Page 10 of Deserving Cora
“It’s fine.I’mfine,” she insisted curtly. “I survived, and I had Lara. I’m not telling you all this for your pity. I’m telling you so you truly understand that Lara was my family.Ismy family. I’d do literally anything for her. She’s been my rock since I was fifteen. Evensheprobably doesn’t know just how much she means to me. She’s the sister I never had, and I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for her.”
With a sigh, she continued. “Moving this boring-ass story along, when I was fired, she got me a job at the preschool where she worked. By then, she was the executive director. She hired me as a teacher’s aide. It’s like the lowest member of their staff, but I refused to let her down. And a funny thing happened…” Her voice trailed off.
“What?” Pipe asked.
Cora realized then that he was still basically holding her hand. His large palm was resting over hers, where it was still lying on his arm.
“I realized that I loved it. Loved working with the kids. I’d been a waitress, a stripper, a valet, and what feels like a hundred other things…but I’d found my niche. Kids that young don’t care about your skin color, your sexual orientation, your weight or height, if you have a family or not…all they care about is whether you’re nice to them. If they feel safe in your presence.
“So not only did Lara stick up for me in high school. She gave me a place to stay when I needed it, she fed me, and then she gave me a job that I love more than I ever thought possible. And now she needs my help—and no one will listen to me.” Her voice cracked on the last few words.
“I’mlistening,” Pipe said gently.
Looking up at him, Cora stared for a long moment.
“Talk to me,” he ordered. “Why do you think she’s in danger? Where is she?”
Cora opened her mouth, but the waitress returned at that moment. “Here we go,” she said perkily. Cora was forced to let go of Pipe, and she sat back as the plates were put down on the table. “Can I get you two anything else?”
“No, thank you,” Cora said.
“We’re good,” Pipe agreed.
“All right. Enjoy, and if you need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know.”
Cora studied the food in front of her, but she’d completely lost her appetite.
“Eat,” Pipe said in a low, growly voice.
She looked up at him.
He nodded to her plate. “It’ll make you feel better.”
“Actually, it might make me puke,” she grumbled.
Pipe’s lips twitched. “When was the last time you ate something?”
She tried to remember if she’d had lunch that day, and realized she’d been so nervous and worked up about the auction, she hadn’t. “Breakfast?” she said, the word coming out more as a question than a true answer.
“You need some calories,” Pipe said in a gentler voice.
“It feels wrong to eat when I can’t help but wonder if Lara’s okay. Ifshe’sgetting food.”
Pipe tensed. “Look at me,” he said in a tone Cora hadn’t heard before. It was harder, more commanding. She couldn’t help but lift her gaze to his.
“Would Lara want you to starve yourself just because she wasn’t getting enough to eat? Would she really want you to suffer along with her?”
“No,” Cora whispered.
“Right. Eat, Cora. We’ll talk after. And if I can help your friend, I will.”
Her eyes widened. “You will?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“Yes.”
“But you don’t know the situation. I mean, I might be wrong. She could be perfectly fine.”
Pipe stared at her for so long, Cora squirmed in her seat. “You aren’t wrong,” he finally said.
