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Her body language betrayed her. “You’re stressed about something, and you don’t want me to know.”
That earned her a glance and a shrug. “Money’s tight, that’s all. I’m thinking of renting out my place for a while.”
Faith’s eyebrows rose. “Oh. Well, there’s the fourth bedroom here.” She gestured toward the house behind her. “It’s full of boxes and furniture right now, but Grayson could help us get all that into the attic.”
“No, no. You’ve got enough on your plate.” Grace wet her lips nervously. “I think I’ll stay on Amos’s houseboat and watch Simon for him when he goes back to work.”
Faith was careful to conceal her astonishment. She tipped her head inquiringly. “I guess you don’t find him as offensive as you used to?”
Grace gave a careless shrug. “I mean, he’s still jackass if that’s what you’re asking.”
Faith let it go, though she could sense there was more to Grace’s situation than she was telling her. “How long are you going to rent out your place?”
“Three weeks or so.”
“And where are you with the adoption?”
Grace looked down at the boot she was scuffing into the gravel. “Everything’s official. I got Mateo’s dossier last night. All that’s left is to get him to the consulate in Bogotá for his visa and fly him to the States.”
Faith’s alarm rose. “How? The country’s at war.”
For several seconds Grace kept quiet. “Amos offered to find someone who could fetch him for me.”
“That’s wonderful!” For a terrible second, Faith thought her sister might go back for Mateo herself, war or no war.
“Yeah.”
Grace didn’t sound as relieved as she ought to. Then again, Grace didn’t like to rely on anyone, let alone feel indebted to that person.
Faith was about to reassure her when Grace asked, “So when are the horses coming?”
Faith checked her watch. “In about an hour. I thought we could toss hay in the stalls while we wait.”
“Sure.”
Grace started for the barn, leaving Faith to chase after her—another sign that she didn’t want to talk about her situation.
“What are the kids up to?”
“Grayson’s still sleeping.” Faith unlatched the barn doors and swung them open. Cooler, pungent air wafted out at them.“And Olivia’s watching TV.”
“Any chance Fitz will show up and lend a hand?”
Disappointment blew through Faith. “Oh, no. He has important work.”
No sooner were the words out of her mouth than the telltale crunch of gravel announced the arrival of another vehicle. They both swiveled to the sight of a silver Lexus emerging from the tree line. Faith’s heart gave a leap of joy. “Oh, my gosh. He’s here!”
Grace sent her a smile that barely reached her eyes. “I’ll get started on the hay.” She slipped into the barn, leaving Faith to greet her guest.
Tamping down her pleasure—she really hadn’t expected to see him again—Faith approached his parked car. Her eyes widened as he popped out of it wearing a khaki T-shirt, clearly received for donating blood, and jeans that seemed brand new. He even had on tennis shoes. The last time she’d seen him looking so approachable, he’d been choking on his own blood.
“Good morning.” His greeting to her was both sincere and cautious.
“Hi.” She let her delight show. “Thank you so much for coming.”
“Absolutely.”
He sent her a grimace and a curt nod, like he was only here because someone held a gun to his head. Oh, well. At least, he had come. She would gladly take his help, however grudgingly it was given.
