Defending Zara (Mountain Mercenaries #6)(85)

“And I’d also like to see what I can do to help the people living in barrios back in Peru. There’s a ton of corruption, so it’s a little trickier. But, for instance, I know firsthand what the situation is like for pregnant women, so maybe I could build a clinic or something so there’s better health care for those who need it.”

“That’s awesome!” Harlow enthused.

“You’re going to give your money away to the very same people who oppressed you? Who basically held you hostage?” Renee asked, incredulous. “It seems to me there are a lot of people right here in the States who could use the money.”

The response wasn’t exactly a surprise. Zara knew some people wouldn’t understand why she’d want to help the poor in Lima. But she was disappointed someone who was supposed to be her friend was so skeptical right off the bat.

“The people I lived with and interacted with on a daily basis weren’t the ones who killed my parents. And they weren’t holding me hostage. There are evil people everywhere, and I never said I wouldn’t help people here in the States as well. I want to use the fact that I’m bilingual to help others in some way, maybe by working for that translation service that police officer told me about. I’m just trying to figure out the best way to help as many people as I can.”

“I think all of it sounds amazing,” Harlow said. “I know the women in the shelter I used to work for could’ve used all the help they could get. But honestly, it’s about more than just money; it’s about knowing someone cares. And I think you’ve got that in spades, Zara.”

“Thanks.”

The waiter arrived at their table with their meals, and the talk turned to how good the food looked and whether they could finish everything.

Zara silently counted her blessings yet again. A few months ago, she couldn’t have imagined she’d be where she was right this second. Sitting in front of a huge plate of food with more money than she knew what to do with. She would’ve been sitting in the dirt in one of the huts made out of corrugated metal or cardboard boxes, wondering where her next meal would come from.

After they ate, Renee excused herself to use the restroom, and Harlow, Everly, and Zara were alone in the booth.

“I know you and Renee were friends a long time ago,” Everly said with a frown, “but you seem like you’re complete opposites now.”

Zara sighed. “Yeah. I was so happy to reconnect with her right when I came back, but lately she’s been kind of tiresome.”

“You don’t have to keep hanging out with her,” Harlow pointed out.

“I know, but I feel . . . obligated? That’s not really the right word, but she was there for me when I really needed a familiar face. My whole world had changed, and I wasn’t sure how to deal with it all, and she called and visited and even helped me with my hair. It would be a shitty thing to drop her now.”

“I’m not saying you have to drop her,” Everly said. “But people change. Neither of you are the same people you were when you were ten. Our experiences change us. You can still be friends, but you don’t have to hang out all the time.”

“She’s bitched a lot tonight about the drive from Denver to Colorado Springs,” Harlow said. “If she hates it that much, why does she come visit you so often?”

“I think she’s lonely,” Zara said, looking around to make sure Renee wasn’t coming back to the table yet. “She doesn’t talk much about any other friends she has, and she seems almost desperate to be my friend at times. I feel bad for her.”

“Well, if you ever need us, we’re here,” Everly said. “No strings attached.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it,” Zara told them. She was lucky to have found a group of women she did connect with as well as she did with the significant others of the Mountain Mercenaries. She should have given them a chance earlier.

The waiter came back to their table with the bill, and Zara quickly grabbed it before either of the other two women could. “Tonight’s on me,” she told them.

“No,” Harlow protested. “We can get our own.”

“Nope. Besides, I’ve got all this money now and no way of ever spending it in this lifetime, so you’d be doing me a favor by letting me pay.” Zara grinned.

“I’m okay with that,” Renee said with a smile as she came back to the table.

Zara saw Everly and Harlow frown at each other, but she silently sighed in relief when neither said what they were obviously thinking.

The waiter took Zara’s credit card and returned within a minute or two with the slip for her to sign.

“You need a ride home?” Everly asked.

“She’s good,” Renee said. “I’m going right by Meat’s house on my way back to Denver, so I can drop her off.”

“Text when you get home,” Harlow said.

“You think I’m gonna wreck or something?” Renee asked with a frown.

“No, I’m just naturally a worrywart,” Harlow explained.

“Besides, it’s all the other people you have to be careful about on the roads,” Everly threw in. “You could be doing everything right, but all it takes is one drunk driver to cause a huge crash. Believe me, I’ve seen it.”

“Sorry, you’re right. I’ll be careful. I’m sure Zara will let you know when she’s inside. You ready to go?” Renee asked.