He tilted the glass, finishing off the last of his drink, hoping it might numb the burning fire inside of him. “Get your shoes on, and I’ll take you to the barn,” he said to Kara before taking his glass to the kitchen.
Rachel turned as she placed a drying towel over the oven’s handle. “I packed Rebecca some lunch. Delaney said she didn’t come to the mess hall.”
“Thanks, Rachel. I know Rebecca’s not your favorite fan, but she’ll come around. You did such a great job with the cabins. They appreciated the blankets. Do you know if Rebecca received one?”
“I earned her dislike for me. Sometimes, I hate my former self. Right now, I suspect Rebecca has some of those feelings, too. She didn’t take a blanket.”
Julio sighed and stared at the ceiling. “Do you happen to have a yellow one? It’s her favorite color.”
“I’ll check. We still have a good stash left over. I’m afraid we went on a crocheting frenzy. Coming from a woman who shut everyone out, don’t give up on her, Julio. Matthew’s love gave me the strength to change. I see how you look at her. She searches for you when she ventures out with Kara. I didn’t go through what she experienced, but something tells me she needs you now more than ever.”
“I won’t give up,” Julio vowed. “Thanks, Rachel.”
Julio led Kara to the barn. Digging into the bucket for apples and carrots, he pulled a few out. “In the stall to the right, you’ll see my horse, named Satan.”
Kara approached the horse as his jet black coat glistened like silk under the lights. “It’s mean to call him such a name when he’s beautiful.”
Julio chuckled. “My mom says his beauty makes him as dangerous as the devil.” Julio cut the apple into slices and showed the teen how to give it to the horse.
She giggled as Satan munched his slice and nudged her for more, appearing like a flirt. She gave him another slice when a knicker came from the stall beside him. Kara peered into the stall and her eyes widened. “Who is this?” she asked.
“She’s Rebel. I purchased her for Rebecca. Can you keep it a secret? I haven’t introduced them,” he said, handing her a carrot.
Kara gave a short little laugh. “It sure fits her. Jim terrified us. Sometimes he came down and tried to grab Megan or me for his own entertainment. Rebecca shielded us. When Jim tried to drag us away, she’d clock him upside the head, angering him. He’d forget all about us while he punished her. Dr. Reese yelled at him all the time when he hurt her because Rebecca was reserved for someone. They planned to get her after the last auction and take her out of the country. She never let on how scared she felt, but I knew, especially when she described you and the man named Leo. She wanted us to know you were safe and promised us you’d come for all of us,” she said while feeding the carrot to Rebel.
Julio’s heart jumped into his throat. If she knew he’d never give up, why did she avoid him?
Kara turned to stare at Julio, her large brown eyes penetrating his soul. “When they beat her and dragged her inside our cage, she called out for you. It’s how I know you’ll never hurt us. Rebecca trusted you even when you didn’t find us.”
Julio swallowed. “No one will ever hurt you again, not if I can help it. Now, if you happen to get a boyfriend who breaks your heart, we’ll have a whole different problem,” he teased. “Matthew and Mac will protect you, too.”
Kara nodded. “Rachel told me, too. I guess I feel like I know you because Rebecca told us about you all the time. Why does she act like she doesn’t like you? Sometimes late at night, she calls out for you in her sleep. I don’t tell her because she stayed strong for Megan and me. The therapist says it’s all right to feel sad and mad at the same time. Since she won’t go, I try to tell her what I learned.”
Julio smiled and ruffled her bangs. “You’re one smart cookie, Kara. Rebecca’s lucky to have you. Your mom will be proud of you, too. You’ll see.”
Kara finished feeding Rebel the carrot, and Julio walked her to the house. “Matthew will drive us down,” he told her as Matthew appeared, holding a bag of containers with Rebecca’s meal.
They climbed into the truck and drove the short distance to the cabins. Julio hated leaving Kara and Rebecca there. They belonged at his house. The one he refused to enter without Rebecca.
“Thank you for lunch,” Kara said to Matthew as she slid from her seat.
“You’re welcome, anytime,” he assured her.
Julio escorted her to the door and entered the cabin. The living room light remained on, but Rebecca never came out.
“I’ll stick this in the fridge,” Julio said, gesturing toward the bag.
“Thanks,” Kara said, taking off her coat and scanning the hallway for any sign of her friend. “I’ll try to get her to eat.”
“You’re a good friend,” he praised her as he placed it on the top shelf. He fought walking down the hall and hauling her out, if only to ensure she ate. After hearing Kara’s story, he wanted to bunk on the couch and watch over them. He struggled to approach the door. “I have some business this weekend, but when I return, we’ll start your riding lessons. I have the perfect horse for you.”
“What’s its name? Killer? The Grim Reaper?” she asked, teasing him.
“Ha, smarty, her name is Joy.”
“She must be ugly. You name all the pretty ones, ugly names,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“I only pick strong, beautiful ones, like you. You’re getting stronger every day, Kara. We’re all proud of you. Keep working and attending therapy. I’ll see you when I return,” he said before walking outside and getting inside the truck.
