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“S-sorry, Master Ja-red... I just...” she managed to say, struggling to form words. “I need a minute.”
He nodded, understanding. “Take all the time you need,” Jared assured her, still holding her arms as if to ensure she wouldn’t fall apart.
They stood in silence, the occasional snort from the horses nearby the only noise cutting through the sound of her ragged breathing. Master Jared slowly released her, and Rebecca leaned against the stable wall. The rough wood pressed into her back, grounding her.
When Jared finally spoke, his voice was gentle. “Can you tell me what sent you running like the devil’s on your heels?”
She shook her head for a moment, then sighed. The weight of her secret longed to be shared. “It’s complicated,” she started, unsure how to continue.
His nod was slow, encouraging her to continue, but not pressing. He had that skill, the subtle art of leading a conversation to the point where confessions felt like relief rather than betrayal. Master Jared folded his arms and waited for her to gather her wits. His eyes never left hers.
And the words tumbled out of her mouth. “Dante. He’s... he defends them. Criminals!” she spat the word. “I found out about his work... I can’t...” She buried her face in her hands and started to cry all over again.
Strong arms pulled her away from the barn and against a hard and warm chest—the wrong chest. But her frazzled mind and hurt soul didn’t mind they didn’t recognize this male. She cried harder and louder—almost hysterically.
She sobbed and sobbed, and Master Jared just held her like she wasn’t shattering into pieces, and he could keep her together with just his strength and willpower. His easy acceptance and steady presence settled something inside her.
Her breathing eased and her sobs slowed to soft hiccups.
Master Jared fished out a handkerchief with one hand while his other arm provided steady support for Rebecca. With a gentleness she wouldn’t have expected from a big guy like him, he dabbed at her cheeks. He caught the runaway tears and took a moment to let her catch her breath. He offered the cloth to her with an unspoken invitation, and she took it. The sound of her breath sounded harsh in the quiet as she blew her nose.
Without so much as blinking, he took back the used cloth and tucked it away. Both his practicality and presence provided a sense of security. Master Jared’s fingers were gentle but insistent as they tilted her chin up. He turned her face first one way, then the other, examining her to make sure she was truly all right.
“Better,” he pronounced with a nod, a small smile hinting at the corners of his mouth. His attention turned back to her eyes, which were still brimming with tears.
“So, you found out something about your Dom and you ran?” His question was straightforward, yet his tone was not accusatory. It held warmth, concern, and curiosity, guiding her towards a confession without pushing too hard.
His gaze was steady, his stance relaxed yet protective, giving Rebecca the space to voice her conflict without fear of judgment.
Before she could formulate her next words, a trio of figures approached. Sadie’s energetic stride was unmistakable, her youthful face etched with worry for her friend. In addition to her, Erika, her poised grace and calm giving a protective firmness to the steps she took. And the Little who’d bought a brush with his Mommy completed the trio, his face now a mask of concern and compassion.
“Rebecca!” Sadie called out, her voice full of anxiety and relief. “I’m so glad we found you.”
Erika’s approach was more measured, her eyes darting between Rebecca and Jared, assessing the situation. She inclined her head toward her husband and Dom. “Sir.”
“Little squirrel.” Jared’s mouth quirked into a smile and his eyes softened with love for his woman.
Dante used to look at me that way. Rebecca pushed the thought away as it was too painful.
“Master Derek ordered us to get Rebecca and bring her to the Littles’ Wing, Sir,” Erika told Master Jared.
His grin widened. “As always, my friend has excellent ideas.” He turned his attention back to Rebecca, hitting her with the entirety of his Dominant force. “Go with them, little one, and be safe.”
The Little boy Rebecca didn’t know by name looked at her with wide eyes, and he held out his hand for her to take. “Come, Becca, they have toys, and crayons, and everything in the Littles’ Wing.”
Stepping around Master Jared, Sadie wrapped an arm around Rebecca’s shoulders, her embrace tight and reassuring. Erika offered a silent, supportive smile, and turned to lead their little mismatched group back to the sprawling building. At that moment, the Ranch felt less like a place of work and more like a haven, a community where her troubles were shared and eased by the presence of those who cared.
CHAPTER 24
Rebecca allowed the group around her to guide her forward, her mind still in a state of confusion but her body grateful for the purposeful movement. The vibrant hues of the Littles’ Wing swam into focus as they bypassed the Caterpillar room, stepping into the space designed for the Butterflies. It was a jolt of color and comfort, a stark contrast to her recent emotions.
The room was an ode to childlike joy, splashed with bright, bold colors and bustling with the innocent clamor of a preschool room in use. Blocks lay scattered in one corner, puzzles left half-completed on low tables, and the cozy reading nook beckoned with its promise of escape. Rebecca glanced at the art area, its walls adorned with cheerful chaos, the product of many a Little’s imagination.
“Brush Boy,” who still held her hand, grinned at Rebecca. “I’m Blake by the way, and this is Scott,” he offered, tucking a blue Power Ranger stuffie under his arm before tugging Rebecca with him to the reading nook. His grip around her hand was light, guiding her to the cozy seating area. Sadie and Erika were close behind, their arms full of colorful blankets that transformed the corner into a soft nest of comfort.
They settled into the nest, the quiet enveloping them. Thoughts and emotions tumbled through Rebecca like autumn leaves in a storm. The room held its breath with them.
As if none of them could stand the silence, Erika, Sadie, and Blake all began to speak, their words tumbling over one another in a rush to fill the void. The sudden cacophony snapped Rebecca from her reverie and drew a giggle from her lips. The laugh was a surprise, a sound she hadn’t known she could make in the shadow of her anguish.
