look out for it, but I’m meaning to put something more formal in place. Maybe a nature center – trails, education, that kind of thing. Where we’d have legal and formal protection. Are you interested?”
Was she? Kira paused for a moment as she mulled it over. It sounded like a lot of work, and something which would require her time to be spent in Grace’s Cove, rooted in one spot. That being said, she did love nature and she knew most of her friends and family would certainly support such a cause. Between the new community center Dylan was building and a nature center, there would be loads of new activities for the locals to participate in. Plus, she’d have the benefit of seeing Fergal happily settled in his protected pond.
“I think there are a lot of positives to this idea of yours. But I have some questions.”
“Go for it.”
“What about your job? Would you make this your new full-time gig? Or would you be planning to hand off the management to someone else?”
“I’m not rightly sure yet. I’ve been thinking about – well, a life change of sorts lately. Not that I don’t love what I do, but I’ve been feeling a bit adrift. A part of me thinks this would be a lovely way to honor Gran, her beautiful land, and to contribute to future generations’ enjoyment of nature.”
“All very noble. But what happens when you’ve been stuck here for a year with no place to go?”
Brogan laughed at her. “I’ll take a holiday then.”
“And who will run things while you’re gone?”
“Hopefully, a capable manager.”
“And how do you plan to be paying for them?”
“With the money that I put into starting this up.”
“And once that money runs dry?”
“We solicit donations and offer yearly memberships?” Brogan shook his head at her.
“And if that’s not enough to keep it afloat?”
“Then we figure out a way. It’s not a multi-million dollar operation, Kira. I think we could run this on a fairly lean budget and still make a difference.”
“You say ‘we.’ But how do you see me involved?”
“I suppose that would be for you to decide. Off the top of my head, I was thinking that with your photography and creative skills, you could be a real asset in raising awareness of what the area provides in the way of plant and animal life, and perhaps work the social media angle to build a following of donors. I was also thinking maybe you’d like to lead classes for budding nature photographers. Birders and so on…” Brogan trailed off as her mouth dropped open. “What?”
“You want me to teach photography?”
“I mean… you don’t have to. I thought we were just brainstorming, weren’t we?”
“I’ve never thought about teaching before,” Kira mused. She turned from Brogan, propping her feet up on the bench, and looked out to the water. The idea of teaching photography felt… well… she had thought it would feel silly, but for some reason, it bloomed warm inside of her. Maybe she’d love it, Kira thought.
“It’s just an idea. Something I was kicking about. In general, what are your thoughts?” Brogan stood and moved around the side of the table so he could sit next to her. Kira turned her gaze from the water to his.
“Brogan, I think it’s brilliant. Why shouldn’t you do something like this? Of course, we need a defined conservation effort here. And I’m sure it’ll be welcomed by everyone in town.”
“So you’ll help? I’m horrible with photos. I can barely take a selfie.” Brogan shrugged.
“I’ll help. In fact, I’ve already started. Look.” Kira pulled out her phone and brought up her otter Instagram page.
“In Otter News.” Brogan laughed as he scrolled through her pictures. Turning, he bent his face close to hers. “I think you’re amazing, Kira.”
“Thank you. That’s sweet of you.”
Before she could say anything else, Brogan pressed his lips to hers in the softest of kisses. He pulled away so quickly that, had Kira not felt the pulse of energy rush through, her entire body going on full alert, she might have thought she’d imagined it.
“Shall we pack up before it gets dark? I’d love to start outlining some more ideas.”
The quick switch of subjects startled Kira – her brain was still fuzzy from his kiss. “Right, yes. Best to get on with it.”
Brogan stood and began packing things away, his back to the cove. Kira took a deep breath and turned to the water, forcing her nerves to steady.
When the water of the