“Not that wealthy, but Hazel doesn’t know that. I like kids and can see the benefit of a youth center. My cover is about as authentic as you’ll get.”
“There’s only one problem. Hazel will ask how you knew that the youth center project isn’t finished.”
Matthew turned his laptop around and pointed to her first news story. “I read about it on the Internet. It upset me to know that the kids won’t be able to enjoy all the services and resources promised to them.”
“It might work.” Ashley opened her laptop and found a template for a project proposal. “We’d need to be realistic, but add something a little special to make Hazel want to talk to you.”
“I’ve finished a draft budget.”
Her mouth dropped open. She was even more impressed when she saw Matthew’s spreadsheet. “When did you do that?”
“I finished it about ten minutes ago.”
She shook her head. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Write the best project proposal Hazel has ever seen.”
Matthew’s grin caught Ashley off guard. She took a deep breath and started to type.
If Hazel refused to see Matthew after reading this proposal, she wasn’t the talented employee Jasmine said she was. And once she met the rancher from Montana, Hazel would have to have steel running through her veins not to be blown away by his charm, just like Ashley had been.
***
Matthew walked into The Reaching High Foundation building. His boots clicked against the marble floor, echoing in the vast chamber. No one looking at the limestone columns or leather chairs would guess that the Foundation was in serious financial trouble.
He tipped his cowboy hat at the receptionist. “My name is Matthew Gray. Would you let Hazel Lewis know that I’m here for my two o’clock appointment?”
The receptionist’s eyes widened. Matthew figured she hadn’t seen too many cowboys in New York.
“Certainly, Mr. Gray. If you’d like to take a seat, I’ll call Ms. Lewis.”
He sat on one of the chairs behind him. He took off his hat and opened the folder he’d brought with him. Ashley had written a project proposal that even he was excited about.
After they’d finished writing the proposal, he’d gone back to the hotel and changed into his best pair of jeans and button-down shirt. He hadn’t brought any fancy clothes with him, but he figured it couldn’t hurt to look his best.
Before he’d left his room, he’d called Sean. He hadn’t mentioned what he was doing. His twin wouldn’t have been impressed. Sean thought it was bad enough that he’d followed Ashley across America. He would think even less of him if he saw him now.
“Mr. Gray?”
Matthew looked at the woman walking toward him. “Yes?”
“I’m Hazel Lewis. Welcome to New York City.”
He held out his hand, hoping she didn’t notice how nervous he was. “Thank you for seeing me at such short notice.”
“One of my meetings was canceled, so the timing couldn’t have been better. The proposal you emailed me sounds interesting.”
“I was hoping you’d like it.”
“I did. Shall we go upstairs to my office?”
Matthew followed her to the elevators. The Art Deco detail around the doors and on the control panel looked as though they were part of the original building. “This building is impressive.”
“The Foundation moved here a couple of years ago. It’s one of the landmark buildings in this part of the city. You’ve come a long way to speak to me.”
“I’ve always believed in doing business face-to-face, ma’am.”
Hazel blushed. “It’s lucky for me that you do.”
