Page 103 of Deserving Lara
Lara nodded and turned her attention back to the women in front of her when she heard them all laugh. “What? What’d I miss?”
“Nothing. You guys are adorable,” Carly told her. “I hope I can find a partner who loves me as much as your man loves you.”
“You will,” Jess told her. “Just don’t rush into things. Patience is key. You’re still young, you have lots of time.”
Lara nodded her agreement as she heard the door to the lodge open. She turned her head reflexively to see who’d come in, but she didn’t recognize the man. She hadn’t seen him around The Refuge since she’d been back, but it was likely he was a guest.
Brick approached him, and though she couldn’t hear what they were actually saying, she froze when she recognized the tone of the man’s voice.
Even though she’d never seen him before, she knew exactly who he was.
Not caring that she was probably being rude by turning her back on her friends without a word, Lara quickly headed toward the stranger and Brick.
The man saw her approach, and he smiled. He was a big man, around six-four. Was probably in his early sixties or so, his navy-blue shirt pulled taut over a big belly, and his hair black liberally streaked with white. In any other circumstance, Lara would probably be intimidated by him. But without hesitation, she walked straight up to him and wrapped her arms around the man as tightly as she could.
“Thank you,” she murmured between her tears. “Thank you so much.”
“You did all the work, darlin’,” the man drawled.
It took a hand on her back, a hand she knew as well as she knew her own name, to give her the strength to step away from the stranger. Lara wiped her face, trying to compose herself, then held out a hand. “Hi, I’m Lara.”
“I’m Lucas, it’s so nice to meet you,” the newcomer said with a huge smile.
“And I’m Callen Kaufman…Owl. You have my undying gratitude. Anything you ever need, you’ve got it.”
Lucas chuckled. “Don’t need much. Got a loving wife, two kids, and five grandkids…I’m good.”
Lara struggled to keep more tears from falling. This man had literally saved her life. Hers and Owl’s. He’d been the miracle she needed when she’d called that mayday over the headset in the chopper. He’d been so calm, so soothing. He’d helped her when she’d needed someone the most, and she’d never forget him.
“We’re pregnant,” she blurted. “And it’s a boy. Well…it’s too early to know that for sure, but Owl insists. And his name is going to be Lucas Jackson.”
The big man stared at her for a moment with his mouth open, before his cheeks turned pink and he swallowed hard. “I…well…alright then. Thank you. Congratulations!”
Lara beamed at him. “Can I show you around?”
“I’d like that.”
“I’ll put your bag in the cabin,” Brick said.
Lara had almost forgotten he was standing with them. Obviously, he’d had a huge part in getting Lucas here, and she thought again how lucky she was to have found such amazing friends here at The Refuge.
“Thanks. Don’t know how you managed to find space for me, but I sure appreciate it,” Lucas told him as he shook Brick’s hand.
“Anytime you want to bring your family here, let me know. We’re usually sold out months in advance, but we’ve recently acquired a free helicopter,” he said with a grin. “So I think some of that unused cash will go toward building a couple of special cabins reserved for friends and family. After what you did for Lara and Owl, you’re among those who qualify.”
These men. Some people might be wary of a bunch of former military men who lived in the forest and ran a hotel of sorts…but not her. The men and women of The Refuge had the biggest hearts of anyone she’d ever met. She made a mental note to get with Savannah, The Refuge’s accountant, and make a sizeable donation to get those friends and family cabins built sooner rather than later. The Refuge might not need her money, but she had plenty of it to share, and she wanted to give back to those who had given her everything.
“Are you hungry?” Alaska asked Lucas, joining them. “Trust me, Robert and Luna have outdone themselves tonight. Let him eat, then you can introduce him to everyone,” she told Lara.
She nodded and watched as her friend led Lucas toward the buffet.
“I hope you aren’t mad that I tracked him down and invited him,” Brick said.
“Mad? Are you kidding? No way. I’m thrilled!” Lara said.
“Good.” He hugged her, shook Owl’s hand, then wandered over to where Alaska was talking a mile a minute to Lucas as he filled a plate at the buffet.
“Did you know he was coming?” Lara asked Owl when they were alone.
