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

“We all know it’s a merger, Blake, but the fact is, Mr. Austin’s side is bringing a lot more money to the table, and when it’s all finished, Mary will be involved only inasmuch as she’ll have a large stockholding. She won’t be involved in the day-to-day operations.” He was talking to Blake like he was a first-year law student. “And let’s not forget this deal stands to make the firm a tidy profit.”
    Blake wanted to protest, to remind Mr. Van Wagoner that their firm represented Mary Challis and that it was Blake’s job to be sure she was treated fairly, even if it meant the deal fell through. But Blake knew if he wanted to be a partner, picking a fight with Pryce would probably be a costly error. “I understand. I think it’s a good deal for her, and once I meet with her, I think she’ll see the advantage of moving forward and not getting bogged down by a couple of percentage points.”
    “Good. I’ll let Mr. Austin’s lawyer know you’re on the case.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Van Wagoner.”
    “I’ve told you to call me Pryce.”
    “Thank you, Pryce.”
    “And Blake, you be sure that airline knows we need you bright and early tomorrow morning. No more cancelled flights. And how about once you’re here, no more flights, period, for the next decade.” There was a long pause. “Just kidding, just kidding.” He sounded phony. “Have a nice trip home.”
    “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Blake said. He turned off the phone, resisting the urge to throw it out the window. He put it in the tray between the seats then massaged the bridge of his nose.
    Lydia didn’t interrupt his thoughts, and finally he said, “I may have blown any chance at partner.”
    “I’m sure you’ll be fine. You’ll get everything straightened out.”
    Blake shook his head. “They’re not too happy with me right now.”
    “They will be once you’re home and you make the sale,” Lydia said. Blake chuckled and smiled. “I said that wrong, didn’t I?”
    “Mr. Van Wagoner would be very offended if he knew you thought of him as a salesman.”
    “Then I’m glad he didn’t hear me. I suppose if I’m going to give you a pep talk, I guess I should know a little more what I’m talking about.”
    “What you said was perfect. Seriously.”
    The rest of the drive to Boone was mostly quiet. Lydia even dozed off for a little while at the end, which gave Blake time to think. How was he supposed to follow Grandpa’s advice when people like Mr. Van Wagoner had his future in their hands? Blake wondered if Pryce had put in eighty hour weeks when he’d started his career. He probably had. Maybe that explained the two ex-Mrs. Van Wagoners.
    Francie must have been waiting for them just inside the door because she answered before they were even through knocking. “Please, come in.”
    “I could tell these were really important to you, so I want you to have them,” Blake said when they were inside the front door. “Thank you for letting me take them.”
    “But your grandfather wanted you to have them. Of course I want them back, but I don’t know if I feel right taking them when he and Grandma had already made arrangements.”
    “Grandpa wanted me to know what was in them, and I do now. He’d be fine with me giving them back to you. There is one thing, though.”
    “What’s that?” Francie looked suspicious.
    “If you don’t mind, I’d really love to have the Celtics tickets. Grandpa was a huge Celtics fan, and he took my Dad to see them whenever they played the Nuggets. I know it would mean a lot to my dad to have those.”
    “Oh, of course.” Francie placed the box on the entryway table and searched through the contents until she had them. “Are you sure there’s nothing else in here you want? Maybe one of the letters?”
    “I have a letter he wrote to me before he died and copies of these. That’s all I need. Thank you again for letting me take them.”
    “Thank you for bringing them back.” Francie patted