Matthew called Mac to check in and then excused himself to speak with Rachel. Julio stared at his phone, wanting desperately to call Rebecca and go over his thoughts. They worked great as a team, and he missed bouncing ideas off her. Julio promised himself when they finished this, he’d figure out a way to reach Rebecca.
Rebecca knockedon Kara’s door and waited for her to grant her permission to open it. It took a minute before the young woman called out, “Come in.”
Turning the handle, Rebecca sucked in her breath. Kara used the makeup Rachel gave her. The eye shadow appeared way too old for her age, and she overdid the blush.
“You hate it,” Kara said, hanging her head down.
Rebecca smiled and entered the room. “Honey, women wear makeup to accentuate their beauty, not to call attention to themselves. Did Rachel teach you how to do this?”
“We played around with it, and she showed me different techniques. I wanted to do it exactly like her, but I don’t remember all the steps,” she explained.
“I see,” Rebecca said, sitting on the bed. “What do you think about it?”
Kara shrugged.
“Come on, grab your coat. I’m not a big makeup person myself. We might as well ask the expert to show both of us,” Rebecca said as she plucked a tissue from the box on the bed and rubbed off some of the blush.
“I thought you wanted me to stay away from her,” Kara said as she lifted her face.
“It occurred to me, I’m preaching to you about calling your mom and giving her a chance and yet, I didn’t give Rachel one. After all, your blanket’s super cute and she handmade all of them with Delaney. It must’ve taken them hours or months, and she sent me meals after I acted rudely. I owe her an apology,” Rebecca explained, as she tilted Kara’s chin. “Delaney sent a golf cart down in case we wanted to join them for another dinner.”
“Will Julio be there? He has the coolest horse,” Kara said, stuffing the new makeup into the plastic bag.
“I don’t know,” Rebecca answered honestly. “I haven’t spoken with him.”
“Why not? Don’t you like him anymore?” Kara asked, gazing at her.
“It’s complicated,” she said, rising from the bed to fetch her coat.
“Adults say that when they don’t want to talk about things because they think you’re too young,” Kara groused. “Julio’s worried about you. You told me to trust him if he came and you weren’t with us. Why don’t you believe in him now?”
Rebecca smiled sadly. “I will always believe in him.”
“Then stop avoiding him,” Kara bossed. “He’s nice and he cares about you. Every time I see him, he asks about you.”
“I’ll do my best. Maybe he’ll be at the farmhouse for dinner, and I’ll talk to him then,” she said, grabbing her boots.
“Will you get mad if Rachel shows me how to do my makeup?” Kara said, debating on whether to leave the bag.
“No. She’s an expert and can advise you better than I can. Always play to your strengths and learn more about your weaknesses,” she advised as they got into the golf cart.
“Can I drive?” Kara asked.
“Do you have a license? Have you driven one before?” Rebecca teased.
“You know, I thought you acted like a safety pup because of where we were. I didn’t realize you always stay protective,” Kara groused as she set her bag on the seat between them.
“Tell you what. I’ll let you drive on the way back. It’s the only way you’ll consider me cool,” Rebecca teased as she drove them to the farmhouse. They parked out front and reached the first step when the door swung open.
“Rebecca, Kara, it’s nice to see you,” Mac greeted, appearing a bit startled by their sudden appearance.
“Delaney invited us,” she explained as they continued up to the porch.
“Oh, sure,” he mumbled as he stepped aside, allowing them to enter.
Delaney approached, wiping her hands with a kitchen towel. “I’m glad you made it. Kara, can you set the table? Rebecca, why don’t you grab the drinks?”
“May I speak with Rachel?” Rebecca asked. “I owe both of you an apology.”
