Why was Grace taking so long? Jasper leaned forward. “You should see a doctor.”
Roman gave a mocking laugh. “I’m thirty-four, in the peak of health.”
“You had a couple of these episodes when you were here. Have you been having them all these years?”
Roman shrugged. “Not enough sleep.” He smiled wryly at Chet. “Wake-up call at five, as I recall.”
“Whiner.” Chet frowned. “You fell off the barn roof once. Remember?”
“Someone dared him to walk the ridge.”
“Good thing you landed in a pile of hay.” Susan shook her head. She smiled when Grace returned. “What do you think of that piece?”
“It’s very different from what Roman’s doing now.” Grace looked at him. “More revealing.”
Roman felt exposed. “I pilfered a marker and drew a hole in the wall.”
“He was trying to get kicked out.” Jasper winked at Grace.
“It’s where he was going I find interesting.”
Chet shoved his chair back. “How about a walk around the old homestead? Stretch our legs a bit before dinner.”
Roman stood and nodded for Grace to come along. Susan spoke up. “Grace, why don’t you stick with me and let the men talk.”
“Sounds like a good idea.”
Roman hesitated. Susan grinned at him. “Don’t look so worried. I’m sure she already knows you’re no angel.”
Grace couldn’t understand why Roman was so uneasy. The Mastersons clearly loved him. They welcomed him like a prodigal son. “How long has it been since Roman visited?”
“He hasn’t come back since he aged out of the program. Once the boys reach eighteen, they’re on their own. He could’ve stayed, but . . .” Susan lifted a shoulder. “An opportunity knocked, and he answered.”
If Grace had a family as loving as this in her life, she’d find a job close to home. She’d visit every chance she had. She offered to help with dinner preparations, but Susan said she’d have everything done in a few minutes. “Comes with cooking for a houseful of boys.” She washed potatoes, poked holes in them, and put them in the oven. “How do you like working for him?”
“He spends most of his time in his studio. I’m in the office.” She knew it didn’t answer the question.
They sat together at the kitchen table. “He could have a wide circle of friends in the art world, if he wanted.” Susan smiled impishly. “Jasper keeps us up on what’s happening with our boy. He says Roman has a beautiful place at the top of a mountain overlooking a canyon.”
“With a magnificent view all the way to the coast.” And he doesn’t even enjoy it.
“And you’re his closest neighbor.”
Grace blushed. What might Susan Masterson make of that proximity? “I couldn’t afford the commute. Roman offered to rent—”
“I know. Jasper told us. I’m not suggesting anything is going on. Roman never lets people get too close.” Her smile was apologetic. “I knew you two weren’t married. I just wanted to see Roman’s reaction when I said it.”
He’d been quick to set the record straight. “I’m his employee. Nothing more.”
“That doesn’t mean you two can’t become good friends.”
Grace wasn’t sure that was possible anymore. Her feelings were changing, heading in an unwelcome direction. “He’s not an easy person to understand.”
“I don’t imagine you are either.” Susan put her hand flat on the table. “He was the smartest boy we’ve ever had here at the ranch. Brilliant, in fact. Quick learner, photographic memory. He could have gone through college, but didn’t want anyone telling him what to do. We’ve kept up with him on the Internet, and Jasper is a pit bull. He fights for his boys and never lets go, especially the ones with the deepest wounds. One look at that bedroom wall, and Jasper knew how to get closer. Books on art. Roman devoured them. Jasper kept fanning that flame. We found places for Roman to experiment. He filled every sketchbook we gave him. I still have them.”
“I’d love to see them.”
“I thought you might. Sit tight.” Susan went down the back hall off the kitchen. She returned carrying a short stack of notebooks.
Grace took one and turned the pages slowly: a boy currying a horse, the black oak in front of the house, Chet smoking a pipe on the front porch, Susan working in the garden. Jasper standing at a chalkboard. Each book showed steady improvement and gave her insights into Roman. Her throat felt tight.