Page 52 of Arctic Panda's Secret Mate
Tristan would be there, she reminded herself. That was why she was doing this.
Tristan wasworthit.
She excused herself after all themise en placewas finished for dinner and went to boot up her laptop. She’d need to apply for a work visa, and that might take a few months to get through, depending on the bureaucracy.
There was so much to do, and she didn’t want to do any of it.
46
TRISTAN
Tristan had hoped that a phone call with Scarlet would be simpler than a face-to-face meeting. The owner of the resort was deeply intimidating. She was tall, beautiful, and had an aura of power that was impossible to miss. Tristan wasn’t entirely surewhatshe was, but even her menacing husband, who was open about being a dragonanda mage, deferred to her strength and authority.
Unfortunately, it was not any easier explaining his proposal without being able to see her. He could feel her skepticism over the line, even though her voice was calm and even.
“You want me to buy a chalet inAlaska, so that you can turn it into a lodge for shifters only.”
“I’d be happy to email you the data I’ve collected,” Tristan said, as boldly as he could. “I believe that it would be a very advantageous satellite business for Shifting Sands Resort, at very little actual risk.”
“You said the property value is several million dollars,” Scarlet said very mildly. “If it’s not listed for sale, they would probably ask more.”
“I’m not asking for charity,” Tristan said, keeping his voice as mild as hers. He was pretty sure that several million dollars were a drop in the pot for her. “I’m proposing this as a venture foryouthat would expandyourbrand and offer your clientele something completely different than the beach resort while staying to your commitment to provide community, occupation, and escape for shifters. It has the same unique advantages of isolation as the island. Summer and winter, this is already a tourist destination. The northern lights alone are a huge draw.”
“What do you personally get from it, then?” Scarlet asked shrewdly. “Are you expecting a cut of the profits? Are you asking me to hire you to run it? What is your experience in managing a lodge in Alaska? I didn’t see much on your resume here that indicates a background in the hospitality business. Does your construction expertise apply to cold weather climates?”
“I’m not asking for a cut,” Tristan assured her. “I would only work here in the capacity I’m qualified for, and I would learn anything you needed me to know.”
“I applaud your enthusiasm, but I’m not looking to expand off of the island,” Scarlet said firmly, dashing what was left of Tristan’s hopes. “This would be a large, unnecessary financial burden and I have no confidence of a timely return on such an investment. I don’t need the extra hassle of a remote staff, and I’m not in any need of more property assets. I’m sorry, Tristan. This is not a venture it is practical to enter into. Is there anything else I can do for you today?”
Tristan drew in a breath, squelching his disappointment. “Yes. I’d like to tender my resignation. I will return to Shifting Sands to collect my belongings and this is the two weeks notice that is required by my contract.”
“You’re quitting because I won’t buy a cabin based on your word?” Scarlet’s voice was dangerous, and Tristan felt his toes curl.
“I’m quitting because my mate is here. She loves this place and I won’t take her away from it. We can start smaller. I’ll find other work. We’ll figure something out. I knew it was a lot to ask, but I had to try.”
Tristan felt an unexpected wash of peace roll over him. It wasn’t the answer he’d wanted, but at least now heknew. Scarlet had been his very last hope.
“It was a pleasure working for you, ma’am. I have no regrets, whatsoever, about my time at Shifting Sands and I will treasure the friends and connections I made. I appreciate the opportunity and hope to have the chance to return as a guest at some point.” It would be a long time, Tristan thought, before he could afford that.
“You would always be welcome,” Scarlet said bemusedly, after a silence that went on so long Tristan wondered if there was something more he ought to say. Was she expecting him to beg?
“Thank you.” Tristan hung up, and turned his phone completely off so he wouldn’t be tempted to call back and curse her out irrationally.
He fell back on the bed for an indulgent moment of self pity. It smelled like Haisley and cedar.
Smells like home, his bear observed.
Itishome,Tristan said with conviction. He let his mind spin for a few moments over more ridiculous ways to buy an expensive chalet and run it as a lodge for shifters. Could he win it gambling? Or steal the startup? Panda’s weren’t all that stealthy; he didn’t think that being a shifter would be much of an advantage in a heist, and he wasn’t sure who to rob anyway.
No, he’d been truthful with Scarlet. He could get somework in the area, Haisley could keep working at the chalet she loved, and his dreams would just be much more humble. Maybe he should buy land, build a few cabins, and start small.
He stood up. This wasn’t the news he’d wanted to take to Haisley, but she needed to know.
47
HAISLEY
Haisley gathered up her cheer with determination. She was not going to spoil Tristan’s last night here moping about him leaving and dwelling on all the difficulties of going with him, even if the visa application did look like a nightmare. She was moving to a beautiful tropical island with a hot green-flag guy who adored her and could change into a carnival-sized teddy bear.
