Page 8 of Refuge

Cole walked over to glance at the check and about fell over. Larry was right; this fucker was loaded. Ten thousand dollars. Holy shit. Cole was well off, but not well off enough to just jot down digits like that.

“I don’t know what to say.” Gemma’s voice cracked this time and her eyes filled with tears. “Do you know how much this will help?”

Lance didn’t answer her, but instead, looked at Eric. “I know you bought the property next to this. I don’t know what you plan to do, but I also own a construction company. Anything you need, you just let me know.”

“Well, aren’t you just full of help suddenly,” Cole growled, his eyes narrowing. Yeah, jealousy had a way of making him say stupid shit at weird times. He saw the way he was looking at Leeza, and didn’t like it, didn’t like this man. He also didn’t like the fact this man knew about them, even if the asshole didn’t fully understand it. For a stranger to know was dangerous to their kind.

Lance gave him an odd look before glancing back at Gemma. “Again, I’m sorry for everything, and I know what you’re thinking. No, this isn’t a bribe with strings attached.”

With that, he turned and walked out of the trailer. Everyone was quiet until Gemma reached up and kissed Eric on the cheek, before running out after Lance with the check in her hand.

“So, what do you think of all that?” Cole still glared at the door. The guy’s donation was amazing, but Cole didn’t trust it, which may just be because the man dared talk to Leeza.

“I think the money will come in handy,” Eric said, then headed toward the door. “But I still don’t trust him… yet. Hey, I need you to help me with some things as soon as I find Kile. We need to make some decisions about lodging and such.”

Cole grumbled as he followed Eric out the door. “I need to take care of something first. Then I’ll meet up with you.”

Eric stopped just outside the door to turn and look at him. “You haven’t talked to her yet?”

“No,” Cole responded, not liking the disapproving look on his brother’s face. His brother knew him well, too well.

“Hurry up, we have a lot to do,” Eric growled.

Cole nodded, then glanced around for Leeza. Rage overtook him when he saw a smiling Leeza looking up at Lance as Gemma flashed the check around talking a mile a minute. Yeah, this guy was really starting to wear out his welcome.

* * *

Leeza stared up in shock at Lance as Gemma waved the check in front of her face. “Wow.” Leeza glanced up at Lance with wide eyes. “That’s some donation.”

“I sold one of my prize horses, so I felt it was the least I could do.” Lance smiled down at her with a wink.

“And what do you expect in turn?” Larry, who had joined them, took hold of the check.

“Larry!” Gemma frowned at him, snatching the check out of his hand.

“Hey, a snake may shed his skin, but he’s still a snake.” Larry eyed Lance before looking at Gemma. “Just because he comes here with his fancy check doesn’t mean diddly squat where I’m concerned.”

“He apologized.” Gemma frowned at Larry, then frowned up at Lance. Leeza saw the uncertainty in Gemma’s eyes and felt for her.

“And I’m sure he meant it,” Leeza added. “People can change, Larry, and it seems to me he wants to do right by his apology.”

“Oh, is that so?” Larry frowned, then picked up a bucket. “Then he can do right by pitching in and helping out with the animals he wanted to shoot.”

“Shoot?” Leeza gasped, her eyes going to Lance. When she saw the look on his face, she knew it was true. “Why would you want to shoot them?”

Lance took the bucket Larry all but shoved in his stomach. “Because I thought they were killing my cattle, but I was wrong.”

Larry snorted, then spat on the ground. “But he didn’t believe that until a bunch of them saved his sorry ass.”

“I said I was wrong, Larry.” Lance shook his head. “What else can I do?”

“Prove it.” Larry gave him a nod with squinty eyes. “Work with them. Prove yourself like a man, not with money.”

“Fine.” Lance took the bucket, then stared at Larry. “Where do I start?”

When Larry didn’t say anything, but just gave him a nasty grin, Leeza stepped in. “I’ll show you.”

“I need to talk to you.” Cole had walked up and stood beside Gemma and Larry.

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