“I can imagine,” Roman said. In his mind’s eye he could see her on the back of a horse, her hair a dark curtain flying behind her as she rode. He had no doubt that she was an expert horsewoman. He wondered if one day he would have the privilege of riding with her.
They climbed the steps and crossed the wide porch that circled the house. Serena rang the bell and within seconds the door swung open and a petite white-haired woman was smiling up at them.
“Serena, darling.” The woman tilted her head and gave her a kiss on the cheek then her eyes left her granddaughter’s face and rose to meet Roman’s. Her smile widened. “And who do we have here?”
For some reason, maybe because of the twinkle in her grandmother’s eyes, Serena blushed. “This is Roman Steele, my boss.”
Sylvie gave a polite nod. “Welcome, Roman. I’m pleased to meet you. Won’t you come in?”
When they got inside Serena handed over her prized possession, the birthday cake.
“Oh, my,” Sylvie exclaimed. “What a wonderful surprise. I’ll take it to the kitchen and we can have some in a little while.” As she headed down the hallway she called out, “Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll be right back.”
Serena directed Roman to an elegantly furnished living room filled with family portraits.
“Please have a seat,” she said, indicating the couch. Instead of sitting, she went to stand by the mantelpiece.
This drew Roman’s attention to the painted portrait above the fireplace. It was the picture of a beautiful blonde-haired woman on horseback. “Was that your mother?”
Serena nodded. “She loved riding.”
“As you do,” Roman said, seeing the wistful look in her eyes.
At that moment Sylvie walked into the room. She smiled at them. “That’s my Patricia,” she said then tilted her chin towards Serena. “Serena looks just like she did when she was this age.” Sylvie gave Roman a sad smile. “We lost her when Serena was six years old, still just a baby. Richard has been both mother and father to her since then.”
“And you too, Grandma.”
“Yes, I’ve been there, but the job of raising you has always been your dad’s. And outside of spoiling you rotten I think he’s done a wonderful job.” Sylvie’s laugh was like the tinkle of bells. “She’s got him wrapped around her little finger,” she said to Roman, “but it’s only because he’s had to endure two major scares in his life. One of them left him without his wife and me without my daughter.”
Roman frowned. “Two major scares?”
Sylvie nodded. “Yes, he almost lost Serena, too.”
“Grandma, you don’t have to-”
“It’s okay, Serena,” Sylvie said as she walked over and put her arm around her granddaughter’s shoulder. “We need to speak about these things. It’s not healthy for us to bury our pain. This is the only way we can find healing.” Sylvie’s eyes grew misty. “Serena had leukemia when she was eight years old. She spent quite a bit of time in hospital and Richard almost went crazy with worry. He couldn’t bear to lose this one part of Patricia that she’d left behind.” Sylvie wrapped her arms around Serena’s waist and pulled her close and there was a tremulous smile on her lips. “But my Serena pulled through. She was a fighter, this girl. There was nothing that would keep her down.”
Roman nodded and looked at the two women, so very different in ages but so much alike. Both were petite and although Sylvie’s hair was white and the signs of age were on her face, the sparkle in her blue eyes told him that she had been just as feisty as the young woman who stood beside her. He could now understand, too, why Richard had gone overboard in satisfying the desires of his daughter. It seemed he was trying to make up for all that she’d gone through, the loss of her mother and the threat to her own life.
But still, the pampering had to stop somewhere. Serena was a woman now. And what a woman. As he stared at her all he wanted to do was bury his face in the valley between her luscious br**sts.
Roman’s thoughts were cut short when Sylvie released Serena and clapped her hands smartly. “Okay, let’s get something to eat. You both must be starving.”
They all headed for the kitchen where she’d already placed a basket of fried chicken in the middle of the table, a bowl of salad, a tray with corn on the cob and a steaming bowl of mashed potatoes.
“Mmm, looks good,” Serena, said rubbing her stomach. “I could eat a horse.”
“You know what the sad thing is, Roman? She really could eat a horse and she wouldn’t gain a single pound.” Sylvie shook her head and feigned a look of indignation.
“What are you complaining about? You’re not fat.” Serena laughed.
“That’s because I watch my diet. You don’t have to. With your youth and high metabolism you can eat anything. It’s just not fair.”
Roman laughed, enjoying the banter. “You’re like me, Sylvie. I have to eat right and exercise.”
“You? You don’t have a spare ounce of flesh on your body,” Sylvie said with a touch of exasperation. “I’m sure you don’t have to work too hard to keep that body in shape. It sure looks good to me.”
“Grandma.” Serena frowned at the older woman but Sylvie only laughed.
Then it was Serena who was looking at him with what seemed like admiration. Was she checking him out? Roman could only hope so.
They had a pleasant meal with conversation that left Roman feeling relaxed and at home. He could not tell the last time he’d enjoyed himself so much. Here he was having dinner with his employee and her grandmother and he felt like he’d known them for years. From time to time his eyes would wander over to Serena and as she chatted comfortably with Sylvie he could not help but see her with new eyes. She was still the feisty young woman who walked into his office a few weeks earlier but now he could see another side of her. It was obvious that she loved her grandmother dearly. Maybe the woman didn’t replace her mother but there was a love and understanding between the two that could not be denied. And from their interaction he could see that underneath the strong and independent façade that Serena showed the world she was still young and vulnerable.