Chapter eight. Pat stopped her Jeep at the gate, wondering if she was at the right place

Pat stopped her Jeep at the gate, wondering if she was at the right place. There were no signs. She stepped out, pulling her cap more firmly on her head and walked to inspect the gate. The chain hung loosely, but it was unlocked.

She shrugged, then opened it. If she were at the wrong place, she would find out soon enough.

The dirt road wound through oak motes and open fields before leading her to an obvious construction site. Most of the activity was centered around a new building but several vehicles surrounded an old ranch house. After a moments hesitation, she drove to the ranch house, parking well out of the way.

She slipped one camera around her neck, then slung the camera bag over a shoulder. Her sunglasses shielded her from the bright sunshine and she looked around, looking for anyone that might be looking for her.

She finally found the one person that looked out of place. A small blonde woman wearing tan shorts and a white blouse tucked inside. She was talking to one of the construction workers. Perhaps she knew where Dr. Cambridge might be.

Carly stopped talking as she watched the tall woman approach. Dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail and covered with a ball cap. Her white shorts only accented her tan and Carly's eyes held fast to muscular thighs. She raised her eyes finally, watching in fascination as the woman pulled off sunglasses and folded them, tucking them neatly at her neck. Her eyes were bluer than a winter sky.

" Excuse me. I'm looking for a Dr. Cambridge."

Oh dear Lord. Those eyes. Carly could only stare.

" Ah, this is the Habitats For Nature place, right? " Pat asked, looking around. Shit, I'm probably at the wrong damn place.

Carly finally came to her senses and cleared her throat.

" Yes, it is."

Pat flashed her a relieved smile. " Good. Is Dr. Cambridge around? I'm Pat Ryan. I'm supposed to meet her this morning."

Carly nodded, finally finding her voice.

" I'm Carly Cambridge, " she said.

It was Pat's turn to stare. This was old Dr. Cambridge? Surely not.

" Are you sure? "

" Quite sure."

" I mean, I was expecting someone older. Not that this isn't a pleasant surprise, " Pat said, recovering. She stuck out her hand. " Nice to meet you."

Carly took her hand briefly and smiled in return.

" Someone older? "

" Aunt Rachel didn't elaborate. I just assumed, " she said.

Carly smiled at the mention of Rachel's name. She had become a friend over the months that they had corresponded.

" Rachel is a wonderful woman. We have quite a few donors already but none that are as sincere as she is. She really cares about this project. I'm so glad that you do, too. It's difficult finding a quality photographer, especially one that gladly volunteers their time."

" That's me, " Pat said lightly.

" Great. Well, let's head out and I'll show you around. Of course, we'll want shots of the Visitor's Center, but I don't think it's necessary to get the ranch house. We're redoing this for office space, mostly. We'll be starting on the reconstruction of the marshes and that'll take much more money than we have. We're hoping that you'll get some great shots of that. The bay area is relatively undisturbed, thank goodness, and I'm sure you'll have plenty there that suits you."

Pat followed behind Dr. Cambridge, trying to follow her ramblings but her eyes were locked on her backside as she walked. This might not turn out to be such a bad assignment after all.

Carly stopped at the edge of the Visitor's Center, very conscious of the silent woman walking behind her.

" Do you want to go inside today or would you rather wait until off hours when the workers are gone? "

Pat looked through the windows at the workers milling about and shook her head.

" No. Not today."

" Very well. Let's take my Jeep and I'll give you the tour. After that, I'll let you wander around alone. You can come out here anytime, the gate's unlocked during the day."

" I like to work early mornings or late afternoon, " Pat said. " The colors are much better then. Not so bright."

" Well, I guess I can always give you a key to the gate. You're free to come and go as you like."

" Thanks."

Dr. Cambridge's Jeep was much newer than her own. Pat immediately rolled the window down and stuck one arm outside, moving her eyes away from the woman and focusing on the sights around her.

Carly watched as Pat Ryan shoved sunglasses on, covering those beautiful eyes. Beautiful? Where did that come from? She pulled away, moving down the dirt road to the bay.

" We'll extend this road into the woods. It's so grown up in places, the oak motes have nearly disappeared with all the brush. We'll make a loop around the marshes and have places for people to stop and watch the wildlife, but most of the marshes will be off limits to the public."

" If it's off limits to the public, what's to draw them here? " Pat asked.

" We're not a resort or State Park, " Carly said sharply. " This preserve is for the wildlife, not the people."

Pat turned and looked at Dr. Cambridge, raising one eyebrow above her sunglasses. " But again, if I'm not allowed to see the wildlife, why should I donate money? "

" Perhaps you should try the zoo, then, " she said curtly.

Pat laughed and it caught Carly by surprise.

" Is that what you'll tell your donors? "

" Most of our donors understand the purpose of this preserve. And they'll still see plenty of wildlife. Ducks and shorebirds are not usually disturbed by a few cars and people milling about. And the deer will become accustomed to cars, too. Once they get past the fear of being hunted, that is."

" If that's the case, then why limit access? "

Carly sighed, exasperated. Was she a photographer or a politician?

" We're not a publicly funded preserve, " she said slowly. " It's technically private land. We're making it accessible to the public for their enjoyment, but we don't have to."

" You're making it publicly accessible so you'll get donations. If it were to be strictly private, no one would give you money."

" Look, Ms. Ryan, obviously you don't understand the concept behind Habitats For Nature. Native land is scarce. And this, " she said, waving her hands around her, " is hardly native anymore. The marshes have been drained. Cattle have grazed here on imported grass. The natural landscape has been changed to suit man's needs. The ducks and shorebirds have disappeared. Our main concern is returning this land to its natural state. With the help of donors, yes. People who love this land and want it restored. For that, we're willing to open it up, minimally, to the public."

An environmental nutcase, Pat mused. Why couldn't she have been an old Dr. Cambridge? Pat flicked her eyes over the small woman sitting beside her. Her blonde hair looked like it was in need of a cut and she had it tucked behind her ears. Her arms and legs were tanned and she noticed the fingers that drummed against the steering wheel impatiently. She was too damn cute to be an environmental wacko.

" I apologize, Dr. Cambridge. What do I know about it? I'm just a photographer."

" Can I ask you something, Ms. Ryan? "

" Of course."

" Why did you volunteer for this? "

Pat cleared her throat and grinned.

" Well, I didn't exactly volunteer. It seems my aunt volunteered my services without asking."

Carly stared, her mouth opening slightly. Rachel Yearwood had come to her, saying her niece had graciously offered her services, free of charge, all for the benefit of the preserve.

" I see."

" I'm not really into all this nature stuff, " Pat admitted.

Great. Just great. Could she even take pictures?

" You are a photographer, right? "

" Yes, of course."

Carly nodded. " Well, if you were coerced into this, I'll understand if you bail out now. In fact, we probably would do better paying someone. At least then, they might actually care about what they shoot."

" Hey, look. I make my living shooting wildlife. Forgive me if I'm not political about it."

Carly let out her breath, her impatience with this woman growing thin.

" Ms. Ryan, we all have different agendas in life. Ours, apparently, don't seem to cross paths. However, we are in need of a photographer and our budget doesn't exactly allow us to hire one. If you're not able to do this, perhaps you know someone in your profession who might be willing to lend a helping hand. Time is what we don't have. Our resources will run out by the end of summer without new donations. We're planning on starting on our mailing lists by mid-May, at the latest and we would like to have a brochure put together by that time."

" I didn't say I wouldn't work for you, Dr. Cambridge. I promised Aunt Rachel, " Pat said. " Just don't expect me to go door-to-door with you, looking for donations."

" Fair enough. We do appreciate your sacrifice, " she said.

Pat laughed again, again surprising Carly. She had intended her comment to be an insult. Apparently, this woman was too thick-skinned to even realize it.