Chapter Twenty
Four Weeks After the Rescue
The last few weeks felt like forever. Leo’s warning hit home.
This woman didn’t resemble the warm, caring woman he’d come to love with every fiber of his soul.
Julio stupidly believed Rebecca’s acceptance of the damn iced coffee meant she knew he planned to stand by her.
Instead, she saw him as a threat. Starting the truck, he headed toward the farmhouse.
He entered to see Matthew cross from the kitchen into the living room. Following him, Julio took a seat by the door. Matthew poured whiskey into two glasses and handed him one.
“I take it things haven’t gotten better between you and Rebecca?” he asked.
Julio huffed and glanced around. “Where’s Kara?” Knowing the young woman visited Rachel every now and again and he didn’t want her to overhear anything
“Rachel took her upstairs. They’re playing with makeup and trying on dresses. Rachel thought Kara might be more receptive to calling her mom if she felt better about herself. Trust me, they’ll be there awhile. I saw all the shopping bags,” Matthew chuckled.
Julio grinned. “I guess some things didn’t change. I don’t know what I expected. Rebecca’s angry, hurting, and terrified despite her facade. I guess I told myself once I found her, we’d deal with it together. After the last few weeks, I’m not sure about anything.”
“Surprisingly, Rachel made a list of items the remaining women needed and bought a few things for Rebecca and Kara,” Matthew informed him.
“Wow, that’s sweet of her,” he said, feeling surprised. After a minute of silence, Julio tipped the whiskey back, drinking it in one gulp. “I’m leaving Friday for the auction. Ivan’s meeting me there with a few of his men. I’m hoping Megan will be there.”
“I’m going with you,” Matthew announced. “Ivan’s men answer to him. You, Jameson, and I represent this team, and we stand together. Don’t give up on Rebecca. I can’t imagine the shit she experienced, but once we take these guys down, she might feel better and safer.”
Julio swiped the scruff along his jaw. “I don’t know. She doesn’t seem keen on letting me in. In four weeks, I’ve seen her a handful of times. Until today, she’s avoided me. Damn, I should’ve taken food to her.”
“Rachel packed her a meal, and it’s ready if you want to take Kara home,” Matthew suggested. “She’s trying hard to show Rebecca she’s changed and only wants to help.”
“I take it, you’re dealing with an uphill battle?” Julio said, rising and pouring himself another finger of whiskey.
“Rachel knows she played a part in why the women dislike her. Hell, I never thought I’d see her and Kassie speaking with each other and offering ideas for improvements. Rachel’s over the moon about everyone enjoying her blankets,” Matthew said, handing his glass to Julio for a refill.
“It’s a nice idea. She provided them with their own security blanket. Do you know if Rebecca received one?” Julio asked.
“I don’t know. Delaney and Rachel took them to breakfast and let each pick their favorite color. I don’t recall seeing Rebecca there,” Matthew told him thoughtfully. “In fact, I haven’t seen her at many meals. We might want to check with Annabelle to see when she’s seen Rebecca last.”
Julio clenched his drink. He should’ve noticed her lack of eating first. Giving her space meant he missed vital information. How did he expect her to thrive here when she didn’t nourish her body or heal her mental health?
“When they took her, I didn’t know what to do for the first time in my life.
I finally discover her, and I’m still at a complete loss.
I can’t afford to make a mistake. Our future depends on her healing.
” Julio gazed into the amber liquid, searching for answers.
How did he explain his guilt and anger for not finding her right away and the distance between them?
Like the whiskey in the glass, the bold, golden-amber liquid represented his warm relationship with Rebecca, yet the glass seemed an invisible barrier between them.
If he swished it, the waves represented the last year, full of turbulence: emotion, fear, worry, and frustration.
If he let it sit, did it mean everything turned stagnant, and no hope existed for them?
“Hi, Julio,” Kara said, bounding downstairs. “I saw you pull in from the front bedroom. Rachel taught me how to care for my skin. Can I help you feed the horses?”
He tilted the glass, finishing off the last of his drink, hoping it might numb the burning fire inside of him. “Get your shoes on, and I’ll take you to the barn,” he said to Kara before taking his glass to the kitchen.
Rachel turned as she placed a drying towel over the oven’s handle. “I packed Rebecca some lunch. Delaney said she didn’t come to the mess hall.”
“Thanks, Rachel. I know Rebecca’s not your favorite fan, but she’ll come around. You did such a great job with the cabins. They appreciated the blankets. Do you know if Rebecca received one?”
“I earned her dislike for me. Sometimes, I hate my former self. Right now, I suspect Rebecca has some of those feelings, too. She didn’t take a blanket.”
Julio sighed and stared at the ceiling. “Do you happen to have a yellow one? It’s her favorite color.”
“I’ll check. We still have a good stash left over.
I’m afraid we went on a crocheting frenzy.
Coming from a woman who shut everyone out, don’t give up on her, Julio.
Matthew’s love gave me the strength to change.
I see how you look at her. She searches for you when she ventures out with Kara.
I didn’t go through what she experienced, but something tells me she needs you now more than ever. ”
“I won’t give up,” Julio vowed. “Thanks, Rachel.”
Julio led Kara to the barn. Digging into the bucket for apples and carrots, he pulled a few out. “In the stall to the right, you’ll see my horse, named Satan.”
Kara approached the horse as his jet black coat glistened like silk under the lights. “It’s mean to call him such a name when he’s beautiful.”
Julio chuckled. “My mom says his beauty makes him as dangerous as the devil.” Julio cut the apple into slices and showed the teen how to give it to the horse.
She giggled as Satan munched his slice and nudged her for more, appearing like a flirt. She gave him another slice when a knicker came from the stall beside him. Kara peered into the stall and her eyes widened. “Who is this?” she asked.
“She’s Rebel. I purchased her for Rebecca. Can you keep it a secret? I haven’t introduced them,” he said, handing her a carrot.
Kara gave a short little laugh. “It sure fits her. Jim terrified us. Sometimes he came down and tried to grab Megan or me for his own entertainment. Rebecca shielded us. When Jim tried to drag us away, she’d clock him upside the head, angering him.
He’d forget all about us while he punished her.
Dr. Reese yelled at him all the time when he hurt her because Rebecca was reserved for someone.
They planned to get her after the last auction and take her out of the country.
She never let on how scared she felt, but I knew, especially when she described you and the man named Leo.
She wanted us to know you were safe and promised us you’d come for all of us,” she said while feeding the carrot to Rebel.
Julio’s heart jumped into his throat. If she knew he’d never give up, why did she avoid him?
Kara turned to stare at Julio, her large brown eyes penetrating his soul. “When they beat her and dragged her inside our cage, she called out for you. It’s how I know you’ll never hurt us. Rebecca trusted you even when you didn’t find us.”
Julio swallowed. “No one will ever hurt you again, not if I can help it. Now, if you happen to get a boyfriend who breaks your heart, we’ll have a whole different problem,” he teased. “Matthew and Mac will protect you, too.”
Kara nodded. “Rachel told me, too. I guess I feel like I know you because Rebecca told us about you all the time. Why does she act like she doesn’t like you?
Sometimes late at night, she calls out for you in her sleep.
I don’t tell her because she stayed strong for Megan and me.
The therapist says it’s all right to feel sad and mad at the same time.
Since she won’t go, I try to tell her what I learned. ”
Julio smiled and ruffled her bangs. “You’re one smart cookie, Kara. Rebecca’s lucky to have you. Your mom will be proud of you, too. You’ll see.”
Kara finished feeding Rebel the carrot, and Julio walked her to the house. “Matthew will drive us down,” he told her as Matthew appeared, holding a bag of containers with Rebecca’s meal.
They climbed into the truck and drove the short distance to the cabins. Julio hated leaving Kara and Rebecca there. They belonged at his house. The one he refused to enter without Rebecca.
“Thank you for lunch,” Kara said to Matthew as she slid from her seat.
“You’re welcome, anytime,” he assured her.
Julio escorted her to the door and entered the cabin. The living room light remained on, but Rebecca never came out.
“I’ll stick this in the fridge,” Julio said, gesturing toward the bag.
“Thanks,” Kara said, taking off her coat and scanning the hallway for any sign of her friend. “I’ll try to get her to eat.”
“You’re a good friend,” he praised her as he placed it on the top shelf.
He fought walking down the hall and hauling her out, if only to ensure she ate.
After hearing Kara’s story, he wanted to bunk on the couch and watch over them.
He struggled to approach the door. “I have some business this weekend, but when I return, we’ll start your riding lessons. I have the perfect horse for you.”
“What’s its name? Killer? The Grim Reaper?” she asked, teasing him.
“Ha, smarty, her name is Joy.”
“She must be ugly. You name all the pretty ones, ugly names,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“I only pick strong, beautiful ones, like you. You’re getting stronger every day, Kara. We’re all proud of you. Keep working and attending therapy. I’ll see you when I return,” he said before walking outside and getting inside the truck.
“I take it, Rebecca didn’t come out to greet you?” Matthew said, frowning.
“No. Kara told me Rebecca stood up for the others and took the brunt of the punishments,” Julio informed him as he went over the conversation in his head. “If I knew it before Rebecca killed the man at the mansion, I might’ve done it myself.”
“I don’t blame you, brother. We’ll get the others this weekend,” Matthew assured him. “Jameson texted. He’ll call us in an hour.
“Let’s head back to the farmhouse, and hopefully we can map out our intel.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Matthew agreed.
In the dark night, Julio made his rounds, securing all the cabins. Everyone checked in on time and the hours dragged, making him restless.
A light flicked on in Rebecca’s cabin. He watched, in the cover of the trees, as Rebecca walked out onto the deck wrapped in a blanket. She seemed to struggle as she paced the small area.
Julio debated making himself known. His mind recalled the conversation earlier as he peered at her. Rebecca used her job as a way to cope and until she admitted it to herself, he could only offer his support.
To keep from startling her, he made some noise as he came around the cabin across from her.
Her head jerked up as she scanned the area and saw him. Wrapping the blanket around her, she waited while he approached.
“Why are you here?” she asked, staring behind him.
“I’m filling in on guard duty and patrolling the cabins,” he informed her. “Did you have trouble sleeping?”
Rebecca nodded jerkily. “I fell asleep earlier and I’m wide awake,” she explained. “It’s chilly out here.”
“Yeah, but it keeps me alert,” he said quietly. “Have a good night, Becca. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Wait,” she blurted out, making him stop in his tracks. “I’ll be right back.”
A minute later, she returned carrying a mug of hot coffee. “Will you be here all night?” she asked, handing it to him.
“Thank you,” he said, accepting the hot beverage. “I’ll be here until dawn. You can rest easy.”
He noticed her shoulders relax, and he hoped she felt better, knowing he planned to stay close. Julio yearned to escort her to bed, tuck her in, and listen to her talk about her day.
“I’m sorry for earlier,” she murmured.
Julio sipped his drink. “There’s no need for apologies. I didn’t mean to upset you. Why don’t you try drinking some peppermint tea? It usually helps when you feel restless,” he reminded her. “I believe Matthew brought honey from Serenity Mountain. You know it’s the good stuff.”
“It sounds like a good idea. When will you sleep?” she asked, tightening the blanket around her.
“When someone relieves me in the morning. I’ll grab some shut-eye for a few hours,” he told her as he passed her the mug. “Thanks for the coffee. I’m not going anywhere until I see you enter your cabin. It’s late and Kara has counseling early in the morning. You need to rest,”
Rebecca turned toward the door and glanced back at him.
“Goodnight, Julio. Stay warm,” she said before entering the cabin. He didn’t move until he heard the lock click into place. Why did it seem like she remained only a few feet away, yet a giant canyon divided them?