Nicole dropped her hand back to her side and stared back coolly. “Is there somewhere we could go to discuss the offer I’m prepared to make?”
“An offer for what?” Blake reached out to pull Paradise to his side. “And you can say whatever you have to say in front of Paradise. I don’t have any secrets from her.”
Nicole pressed her lips together. “I have a serious offer to purchase your property. Fifteen million dollars.”
Blake’s arm tightened around Paradise, and she could feel the tension in his body. An offer that high had to be tempting. They could purchase other land and build animal sheds, barns, and the other things a park would need.
He stepped back. “We aren’t interested in selling.”
“I’m sure we could raise that offer a bit. And my employer realizes the park is not doing well financially.”
“Who is your employer?”
“I’m not at liberty to say. Can you really afford to turn down an offer this high? Surely you at least want to present it to your mother.”
“My mother wants to sell even less than I do. I don’t think any offer will sway her, but I’ll tell her about it, of course.”
Nicole extracted a business card from her leather bag and held it out. “Here’s my contact information if you change your mind. And if you get another offer, we’d like to have the opportunity to increase ours.”
Blake took the card but stared at Nicole. “You’ve told others about the rare earth?”
She raised a brow. “Of course not, but whoever ran your tests could have told someone. News like this rarely stays secret.” The woman slid the strap on her bag up on her shoulder and walked toward the parking lot with brisk steps.
“Well, that was a surprise,” Blake said.
“Fifteen million dollars. That’s crazy, Blake, especially since you only have 120 acres.”
“I’d like to know who her employer is.”
And Jenna would have to hear of this offer.
Chapter 18
The February air was warm on Blake’s arms today. It was going to be a great day. A call had come through from Governor Amelia George’s aide this morning that she was bringing her grandson Jackson to the park. There would be photographers along as well as security. The governor was running for reelection, and the park would make a great photo op for her to show her family side. Blake didn’t mind because it would also be a great promo for the park.
He had told his mother about Nicole’s offer to purchase the property last night, and she had refused to discuss leaving The Sanctuary. The excitement of today’s visit would help ease his constant dithering about what to do.
He stood next to the ticket office with Paradise and waved in the entourage as they entered. The stink of gasoline burned his nose. The governor had requested a private safari, and she’d given a large donation to offset the disturbance her visit would cause.
“Why am I here?” Paradise whispered.
“She asked for the vet to come along in case Jackson had questions. I guess he has an interest in becoming a zoo veterinarian.” He gave her a quick hug. “I was quick to say yes as long as shecame when you were done in town. We don’t get time like this together very often.”
She smiled and adjusted her hat. They both wore shorts and safari shirts with the accompanying hats. They might as well look the part for the pictures.
“Has the governor ever been here before?” she asked.
“Not that I know of. I’ve never met her.”
“Me neither, and it’s exciting to have all this going on.”
A black SUV cruised to a stop, and the driver stepped out to open the door for an elegant woman in her late fifties. A boy about Levi’s age climbed out behind her. Blake had only seen the governor on TV dressed in a navy suit and sensible pumps, but today she wore designer jeans with boots and a long-sleeved blouse. Gray streaked her dark hair, and her green eyes were striking. She’d accomplished a lot of good in Alabama, and she was often on the news expounding measures she supported. She didn’t seem to mind the reporters lining the vehicle.
She extended her hand with a warm smile. Her voice was a husky purr that was easy to listen to. An orator’s voice. “Good to meet you, Blake. This is my grandson, Jackson.” She touched the boy’s dark hair. “He’s eight.”
“My brothers are five and seven.”
The governor’s eyes lit. “I should have asked if there were children who could come along. I suppose your brothers are in school though.”
