“No. Jim did this. He’s responsible for it, not anyone else,” Rebecca reminded her firmly.
“I’m sorry, Rebecca. What you did…for Hillary. You care about us. It’s only fair I tell you I overheard them talking about you. They’re waiting for someone’s cousin to arrive. A man named Warren Harrison flew to Afghanistan. He’s upset about a SEAL team. They’re making things harder for him. I didn’t understand. They said to wait for Hassan to arrive, and you’ll travel with them. They’re taking you out of the country.”
Rebecca’s heart leapt in her throat. Her stomach rolled. She counted on them keeping her hidden in the States. How would Julio find her?
Megan sniffled, causing Rebecca to turn toward the little girl. Her eyes filled with terror as she clung to Rebecca. “They shot her like they did my daddy.”
“Oh, honey,” Rebecca murmured, pulling her close.
“Will they shoot us, too?” she asked with tears in her eyes.
Rebecca cupped her bony little cheeks. “Listen to me. No one will shoot you. Do you understand? I won’t let them.”
Megan glanced at Kara doubtfully before nodding her head.
“Come sit with me and I’ll tell you a story. It’s about a magical place in the mountains. There’s a huge hill with tons of snow. The kids who live there and their parents love to go sledding. Have you ever gone sledding or built a snowman?” she asked, stroking her hair.
Megan shook her head. “I’ve never seen snow except for books.”
“Oh, you’re in for a treat. Someday, I’ll take you to see it,” Rebecca promised. “It appears soft and fluffy, but it’s cold and wet. We can build a snowman and a snowwoman. We can put carrots on them for noses.”
“They need a hat, too,” Megan added, giggling.
“Oh, definitely. Let’s not forget about a scarf. What color do you think they’d like?” Rebecca asked, feeling relieved, she distracted Megan.
Her forehead scrunched in concentration. “We need a green scarf for the snowman and a purple one for the snowwoman.”
“What about mittens?” Kara chimed in.
“Why don’t you pick out those colors?” Rebecca suggested.
“I think the man will wear blue ones and the woman can wear tie-dye pink and purple,” Kara said, smiling.
“They sound beautiful,” Ebony complimented them.
“When we’re all done, we’ll return to the house and make hot chocolate with lots of whipped cream,” Rebecca said, caught up in her own dream.
“Don’t forget sprinkles,” Kara reminded her.
“What about marshmallows?” Ebony grumbled. “They taste the best when they melt in your hot chocolate.”
“You have a point,” Rebecca agreed. “We can add both.”
Megan snuggled in her arms, listening to the conversation. Her eyes grew heavy. Rebecca fought to keep her there, safe in her arms. The fear of any of them taking Megan away spurred her into action, laying her gently on the dirty mattress and covering her.
Half an hour later, two men entered with garbage bags, dumping Hillary’s body inside. The women watched, each wondering if they’d suffer a similar fate. They dragged her out of the room and a few minutes later, they returned to mop up the puddle of blood. The coppery scent floated in the air. The last reminder of their friend.
One of them walked over to them, holding the bloodied mop. “Stack up those mattresses and fold those blankets, we’re leaving in an hour.”
The women stood and piled the mattresses together. Rebecca helped Kara fold the blankets as Ebony lifted Megan in her arms. As if an invisible clock ticked down her time, Rebecca became hyperaware of her surroundings. When the chance to escape presented itself, she’d take it.
Julio pacedthe large hotel suite. He adjusted his collar, which felt too tight around his neck. Glancing in the mirror, he winced at the person staring back at him. This lifestyle didn’t fit him at all, and he knew someone tailed his every move. The fancy furnishings, the expensive meals and wine, and outrageous spending made him sick. He stuck around the bar long enough to pick up a high-class woman and take her back to her room, giving the appearance of a lady’s man. Only one woman held his heart, and he counted the days until he found her.
When he returned to his room this afternoon, the coveted invitation sat on his bar, sending the message they could get to him at any time. Jameson insisted he refrained from bringing anything pertaining to the investigation and Rebecca. He needed to eat, sleep, and live like a wealthy man. Soon, he hoped to bring Rebecca to Serenity Ranch and show her his new home. Hopefully, it’d turn into their home. Matthew sent him pictures at each stage of the building. Yet, he didn’t want to step into his new home without Rebecca at his side.
Initially, he planned to stay in the mansion, but after spending weeks in these stuffy places, he knew the place would never work. When he spoke with Kassie Winters, she readily agreed and sent her construction crew to Texas. Matthew and Kassie found the perfect plot of land. He approved the generous house plan, and they started building.
The doorbell rang, and he checked his suit one more time before answering it.
