Page 50 of Deserving Cora
“I have a question…how hard would it have been for you to access Lara’s account to borrow money to use for the auction?” Brick asked, leaning forward and studying Cora carefully. “I’m only asking because I assume after everything you’ve said about your friend, about how generous she is and how close you are, she might’ve given you access to her money.”
Cora’s cheeks pinkened. Suddenly, Pipe wanted to hear her answer just as much as Brick.
She shrugged, staring at the table, gaze only occasionally flicking up to Brick. “I’m listed on her bank account…for emergencies. She marched me down to her bank the last time I lost my apartment and had to move in with her. Said she didn’t want me to be homeless ever again, and made me promise to use her money if I needed it for rent or to pay my electric bill or something,” Cora said. After a beat, she raised her chin enough to look Brick in the eye. “I never have though. I think knowing she was so willing to give it made me more determinednotto use her money.”
“Wait,” Pipe said in confusion. “You sold all your furniture, every last dish and mug in your cupboards,allof your belongings to raise six thousand dollars to use at the auction…when you could’ve simply gone to the bank and taken what you needed? Enough to outbid that cow, Eleanor?”
“It’s not my money,” Cora insisted. “And I know that sounds stupid because I needed it to help Lara, and it’s her money in the first place, but I just couldn’t.”
“It doesn’t sound stupid,” Tonka reassured her. “It sounds like you’re the kind of person anyone would want to have at their back.”
Pipe was astonished by this woman once more. If it had been anyone else—literallyanyone—they would’ve used the money at their disposal without a second thought. Especially in a dire situation. But not Cora. She probably hadn’t even considered it. She simply did what she’d always done…relied on herself to solve a problem.
Well, never again. She had a complete tribe of people to support her now. Whether she knew it or not.
“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 beatherselfup 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?”
