“My mom likes to cook. She made the best huevos rancheros and salted caramel brownies. We used to make them together. It’s what I remembered the most when they took me,” she confessed.
“Give it time, sweetheart. When you’re ready, we’ll call her and you can still make more good memories,” he advised.
Rebecca cringed. Did he believe the same thing about them?
“How did your day go?” he asked Rebecca conversationally.
“It went a lot better after my iced coffee. Thank you. It felt like a treat,” she said, hoping her voice didn’t betray her feelings.
“Good. I’m glad to hear it,” he said, not even glancing her way.
The farmhouse came into view, lit up by all the security surrounding it.
“I thought we…you planned to live in the mansion,” she said, recalling their last conversation about staying in a wing at the Stanton Mansion.
“It didn’t fit us. I spoke with Kassie and told her we preferred to stay close to the vict—others. Rachel and Matthew have a house to the west and they built ours to the east.”
“Wow. You lived together? After dinner can we go to your house?” Kara asked.
“It’s notourhouse,” Rebecca corrected her. “After dinner, we’re working on those math problems your tutor left for you.”
“Awww, Rebecca,” Kara groused. “You know it’s busy work.”
“You need to catch up with your schoolwork. It’s important,” she said, using her mom voice.
“To you, maybe,” Kara sulked.
“How about we give her a break tonight? Besides, I got challenged to a board game contest. I must defend my honor after being called a cheater,” Julio cajoled, glancing at Rebecca and smiling as he parked his truck in front of the house.
“Yes,” Kara exclaimed as she hopped out. Rebecca opened her door and started up the steps. When she reached the top, Rachel opened the door to greet them. Rebecca inwardly groaned as she regretted agreeing to the evening.
“Hi, Rebecca,” she greeted. “I hope you’re hungry. Delaney’s pregnancy has kicked into overdrive. We started out this morning with chili and cornbread on the menu. Last time I checked, she made pork chops to go with her homemade applesauce and a peach cobbler with homemade vanilla ice cream. If she keeps this up, we’ll all be gaining pregnancy weight.”
Rebecca sent her a thin smile. Rachel’s grin faltered before she turned to greet Julio and Kara.
“Hey, Kara, Julio,” Rachel said, stepping aside and letting them inside.
“We’re eating in the dining room,” she said, directing them toward the heavenly smells.
Kara walked behind Rachel while Julio remained at her side, making her nervous.
“Remember, after we eat, we have chores in the barn,” Julio reminded Kara. Turning toward Rebecca, he said, “Did you want to join us? Satan will be happy to see you, but I thought you might like to see my other horses.”
“I’ll help Rachel and Delaney clean up since they cooked,” she said, taking a seat at the end, leaving Julio no choice but to sit to one of her sides, but not beside her.
Delaney entered the dining room, carrying a huge, cast-iron pot. An older man, named Mac followed behind her, frowning.
“Why didn’t you wait and let me carry it in? You’re not supposed to lift anything heavy,” Mac reprimanded her.
Delaney rolled her eyes. “It’s chili, not concrete,” she said, setting it on the table. “Kara, be a dear and bring out the cornbread.”
Kara jumped up to do her bidding while Rachel brought out pitchers of water, iced tea, and milk. “I didn’t know what you like to drink,” she said, speaking to Rebecca.
“It’s fine,” Rebecca said, her voice clipped.
“They made sweet tea,” Kara exclaimed. “We haven’t drunk anything besides juice and water.”
“It’s important to drink plenty of water after dealing with dehydration,” Rebecca explained.
