“It’s over on the end table by the parlor chair.”
Attired in his customary corduroy sport jacket, bowtie, and Harry Potter glasses, Ross walked over and picked up the Bible. “This is amazing! The bullets penetrated the front cover and no more. You are so lucky, Jon.”
“I don’t suppose I could get you to admit it was a miracle.”
“Maybe there really is something to this God you worship. But aren’t you glad I wouldn’t accept the Bible when you wanted to give it to me?”
“No, I wished you would’ve kept it. God would’ve used some other kind of miracle to keep me alive.”
“I admit I felt guilty for not taking it. But it’s unreadable now. So I guess I will remain without the Good Book, as I have since childhood.”
“You’re not getting off that easy, Cam. I have several Bibles. I can part with one. Take the black, leather-bound one in the bookcase to your right. It’s an ESV study Bible. It explains each verse and will give you historical context. You’ll like it, I promise.”
Ross pulled the Bible from the bookcase. “Okay, I’ll take it back home with me. I can’t promise I’ll read it, but I won’t decline your offer this time.”
“Hey, that’s all I can ask for. You’re taking a step in the right direction, Cam.”
Ross flipped through the Bible for a moment, and then tucked it under his arm. “So tell me, friend, how do you like parenting?”
Rafter smiled. “It’s exhausting, but I love it. I can already tell it will be the hardest challenge I’ve ever faced, though.”
Ross shook his head. “You’re going to be a phenomenal dad. You’ll do just fine. And your little princess there is a lucky girl.” Ross sat down on the sofa next to Rafter “Um, Jon, I have a business proposition for you to consider. I think I already know your answer, but I’ll run it by you anyway.”
“I’m listening.”
“There is a gallery I know of that wishes to have some of its works restored. And I think you are the artist to do it.”
“Is this gallery close by?”
Ross looked up at the ceiling. A pained look spread across his face “Not really. The gallery is in…um…it’s in Florence.”
“Florence, Italy?”
Ross smiled and nodded. “They have a Claude Lorrain painting in need of restoration. They’ll pay you 200, 000 US dollars to fix it, and will also pay your room and board for the summer. They want the painting restored on site. And they want the painting restored by fall. They have a Lorrain exhibit in October and want to show the painting then.”
“Are you kidding me? How in the world did they find out about me?”
“The curator was in Boston to give a presentation at the Museum of Fine Arts. I convinced her to come take a look at my gallery. She saw some of your works there. I have to say she is quite enamored with your paintings, Jon. One thing led to another, and eventually she made the offer. So what do you say? Annie could use a vacation after what just happened here. Florence is magnificent—the birthplace of the Renaissance. Don’t tell me you haven’t dreamt of going there.”
Rafter sighed. “I would love to visit Florence, Cam. But I can’t accept the offer. My place is here. We have a newborn. I can’t pack up Annie and Grace and move them to Florence. Grace will need checkups. We already have a pediatrician for her picked out. It would just be a little too crazy to attempt right now. But anything you can bring here to my studio I will work on.”
Ross patted him on the shoulder. “I knew you would turn it down. And I admire you for putting your family first. I’m disappointed, but I’ll get over it, years from now.” Ross suddenly pointed to a painting over the fireplace. “I just noticed it, Jon. That’s the painting you made for Annie but never gave to her. The one you had covered up in the studio.”
“Yeah, as you can tell I altered it a bit.”
Ross nodded. “Now that you painted yourself into it the value has gone down. It was the next Mona Lisa, but not anymore.”
“That’s okay. It’s not for sale. It’s a gift to Annie.”
“I was just teasing, Jon. So what does Annie think of it?”
“She loves it. Every time she walks through the parlor she stops and looks at it.”
Ross admired the painting depicting the Rafter family for several moments. He then shot Rafter a sly look. “But what happens if your family expands? You’ll have to start all over on another canvas.”
“That would be a nice problem to have. But I’m not going to worry about it now.”
Grace suddenly let out a cry. Rafter pulled his daughter away from his shoulder and looked at her. Grace’s beautiful pink face contorted into an ugly scowl. And then she started crying insistently.
“What’s wrong with her, Jon? You want me to go get Annie? She’s talking to some women out on the gallery.”
“No, I think it’s just a gas bubble. She can’t be hungry. I just gave her a bottle. I’ll try burping her.” Rafter sat Grace up in his lap. He gently held her chin with one hand and started patting her back with his other hand. A half minute later Grace let out a large belch. Spit-up poured out her mouth. “Can you hand me that burp rag, Cam?”
Ross looked around frantically for the rag. “I don’t see it, Jon.”
“Never mind, Rosie is handling it.”
Ross turned around and watched the big Newfoundland lap away the spit-up from Grace’s mouth. “That’s disgusting, Jon. You really should get rid of that dog. Maybe I’ll tell Annie about this. Maybe she’ll force you to get rid of it.”
“That will never happen, Cam. Rosie is a bona fide hero. She went to the neighbors to get help when the Charbonneaus held us hostage. That’s how the police showed up here. Besides, she’ll be a great companion for Grace. I can envision Grace riding around on Rosie like she’s a horse.”
“But she rips up your paintings. We can’t have that happening.”
“Rosie is over that. She didn’t eat the Bertocchi while it’s been on the floor leaning up against the wall.” Rosie lifted her broad head. She looked over at Ross and woofed gently.
“Well, okay. But if it was me I’d keep her out of the studio and chained up. But then again I’m a cat person. Dogs are just too unrefined for me. They’re classless.” Ross stood up. He placed his Bible under his arm and scooped up the Bertocchi with his other hand. “I must be going, Jon. Congrats on your new daughter. And I’m so glad you and Annie are safe.”
“Stay in touch, Cam. Come visit anytime.”
“I will. And I’ll put the word out in the art world about your restoration abilities. I’ll bring you some work.”
“Okay. Goodbye, Cam.”
After he heard the front door shut, Rafter nestled his head against Grace’s body. Her body heat on his chest made him drowsy. And before long his eyes closed and he drifted to sleep.
Chapter 60
Rafter felt a tug on his arm. Startled, he snapped open his eyes. He saw Annie smiling at him. He yawned and blinked several times. “How long have I been sleeping?”
Annie looked at her watch. “I’d say about five minutes.”
“Oh, that’s good. I was afraid I’d been out for awhile.”
“I hated to wake you. You and Grace looked so innocent sleeping together. But there are some people out on the gallery you should meet.”
Rafter scooted forward to the sofa’s edge, and then stood up slowly so as not to wake Grace. “Cameron said you were talking to some ladies out there,” he said quietly.