Nash cleared his throat and stared at our brother, silently warning him not to lose his cool.
“Is your meat organic?” Nate asked.
Wilder ignored the scuff of Nash’s boot against his own. “Our cattle’s primary food source is grass and hay when pasture isn’t available with grain as supplementary food if needed. You can test any of our cattle and will not find any shit pumped into them.” Wilder’s nostrils were flared and his arms folded acrosshis broad chest. He was pissed and when Wilder got pissed he either laid people out cold with his words or laid people out cold with his fist. Thank fuck the fists hadn’t seen much action for a while since Lily had made him realize that words often packed a stronger punch. I was pretty sure that neither would be welcomed by Nash.
“I think what Wilder is trying to say,” I interjected. “Is that we’re still concerned about the effect on the local environment and land. As much as we believe your assurances that you’re doing what you can to protect our land and people, you can’t possibly give us one hundred percent assurance.”
“Gunner is right,” Cassidy added. “The land and the area is important to everyone, not just the family. I mean have you seen how spectacular the mountains are, how green the pastures are, how blue the sky is.” She took a deep breath. “No one wants that beauty marred, not to mention the effects that you don’t see.”
I must have had some kind of soppy look on my face, because Wilder was staring at me, one eyebrow cocked as he mimicked wiping drool from the corner of his mouth. While Nate’s concentration was on my girl, I gave Wilder the finger and earned myself a kick under the table from Nash.
“I take on board your concerns,” Nate said, garnering all our attention again, “but I promise we will do our utmost to ensure everything is done to have the least impact on the town and your ranch. We’re implementing closed-loop water recycling systems and carbon capture technology that exceeds federal standards by forty percent. The entire facility will run on renewable energy from our solar farm just outside Clementine Hill.”
“A closed-loop water recycling system, hey.” I nodded sagely, because I’d read about this a few nights before. “Sounds impressive, but how will you prevent contamination of the groundwater that feeds our creek and the wetlands during construction?”
Nate steepled his fingers under his chin, giving me his full attention. “We’re implementing a dual containment system for all construction run off. Primary barriers include silt fencing and retention ponds with specialized filtration. Secondary measures involve continuous groundwater monitoring at twenty points surrounding the site, with automatic alerts if contamination is detected. We’re working with Freshwater Environmental. They specialize in watershed protection during industrial construction.”
“No expense spared,” Wilder said, rolling his eyes.
“What you’ll discover about me is that I don’t skimp on anything.” Nate gave him a flat smile. “Look, I understand your concern. My grandfather’s farm was ruined by chemical run off from a nearby factory years ago. I wouldn’t build something that creates the same problems I’ve fought against elsewhere. My pops is why I do what I do in the way that I do it.”
Cassidy crossed her legs and shifted in her seat, and I suspected that Nate’s tale of Grandfather’s farm brought back some memories. I linked my pinky with hers and gave it a gentle tug so that she looked at me.
“Okay?” I mouthed. She gave me a beautiful smile and nodded.
“With respect to your grandfather and your reverence to his memory, Nate,” Nash finally said, “we don’t know whether we can trust you. We don’t know you other than the fact that you want to build houses and a factory close to our land, close to wildlife. You’ve told us it’ll be environmentally friendly,” he picked up one of the brochures and flicked through it, “but aside from those figures you’ve just quoted there’s nothing in here on how much landfill it’s going to create, or by how much other energy and emissions will be reduced. I think we need some positive assurances, with facts and figures.”
Nate’s exhale was a little ragged as he placed a hand on the table, spreading his long fingers. He slowly tapped them as he watched Nash put the brochure back on the table. He was quiet for a little too long, clearly contemplating his words.
“Maybe we could arrange another meeting,” Cassidy suggested. “When you have some figures to fact up your promises.” She gathered all her papers and placed them on top of her copy of the glossy brochure. “Can we also suggest that you come out to the development site and look at the weasels and the other wildlife in the area. Sending someone else out can’t possibly replace the actual experience of seeing it for yourself.”
God she was good.
“I’d like this project to get off the ground as soon as possible.” He raised a brow. “Seeing as your town’s mayor has had it delayed.”
Nash and I exchanged a look. We owed Cal a beer or two for that.
Sitting back in his chair, Nate linked his fingers and rested them on his stomach. “I’ll up the sponsorship for the children’s camp by fifty percent.” He looked between me and Cassidy and then turned his penetrative gaze on Nash. “I’ll invest in your wedding venue.”
If Nash was surprised he didn’t show it. Wilder had his best poker face, and I had no idea what he was thinking either. Cassidy’s mouth was open as her eyes flicked between me and Nate. Another fifty percent sponsorship into the camp was huge. On top of what he was already offering that made it enough to start us off and keep us going for a year. Could we accept that, though, knowing the effect it might have on the land? Could we afford to turn it down, though.
“I think we need to discuss a few things,” Nash said. “Like Cassidy said, we should have another meeting when you’ve gotsome facts and figures for us.” My brother looked around at us. “I think we’re ready to go guys, okay?”
“I’ve certainly heard enough,” Wilder muttered, pushing up from his chair. He held out his hand to Nate. “It’s been a pleasure.”
Jenkins stood as did the rest of us and each of us shook his hand, Nash last of all holding on to it for a little longer than the rest of us.
“I’m out of the country for the next six days, but as soon as I get back I’ll arrange to come and visit the site. In the meantime. I’ll get my numbers person to come up with those figures you’re all so anxious to see.”
Wilder opened his mouth but quickly closed it when Nash shot him a glare. Our eldest brother’s jaw had a tick in it. He was mad but to be fair it was a toss-up between him and Wilder as to who was most pissed.
After saying goodbye to us, the four of us stepped out into the pale sunshine. There was a cool breeze, and I was glad of my coat. Cassidy was only wearing a blazer that matched the trousers she was wearing, so I wrapped my arm around her, feeling her tremble against the chill.
“Want my coat, sweetheart?”
“No, I’m fine your truck is just there.”
Nash and I had both driven our trucks over to Clementine Hill and I was more than ready to spend the next forty minutes alone with Cassidy.
