Tristan is pleased with the results of his meeting with the Asians. Briggs had been able to get them to concede to nearly everything, including some of the things they wouldn't have dared to ask for if they had gone to Asia instead. At least that headache is dealt with.

As his final meeting scheduled with the bureaucrats finishes, Tristan is more than pleased. He'd managed to find jobs for the majority of his displaced workers so they wouldn't be going hungry. Then the government not wanting to lose the money brought in from his mine fast tracked his permits. He'll be opening his other mine, just ten miles from this one, hopefully within the next six months.

Finally, yesterday he was able to call Eva. Just hearing her voice again and her not hating him helped him to relax. That did all kinds of things to help out. She also had an idea, although she wasn't sure how he could package it so that it would be financially feasible. She thought about turning the site of the collapsed mine into a resort. Not a luxury one, no, but a rustic and primitive one. There would be no luxury hotel, but rustic lodges that would have the necessities.

That suggestion came about when he told Eva about a waterfall that came from a spring that burst forth after the mine collapsed. The spring reminds him of an eternity pool since it was flowing but the water just made its way through the mine ruins to collect back into the spring it came from. The water is pure and clear. Some of the sweetest water Tristan has ever tasted. He'd had it tested for parasites and pollutants beforehand of course.

The land he owns there includes the mountain the mine was digging into and several miles back. The land could easily support many outdoor activities such as hiking and horseback riding. 

Tristan already hired an environmental engineer to see what is feasible and what isn't. So far the engineer is encouraging with the idea, but cautions that they should hold off on letting people near the site of the collapse until at least a year goes by, so the ground could settle.

Tristan is more than willing to accede to those thoughts. He has a fence set up around the area of the mine and since many of the locals are superstitious they think it would be bad luck to go any where near the area.

But just to be on the safe side, Tristan hires some security guards to patrol the area.

He hopes to hire some of the females as maids to the cabins once they are built.

But, Eva is correct. The best ones to come would be the rich and entitled. But since it isn't going to be a five star resort he's not sure how to package the deal in a way the snobs would be interested in going to it. Perhaps the best way would be word of mouth, hints and snippets at the infernally boring social events he's obligated to go to.

Events that he hopes Eva is still willing to go with him to. He sighs at the thought of having to go to that event without Eva. He shudders at the thought of all the females that will surround him. After Eva, they are even worse than before.

But then again, after Eva no one could compare.

Smiling, and truly happy for the first time since he received news about the materials he goes into the final meeting here. He looks at the men seated around the folding table, the same table he's seen far too much of for the last several days. "I realize that none of you are responsible for the fiasco that happened here," Tristan tells them in their native language, "but if I order any materials from you and someone else changes the order from top quality to a lower quality, call me directly to verify. The one that is responsible is going to be spending a great deal of time in jail. Him and those that worked with him and knowingly placed the lesser materials in my mine. 

"I take the safety of my mines and those that work them very seriously. I demand a lot from my workers, but in return I do my best to make sure that their working conditions are the best possible. I demand that the materials used are the best quality. I will never condone a lesser quality to be used in one of my mines.

"Do I make myself clear, gentlemen?" Tristan looks over the gathering coolly and not many are able to maintain eye contact with him for very long.

A chorus of yes, sir, in various words is his response.

He nods once shortly then excuses the assemblage after letting them know that they will be taking bids on the contract for his mine that will be opening in six months.

With those words there is a great deal of positive energy come into the tent and they leave much happier than they had been. Before Tristan had just always gone with the same person. That he's opening it up to every one makes them all happy at the thought of possibly gaining the contract.

No one had heard just what had happened to the man and his family that had changed the order and broke his contract.

Tristan hadn't tried to hide it, but hadn't broadcast it either. The man will spend quite a bit of time in jail and his family will be looking for a new place to live since all his assets will be sold to pay back Tristan for the money he embezzled.

As for those that work for Tristan, well that he'll deal with when he gets back to the States. Something he'll be able to do a whole week earlier than he originally thought he would.

He can't wait to show up at Eva's door tomorrow and ask her for another date. He'll have to ask Lassiter what her favorite flowers are so he can bring her a bouquet of them.

He loads the last of his things into his vehicle and is actually humming happily as he goes on his way to his plane.