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“It really doesn’t.” He turned back to the council. “In addition to all those extra people and all the increased boat traffic, to accommodate what Miss Lee is proposing, we’ll have to take electrical lines out there. Plumbing. Wi-Fi. That’s going to disrupt land and wildlife. That’s even before we talk about putting in the actual buildings and the peoplethatwill take, the supplies, the noise.”
Savannah glowered at his back. But it was mostly fake. She was definitely feeling a niggle ofcrap.
She only knew a couple of people behind that table. She knew Kennedy. She also knew Knox, the city manager. But those two were protective of where they lived. Hell, Kennedy was married to a guy who ran a foundation dedicated to saving the bayou by preventing the erosion of the barrier islands in the gulf.
Savannah was already in trouble just presenting this to them.
But she was in even more trouble because Theo was…being Theo
Listening to Theo be so dedicated and protective and smart was hot.
Ugh, why did everything about this guy have to be hot?
And that firm tone of voice of his…
"You all know very well that it'll be my team, at least in part, along with Autre's own resources used if these people end up in trouble. I'm sure Zander and Michael will agree that we already have our hands full with tourists coming down here and not exactly knowing what they're getting into.”
Everyone at that table was nodding.
Savannah sighed. Fuck.
She understood what Theo was saying. The bayou was definitely a unique experience. The wild animals out there included alligators, for God's sake.
She also knew there were plenty of stories about people coming down and wanted to go fishing and hunting in an environment that was little different than the riverbanks they were used to back home.
Still, these people had money. They were bringing dollars to Autre. Sure, Zander, the town cop, and Michael the fire chief and head EMT might have a little more work, but they got paid for it.
"We would of course be willing to discuss some private payment for emergency services, maybe some extra security services—" Savannah started.
Theo turned and leveled his dark brown eyes on her. She pressed her lips together.
Then frowned when she realized that he’d shut her up with just a look.
"But," he went on. "I have an idea."
Savannah bit back her first instinct to protest. That wasn't professional. And the last thing she wanted to do was let Theo Taggart know that he riled her up and flustered her.
Theo went on. "I think that if Miss Lee spent a week down on the bayou in a cabin herself, she’d get a better idea what this endeavor will require and we can have a more…realistic conversation.”
two
Savannah openedher mouth to protest again, but then shut it. How could she argue that? He was asking her to do what she wanted future guests to do. Kind of.
There would be no gumbo made by a private chef and no specialty shampoo in the bathroom but…
"So you're asking if Savannah would be willing to spend some time down on the bayou herself?" Knox asked.
"Yes. I feel like she needs to know a little bit more about the environment that she's hoping to build in. She wants to attract people to this area, but I don't really think she knows what she’s talking about,” Theo answered.
Savannah gasped and shot up from her seat. "I have spent plenty of time down here in Autre! I've been here overnight many times."
He turned to look at her again, this time turning his entire body. Which was very distracting. Then he leaned back against the podium and crossed his arms. That caused his biceps to bunch. She forced her eyes to his.
His nonchalance irritated her.
"Sure,” he said. “At the bed and breakfast in town. Which is a very lovely establishment. Also quite a ways away from all the gators. I’m talking aboutonthe bayou. In a cabin. I don't think you have the first idea what that's like."
She didn’t. He was right about that.
