Free I Told You to Be Careful (Gold Streaks Book 2) by Sylvie Nathan

I Told You To Be Careful
     
    Chapter 1
     
    The sun rises slowly in Africa. Slow to rise and quick setting. And there are few places as beautiful to watch it, thinks Lisa, than through the kitchen window at her new home. At her and Sue's home. She is sitting there now, with morning breaking, slowly, on the hills opposite.
    Sue is sitting beside her, idly buttering some toast, as they drink coffee and watch the sun rise slowly over the hills opposite. It is a golden orb in a pale, aching blue sky, spreading gold light around across the clouds. The kitchen is pale and drowsy with it at this time: a warm, golden space.
    “Lisa?”
    “Mmm?”
    Both are reluctant to break the silence. It is so peaceful. After a while, Sue starts again. She looks down at a magazine open on the breakfast table. Pushes it across to where Lisa sits beside her.
    “Look at this. Not a bad profile, I think.” She is smiling, a warm, self-satisfied smile.
    Lisa grins; bends over the magazine. The two of them read together; red hair leaning against blonde as they bend together to share the single text.
    In front of them, Sue smiles from one page of the Mining Times. The rest of the page is taken up with a glowing overview of the company, Gold Ridge Mines, of which Sue is CEO; detailing the new vein of ore and the ambitious plans – her ambitious plans, mostly – for benefiting from it. The next page has photographs of the mine; an interview with the head of engineering, and more photographs.
    Lisa smiles.
“They do you justice, I think.”
     
    Sue grimaces. “Entirely true and outrageously flattering as well.”
     
    “That's what I said.”
    They both laugh. Lisa kisses Sue's cheek; a small gesture, nonetheless filled with affection. They are silent for a moment.
     
    “Lisa?”
     
    “Mm?”
     
    “Are you free this evening?”
     
    “You know I am.”
     
    “Tomorrow evening?”
     
    “Yes...”
     
    “Well, how would you like to come with me to the celebratory gala? We are going to start drilling the new vein tomorrow, and there's always a special event to celebrate.” Sue smiles. She continues,
    “There's good wine, and dancing...the company can be a bit tiresome at these things – all the heads of all the affiliate companies, people we do business with, bankers and accountants and engineers and people from the press. But I have to go, so I'd love to have you there.”
    Lisa smiles, thinking about it.
     
    “All those notable people? And your lawyer? What will they think; and whatever will I wear?”
     
    “My lawyer, indeed!” Sue snorts in warm derision. “You know no-one thinks you're just my lawyer anymore.” She pauses, then continues, “And I am sure you have lots of suitable things. If not, we can go shopping.”
     
    Lisa grins, wryly. “We could. What are you wearing?”
     
    Sue pauses, thinking. “I thought maybe my white dress? Something simple that will offset some gold jewellery. I have to look like a mine-magnate, after all.” She grins.
    Lisa grins back. A less stereotypical mine-magnate she has never seen. Sue is petite, slight and slim, with ice-blue eyes and pale hair. But on her, the classic beauty is formidable; granting her an icy authority that cuts more deeply than diamonds.
     
    “You always do.” She kisses Sue on one cheek. Sue wraps an arm around her neck; draws her closer for a kiss.
    They sit silent for a few moments; enjoying each other's presence.
     
    “You won't work long?” Sue asks it.
     
    Lisa grins. “I don't intend to. We'll have to see. With that lot, I never know.”
     
    “Well, I hope to see you earlier. I have a slow day planned for today.”
     
    Lisa smiles. “Slow, by your definition.”
     
    “Yes.” Sue says defensively. “Only three meetings and a report to finalize; a phone conference with our financial adviser and a chat with our brand-management people. A slow day.”
     
    Lisa shakes her head, smiling. Picks up the breakfast things and takes them to the