“He’s on a conference call working a big case. He’ll come as soon as he finishes,” Rachel assured her.
“They need to wash up. Her parents will arrive any minute,” Rebecca fussed as she put on her boots. She walked to the barn and opened the door to find Julio alone.
“Where’s Kara?”
“I sent her up to the house to wash and change,” he told her as he passed an apple to Satan.
“That’s funny. Rachel said she saw you two racing in the backyard to the barn,” she said suspiciously.
“I might’ve asked her to send you down. There’s someone I want you to meet.” He took her hand, leading her to the stallbeside Satan. The loveliest white horse with brown spots stared back at her.
“Oh, what a beauty,” she exclaimed as she rubbed the horse’s nose. Julio passed her a carrot, which she gave to the animal.
“Meet Rebel, your new horse,” Julio announced. “I planned to give her to you sooner,” he explained.
Rebecca wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his face down to hers. “She’s beautiful. Thank you. Can we go for a ride tomorrow?”
“You bet,” he said, kissing her forehead. His hands slid down her back and stopped on her bottom.
Rebecca smiled as she glanced back at her horse. Julio’s touch no longer reminded her of her days in a cage. They worked on baby steps. Julio never pushed and she hoped soon, they’d make love in the silly ways they did before.
“Dinner’s on the table. Kara’s parents will be here soon,” she murmured against him as she kissed his chest.
“I hate seeing her go, even if it’s only a couple of miles away,” Julio said as he closed up the barn and they headed toward the house. A car pulled into the driveway and a couple stepped out of the vehicle.
“Hello, you must be Kara’s parents,” Rebecca greeted.
“Hi. I’m Amy and this is my husband, Jared. We didn’t bring our daughters because we wanted to see Kara alone. It’s hard to explain to little girls why their parents keep crying. I’m afraid it might get emotional and we’ll scare them silly,” she babbled.
“Kara went to wash up. Why don’t we go in and meet her?” Rebecca said as Julio shook their hands.
They entered the house and Rebecca glanced up as Kara ran to the staircase. She paused as she noticed the couple standing in the entryway. “Mom? Dad?” She said as she rushed down the stairs and into their arms. Everyone dabbed their eyes, andRebecca laughed as she passed out tissues. Rachel ushered them to the table as Mac pulled into the driveway.
“Help yourselves,” Rachel said as she opened the door for the couple.
Delaney entered, but Mac stayed outside. “May I speak with Julio?” he asked.
Julio excused himself from the group and walked outside with Mac.
“Is everything all right?”
“Matthew sent me to get you. We have a situation. He’s preparing the jet,” Mac said gravely, peering at Rebecca.
“Where’s Jameson?” Julio asked.
“He’s with Matthew. They discovered a private residence under Gerard’s wife’s maiden name. According to the records, Gerard pays the taxes and the wife rarely visits. It’s the perfect place to hide his toys if you get my meaning.”
“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes,” Julio said before closing the door. It was the first real break they found on Gerard, and Julio wanted the bastard. Feeling the heat of Rebecca’s gaze, he continued upstairs to grab his go bag.
“Where are you going?” she asked from behind him.
“I’m spinning up. We have a lead on one of the traffickers, and it’s a good one,” he told her, grabbing an extra weapon.
“I want to come,” she insisted.
Julio sighed, knowing this might become a wedge between the two of them. “Maybe next time. You have guests, and Kara needs you here.”
“Don’t do this,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m attending therapy, started a new job, which will help us locate more victims, and you’re shutting me out. You can’t protect me forever, Julio.”
