Page 28 of Redemption
I paused as I realized I was near the barn where they kept O. I stopped walking and shivered despite the warmth outside. Time to turn around for sure. This path led to a definite hell. Then I heard footsteps, so I ducked to the treeline. The sun had gone down and no one could see me there.
“I don’t like this Rylan.”
I paused and realized it was Sofia’s voice. They were all walking along the path with two of the Walker brothers.
“None of us do, babe,” Rip replied. “But I gotta try and I don’t think she will listen to me, but maybe when I tell her, she will suggest a way to contact Deacon or whoever.”
I furrowed my brows. What was he talking about?
“I know. I just hate this,” Sofia said then she paused to kiss him.
I lowered my head. I felt stupid watching them. Like invading their privacy. After a minute or so, I looked up.
“Ok Sof, head back with the guys ok?” Rip told her.
Nodding, she turned to walk beside Dagger and Hawk back toward the house.
Rip then went over to the barn doors and stopped. He took a deep breath and let it out.
I wondered about this. He hadn’t wanted to see O at all. Not since that first day. I also noticed he had a tray in his hand. He was bringing her dinner? Now, I knew something was happening here. I kept to the trees then looked around and knelt down at the crack in the wooden barn wall.
I could see O as she sat in that rocking chair. It looked like she was sleeping. Then her eyes popped open. She must have caught sight of Rip as she smiled and sat up.
I shuddered. That smile had come from a gold mask before when I knew her. It never made anyone feel good as it usually meant ill will and pain for someone.
I could now see the outline of Rip but not much else.
“You came and brought me dinner?” O asked.
“Yes,” Rip replied as he bent down and pushed it in through the slot on the floor. He then slipped in a bottle of orange juice.
She knelt and picked it up. “Oh, I love OJ.” Then she took the napkin off the tray. “Fried Chicken and mashed potatoes?” she asked in shock.
I wondered at her oohing and awing over the food.
“That Bea has been feeding me things I hate and all I get to drink is apple juice.”
Rip said nothing as he pulled a chair up. All I could see of him was his boots and jeans though.
He sat while she ate.
I knew he had to hate being here. So why?
She finally finished and set the tray down. “Well, that was more like it. I have to say, Bea could always cook.” She tisked. “As if that was a way to get a man.” She shrugged then looked over at Rip. “It is so nice to see you. I wondered if you would come and visit me.”
“I had a lot of trouble with what you said that first day,” he admitted.
“And now?”
“I still have trouble.”
She laughed. “I am so proud of the man you have become.”
“Bea and Jacob raised me,” he answered.
Her face took on a hateful look. “Yes, that was the one thing I always regretted.”
“The one thing?” His voice rose up.
