"Sorry, sorry, I'm coming through," Linda said breezily, balancing a small laptop and a manila folder all in one careful armful. "Don't get up, I won't be in your hair long. Just need the desk for an hour."
"No problem," Michael answered, sliding his pad over to make room. "Do you need more space?"
“No, that should be fine," Linda replied, easing the laptop down. "I don’t need much room at all.” She eyes the piles of files Michael had neatly laid out in front of him.
"You don’t have as many files as I do," Michael said with a small smile. "I believe you went to see Uncle George this morning?” He sat back, fiddling with the pen in his hand. “How is he?"
"Better than yesterday," Linda answered. "He’s happy that you’re home."
"I don’t like the circumstances that brought me here, but I’m glad I’m here, too,” Michael concurred.
Linda curled her one leg beneath her as she settled herself into the chair on the other side of the desk, opposite him, turning to her laptop. Michael smiled, remembering how many times they’d sat at this exact desk doing homework like this when they were kids. All three of them… his thoughts skidded to a stop as another face he’d managed to put aside came to mind—Maggie.
Stop it, stop it!He admonished himself before turning back to his notepad and the hotel paperwork.
He was three lines into a fresh paragraph when Linda sucked in a sharp little breath.
Michael looked up. Linda was staring at her screen, her mouth slightly open.
"What is it?" Michael prompted.
"Michael," Linda said. "We have a reply email. I don’t think Martin read it yet."
"From?" Michael frowned, knowing it was a stupid question. He already knew who it was from.
"The Wayne Group," Linda answered, leaning closer to the screen as her eyes ran across the words.
Michael set his pen down. "Read it to me," he requested.
Linda cleared her throat and began to read aloud.
Dear Miss Heart and Mr. Hale,
Thank you for your prompt agreement to a meeting.
I can meet in three days and have the following times open: 10 am, 12 pm, and 2:30 pm. I would like to suggest we meet at the Hearts Hotel boardroom.
Please confirm if this day suits you and a time. Please let us know at your earliest convenience.
Regards,
Mr. D. Wayne
Wayne Group International.
Linda looked up.
"Three days," Linda repeated. "He's pushing it from two days to three."
Michael leaned back in his chair and let the email settle into his mind for a beat before he answered.
"The tone tells me he still thinks we're meeting to hear what he's offering.” His brow furrowed. “It’s also a strategic move to position us as the hosts of this meeting.”
“He can check out the hotel at the same time he tries to destroy it!” Linda hissed, her eyes flashing. “The audacity of the man.”
“Actually,” Michael counters. “The more time I get with the hotel information and to come up with a plan, as well as do more research, it's better for us.”
"So you’re all right with three days?" Linda asked, watching him intently.
