Tansy rarely had many options when she ate out. She didn’t eat meat, and that limited choices in most places. But not here.
They both decided on the Mexican breakfast skillets and after Sato took their order, Tansy leaned in. “What plans have you been spinning around the property?”
He smiled at her and sipped his coffee. Sato had refilled it already.
“I’ve always liked the idea of running my own business, but nothing has ever fit. Not like the FBI fit.”
His face clouded over, and Tansy reached over to pat his hand. “Until now.”
He nodded. “For the past few years, I’ve been playing with the idea of founding a training facility.”
“What kind of training?”
“Protection detail, for the most part. Teach people how to look out for others and themselves, how to cope with an assault or a kidnapping attempt.”
Tansy’s heart melted a little more for this wonderful man. “You’ve always dealt with the aftermath of a kidnapping. Now you want to be more proactive. Help people avoid the traps in the first place.”
His face lit up, making her feel as if she’d found the right connection in a mechanism.
“Exactly. I’d like to help people learn to be more aware, learn to protect themselves, learn how to avoid dangerous situations. Or maybe train people to be bodyguards. A lot of the people I’ve worked with over the years have some of the skill sets required, but most are lacking in one area.”
“What kinds of areas do you mean?”
Sam leaned forward and tapped the table for every point. “Strategies for keeping people safe when exiting or entering buildings and vehicles, setting up a safe area indoors and outdoors, tracking in the woods and on the streets, knowledge about body language and eye contact. Physical fitness and martial arts training. Defensive and offensive driving skills. Teaching research skills to improve their knowledge of the clients and the potential for attacks. Ways to check vehicles and buildings for explosives and tracking devices.”
Tansy grinned. “This is great. You’ve already taught a lot of that to me, so I know you’d be good at this. Really good. It’s an exciting idea, Sam.”
His face showed his pleasure at her words. “I want to talk with Joe about it. And you. It’s only an idea.”
Tansy smiled. “Sounds like our property might be what you’ve been looking for.”
He took her hand. “I’d pay rent or lease or whatever you call it. If everyone thinks it’s a good idea.”
“You’ve been talking with others about it?” She’d been wishing she’d been the first, but that was silly.
“A few. Joe, obviously. And Nico. My buddy Graham.”
“Do I know Graham?”
Sam shook his head. “I don’t know if you’ve met. He’s an electrician and a mechanic. Likes playing with machines. He’d find your DOD projects a lot of fun. He’s the best driver I’ve ever met, and he wants to be a part of things if I ever do decide to go ahead.”
Tansy hadn’t seen excitement light Sam’s eyes for his job in a long time. It was an excruciating job when the ending was positive. Unimaginable when it went wrong.
“I want some of the lodge and sawmill for my labs, but I don’t see any reason why we can’t share the space, Sam. I think this is a great idea. You have my vote.”
Sato brought their meals, and they dug in to the best food she’d eaten in a long time. Certainly better than anything she could make.
“Maybe we need to hire a cook.”
Tansy laughed. “Maybe we can steal whoever cooks here. This is fabulous.”
Sam put down his fork and looked at her. “I need to talk to Joe.”
“I think he’ll be on board with the idea.”
Sam shook his head. “Not that. I need to talk to Joe about this.” He motioned between them.
Tansy sighed. Sam was the quintessential honorable man. “I’m a grown woman, Sam. Joe’s not my keeper.”