Page 32 of The Last Bachelor Dragon

“I don’t think that will be necessary,” he said, still not sure he’d made the right decision. “I think we can keep them isolated on the other side of the island, away from the violence.”

“That’s a big risk,” Carla said. “What will you tell them?”

“That we need to work on the batteries and solar panels, and there won’t be any electricity for a couple of days,” he said. “I thought we could turn it into a camp-out, make it seem like an adventure, but I’ll also give them the option to leave as well.”

Carla was quiet for a second. “If everyone stays, we’ll be looking at fifty people who will need food and shelter,” she said. “Do we have what we need to pull this off?

“That’s what we need to find out, starting with the staff,” he said. “I need to know how many will be willing to stay and help us.”

“My people will stay,” Carla said, her voice full of conviction. “They love the island as much as we do, and these are choice jobs. They’ll want to defend them.”

“That’s what the other department heads said. I hope that you’re all right,” he said. “We’ll find out tonight. We’ll meet at eight o’clock on the beach by the new staff housing.”

Max discovered he was nervous as he watched all the employees begin to assemble on the beach and wondered for the hundredth time if he was making the right choice. It was a huge risk to keep everyone on the island, but evacuating might tip Adaloni off that they knew he was coming, and they’d be right back where they started. The time had come to face him, to show him once and for all who the island belonged to and who it would always belong to.

“It’s going to be okay, Max, they’ll stay,” Nora said, taking his hand. “They love this place as much as we do, and it’s not like you’re asking them to fight.”

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, Nora's presence was as reassuring as her words. He looked down at her wih love. “You were one of them once,” he said, grinning at her. “You should know how the working class thinks.”

“I’m still one of them,” she said, grinning at him.

When the department heads joined him, he knew the time had come to put everything on the line. He gave Nora’s hand one more squeeze for reassurance and then stepped forward. “Thank you all for taking the time to come all the way over here, I know you’re all tired from working all day, so I’ll try to keep this short,” he said, then waited a second for everyone to quiet down. “I know there are a lot of rumors about Carlos Adaloni floating around the island, and I’m afraid that a lot of them are true. He’s set his sights on the island, he’s planning on attacking us in two days, and not even the government is brave enough to try and stop him, but I’m not going to let him get his hands on the island.”

He paused to let everyone catch up, then continued. “Iasked you all to come here tonight because I need your help, but I want to make it perfectly clear that if you choose not to stay, your jobs will still be here when this is over,” he said. “I’m not asking you to fight, we’ve got that handled. What I need is your help with the guests. We have a plan to keep them safe, and before you ask, I’ve thought about evacuating them, but that might alert Adaloni that we know he’s coming. I promise that anyone who chooses to stay on the island will be perfectly safe. Harrison has a top-notch security team that will guard you and the guests the entire time. Take a few minutes to think about what you want to do and then let your supervisor know if you’re staying or going over to Bermuda until this all settles down. But I want you to know that whatever you decide, I appreciate everything you do every day to make this island such a special place, and that will never change.”

A silence fell over the crowd and he stood nervously watching them as the reality of the situation slowly sank in, then something amazing happened. One by one, each of his employees walked over to him and promised to defend the island with him, and by the time the meeting was over, not a single one of them had chosen to leave.

A bit overwhelmed by emotion, he stepped back and let Harrison take over. “See, I told you,” Nora said, putting her arms around him. “They love this place as much as we do.”

***Nora***

Nora lugged the big box of supplies up from the beach to the kitchen Carla had set up, set it on the table with a small thud, then stood catching her breath for a second. “This is the last one,” she said. “Where do you want it?”

“Put it over by the coolers,” Carla said. “Was that the last boat?”

“Yep, now we just have to get the guests moved in,” she said. “I can’t believe everyone decided to stay. I thought sure there would be a few who would leave.”

“We can do this,” Carla said. “We’ve got more than enough food to feed everyone for two days if need be, plenty of things to keep them entertained, and lots of help to get it all done.”

“I’m glad you’re so relaxed,” she said, then sighed. “I’m trying not to worry, but I can’t help myself. I’m so afraid that Max is going to get hurt. Those men have guns, Carla, and they won’t hesitate to use them.”

Carla stopped what she was doing. “I don’t blame you for worrying, I’m doing a little of that myself,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “But I’ve known Max and his friends my entire life, and nothing will come between them and the things they love. And don’t forget their special gifts. Adaloni has no idea what he’s stirred up, once the dragons take over, well…you know how that worked out the last time, and there were only three of them.”

“Thanks for reminding me,” she said, feeling better. “Sometimes I forget that Max and the other guys aren’t just regular people. I’m still getting used to the idea.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll get there,” Carla said. “Now, let’s finish getting this all put away so we can take a break for lunch. We’ve been working our butts off all morning, and there’s still more fun to come.”

The first of the guests arrived right after lunch and for most of the afternoon, she didn’t have time to think about anything but getting them all settled. When she finally found a second to take a deep breath, the sun was already beginning to set and she realized with a sinking heart that it wouldn’t be much longer before Max and the others would have to face Carlos Adaloni. She wanted to be as confident as Carla, but it was hard when she felt like the rest of her life rested onjust this one night. She’d just found Max, losing him would kill her.

Pushing the thought from her mind, she started for the dining tent, planning to help with dinner, but Max materialized in front of her before she could get there. “Hello there pretty lady,” he said, pulling her into his arms. “I haven’t seen you all day.”

“Hello to you too,” she said, stretching up to give him a kiss. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” he said. “When this is all over, we’re going to take some time alone for just the two of us.”

“That sounds wonderful,” she said with a wistful sigh. “How is everything on the other side of the island?”

“Harrison finished the underwater charges a few minutes ago and the boats are in position and ready to go,” he said. “We’re keeping an eye on the trackers. So far there’s been no movement, but we’ll know when they’re on the way and be there to meet them.”

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