Roman walked along the path to the main house. He could feel her gaze fixed on him, but didn’t look back. He recognized defensive walls when he saw them. He had them, too. He’d give her the same space and courtesy he wanted. For now.
On edge, he decided to turn the lie into truth and went for a long drive. He needed to clear his head. Or put something else in it besides curious thoughts about his personal assistant, where she came from, and what made her tick.
Grace and her friends talked it over.
Ashley giggled. “I can understand the temptation. How do you concentrate on work around a man like that?” She fanned herself.
“He’s in his studio. I’m in the office.”
Nicole, more practical, offered advice. “If you have a written agreement, you’ll be all right. That way, he can’t change the rules. I can have one ready for you by church tomorrow.”
Shanice jumped in. “Obviously, Grace has reservations or she wouldn’t have invited us up here to see the place and meet Velasco. Now that we’ve seen him, we know why.” She nodded. “He looks like a player.”
“Just because he’s handsome?” Ashley came to Roman’s defense. “Have you seen him in a club?”
“I haven’t been to a club for over a year, Ashley, and you know why.”
“He seemed polite enough. We shouldn’t judge,” Nicole remarked.
Shanice gave her a steely-eyed look.
“He didn’t give any indication that he’s putting the moves on Grace. He called her Ms. Moore.” Ashley sounded annoyed.
Shanice raised a brow at Grace. “Any instincts about the guy when you’re alone with him? Any vibes?”
“No. He made a point of telling me I’m not his type.”
“Okay.” Nicole spread her hands. “So, I’ll ask the obvious question. What’s the problem?”
Grace had to think about it. “Once I’m in, it’ll be hard to get out.”
Shanice ran her hand over Samuel’s head and looked at Grace. “Are you talking about the house or the job?”
“Both.” Grace took Samuel. “I don’t want to do anything stupid.” She glanced around the cottage, and temptation gripped her. She’d never be able to afford a place like this. She’d be lucky to find a one-room flat, and what sort of life would that be for Samuel?
“You like the place, don’t you?” Shanice asked.
“Who wouldn’t?”
Nicole let out her breath. “Roman Velasco offered you this place for free. Right? You could offer him the same rent you paid on the apartment in Westwood. Paying Velasco rent will keep this a business transaction. You won’t be vulnerable. You needn’t feel obligated in any way.”
Grace kissed Samuel’s warm, rosy cheeks. “I wouldn’t see my son Monday through Thursday.”
“But you’d have him Friday night through Sunday,” Ashley reasoned. “Without Selah. And once you find childcare, you could have him with you whenever you’re not working. I’m sure there are other children up here in the canyon.”
“Probably with nannies,” Shanice put in. She touched Grace’s arm. “Are you worried about Selah and Ruben? The arrangement was always supposed to be temporary.”
“She’s become very attached.”
“So have I.” Shanice tickled his chin and got a giggle. “You know I’d take you both in, if I didn’t already have a roommate.”
“I’d kill for a place like this.” Nicole sighed. “And think about the other advantages. The time you’ll save commuting. Time you can use for online classes. The more education you have, the better your opportunities. If this job doesn’t work out.” Her cell phone chimed. She dug it from her purse and checked the text. “It’s Charles.”
Shanice glanced at her phone. “Time to head back, girls.” She blew a raspberry against Samuel’s neck. “See you, snookums.” She kissed Grace’s cheek. “This place looks like a gift from the Lord, honey. I think you can handle Velasco.”
Ashley brightened. “I have an idea! Instead of going to the café next Sunday for our get-together, why don’t we each bring something up here?” She looked at Grace. “What do you say?”
“Make it two weeks. I have to move in first.”
Grace waved as Shanice backed out, picked up speed on the gravel turn, and shot up the driveway. Shaking her head, Grace smiled. Her friend had a lead foot and good reflexes.
Grace changed Samuel’s diaper before she settled him into the car seat. He’d be asleep before she reached the road.
With the increase in salary and a nice place to live, she’d be able to make plans. She could afford childcare. She could take online courses toward her degree. Nicole was right. She would have extra hours for study. She had done well enough in high school to earn a scholarship to UCLA. Her goals had gotten derailed when she ran into Patrick Moore.
Glancing toward the main house, she wondered if Roman Velasco was still at home, but decided it would be better to wait until Monday before saying anything.
GRACE, AGE 20
A shock wave coursed through Grace as she caught a glimpse of what might lie ahead. Patrick had been benched from the football team due to an injury. She tried to bolster his spirits, but he was bitter. She’d come home from classes today and found him watching television. When she asked why he wasn’t at practice, he said he’d quit the team. He wasn’t going to suffer in practice for a team that had no intention of using him.
Grace assumed Patrick would use the extra time he now had to get a part-time job, especially now that he had forfeited his football scholarship. They’d just gotten married and were barely getting by with both their scholarships and her job at McDonald’s. When he made no effort to do so, their bills mounted. When she pleaded with him, he called her a nag.
After two months, he went to the campus employment office, but claimed they couldn’t find anything that suited him. Library or office jobs were for girls. Fast-food restaurants were for losers. Had he forgotten that’s what she was doing to support both of them?
He said he was working hard enough just to keep his head above water with his course load. He had conveniently forgotten that Grace had a heavier load than he did and was also working twenty-five hours a week. When he suggested she add more work hours until he could find a job, she reminded him she had to maintain her GPA to keep her scholarship. He accused her of being selfish, of caring more about school than her husband. Did she have any idea how difficult it was for him to do college-level work? Someday, he’d be the breadwinner. What sort of job could he get if he didn’t finish college?
The more Patrick talked, the guiltier Grace felt. School had never been easy for Patrick. She wanted to be supportive and encouraging. Wasn’t that what God said a wife should be? And, in truth, between school, work, and Patrick’s demands, she was exhausted. She didn’t know how long she could keep up with all of her responsibilities.
She tried to pray, but worried instead. Whose education mattered more? His, she decided. With that in mind, she applied for a full-time clerical job at a public relations firm, praying that if God had other plans, the job would go to someone else. When they offered her the position, she saw it as a sign. She withdrew from UCLA, grieving in private, while wearing a smile for Patrick’s sake. He was grateful, of course, but it didn’t make their lives any easier. He had no intention of taking on any duties around the apartment, considering that women’s work.