Her aunt sighed. “Do you like working for this man?”
“Yes. More as time goes on.”
Aunt Elizabeth looked back at the two sitting beneath the pergola. “Well, thankfully, he’s not like Patrick. I saw through him the first time I met him. This man isn’t so easy to read. He doesn’t like to talk about himself, and what he did say wasn’t something to make himself look good.”
“I don’t think Roman cares what people think.”
“It was his idea to stop by, wasn’t it?”
“I didn’t think you’d want to see me. You told me what you thought about my situation.”
“I’ve had time to think more clearly. Not that I’ve changed my mind about certain things.”
Grace looked away. “I understand. Believe me, I do.” Sometimes the shame was almost overwhelming, until she held her son. She was surprised to feel her aunt’s light touch on her arm.
“I had no right to condemn you or say the things I did, Grace.”
Grace’s eyes filled with quick tears. It was the closest to an apology she had ever received from her aunt.
“How are you doing?” Aunt Elizabeth sounded concerned.
“I haven’t made a decision. I know what I want, but I don’t know if it’s best.” She shook her head, unable to say more.
“You and I need to talk about our family, Grace.” Aunt Elizabeth sounded burdened by the past, and Grace knew why. She didn’t want to hear what she had overheard already.
She decided to change the subject. “The garden is beautiful.”
“He’s been watching us, you know.”
Grace glanced at Roman. “He probably wants to go.”
Aunt Elizabeth pinched off a few dead blossoms. “I’ve been cautious my entire life, Grace. Maybe too cautious.” She tossed the dead petals into the garden.
“You were right about Patrick. You tried to warn me. I didn’t want to listen.”
“Yes, I was right, but that doesn’t mean you can never trust your heart again.” She nodded toward Roman. “He wants to know more about you. You’re on firmer ground now. You know how deceptive the heart can be.” She headed back toward the patio. “Don’t hide away and punish yourself for the rest of your life. It’s no way to live.”
Roman watched Grace while listening to Miranda. The woman talked about “the Lord” as though God was a friend and was sitting in the garden with them right now. This must be the source of Grace’s brainwashing. Grace seemed more relaxed when she joined him beneath the pergola. Whatever her aunt had said seemed to have stripped away the tension. He knew he wasn’t going to learn anything hanging around this house, and Miranda Spenser made him uncomfortable with her Jesus talk. When he stood, the three women understood he and Grace were leaving.
Elizabeth Walker escorted him through the house, while Miranda and Grace took their time following. “I’m glad you stopped by, Roman.”
“Are you?” He didn’t believe that for a second.
“I was as curious about you as you are about me.”
He hadn’t learned much about anything. “If I had to guess, I’d say I don’t meet with your approval.”
“You weren’t looking for it, were you? You’re here to audit my niece’s life.”
Roman didn’t feel like sparring with her. “You did a great job raising her.”
“I didn’t have much choice, and I won’t take credit. Grace takes after her mother.” Grace and Miranda hugged in the entry hall. Elizabeth lowered her voice. “If you hurt my niece, I swear I’ll hunt you down like a dog and carve out your heart with a dull spoon.”
He gave a soft laugh. “You know something, Ms. Walker? I like you a whole lot better for saying that. I was beginning to wonder if you cared.”
“She’s been hurt enough by cavalier treatment.”
“Not by me.”
“Not yet, anyway.”
GRACE TOOK OFF her sweater, folded it, and tucked it neatly behind her seat. “You and my aunt seemed to get along.”
“She’s not exactly warm and fuzzy, is she?” He accelerated onto the freeway, wove through cars, and settled into the fast lane. “Although Ms. Spenser was overboard.”
“She was like a second mother to me. It’s just her way to love people. If I needed mothering, Aunt Elizabeth called her. My aunt couldn’t abide teen angst or hormonal drama.”
“Teen angst?” Roman gave her a droll look. “How did that look on you?”