Page 98 of Sweet Home Louisiana

“Not unless you get full of yourself and think you can do a better job than they do or something,” Owen told him.

“I don’t see that happening,” Bennett admitted.“This isn’t about taking something over.This is just about being a part of it.You guys and the way you run the place are part of its marketability.”

Huh.Was that right?Owen hadn’t thought about that.

“In fact, the idea of losing one-third of the guys who make this place what it is, on top of the recent loss of Tommy, makes me wonder if Boys of the Bayou will really be all it can be going forward.”

Owen frowned.That was nice and all, but he wasn’t part of the deal.If that changed how Bennett was looking at this whole thing, they might all be in trouble.“You might not be interested if I’m not here?”he asked.

“I’ll have to think about it,” Bennett told him.“This company isn’t just about floating down the bayou or spotting an alligator or egret here and there.It’s about you guys.Your love for it all, your knowledge of the area because this is your backyard, your protection of it.The bayou and the area down here all benefit from having you guys running the tours and fishing trips as much as the tourists benefit from it.Maybe more.If people from the outside come in”—Bennett paused, clearly meaning him—“who don’t understand it all and are just here to make money, then the bayou and the natural balance out here suffer.”

Owen frowned.“You’re an outsider who sounds like he knows what he’s talking about.”

“There are oil companies, logging companies, tourism companies, any number of people who don’t care if they’re destroying the marshlands.People like you need to stay here, claiming the territory and helping protect it.”

Owen squinted at him.“Aren’t you…”

“A rich guy who only looks at how to get richer?”Bennett asked.

Owen shrugged.“Something like that.”

“Yes and no.I’m a rich guy.But I have a law degree, along with a master’s in biodiversity and conservation.”

“You’re a scientist?”Owen couldn’t hide his surprise.

“I am.But I decided that I could be even more effective using my knowledge and passion combined with my money and network than I could trudging through the swamp.So I invest in green technology and conservation programs and I lobby politicians and other investors on behalf of those efforts.”

“You don’t want to get richer?”

Bennett grinned.“Green technology has tons of potential.”

“Ah.”Owen couldn’t fault the guy for using what he knew and had to get more.He was giving back, at least.“You’re going to run for office eventually?”Owen guessed.

Bennett nodded.“Eventually.”

“But now you’re investing in a swamp boat tour company so you can also trudge through the swamp once in a while.”

Bennett grinned.“Yep.”

“So you’ll keep the company and the business as is?And invest in it?”

“I really like what you guys do.Not just for all the reasons I gave you but because you also show people a hell of a good time.”Bennett shrugged.“I don’t have a lot of friends who can take apart an airboat and put it back together or who can kill, clean, and grill up an alligator.”

“And you’re into that?”He had to admit the guy standing in front of him looked nothing like the guys who gathered around the bonfires and twisted the heads off of crawfish.

“I’m a stereotypical nerd who wants to be one of the cool kids.”

Owen laughed.“You might have low standards for cool kids, but you’re in the right place if you want to get dirty and drunk and dumb once in a while.”

Bennett laughed.“Boys of the Bayou will be safe with me,” he said.“But I am concerned about you not being a part of it.”

“I don’t have a choice, man.I’m going with Maddie.”

Bennett seemed to ponder that.Finally he nodded.“Okay.”

They stood for a long moment, neither saying anything.

Finally, Owen asked, “So now what?”

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