“That’s not my intention.”
“Whatever you say, Bentley Boy. I’ve seen some of your portfolio. Regular, hard-working folks aren’t going to be able to afford to visit this place once you’re done with it.”
I rubbed my jaw. I couldn’t deny Fraser Developments was known for creating luxury destinations, but I understood her point. “If it makes you feel better, I don’t think I’ll be building anything here. I didn’t make the best impression on your father when I met with him in Edinburgh.”
Isla gave a humorless chuckle. “You pissed him off? How’d you manage that?”
“I don’t know.” My expression soured. “I opened with the usual. Complaining about the weather. Talking about footy. I may have said something to the likes of ‘if the Rovers could remember which way to kick the ball, maybe they’d make the champions league’ and things went downhill after that.”
She scoffed. “You insulted his footy team?”
“It was meant to be a joke!” I insisted. “I was trying to break the ice. How was I supposed to know that was his team?”
Islatsked. “I’m probably the only one who could get away with ragging on the Rovers. Dad worships them. He has since he was a boy.”
I dropped my hands to my hips. “I should have done better research. Or found an actual in with him. Any suggestions on whatwouldwin him over?”
“The only thing I know for sure that he wants is for me to visit more, but that’s not happening.”
I stared at her, a crazy idea taking root so quickly it almost made me burst out laughing. “I have an idea that could be dead brilliant.”
She looked concerned. “What are you talking about?”
I lifted my hands, hoping she didn’t freak out. “How does this sound? I’ll pledge to leave the property open toallvisitors. I won’t block off access to the grounds or even the waterfall, so your artists, or regular townspeople, or anyone at all would still be free to come and experience the place for themselves.”
“What’s the catch?” she asked, suspicious.
“The catch is that you have to help me win Dougal over so I can secure the deal.”
“And what exactly would that entail?” she asked, crossing her arms. Ranger sat dutifully at her feet, staring up at me.
I ran a hand through my hair, playing it through in my mind. “I think…we’d need to make Dougal believe we’re in a relationship.”
Her eyes widened. “Are you crazy?”
“Hear me out,” I said. “For Dougal to take this seriously, for me to be able to leverage your sway over him, we’d have to say we’re together. And not just some random fling. Dougal needs to believe I mean something to you. That this relationship matters to the future of his family. I say we pretend we’re engaged.”
Isla’s eyes widened to tea plates. “You’re nuts. I’m not doing that.”
“You said yourself that what Dougal wants is to be closer to you.”
“So?”
“Think about it,” I said. “If his darling daughter shows up with me on her arm, he’s not going to risk pushing you away further by refusing to meet with me. And you can coach me on how to get on his good side—his likes, dislikes, topics I should avoid…”
She tilted her head, regarding me through narrowed eyes. “Sounds like you’re getting all the benefit.”
“No,” I said, holding up my finger. “Don’t forget my deal. With your help, I’ll be able to buy this property and keep it open so everyone can enjoy it. But if you say no, if we don’t worktogether, then we’re both going up against the industrialist,alone.”
She turned toward the woods, drumming her fingers against her lips, clearly thinking it over. “Dad did mention the positive impact of Weston’s wind farm when I last talked to him.”
“Okay, so he cares about this community. And the one thing I know for sure is this community loves you. You’ve carved out a place for yourself here, so with you by my side?—”
“We’ll have an edge over the industrialist,” she said.
I nodded. “My hotel won’t offer quite as many jobs as a factory, but therewillbe some permanent staff, and a lot of economic potential for the town. It’ll bring wealthy clientele to Braeburn. Visitors who’ll be eager to eat at local restaurants, buy local products, drink local ale.”
“And once you’ve bought the property, what happens to our fake engagement?” she asked, turning to me.
