“Hi, Julio. Have you seen Matthew? I’m driving into Corpus Christi with Delaney to pick up supplies,” she asked, curiously watching him.
“Yeah. I met with him about half an hour ago. I think he and Mac planned to check out the fence in the south pasture. A couple of cows made it out,” he informed her.
“May I ask what you’re making?” she asked as he set a half dozen items on the counter and pulled out his phone.
“Rebecca likes those foo foo iced coffees. I don’t know how to make it. I usually pick one up. When we stayed at her apartment, she made them,” he explained, searching for a recipe.
“Here, let me help,” Rachel said, pushing him out of the way. “Do you know if she likes caramel?”
“She loves it,” he told her, watching her reach into a cabinet and pull out a caramel sauce. She drizzled the inside of the tumbler, added ice, then opened the fridge. Pulling out a pitcher, she added chilled coffee, poured a dash of half-and-half, and stirred. “What about whipped cream?”
“Yeah,” he said, typing everything she did into his phone.
Rachel added a scoop of homemade cream, drizzled caramel on top and sprinkled a dash of sea salt on top. “Here you go,” she said, handing him the beverage. “For future reference, I keep a recipe book above the stove. Delaney and I love these, but since she’s pregnant, I try not to drink them in front of her. If you use it, please return it to my hiding spot.”
“Thanks, and you got it,” he said, admiring her handiwork. It appeared exactly like the six-dollar drinks he purchased for Rebecca in the past.
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you at dinner. Why don’t you invite her and Kara? We’re having chili and cornbread,” she informed him as she picked up her purse and headed for the back door. “Delaney has a severe case of eating spicy foods. Be prepared.”
He shook his head in disbelief at Rachel’s transformation. He grabbed his truck keys, the cookies, and the drink, and drove to the temporary counseling center.
Rebecca and Kara entered the building as he parked. Giving them a few minutes to call Kara back, he stared at the drink, hoping it eased the tension he inadvertently caused between them. He stepped out of his truck and opened the door, scanning the room. He saw when Rebecca’s eyes landed on him. They grew wide as she adjusted her expression.
Julio smiled and walked toward her. Handing her the drink, he greeted her, “Hi. I remembered you loved these and thought you might like one.” He dug into his jacket pocket and pulledout the cookies wrapped in a napkin. “Delaney makes the best cookies. She made these last night and I thought you might like a snack while you waited for Kara.”
She sucked in her bottom lip as she accepted his offering. Taking a sip, her eyes flared and then closed. A deep sigh of contentment escaped her.
“I forgot all about these,” she said, sucking it down. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I can’t take all the credit, Rachel helped me make it.”
“She did?” she asked, astonished.
“Yup. She and Delaney have an addiction, too,” he teased.
“I’ll have to thank her. It’s really good,” she said, taking another sip.
Julio sat beside her. “How’s Kara doing?”
“Therapy’s tough on her. She usually cries when we return home,” she said quietly.
“It’s gotta be tough on her. Instead of attending dances and picking out prom dresses, she’s stuck here. Has she decided to contact her mom?”
Rebecca shook her head. “No, but I’m not giving up.”
“I don’t expect you to,” he said, confidently. “Do you want to come to the farmhouse? Delaney’s making chili and cornbread. I thought it might be a nice change for both of you.”
“Who will be there?” she asked, glancing around her nervously.
“Matthew, Rachel, Delaney, and one of our men, Mac. He helped watch over Tess after she got shot,” Julio said, watching her suck down the drink.
Rebecca paused. “It’s too long a walk for Kara. She tires easily.”
“I’ll pick you up,” he offered.
“I’m sure you have more important things to do. Kara struggles on therapy days,” she said, her eyes darting from side to side, letting Julio know she lied.
“This might cheer her up. When we finish dinner, I can take her on a tour of the barn. Do you know if she rides? Mac went to the auction and picked up three fillies,” he said nonchalantly. “I’m thinking about keeping one for myself.”
