Julio turned the television off and sat back on the couch. “You did it. How do you feel?”
“I don’t know,” she said honestly. “I’m happy for the people saved, but it’s hard to get your life back. I hope they all find a sense of peace and have someone like you at home.”
Julio caressed her cheek. “How did your session go with Dr. Meyers?”
“As good as expected,” she informed him. “We talked about having sex again.”
Julio tilted her chin to meet his gaze. “Didn’t we discuss this between ourselves? When you feel ready, then we’ll try. I’m not going anywhere,” he vowed.
“I’m telling you I want to try again,” she whispered. “I miss you.”
“Becca, we have our entire lives ahead of us. Don’t rush healing because you feel guilty we’re not having sex. I want more. I want to make love to you and, more importantly, I want to make love to my wife.”
Rebecca gasped as he took her hand and slid a yellow diamond on her ring finger. He knelt on the floor on one knee and met her teary gaze. “I spent almost a year without you by my side, and I never want to experience another moment without you. If you decide to take the job at the New York office, I’ll move there with you. I vowed to burn down the whole world for you and I think I can handle New York City.”
Rebecca giggled. “What if I told you Director Stevens called me today and I gave him my answer?”
“I prefer you give me mine first, woman. I’m on my knees,” he teased, pulling her into his arms.
She stroked his jaw and kissed his lips. “We came to an agreement. I’ll run his new division, but only if I can stay here in Texas. He’ll grant some immunity privileges for those certain grey areas.”
“Did you tell him about Harrison?” Julio asked gently.
“Yeah, he needed to know before he hired me. I won’t jeopardize this ranch or the people on it. I gave him Harrison’s location,” she confessed.
“What did he say?” Julio asked, now concerned.
“Director Stevens said the investigation must continue and since the man has nothing else to offer, it might take him a good ten years or so to locate him,” she said, smiling.
Julio’s eyes narrowed as he waited for her to answer him. Rebecca giggled. “It seems I’ll be working for the CIA again and using the team internationally. On occasion, they’ll have contracts for specific teams to assist in delicate situations. I happen to know three of them at the top of their list.”
“Will you marry me, Becca?” he whispered. “I love you.”
“Yeah, I’ll marry you because I love you more.”
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
Six Months After the Rescue
“When will they get here?” Rachel asked as she set a bowl of corn salad on the table. “Have you spoken with her mom and you’re positive they’ll take good care of her?”
Rebecca rolled her eyes, placing the ribs down. “We’ve spoken to them. When Kara went missing, they lost their jobs searching for her. Her dad worked as a ranch hand and Julio offered him a position here. It’s the reason we didn’t take Kara to the mansion to meet her folks. They’ll live in Embers, and we can see her whenever we want. Her mom mentioned she worked as a seamstress, and I asked her to make my wedding gown,” Rebbeca told her, pouring Rachel a glass of Sangria.
“Good thinking. Did you tell Kara about her folks?” Rachel asked, sipping her drink.
“No. I thought it might be nice to let her hear it from them,” Rebecca said, removing items from the fridge.
“You know Kara’s worried about seeing them,” Rachel said, adding the potato salad and baked beans.
“I know. Julio took her out for a ride on Joy. He seems preoccupied the last few days and it’d do both of them some good to get some fresh air. By the way, I meant to thank you for the lovely blanket you made me. The note makes it even more special,” Rebecca told her.
Rachel grew serious. “I’m sorry you went through everything. I want to throat punch every single one of those bastards. Delaney and I take snacks down to the mess hall since Julio hired staff for the cabins. I think she goes to see if the new hire cooks as good as she does. I keep telling her it’s impossible, but she doesn’t believe me. Anyway, sometimes the women will talk about their experiences, and if you ever want someone to listen, I’m here.”
Rebecca walked around the island and hugged her. “Thank you. I appreciate the offer. Julio and I are taking our time. It’s a lot to digest, and I still have bad days alongside the good ones. One day, I’ll take you up on it.”
Rachel listened and walked to the back porch. “Here comes Julio and Kara. They’re racing each other to the barn. Why don’t you tell them dinner’s on the table?”
“Where’s Matthew?”
