tires or kill the computer in that fancy car of his.”
“Or you could let him go.” Grace shrugged. “But if it’s all right with you, I’d like to stay.” She pulled out a chair and took a seat at the table.
The Mastersons laughed. Jasper grinned at Roman. “I think you’re outnumbered.”
Roman relaxed. “Okay, but don’t listen to these people. They don’t know me as well as they think they do.”
Susan and Chet launched into what a pain he’d been when he first came to the ranch. “Couldn’t get more than a growl out of him.”
“He still growls.” Grace smiled at him, obviously enjoying his discomfort.
Chet poured himself a cup of coffee. “We didn’t know how to reach him until he got his hands on some paint.” He winked at her. “Now we put the tough cases in his old room.” He lifted his mug to Roman. “They understand that piece. It’s started a lot of conversations.”
“What room?” Grace looked at Roman. “What piece?”
Roman didn’t answer. Chet nodded toward the door. “Go on through the living room down the hall, second door on the right. You can have that room tonight, if you want.”
When she pushed her chair back, Roman spoke up quickly. “Don’t bother.”
“Why not?”
“It’ll give you nightmares.” When she turned to go, he caught her wrist. “You won’t like it, Grace.” He let go of her quickly, aware that he had everyone’s attention.
“Don’t be so worried. My opinion shouldn’t matter anyway.”
He muttered a foul word under his breath when she left the kitchen. He stood, not sure whether to follow or wait. Panic rose. It was a second or two before he realized Chet, Susan, and Jasper were watching him. “She doesn’t like my work.” He felt light-headed.
“Neither do you.” Jasper pulled back the closest chair. “Sit down. You don’t look well.”
Roman sat heavily and wondered what was wrong with him.
Jasper gripped Roman’s shoulders. “Put your head down.” He squeezed. “Have you had a checkup lately?”
“I’m fine.”
“I don’t think that wall is going to scare Grace away, son.”
Roman heard Jasper’s voice through a tunnel. The weakness passed, and Roman felt better. Jasper let go and took a seat, studying him. Chet and Susan started talking again, telling him how they’d followed his career. They brought up some of the other boys who had been on the ranch the same time he was—all doing well, most married with kids.