Lost and Found: (A Ripple Effect Romance Novella) by Karey White Page A

Jamal, they walked to their car. Blake unlocked Lydia’s door but didn’t open it.
    “I was thinking I’d like to take the box back to Francie.”
    “Really?”
    “I’m pretty sure I broke her heart yesterday. If we left now, do you think we’d have time to make copies for me and take the box back to Boone before our flight?”
    “As long as our car doesn’t break down,” Lydia said.
    “Let’s do it.”
    Blake stepped back into City Tours and asked Jamal for directions, and twenty minutes later, they were in a copy and print store with the shoe box. Lydia took a letter out of the envelope and handed it to Blake, who made a copy and handed the original back to Lydia, who had the next letter ready to copy. They made a copy of each letter for Blake and an extra copy of the first one to send to Corinne at Liaison Amoureuse. It didn’t take long. Blake tucked a folder with all the copies in his briefcase, and they took the Interstate north to Boone.
    “Would you call Francie and see if she can meet us?” Blake asked and handed Lydia his phone. “It’s the number that starts eight two eight.”
    “Should I tell her why we’re coming?” Lydia asked.
    “Sure.” Lydia found the number and dialed it. On the third ring, Francie answered. “Hi, Francie. This is Lydia. I came with Blake yesterday. We’re on our way to Boone right now and wanted to meet you. Will you be home in the next couple hours?”
    “I can be. Was there something else you needed?”
    “Blake made copies of the letters for himself, and he wants you to have the box. We’ll just swing by your house as soon as we get to town.”
    Francie took a deep breath before she replied. “I’ll be here. Thank you.”
    “I think she might have been crying,” Lydia said. Blake looked at her and smiled. “This is very thoughtful of you.”
    “I got what Grandpa wanted me to get out of it. I think it means a lot to her. She should have it.”
    Lydia was still holding Blake’s phone when it rang. She turned it over and looked at the screen. “It’s Brynn.” She handed it to Blake.
     
     

Blake didn’t want to answer the phone. His calls with Brynn and Mary Challis this morning hadn’t been entirely productive. Brynn was being unreasonable, and Mary was being high maintenance. Sure, it would have been better if he was there in the office holding her hand through the whole thing, but she was an adult. She’d survive until tomorrow morning. And Brynn. She’d taken a two-week vacation to Hawaii in April. Did she really think Blake didn’t deserve a few days away from the office to take care of a personal matter?
    “Hi, Brynn.” It was work to keep his voice patient and upbeat.
    “Blake, Mr. Van Wagoner wants to speak to you. I’m putting you through to him.”
    Fantastic. He’d hoped to have everything resolved without any of the partners having to be involved.
    “Blake, my man. Is it true you’re in North Carolina?” His tone was falsely chipper, and it grated on Blake.
    “It’s true. I came out over the weekend for a family matter, and my flight was cancelled on Sunday.”
    “And here it is Tuesday. They really need to schedule more flights between North Carolina and Denver.” He paused, waiting for a response from Blake, but he waited in vain. Blake didn’t feel like explaining anything else. He refused to kowtow any more than necessary in front of Lydia. “When can we expect you back?”
    “I’m on a flight this evening. I’m meeting with Mary Challis in the morning.”
    “About that meeting. I just got off the phone with David Austin’s attorney a few minutes ago. He received a call from a rather upset Mary Challis, demanding to know why he thought he deserved two percent of her share. He wants this wrapped up and her put on a leash.”
    “I’ve spoken with her. She’s upset, but we’re going to work it out tomorrow morning.”
    “This takeover—“
    “Merger, sir,” Blake interrupted.
    Pryce Van Wagoner sighed.