Page 3 of Ava
Morgan Stuart sighed as she scrubbed her face. “Slow, I don’t know if you know this, but we had a hard winter. Three weeks ago we had another freak storm.”
“And?”
“And I got a call from Wyatt as I landed this morning. If it continues to thaw, we’ll be able to break ground next week.”
“That’s good news, right?”
“Yes and no.” Again Morgan sighed heavily, and ran her fingers through her spiked hair. “It’s good news that we can break ground, and get things started.”
“But?”
“But, the town planning board is questioning some of the blueprints we had the engineer draw up.”
“So, go back to the engineer and talk to him about them.” Chip reared back at the expression on her face, and waited for his niece to continue.
“He skipped town. No forwarding address, his phone has been shut off, nothing.”
“Please, tell me you didn’t pay him his entire fee.”
“I’m not stupid, Uncle Chip. I gave him a quarter of his fee.”
“So, what are you saying?”
“I’m saying that not only were we set back because of the weather, then I have to find a new engineer, before we can even break ground. It’s a mess.”
“What else?”
“Once we get everything approved, then it means that we have to hire a construction crew. We thought we could use some of the ranch hands, but they’re looking at spring roundup, inoculations, culling the herd, moving the cattle to the summer pasture.”
“In other words, everyday work on the ranch.”
“Yes, and Wyatt can’t spare any hands.” They both sat there in silence for several minutes, before Morgan shook her head, then leaned down, picked up her briefcase and pulled a file. “I’d like to discuss a former EWM with you. I think she would be perfect for us, but I want your input.”
“First, where did you get this information from?”
“Remember Angel Carson? Former Army Ranger, lives over in Montana? Her fiancé is associated with the Brotherhood Protection Agency.”
“I do, did this new recruit come from her?”
“Yes, she only sent me her name, rank and years in the service. I was wondering if you could do what you do, and let me know if she would be good for us.”
“For you, you mean. You’re doing the domestic part of Boswell Group. I’m still deeply entrenched with the government officials.”
“Right, so can you do what you do and check this woman out?”
“Who’s the prospect?” Chip asked as he reached for the file Morgan held.
“A woman by the name of Ava Hanson.” Morgan handed the file over, and watched as her uncle opened it and read it. “I know there’s not much information there.” Morgan began, but stopped when Chip held up his hand to halt her words. When he was done, he looked at her, and nodded only once.
“This is great information. I can work with this. Give me a month, and I can get you the complete report.”
“Thanks, Uncle Chip,” Morgan said, and went to stand up when the phone on his desk beeped, and a harried secretary blurted out.
“Mr. Boswell, you need to come to the front, please. I have some visitors that won’t leave. I’ve threatened to call security, and they only shrugged. They are insisting to see you, and only you.”
“I’ll be right there,” Chip said, and rose to his feet. He looked at Morgan with a smirk. “Coming?”
“Absolutely. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen some action.” Morgan laughed as she jumped to her feet, and followed her uncle out of his office, and toward the front receptionist area. As the two rounded the corner, Morgan grabbed Chip’s arm and held him back. When he frowned at her, she swore. “What the hell dotheywant?”
