Even Grace was getting interested in the story.
Julian nodded. "The Romans hadn't expected such a tactic from a civilized army. Completely unprepared for the move, their troops scattered."
"And the Macedonian commander?"
"He gave a mighty battle cry as he rode his horse, Mania, across the field, and up the hillock where the Roman commanders were retreating. They turned to attack him, but it did them no good. With fury in his heart over the betrayal, the commander cut through them, leaving only one survivor."
"Why?" Bobby asked.
"He wanted him to deliver a message."
"What?" Tommy asked.
Julian smiled at their eager questions. "The commander ripped the Roman standard to shreds, then used the cloth of it to help the Roman staunch the bleeding of his wounds. With a lethal grin, he looked at the Roman and said, 'Roma delenda est.' Rome must be destroyed. Then he sent the Roman general home in chains to deliver the message to the Roman Senate."
"Wow!" Bobby said in awe. "I wish you were my teacher in school. I might actually pass history if you were."
Julian ruffled the boy's black hair. "If it makes you feel. any better, I didn't care for the subject either at your age. All I wanted to do was get into mischief."
"Hi, Miss Grace!" Tommy said as he finally caught sight of her. "Did you hear Mr. Julian's story? He said the Romans were bad men."
Julian looked up to see Grace standing a few feet away.
Grace smiled. "I'm sure he would know."
"Can you fix my doll?" Katie asked, handing it to Julian.
Julian let go of the baby and took the doll. He popped its arm back in place.
"Thank you," Katie said as she threw her arms around Julian and hugged his neck.
The longing on Julian's face stung her heart. Grace knew it was the face of his own daughter he saw when he looked at Katie.
"You're very welcome, little one," he said hoarsely, pulling away from her.
"Katie, Tommy, Bobby? What are you doing over there?"
Grace looked up as Emily rounded the side of the house.
"You're not bothering Miss Grace, are you?"
"No, they're not bothering me," Grace said to her.
Emily didn't seem to hear her as she continued fussing at the children. "And what's the baby doing out here? You're supposed to stay in the backyard."
"Hey, Mom," Bobby yelled as he ran to her. "Do you know how to play Parcelon? Mr. Julian showed us."
Grace laughed as the five of them returned to the front yard, while Bobby's excited chatter echoed around them.
Julian had his eyes closed and looked as if he were savoring the sound of the children's voices.
"You're quite a storyteller," she said after he moved to join her.
"Not really."
"Really," she said emphatically. "You know, it got me to thinking. Bobby's right. You would make a great teacher."
He smirked at her. "Commander to teacher. Why not call me Cato the Elder, and really insult me while you're at it?"
She laughed. "You're not as offended as you pretend."
"How do you know?"
"I can tell by the look on your face, and the light in your eyes." She took his arm and led him back toward the deck. "You really should think about it. Selena got her Ph.D. from Tulane and she knows the faculty there. Who better to teach ancient civilization than someone who actually lived it?"
He didn't respond. Instead, she noticed the way he shifted his bare feet against the ground.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"I'm enjoying the feel of grass," he whispered. "The way the blades tickle my toes."
She smiled at the childlike action. "That's why you came outside?"
He nodded. "I love to feel the sunshine on my face."
And in her heart, she knew he'd had way too little of it to feel. "C'mon, I'll make us some cereal and we can eat it on the deck."
She led him back up the five stairs to the deck, and left him sitting in her wicker rocker as she went inside and poured the cereal.
When she returned, he had his head lying back and his eyes serenely closed.
Not wanting to disturb him, she stepped back.
"Do you know, I can feel your presence all over my body? With every sense I possess?" he asked, then opened his eyes to pin her with a hot stare.
"No," she said nervously, handing him his bowl.
He took the bowl, but didn't elaborate on his words. He just sat there quietly eating his breakfast.
Absorbing the warm sunshine, Julian listened to the soft breeze as he felt Grace's calming presence beside him.
He had awakened at dawn to watch the sunrise through her bedroom windows, and had spent an hour just letting Grace's body soothe his.