“Yeah. After lunch, I plan to read and take a nap,” Rebecca said brightly. Julio frowned as he saw the dark circles under her eyes, and her smile appeared too big, not fooling him.
“I’ll keep her company and walk her back to the cabin,” he volunteered.
“Thanks, Julio,” Kara said, before rushing over to the other teens.
“Do you two have everything you need? I can make a trip into town if you think of anything,” he offered.
“No. We have everything we need,” she said, placing her spoon on the tray and seemed to hug herself.
“Matthew told me about an ice cream place nearby. I wondered if you and Kara might like to come and try it out. Ifwe like it, we can bring back gallons to feed everyone here,” Julio suggested as he bit into his sandwich.
Rebecca twisted her hair with her fingers, a sure sign she didn’t feel comfortable with his idea. “I don’t think either of us feel ready to leave the ranch at this point.”
Julio inwardly groaned, feeling like a dumb ass. “We can research it online and find out the flavor of the day, then I’ll bring it back.”
“Maybe some other time. We’re still adjusting to eating a normal meal,” Rebecca said, wiping her mouth with a napkin.
Julio’s gaze drifted down at the full soup bowl and a sandwich with a couple of bites out of it.
“How are you, Becca?” he asked softly.
Her eyes met his, and she swallowed. “The teens have adjusted. The kids enjoy feeding the barn animals. Some of the women talked about calling their families to let them know they’re alive. They still want to stay here and attend counseling for a while longer,” she informed him as she picked up her tray to dump it.
Julio followed suit, dumping the rest of his meal. Rebecca turned her startled gaze at him. ‘I promised to walk you back,” he explained.
“I can manage,” she said quietly as she scanned the room, counting the people.
“I know you can. But I promised Kara, and I want her to know I keep my word. She trusts me,” he said quietly.
Rebecca walked toward the exit and pushed the doors open. Julio walked beside her. She shivered as the cold air hit her.
Julio removed his coat and gently placed it over her shoulders, careful not touch her. “Did you and Kara get coats?” he asked gently.
“Yes, but I didn’t bring it,” she explained lamely as they walked toward her cabin. “The sweater felt like enough when we left.”
“It’s supposed to get colder toward the end of the week,” he told her. “I know it’s a short distance to the mess hall, but you’re not used to the weather. We don’t want you to get sick.”
She smiled, but it didn’t quite make it to her eyes. They climbed the steps to the porch and she turned, handing him his coat.
“Thank you for lending your jacket,” she murmured. “I’m a bit tired. I think I’ll take a nap.”
“Sleep well, Becca,” he said as she opened the door, slipped inside, and shut the door practically in his face.
Julio ran his hand through his hair. Staring at the barrier separating them, he didn’t know what to do. He turned back toward his truck and drove back to his office. Sitting at his desk, he peered at the applications, yet his mind stayed in the cabin only a short distance away. The woman he loved didn’t seem comfortable around him and he hated every freaking minute of it. Wishing he had gotten a shot at Jim before she killed him, he wanted to ring the fucker’s neck.
“I hope you don’t go on missions with your head up your ass,” Matthew groused.
“What?” Julio said, glancing up from his desk.
“I’ve called your name four times, and you didn’t even hear me. Last night I asked if you wanted cow shit for dinner, and you told me to make yours rare,” Matthew told him.
Julio raked his hand over his overgrown stubble. “I’m sorry, man. I left you with a shit ton of work to handle. Did you find anything else out about the remaining kids? I don’t like the idea of them getting put into the system.”
“I’m working on it,” Matthew said, sitting across the desk from him. “I came to speak with you about something else. Youreturned five days ago, and you’ve yet to set foot in your new house. I know you’re sleeping upstairs.”
“I’ve worked a few late nights,” Julio attempted to make excuses.
“I call bullshit. This is about Rebecca,” Matthew stated bluntly. “Rachel has attempted to speak with her, and from what I can tell, she harbors the same feelings as the Serenity women. Rachel has changed beyond recognition. I know she’s dug this hole for herself, but I wish people would give her a chance before judging her.”
