Chapter 7 #2
“And you don’t have to take my word for it.
You can ask Lara when we find her. Or Milton.
Most people probably look through him simply because his circumstances make them uncomfortable.
But not you. You gave him money you earned by selling your belongings, even knowing he’ll probably spend it on alcohol instead of food or a warm place to sleep for a couple nights. ”
“He saved me one night from two guys who were drunk and looking to score,” Cora whispered.
“See? Loyalty,” Pipe said.
She bit her lip. “I’ve spent a lot of time researching The Refuge, and the people who live and work there.
I read all the stories I could find on what happened to Alaska.
She seems like someone I could really like.
And if you get on her case about the emails, she’ll think I just want to use you and your friends.
And I do…but that’s not why I ultimately decided to go to that auction. ”
“Why did you?” Pipe asked.
“Because deep down, you all have a core of goodness. You wouldn’t have started The Refuge if you didn’t.
You could’ve started some sort of high-end luxury camping retreat.
One that catered to the richest people in the world, and you probably would’ve made a lot more money.
Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great that you can make a living doing what you’re doing now, and helping people while doing so, but I’ve learned to read people.
To see their true intentions. And in watching the interviews with you and your friends, and reading the articles, I can tell that you’re all good people.
That if anyone could help me find Lara, at the price I could pay, which honestly isn’t a lot, it would be you guys. ”
She wasn’t wrong. Pipe was glad that she could read them so well. “Alaska isn’t going to think you’re there just to use us,” he told Cora.
She wrinkled her nose.
“She isn’t,” Pipe insisted.
“If I was married to the man I’d loved my entire life, and living on The Refuge, and feeling as if my life was beginning for the first time—that’s a direct quote from her, by the way; I saw it in an article online—I wouldn’t want anyone coming in who might get my man into a situation where he could get into trouble or hurt.
I’d want to protect him, and the rest of the people who worked at The Refuge. ”
Pipe hadn’t dropped his hand from under her chin, and he wanted to keep it there, keep feeling her soft skin, but he forced himself to cover her hand instead, which was sitting in her lap.
“I give you my word that Alaska, Henley, Reese, and everyone else who works at The Refuge will not only embrace you, but completely champion the reason why you’re there.
In fact, we’ll probably have to make it perfectly clear that they aren’t going to be allowed to come with us to Arizona to get your friend. ”
Pipe could see the skepticism in her eyes.
But she’d see for herself. She was right about one thing though…
the reason Alaska had probably ignored her emails and phone calls was probably about protecting Brick and the rest of the men.
He had no idea how many requests for assistance for one thing or another came in through their website.
For all he knew, there were dozens a day.
It wouldn’t be hard to ignore them as a collective whole.
The more he thought about it, the more he was sure he was right.
He wasn’t upset with Alaska, not in the least, but it would probably be a good idea for one of them to look through any similar requests.
To take that burden off Alaska’s shoulders.
Feeling the need to lighten the conversation, and wanting to see the stress fade from Cora’s eyes, if only for a little while, Pipe asked, “You ever been to New Mexico before?”
She shook her head. “No. I’ve barely been out of DC.”
“Really?”
“Not many people want to take a foster kid on vacation, and since then…” She shrugged.
“I haven’t really had the money to go anywhere.
Lara and I did go up to Gettysburg and Antietam once.
It really wasn’t her thing, but she humored me.
I find history fascinating, and being at the battlefields, standing where thousands of men and women fought… it was amazing.”
Pipe smiled. “Well, I think you’re going to like our little slice of the world. The Refuge is nestled in the mountains of northern New Mexico, and the air smells so clean that I swear sometimes I’m on a different planet than where I grew up around London, instead of just a different country.”
“I can’t wait to see it. Honestly, after reading so much about it, I feel as if I’ve already been there. But I know the reality will blow the pictures in my head and what I saw online out of the water.”
She wasn’t wrong. The first time Pipe had seen the land where they were going to build the cabins, he’d known it would be an amazing place. And he hadn’t been wrong.
They made small talk for the rest of the plane ride and when they got on their connecting flight to Santa Fe, they weren’t able to sit together. It gave Pipe a chance to figure out what his next steps should be.
Cora needed to tell her story again, this time to all the guys.
They’d need to decide on a plan of action…
how to get to Arizona and make contact with hopefully Lara, and if not, this Michaels guy.
What happened after that would depend on what they found when they got there…
and what intel Tex gave them about Ridge Michaels.
For some reason, Pipe had a feeling this wasn’t going to be as easy as knocking on the door, getting Lara, and leaving.
Owl had talked to Stone last night and filled him in on what was happening, who Cora was, and when they’d be back at The Refuge.
Pipe was planning on asking Cora if she wanted to stay in his cabin.
She’d been comfortable enough sharing a hotel room the night before, and because there were no available cabins anytime soon, he figured she’d jump at the chance to save money on a motel by bunking with him.
Pipe couldn’t help but smile at the idea.
He’d thought Spike was crazy for letting Reese stay with him when she’d come to The Refuge, but he understood it now.
The thought of being separated from Cora was unsettling…
and not just because he had a feeling if left to her own devices, she’d be on her way to Arizona to get Lara back with or without help.
Her loyalty was attractive, there was no doubt, but it also meant she’d set aside her own safety to help her friend. Which wasn’t acceptable for Pipe. Or any of his friends. They wouldn’t allow anyone to get hurt while under their watch.
The plane landed in Santa Fe on time, and they picked up Pipe’s Challenger in long-term parking and were on their way to The Refuge without any delays. Cora was quiet, most likely nervous. She sat in the back seat and let him and Owl talk about nothing in particular as they drove.
In contrast, the closer they got to The Refuge, the more settled Pipe felt. He couldn’t wait for Cora to meet his friends. He had no doubt whatsoever that she’d fit in perfectly.