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My brain was busily conjuring up scenarios of how I would eventually propose to Meagan. Finally, I returned the smile, thanked him, and headed out of the store with a new determination. My mission was clear — make Meagan my wife! The question was how and when. Then a nagging thought depleted my enthusiasm when I reminded myself that Megs was still healing and adjusting to new challenges with her health.... perhaps she'd turn me down or want to keep putting off a wedding until the 'time was right.'
I did a mental shrug and told myself, "You bought the ring on a whim!" Of course, before I could begin to ascertain how she would feel about us getting married, there was much to discuss, like moving the rest of Megs' stuff and finishing the grant. "Fuck it," I barked, smashing my palm against the steering wheel. "I love Meagan; sooner or later, she'll be mine forever!"
When my mind finally returned to the present, I was sitting in front of Guy's desk. He was complaining about how his life would change when his mother-in-law moved in. Then, leveling his gaze, he explained, "You think my sister will agree to move in with you full-time? If the guest house was available to Martha, my life would be a lot easier. I like my privacy with Ariel. She and I sometimes get it on in the pool and —"
"I take it you're not too thrilled Ariel is writing again?"
"No, you're right, I'm not! But you can bet your sweet ass I'm not going to tell her that. Not in a million years!" Guy looked out the window, and his voice softened, "but under the circumstances... My wife knows we have a lot riding on getting that grant, and she wants to help financially just in case. Also, it only makes sense that Martha looks after Jonathan. She is his grandmother, and she's crazy about my son."
"I understand. Believe me, but..." I rubbed the back of my neck.
"But, what. You don't think Meagan will agree to move in permanently?" Guy knitted his brows and leaned closer across his desk.
"You know your sister! There're no guarantees with that girl." I shook my head. "But she is better, calming down to some degree. I guess that's one thing good that came out of her whole fucked up ordeal… or maybe it's just due to the meds." I chuckled dryly.
"Oh, shit, I hear ya! But is there anything I can do to convince her?" Guy asked, nervously running his hand along the top of his desk.
"Probably keep out of it!" I teased. "Listen! I have a plan. On the way to work this morning, I bought her an engagement ring."
"No kidding..." Guy's eyes lit up.
"Don't ask me when I'm going to pop the question. With the way things have been going nowadays, I have no idea. There's one problem with her moving in with me over the long haul."
"What's that?"
"She isn't a fan of my place. I'm not as into it as much as I used to be, either. I thought about remodeling and even mentioned it to Megs, but she kept changing the subject."
"Well, let me sweeten the pot. I doubt you've seen it, but a cabin is at the back of my property. It's overgrown with bushes. You can't see it from my house. But if you want to take a look, I can show it to you. I'll give you the surrounding ten acres if you clean it up and make it livable. It's accessible through the front gate, so security is already there."
"And Cookie? She's a big part of your sister's life."
"She can keep her horse at the stable. Buy yourselves a four-wheeler to get around on the property. Ariel will be thrilled if somehow, we can work this out. It's just that I need her stuff out of the guest house as soon as we can make it happen. One way or another, I have a sneaking suspicion that Martha will turn out to be a permanent resident of Casa Palacious. Don't get me wrong. I think it's great. I save on a nanny... I just don't want her living in my house!"
"You've got a deal. Sight unseen! I'll arrange for an architect and contractor to get out there as soon as they can."
"I'll have the papers drawn up... but don't you want to have a look at it first?"
"Nope. I trust you!"
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
“Mr. Stratford, it's Courtney. We got a letter today that I can't figure out."
Guy told her to come in, and the three of us huddled together over the desk. First, Courtney pointed out the letter was from Ms. Hawkins, our grant coordinator. Then she directed our attention to the letter's greeting.
"It's addressed to Mr. Martin Sanchez at Valley Technologies. It's answering a question about the software program. Apparently, they're applying for the same grant that we are. Here is the attachment Ms. Hawkins sent with it," she said, laying the document on the desk. It was obvious Hawkins had mistakenly sent the letter to us instead of Valley Tech.
"Say what?" I barked.
"Son of a bitch!" Guy hissed.
I grabbed the attachment and only had to glance at it to see that the software code was identical to our Golden Key system. "We have a leak! This is an exact copy of ours," I said, dropping to the nearest chair as my knees buckled.
"Get everyone to the conference room ASAP. Then call the law office of Ruskin and Holmes and set up a conference call as soon as possible."
"Yes, Sir!" Courtney left the papers and rushed to her desk.
"How the hell did this happen?" I asked Guy.
