Page 13 of Sugar-Shacked with the Mountain Man
"How?"
"I don't know yet. But maybe if we work together instead of against each other, we can find a solution."
She turns to face me, hope warring with fear in her eyes. "And if we can't?"
"Then we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. But Sophie, what we have... it's worth fighting for. You're worth fighting for."
"Even if it means risking everything?"
"Especially then."
She studies my face, then nods slowly. "Okay. Three days to figure out how to save everything that matters to both of us."
"Three days," I agree, moving toward her.
"And Kane?"
"Yeah?"
"For the record, you're worth fighting for too."
I pull her into my arms, holding her tight against my chest. Outside, the storm continues to rage, but in here, with Sophie in my arms, anything feels possible.
Even saving everything we both love.
five
Sophie
Twodayslater,I'msitting at Kane's kitchen table, surrounded by financial documents, business plans, and my laptop finally showing signs of life as the storm begins to clear.
"Okay," I say, looking up from the spreadsheet I've been working on. "I think I have something."
Kane looks up from where he's been reviewing harvest data. "Good something or interesting something?"
"Potentially game-changing something." I turn the laptop toward him. "What if Morrison's clients weren't just interested in the land for development? What if they were interested in the farm as a heritage tourism and artisanal food operation?"
He studies the screen, and I can see his mind working. "You mean like agritourism?"
"More than that. Look—" I point to the projections I've been running. "Premium maple products, farm-to-table dining experiences, educational tours, seasonal events. The profitmargins on artisanal operations are significantly higher than traditional farming."
"But the startup costs..."
"Would be substantial, yes. But not insurmountable with the right investors." I lean forward, excitement building as the plan takes shape. "Kane, what if instead of selling the land, you sold partial ownership? Brought in investors who understand the value of preservation and sustainable tourism?"
Hope flickers in his green eyes. "You really think it could work?"
"I think it's your best shot. Look at these numbers—" I show him the revenue projections. "A properly managed heritage operation could generate three times what traditional maple farming brings in. Maybe it's an opportunity."
"What kind of opportunity?"
I think about Marcus, about the partners who see properties as nothing more than profit centers. About the sick feeling I get every time I present an offer that will destroy something beautiful.
"The kind where I stop tearing things down and start building them up instead."
Kane sets down the papers and moves to my side of the table. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying what if I started my own consultancy? Specialized in finding sustainable investment opportunities for heritage properties?" The idea is gaining momentum as I speak. "The Dubois Maple Farm could be my first client."
