Roan shifted, crossing one boot-clad foot over his knee. “Fifteen years.” He went on to tell her about his work as a stuntman. Reese couldn’t help but gobble up the information about his life.
“You were in Los Angeles the whole time?” Mrs. Chen asked.
“Yeah. Followed Jason out there after high school.” He paused, a muscle in his jaw twitching “He had a scholarship to theater school. I didn’t have much of a plan, honestly. Got a job at a gym, started training in martial arts and parkour, and kind of fell into stunt work.”
“How fascinating. Tell us more, please.” Kris leaned forward with interest.
Roan’s expression warmed. “High falls were my specialty—falling off buildings, getting thrown from vehicles. Worked on action films, Marvel movies, that kind of thing.”
“That sounds incredibly dangerous,” Mrs. Chen said.
“It was.” Roan rubbed the back of his neck. “Injuries are part of the job. You learn to work through pain or you don’t last. I made it to thirty-three before I had the big one.”
“What happened?” Mrs. Chen asked.
“Train stunt went wrong,” Roan said. “Supposed to land on an airbag, but timing was off. Compressed my neck pretty severely. C5-C6 vertebrae. Could have been paralyzed. By the grace of God, I was all right.”
“Oh my goodness,” Mrs. Chen said, her hand going to her heart.
“Doctors told me I was done,” Roan said. “One more injury like that and I’d be in a wheelchair. So that was the end of my career.”
“It must have been a bitter pill to swallow,” Pastor David said. “Losing work you loved.”
Roan shrugged. “Yeah. Still is, some days. But I took it as a sign. Time to come home and start something new.”
“And open a gym,” Kris said.
“That’s right.” Roan smiled. “Can’t do stunts anymore, but I can still help people become stronger and healthier.”
“That’s wonderful,” Mrs. Chen said warmly. “Turning your experience into something positive is admirable.”
“Build it and they will come kind of thing?” Kris asked.
“That’s right,” Roan said.
He’d lived a life without her. Just as she had. All those years ago, she would not have thought it possible that she would have to hear about his life instead of being in it. That she would no longer know him seemed an impossibility back then. Until he proved how wrong she’d been.
She was still as angry and hurt as she’d always been. Surely there was a statute of limitations on a broken heart? For heaven’s sake, she was a grown-up woman, not some lovesick teenager.
“Dinner’s ready,” Grace called out from the dining room.
They headed that direction. Her heart sank when she realized there were name cards at each place setting and she was next to Roan. She told herself to be a grown up and just sit. So she did, smoothing her napkin in her lap and studying the beautiful spread. Pot roast, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, fresh rolls.
“Before we eat, may I say grace?” Pastor David asked.
“Yes, please,” Walter said.
They bowed their heads, and Reese found herself peeking through her lashes at Roan. His head was bowed, hands folded. He had a scar on his right hand that hadn’t been there fifteen years ago. She couldn’t help but be curious about how he got it.
“Amen,” Pastor David finished.
“Amen,” they echoed.
“All right, let’s eat,” Walter said, starting to pass dishes. “Don’t be shy. There’s plenty.”
For several minutes, they focused on filling plates and making small talk before digging in. The food was delicious, and Reese relaxed somewhat despite Roan’s presence next to her. She could practically feel heat radiating from his body. Surely just her imagination?
“Okay, well, now that we have food, let me tell you why I’ve asked you here,” Grace said.
