Page 160 of Stealth Mission

I can see the axe hovering over my career. “Right. No problem. Let me go get her.”

I almost ask him what she has to do with this, but decide to just take a breath and relax. Marshall and Luke aren’t the kind ofmen that do things without a reason. Even if I don’t know what that reasoning is.

Once I tell Marianna about the meeting, she takes hold of my hand. “Let’s use the office.”

Luke and Marshall follow us down the narrow corridor and into the spacious room and I still have the weird sense that I’m walking to my demise.

A glimpse of clarity hits me.Maybe this sick feeling swirling inside me is because I was thrown away when I was a kid.

Fuck. Okay, maybe it is time for me to get that therapy I never thought about getting before. I don’t want that bullshit messing up my chance with Marianna.

As if she’s hearing my inner dialog, she squeezes my hand. I look around.Right. Meeting. Get this done. Doesn’t matter if I get fired. I’ve got my entire future with her to look forward to.

I was in this room when I cleared the house both times. But it looks different now. More important because this was the heart of her business. Not just a room with old furniture.

A big antique desk takes up one end of the room, the other has a small table with four chairs. The walls are covered with photos. Some faded. Some newer. For the first time I realize that this is a time capsule of the farm’s story.

Family memories, too. A pictorial history back to the days when the agave plants were small.

I turn to Marianna and search her eyes. “You sure this is a good idea being in here? I didn’t even think about all of this?—”

“I’m fine. I’m mad about losing the farm, but fine. This is about you so if you’re okay, I’m okay.”

That hits me hard.

All this is going on and she’s thinking about me. Damn.

When I get my composure, which takes a few breaths, I turn to face Luke and Marshall. “What’s going on?”

“Shall we sit?” Luke motions to the chairs. “I have some interesting news for you two.”

Marshall’s smile is weird.

My irritation at being in the dark shows in my tone. “If I’m being fired this is a fucked up way to do it.”

They share a glance.

Marshall takes a seat. He also speaks first. “You’re not fired, yet. I mean it could happen, but I don’t want to lose a good man like you.”

I look over at Luke as he sits down to find the weirdest expression on his face too. Delight?

Marianna and I join them at the table.

Luke quickly holds up an envelope. It’s large and blue. The paper the thing is made from has an official air about it.

I have no idea what would be in it.

Luke starts with a light laugh. “I should probably start by saying this is my wife’s idea. Well, not her idea entirely, but her idea on what to tell you. You’ll understand in a moment.”

Marianna and I both stare as uncomfortable tension builds between our clasped hands.

Luke scrubs a hand through his dark hair making the longer strands stand up. “Anyway. This is an early engagement present.”

He shoves the envelope toward us.

Neither of us move.

Nothing moves. Not even the air.

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