Chapter 12 #3
“Right. So…I heard Alaska asking Robert to make his famous taco bar tonight for dinner. Trust me when I say that you’ll roll yourself out of the lodge afterward.
Whatever he uses to spice up the meat is so damn addictive.
She also mentioned something about wanting to get to know you better.
Just a heads-up,” Brick told Cora, giving her a wink.
That reminded Pipe of something. “Before we go…Cora said she emailed several times asking for help, before hearing about the auction and learning one of us would be there. But she never got a reply. She also left a phone message, again with no reply. Can you ask Alaska about that?”
Cora stiffened next to him. “It’s not a big deal,” she said quickly.
“You emailed?” Brick asked, his tone surprised.
“Yeah, but again, it’s fine. I’m sure you guys get a ton of emails asking for help,” Cora told him.
“I’ll talk to Alaska,” he told Pipe with a nod.
“No, please don’t! I don’t want to get anyone in trouble. I mean, it was a stupid thing to do on my part. It’s not like you guys would just read an email and believe me and jump on a plane or something. Don’t be mad at her, Brick. Please.”
“You think I’m mad?” he asked.
“Aren’t you?”
“No. Not at all. Alaska works her ass off for this place. I have no idea how we survived without her all those years. It’s a miracle we’re still in business, if I’m being honest. She’s in charge of all the admin stuff, and I’m thinking it’s time we hired someone else to help out.
You’re right, we wouldn’t have immediately gotten on a plane and agreed to help a stranger, but things like that probably need a second pair of eyes to sort through. ”
Cora didn’t look appeased.
“It’s fine, love,” Pipe said, wanting only to take away the worry he saw in her eyes.
“She’s gonna be upset that I got her in trouble,” Cora said softly.
Tonka laughed, and Pipe shot him a glare.
His friend ignored the warning look. “Alaska’s not going to be upset.
Not at you, at least. She’ll probably beat herself up about not responding to you, once she realizes that you emailed.
I’m guessing she’ll bend over backward to make it up to you.
Probably insist on taking you shopping, buying you some of the best chocolate you’ve ever eaten, show you all the best places to get deals…
She’s got a huge heart. You have nothing to worry about. ”
“Tonka’s right,” Spike said with a nod. “She’s the heart and soul of this place, and she’s not going to be happy that she overlooked your emails.”
“All the more reason not to tell her,” Cora mumbled, making the men all around smile.
“You’re good people, Cora Rooney,” Tiny said after a moment.
“Agreed. And on that note, I need to go pack,” Stone said, pushing back from the table.
Everyone else stood as well, each of them reassuring Cora that they’d do whatever they could to help Lara, and that she was in good hands with Owl, Stone, and Pipe.
Then it was only Pipe and Cora left in the room. He stepped into her personal space and reached for her, tilting her head up and holding her face gently, like he had last night. “We’re going to get her back. I give you my word.”
She swallowed hard and reached up to grip his wrists.
She held on tightly, as if she was a moment away from flying into a million pieces.
“I’m even more scared now. I can’t believe Ridge kidnapped her for her money.
And everyone knows money often makes people do desperate or stupid things.
What if he’s already hurt or killed her? ”
“I don’t think he has. She was seen at that restaurant, remember?”
“Yeah,” she muttered. “But I still don’t understand what he’s doing. It doesn’t make sense, and that worries me too.”
It worried Pipe too. “You’re going to go crazy if you try to understand everything right this second. Put it aside, if only for a few hours. Tomorrow, we’ll head straight to his estate and see what we can find out.”
“And if he won’t let us see her?”
“Then we’ll go to Plan B. And then Plan C, Plan D, and Plan E.”
“We have all those plans?” she asked.
“Nope, but we will. One thing you should know, us special forces guys are used to changing things up on the fly.”
“Okay.”
“Okay,” Pipe agreed. “You hungry?”
Cora shook her head.
“Right. You want to go see Chuck and the others at the barn?”
She shook her head again.
“What do you want to do?”
“Stress. Wonder what Lara might be going through. Figure out how to get her home.”
Pipe couldn’t help but smile down at her.
He’d hoped she’d stop worrying, but like the true friend she was, she simply couldn’t do it.
“All right, how about this…we’ll go back to my cabin, I’ll make us some lunch, we’ll sit on the roof and you can tell me more about Lara.
About what you guys like to do back in DC.
About your job and the kids you work with. Yeah?”
She looked up at him. “You’d do that for me? Let me bore you to tears by telling you yet again how awesome Lara is?”
“I think I’d do anything for you,” Pipe told her honestly.
“We don’t really know each other,” she replied.
“We know each other,” Pipe countered. “We know the stuff that counts.”
He didn’t think she was going to respond, but she finally nodded. “Yeah.”
“Yeah,” he agreed, satisfaction coursing through his veins.
“Maybe we can do some more of that kissing thing?” Cora asked with a small smile.
“I think that can be arranged,” he said.
“Pipe?”
“Yeah?”
“When this is all said and done, I want to get a tattoo. Will you go with me?”
“I’d be honored.” And just like that, a new design began niggling at his brain, despite years of no interest in getting another tattoo.
A skeleton key…because keys open things, and it felt as if Cora was slowly entrusting him with the key to understanding who she was, deep down. Not only that, but she was working her way through his shields, as well.
He envisioned barbed wire around the key, symbolizing how he’d guard it with his life and wouldn’t take advantage of her trust. He wanted to incorporate a wolf somehow too, as the animal was known for its loyalty. Maybe the key would be around the wolf’s neck, or clenched in his teeth.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked.
Pipe dropped his hands from her face and pulled her against his side as he walked them toward the door. “What I want to get for my next tattoo.”
She giggled. “Why am I not surprised?” she asked.
“Because you know me,” he said simply.
He felt Cora’s gaze as they walked. “I’m beginning to think I do,” she said, more to herself than him.
Her words made him smile. He wasn’t exactly an open book, but he’d opened up more to this woman than he had with anyone in a very long time. He never talked about the reasons he’d left the military and the UK. And yet she hadn’t judged him. Had simply listened. Which was what he needed.
No, what he needed was this woman. He’d never met anyone like her, and he had a feeling he never would again. She felt familiar, as if they’d been together for years instead of less than two days. He connected with her on a level he hadn’t clicked with anyone else.
He’d be an idiot to let her go, and one thing Pipe wasn’t, was an idiot. They needed to figure out how to help Lara, and then he’d make it very clear, if he hadn’t already, that he didn’t want Cora out of his life.
She’d probably want to go back to DC with her friend, and he’d never ask her to leave the city where she’d lived her entire life. He’d need to talk to Brick and see if he could continue as an owner of The Refuge while living across the country. If he could, great; if not, then he’d sell his share.
He looked around as they walked…and was surprised to find the thought of leaving everything he knew in this country for a woman didn’t freak him out, even after just meeting her.
He’d miss it, but he’d also do whatever it took to earn Cora’s loyalty, because he knew deep in his heart that it would be the best thing he’d ever done in his life. Hands down.
They continued toward his cabin, and somehow Pipe felt lighter than he had in a very long time.
He had a plan. One that included making Cora understand without a shred of doubt that he was in this for the long haul.
She wanted a family? He’d happily give her one.
She’d never be alone again. Not if he could help it.