Orsen smiled and ducked his head. “I was thinking.” Orsen smiled when Charlie came over, a toy in his mouth, and he stroked his head.
“Anything interesting?” Santino smiled, the crinkles around his chocolate eyes deepening in a way Orsen liked. They made Orsen think of someone who smiled and laughed a lot. Someone who enjoyed life. Santino’s hair needed a trim, but Orsen liked it slightly longer. Santino had told him he was due in court soon, so he’d have it get it cut then, but for now he’d leave it to do its own thing. Orsen touched his own long hair and considered getting his cut.
“Is your hair bothering you?”
“I thought I should cut it.” He tugged on one end and caught Santino watching him.
“Only if you want to. You can do anything you want with it, Orsen. It’s your decision.” Santino closed the door and ushered Orsen into the study where they worked, pointing Charlie to his bed. “Do you want a drink? Snack?”
“Oh, no, I’m fine. I had something before I left Crompton’s. He makes sure I eat.”
“You’ve put some weight on. It looks good on you.”
“Don’t people usually tell you to lose weight?”
“Usually, but when I first met you, you were a little too slender.”
“I didn’t eat very often then, and when I did, it wasn’t much.” Orsen put his bag down, pulled out his homework, and handedit to Santino. “I’ve never had pizza, or hot dogs, or those grilled sandwiches. Crompton makes sure I eat proper food.”
“Then I’ll order pizza for lunch. I’ll get a few small ones so you can try them and decide which ones you prefer.”
“Oh, you don’t need to do that. I didn’t tell—”
“I know you didn’t, but I want to do this for you.”
“I… okay. If you’re sure.”
“I am. Sit down and go over where we left off while I check your homework. I detested homework when I went to school.”
“Detested?” He’d heard the word before but wasn’t sure he knew what it meant. “Like hated?”
“Yes. It means to dislike something intensely, and that word would be accurate to me. It describes how I felt about doing schoolwork at home. Why did I have to when I went to school all day, every day?”
Orsen smiled when Santino did. “I’ll grow to detest it too.” Santino chuckled and Orsen’s smile widened. He liked making Santino smile.
Orsen worked through the math and only had to interrupt Santino a couple of times. He knew he was doing the easy stuff to ease him into it, but he liked it. Or was it that he liked Santino being his teacher? “Crompton asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday.”
“What about a small party? A few friends can come over and have hot dogs, more pizza, and other foods you’ve never tried.”
“I don’t know many people, so why bother?” Orsen was more than aware he wasn’t like others his age who had a wide group of friends. He could count the number of people he knew on one hand.
“Well, there is me. Then there are Cody and TJ, plus I know Toni has a soft spot for you. If you invite Toni, then Carter and the kids will come as well. And Crompton, but he may not stayfor long, and don’t you know a couple of the men who work on the ranch?”
“What about my age? I don’t really have friends my age.”
“What about doing some of the local activities?”
“Like what?” Santino went to answer, but his phone rang. He gave Orsen a rueful smile as he answered, then spent the next twenty minutes talking about money and things Orsen probably shouldn’t hear. He told Santino when he ended the call.
“Did you understand what I was talking about?”
“No, but I’m not completely stupid either.” The question had made Orsen feel… he wasn’t sure, but he hadn’t liked it.
“You’re not, but what I discussed was pretty technical and you have to have some knowledge of forensic accountancy, but—and more importantly—I trust you.”
“You do? You trust me?” Orsen stared wide-eyed at Santino. He’d never had someone trust him before, and it made him feel nice. Special. That this important man trusted him enough to discuss cases in front of him.
“Yes, I do. I like you, Orsen.”
