Page 54 of Deserving Cora
But she was essentially a stranger. And there was a good chance, because ofher, that Pipe, Owl, and Stone could be in danger when they went to Arizona.
Cora clenched her teeth together. Hard.
She couldn’t let that happen.
She wanted their help, yes. But not at the risk of anyone getting hurt or in trouble. She couldn’t do that to these people who’d accepted her so willingly. Couldn’t do anything that might cause their loved ones grief or despair.
She made a mental vow that if Ridge called the police, or if something crazy happened, she’d do whatever was necessary for the men of The Refuge to stay clear of trouble. Spike had joked about everyone being arrested for breaking and entering, but if push came to shove, she’d do what needed to be done without involving them.
“What’s that thought?” Pipe asked as he sat.
“Nothing.”
“Doesn’t look like nothing to me,” he muttered.
“I just…I appreciate all you guys are doing to help Lara. When I started researching The Refuge, I never expected all of this,” Cora said, helplessly gesturing around the room, trying to encompass everything she was feeling.
Pipe studied her for a long, intense moment. Finally, he said, “Eat.”
Cora blinked, then chuckled.
“What?” he asked.
“I just thought you were going to say something profound.”
He smiled. “Something like how you find the people you’re meant to find, when you’re meant to find them? When you need them the most?”
Cora stared at him. “Yeah. Just like that.”
Pipe nudged her elbow. “Eat, Cora. Tomorrow’s going to be stressful.”
“And eating will make it less stressful?” she asked dryly.
“No. But it’ll give you the fuel you need to push through it. To do what needs to be done. To be there for Lara, to be strong. And…Robert’s tacos are the best.”
This man. Cora truly enjoyed being around him. Which was quite the revelation, because there had only ever been one other person she actually liked spending time with—Lara.
But now, she found she was looking forward to hearing what Henley had done all day. And how school was for Jasna. And what the goats might’ve eaten today that they shouldn’t have. And how Chuck was doing.
There was so much she wanted to know…small, everyday things…and suddenly it felt as if she didn’t have enough time to learn it all.
“Hey, Cora, is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in DC as cool as it looks in pictures?” Jasna asked.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” Henley scolded her daughter.
“Sorry,” she said with a smile, running an arm across her lips. “But is it? I’ve seen pictures of all the monuments and stuff there and it all lookssoneat!”
“Itisneat, but you know what my favorite place is?” Cora asked the girl.
“What?”
“Arlington National Cemetery. It’s solemn, and sad, but so beautiful at the same time. One thing everyone should see in their lifetime is the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I cried the first time I watched it.”
Jasna’s head tilted. “Really?”
“Really,” she said with a nod.
“Do you think I can find a video of it online?” Jasna asked her mom.
