CHAPTER THIRTY
“How are the animals?” asked Blake two days later as they made their way to the animal sanctuary.
“Fine. They arrived frightened and hungry, but they’re getting along well with the others. Many, as you know, chose to stay behind. Some we’ll have to give to zoos or other notable sanctuaries,” said Lucy. “You did very well out there, Blake. You should be proud of yourself.”
“I have to admit, it was fun,” she smiled. “Don’t tell Zane, he’ll flip a lid over it. It was just exciting. I felt in control, something I haven’t felt in a long time.”
“Then it was needed,” said Lucy.
At the clinic, Jane stared down at the scarred face of the young woman brought to them by Matthew. He said she was important and that was all they needed to know.
“Has she woken?” asked Blythe.
“Not yet,” said Ambry. “Whatever she was forced to take put her in a coma-like state. Hopefully, it will work itself out.”
“We have no name?” she asked.
“Not yet. Poor thing is going to have some ugly scars when she wakes. Although we may be able to fix those.”
“Well, whatever she went through it had to have been something horrible for Matthew to carry her to us. Just keep watching her and checking the vitals. Any changes, let me know.”
In the conference rooms of the office, Ham and the others were on the screen speaking to Coop’s team.
“You guys did a helluva job,” smirked Coop. “Nothing but huge holes left in the earth and a shredded body that no one cares to identify.”
“Well, it was easily done,” said Ham. “The bear did most of the work. Sorry we couldn’t find your informant.”
“Yeah, that’s the one thing that bothers me. No one seems to have seen her since just a few days before. I’m really worried for her.”
“Do you have time to search for her?” asked Zane.
“No. It seems I’ve got leave coming and I thought I’d come home for a while. I’ll decide if I want to re-up or not.”
“Well, Blake and I will hold off on the wedding until you’re here. It only seems right,” smiled Zane.
“We’ll be looking forward to seeing you, your folks too,” said Ham.
“Yeah,” he grinned. “It’s been too long. Besides, I miss the food, brother. All I can think about are my favorites laid out on the table for me.”
“They’ll be waiting, along with the rest of us.”
The screen went dark and Cooper turned to his teammates. They nodded at him, knowing the guilt he felt at being unable to find Bianca.
“Go home, Coop. Get some rest and let things settle. We’ll find her.” He nodded with a pained grin.
“Yeah. Yeah, of course we will.”
EXCERPT for COOPER
Cooper stared at the dark hair fanned out across the pillow. The nurses had done an exceptional job of keeping her cleaned and showered, never letting her look less than human.
But that didn’t apply to him. He felt like an animal. The fresh scar across her cheek and chest reminded him that by dismissing her, she’d placed herself in obvious danger.
“You know her?” asked Blythe.
“Yes. Sort of. She was our informant on that last mission. Her name is Bianca Garcia. Her family was killed by Rodriguez. She wanted to stay with us but I told her to leave, to go home. I thought I was protecting her.”
“You were protecting her,” said Blythe.
“Why won’t she wake up?” he asked.
“Rodriguez, at least we assume it was him, pumped her full of drugs. They didn’t kill her but damn near. She’ll wake when her body is ready.”
“Thank you, Blythe.”
“Don’t stay too long, honey. She needs to have quiet and rest.” Blythe patted his shoulder and disappeared down the hallway to her next patient.
Coop grabbed her hand, kissing the back of her fingers, rubbing them gently.
“I’m so sorry, Bianca. I’m so very sorry,” he said whispering to her. “I’ll make it up to you. All of it. I swear.”
He was about to stand when her eyes fluttered, the big brown orbs staring back at him with shock at first. He smiled, sitting beside her again, reaching for her hand. But she pulled back, the expression on her face not a happy one.
One loud crack echoed across the facility.
Standing, he stepped into the hallway as Blythe came running.
“What happened?” she asked.
“She woke up and she hates me.”
MAP - BELLE FLEUR & COTTAGE ASSIGNMENTS
G1-8 = Garconnière
Big House = Belle Fleur – main house where Jake & Claudette live
The Grove – where BBQs, picnics, and family gatherings take place (with the new map #’s are not included on the cottages)
1Matt & Summer43RJ & CeliaG5Remy & Charlotte120Billy & Janine
2Alistair & Clark44Carter & AniG6Magnus & Addie121Brax & Stephanie
3Sebastian & Emelia45Abe & LyraG7Chipper122Moose & Erica
4Kev & Tila46Trev & AshleyG8Sor & Nell123JB & Dana
5Brix & Daphne47Frank & Lane81Aiden & Brit124Red & Shelby
6Jak & Mattie48Wyatt & Ulani82Callan & Juliette125Tobias & Gail
7Trevon & Millicent49HG & Maggie83Sean & Shay126River & Priscilla
8Ivan & Sophia50Bryce & Ivy84Wade & Hannah127Quinn & April
9Tristan & Emma51Leif & Ellie85Parker & Dani128Finn & Willa
10Christian & Winnie52CJ & Jill86Eric & Sophia Ann129Mitchell & Marnie
11King & Claire53Mike & Sage87Bodhi & Viv130Logan & Blythe
12Major & Elena54Clay & Adele88CC & EvaIMHam, Sadie, Christopher, Ramey, Patrick, Margo
13Rory & Piper55Rush & Caroline89Michael & Miriam119Jonas & Khloe
14O’Hara & Lucia56Lars & Jessica90Robbie & Carrie
15Titus & Olivia57Garr & Macie91Cade & Cassidy
16Max & Riley58Kiel & Noelle92Garrett & Celeste
17Stone & Bronwyn59Leo & Tillie93Tiger & Hazel
18Jazz & Gray60Nate & Harlow94Eric Ryan & Rachel
19Ham & Sadie61Hunter & Megan95
20Phoenix & Raven62Cam & Kate96Will & Brooke
21Noah & Tru63Jax & Ellie97Jalen & Stormy
22Griff & Amanda64Adam & Jane98Jack ‘JT’ & Kennedy
23Gibbie & Dhara65Ben & Harper99Sam & Mia
24Blade & Suzette66Carl & Georgie100Milo & Lia
25Skull & Avery67Striker & Lucy101Hiro & Winter
26Axel & Cait68Molly & Asia102Ryan & Paige
27Sniff & LucyG1Marcel & Amy103Chase & Maeve
28Noa & KelseyG2Dan & Finley104Duncan & Lindsay
29Eli & JaneG3Pigsty & Sira105Mav & Katelyn
30Grant & EvieG4Hex & Gwen106Torro & Melanie
31Hawk & Keegan69Kiel & Liz107Bron & Mila
32Eagle & Tinley70Joseph & Julia108Fitch & Carsen
33Ace & Charlie71Wes & Virginia109Tanner & Alice
34Razor & Bella72Dalton & Calla110Irish & Lucinda
35Tango & Taylor73Nathan & Katrina111Tanner & Micaela
36Gunner & Darby74Keith & Susie112AJ & Skylar
37Conor & Sydney75Marc & Ela113Mo & Ophelia
38Zulu & Gabi76Cowboy & Autumn114Pax & Deanna
39Doc & Bree77Rett & Casey115Ethan & Koana
40Paul & Elizabeth78Ian & Aspen116Bone & Londyn
41Luke & Ajei79Saint & Marilisa117Hoot & Scout
42Fitz & Zoe80Dom & Leightyn118Eazee & Chelsea