Page 24 of Deserving Cora
“Yeah,” Pipe said.
A sheen of pink crossed her cheeks, but she didn’t drop her gaze. “I was wearing an outfit that cost me fifty bucks, when every other person there probably spent that a hundred times over. That’s always been who I am. On the outskirts looking in.”
“You might feel that way, but I think when others look at you, they see someone who’s comfortable in her own skin. Who doesn’t feel like she has to conform to society’s norms. They’re jealous, Cora. They want to be like you. Free to be who they’ve alwayswantedto be, but don’t feel as if theycanbe.”
“That’s not true,” Cora said softly.
“It is. Why do you think that bitch Eleanor is still treating you as if you’re in high school? It’s because she’s stuck. Meanwhile, you’re free to do what you want, without concern for the opinions of people who just don’t matter.”
She stared up at him, looking unconvinced.
“The woman I saw from that stage intrigued me. You weren’t afraid to look me in the eye. You were going after what you wanted, and that came through loud and clear. I can appreciate a beautiful woman, much as I’d appreciate a piece of art or a pretty sunset. But your loyalty to your friend sets you apart. The hoops you were willing to jump through make you unique. And I’ll tell you this, and I’m not lying—I’d much rather have someone like you at my side as I went through life, than a woman who would ditch me in a heartbeat for someone they thought could give them money or fame or prestige.
“Many women have bought into the scam that men have been perpetuating for thousands of years…that beauty is more important than anything more meaningful. But not you. Your loyalty is more attractive than the most expensive dress or shoes anyone could parade themselves in while in front of me.”
Pipe didn’t know where the words were coming from, just that he felt a bone-deep compulsion to say them. To make this woman know her own worth.
“Pipe,” she whispered.
“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 wantanyonecoming 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 callswasprobably 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.
