“We owe our lives to you, Rebecca. If you ever need anything, you only need to ask,” Avie implored. “I’ll leave you alone. We’ll be in touch soon.”
Avie turned and quietly left. Rebecca fidgeted with her blanket, refusing to meet his eyes.
Julio moved from the end of the bed and sat beside her.
“Nothing has changed for me, Becca,” he said gently. “I know you’ve gone through something horrific, but I’m right here beside you. I’ll support you in any way I can,” he said earnestly.
Rebecca leaned back and closed her eyes. It’s what she feared the most.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Rebecca held Kara’s hand as the plane landed on the private airstrip. She saw Annabelle shield the sun from her eyes as she waited for the men to pull down the steps. Two aides ushered the children off and into the awaiting wagons pulled by horses. Ragu opened a cooler and offered everyone something to drink.
When no one else remained, Kara stood and hesitated.
“I’m right behind you,” Rebecca assured her as she unbuckled her seatbelt. Julio followed behind her.
When Matthew saw her, he stepped forward and shook her hand. “Welcome to Embers, Rebecca. We thought the kids might enjoy the hay ride and feel more relaxed. Annabelle will ride with the women while the aides get the kids sorted into the cabins. We brought Julio’s vehicle for the two of you. Give us about an hour, and Delaney and the hands will have lunch set up in the last big cabin.”
Kara grabbed Rebecca’s hand and she felt the slight tremor radiating from the teen.
“Actually, if you can make room, I’ll stay in a cabin with the women and Kara,” Rebecca informed him.
Matthew’s eyes met Julio’s before he tipped his hat and whistled for the wagon to wait for them.
Julio helped them climb inside and she didn’t miss how his hand lingered before he let her go. She dared not glance at him for fear of crumbling in his arms.
The wagon jerked as it left the airfield and headed toward the cabins. The kids seemed unusually quiet, but a couple pointed at the horses and seemed excited by their unusual mode of transportation.
Annabelle jumped down from the first one and grabbed her chart.
“When I call your name, please raise your hand,” she called. “As soon as we get everyone settled, Delaney will bring us hot dogs and hamburgers.”
The kids tittered among themselves, still unable to believe their luck. The helpers guided the younger children to their cabins. Next, Annabelle assigned the women, two in each of the logged structures. Her eyes landed on Kara and Rebecca. “We have two more teens who need a chaperone until the next group arrives. Do you want to share a cabin with them?” she asked Rebecca.
Kara’s eyes pleaded for her to say yes.
“Sure,” she agreed as she took the key to their assigned bunks. Each cabin held four people, two to each room. She wondered why Annabelle didn’t assign the women to a couple of cabins rather than spreading them across five. Unlocking the door, she and Kara took one room while the other two teens bunked together.
“We have about twenty minutes to hang up your clothes in the closet and wash up before lunch,” Rebecca reminded them before heading to her room. Kara sat on her bed and pulled her knees to her chin.
“Why don’t you hang your clothes up? I saw some of those shirts and jeans you picked out. They’ll complement your hair,” she said as she placed her bag on the bed and pulled out her clothes given to her by Samantha, one of Leo’s team members’ wives. She owned a local spa and sent goodie bags with her scented, all-natural soaps and shampoos to each of them.
“How long will they keep us here? Will we have to do things to eat?” Kara asked, her fear sounding in her voice.
“Yes. You’ll most likely have chores, for instance, making your bed, placing your dishes in the dishwasher, and vacuuming,” Rebecca told her, sitting beside her.
“You know what I mean,” Kara said, glancing away.
“No one will hurt you here,” she assured her. “I’m sure they’ll ask you where you lived and help you locate your parents. Once they’re notified, Julio or one of his employees will schedule a time for them to pick you up.”
“What if we don’t want to go back home?” Kara asked. “My mom won’t want me around my sisters. Not after what I’ve done.”
Rebecca tilted Kara’s chin with her finger and stared at her. “You did nothing wrong. Strangers nabbed you from your bus stop and forced you to do those things. Your mom will know the difference.”
“I don’t know. Mom’s religious. She talked to us about abstaining before marriage. I’m ruined,” Kara cried.
“No. Consenting to have sex with someone isn’t the same as being forced,” Rebecca explained. “I’m sure the counselors will help you sort these feelings. I’m not trained to do it.”
