They entered a second empty bedroom.Perfect for a nursery, she thought miserably, as Julio stepped aside and led her down the hall. A large sunny room with patio doors leading out to a balcony made her smile.
“I thought this might make a great office,” he suggested, crossing the room to open up the doors.
“Maybe for you. I don’t even know if I have a job left. After being missing for almost a year, I doubt they held my job,” she said sadly.
“Why don’t you take some time off?” he said, inviting her outside to enjoy the view.
“I need to keep my mind busy. It’s the only thing that saved me those first few months,” she confessed. “Even if they offered me my job back, it means we’re back to square one about where to live.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” he assured her. “Once we return, then you’ll have time to decide on what you want to do.”
“I guess,” she said, sighing.
They viewed the other bedrooms and returned downstairs to visit another office. “When Kassie asked me about the plan, I requested two offices because of our respective jobs. We can use the area for something else.”
Julio’s phone rang, showing Rachel’s number.
“Hi, Rachel,” he greeted.
“Matthew told me you plan to go to the cabins. I’ve settled Ebony in Rebecca’s. Kara will stay here as my guest. I took the liberty of packing Rebecca’s things since Matthew informed us you’ll be leaving for Russia.”
“Thanks, it’ll save us some time. We’ll swing by your house to speak with Kara before we leave. I appreciate your help,” Julio said, before disconnecting the call.
“It’s beautiful, Julio,” Rebecca said as she wandered back toward the kitchen. “You even remembered my yellow kitchen.”
Julio closed the distance between them and gently cupped her face. “I remember everything.”
She glanced once more at the rooms as they left and tried imagining sharing a life with him there. Rebecca didn’t bring much to the table. She currently held no job, was in desperateneed of counseling, and how did she have a sex life with the man she loved after everything?
“My truck’s in the garage. We’ll drive it to the cabins to get your luggage and then visit Kara,” Julio informed her.
As he drove them toward the cabins, he glanced over at her. “You know, we didn’t get a chance to discuss my op.”
Rebecca crossed her arms and huffed. “The one where you didn’t include me?”
He chuckled as he pulled into the cabin’s driveway and shut off the engine. “I ran into an old friend of yours.”
Rebecca turned toward him. Her heart raced. “Who?”
Julio nodded toward her cabin. She jumped out, running toward the door. She swung it open and gasped at seeing Ebony standing in the middle of the kitchen with a drying towel in her hands.
“Good grief, you scared me,” Ebony said, placing a hand over her heart.
Rebecca raced toward her and the women embraced as the tears flowed. “Where did you go? I thought they killed you,” Rebecca exclaimed.
“It no longer matters. As you promised, Julio came to my rescue,” Ebony babbled through her cries.
“I’m thrilled you’re here,” Rebecca said, pulling away from her and regarding her closely.
“I’m fine,” Ebony assured her. “The counselor already spoke with me and I’m staying here for a bit. I can’t return to my boys half broken. They deserve a whole mama.”
“I can’t stay. We must leave. When I return, we’ll have a long visit and you can tell me what happened,” Rebecca insisted.
“Did you find Megan?” Ebony asked gently.
“No,” Rebecca said, her voice cracking. “When I return, I intend on finding her and making whoever took her pay.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Ebony said, wiping away her tears. “Good luck, Rebecca. Make them pay, even if it means you send them to hell.”
