Page 20 of Wilde Sanctuary

“When I went to college, my father wanted me to go on to law school, so I did.”

“You’re a lawyer?” Rhett’s mouth dropped open.

Oh no, she wasn’t going to have any of that. “Yes, but I don’t practice. As long as I studied what he wanted, I could take whatever extra courses I wanted.”

“Sounds like a good deal.”

“It was,” she laughed. “I stumbled across some geography courses and loved them. One in particular about ecotourism.”

Rhett lifted his eyebrows.

“What if you didn’t have to sell? What if you had a partner instead who could provide the cash that you need to do the renovations on the cabins and build a small lodge? Somewhere you could use for the tours and accommodation for those who aren’t able to camp or don’t want to camp.”

“I wouldn’t own it though, would I?” He asked.

She smiled, pleased he was at least asking questions and not dismissing her outright. “There’d be paperwork to sort out, of course.”

“Lawyers.”

“Hey,” she swiped at his chest with her hand. “I’m a lawyer.”

“You said you weren’t practicing.”

She grumbled at him, but only in jest. “We could negotiate the ownership. Say, 51% to you and?—”

“No, more than that.”

She laughed. “We can talk.”

“Alright, we’ll talk about it,” he said.

She squealed with excitement and rose on her toes to kiss him.

He laughed, setting her away from him slightly. “But not right now. I have to go to work. Will you be all right by yourself?”

“Of course. Don’t worry about me. I’ll write up the proposal for you.”

Rhett nodded. “Sixty forty.”

Charlie shook her head. “You drive a hard bargain, Rhett West.”

Chapter Nine

Rhett

He’d barely made it back to the shop when a family of six walked in to hire gear for a camping trip. Their own had been destroyed in the storm, but they were determined to make the most of the rest of their vacation.

Rhett helped them make their selections and no sooner had they left than the phone rang. On it went, racing from one customer to the next. Taking bookings, sorting out hired gear that had been returned and needed checking and packing before being stored away, ready for the next rental.

By the time he was ready to turn the sign on the door to ‘closed’ it was approaching sunset and Rhett was exhausted, so he wasn’t particularly pleased to hear the bell jangle over the front door again.

He sighed, running his hand through his hair and forcing a smile on his face that he really didn’t feel. He just wanted to go home to Charlie. His heart kicked at the thought, a genuine smile lifting his lips.

When Rhett entered the front room, it was to see a man in a slightly rumpled suit running his finger over a table to inspectfor dust. There was something about him that put Rhett on edge, so there was no hint of a smile in his voice when he greeted the newcomer.

“Can I help you?” He asked, habit forcing him to be polite.

The other man turned and smiled, his teeth far too white and even, his blond hair slicked back, not a strand out of place.

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