“I totally understand,” I tell him as I stride over to my tablet. The only sound in the room is the click of my black heels as I walk across the hard floor. I tap on my tablet and point to the screen. “Here’s an alternative for meal sharing.”
The slide I’ve flipped to features one of the bunkhouses remodeled into a kitchen. “Just for cooking meals,” I explain. “You could hire some students from the culinary school nearby at a lower rate. And the guests can eat either in their cabins on cold days or out on the picnic tables we’ll set up in the open field.” I click the trackpad on my tablet, and an image appears of the pastured land next to the bunkhouses. The field is filled with tables covered with checkered cloths. “This would fit within your budget as well.”
Bud stares at the screen. Just when I’m starting to worry I’ve lost him, he grins. “I like it. This’ll work.”
I smile at him. “Excellent.”
Thirty minutes later, the contract is signed, Bud’s left the building, and the meeting is a wrap.
“You nailed it,” Dean says to me as I gather up my stuff. “No surprise, of course. You’re the best at this stuff.”
“Thank you.” I’m still smiling when I hear a throat clear.
I look up.
“Mia. My office, please,” My boss—and father—calls to me from the open doorway of the conference room.
“Coming,” I say.
* * *
I stand in front of my father in the usual pose I’ve learned to adopt with him—arms crossed and a poker expression on my face.
“You’re retiring.” I say the words in nearly a whisper.
“That’s what I just said.” His dark eyes assess me, looking for cracks. I give him nothing. “Are you ready to take over the company?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Your mother’s father started this company, and then he passed it on to his daughter. She was gracious enough to share it with me, and we always knew we wanted to pass it on to our only daughter when the time was right. That time is coming soon.”
“Soon?”Or now?
“The exact timing will depend on your feelings when you look over the contract.”
I start rambling immediately. “I can guarantee you, Dad, that nothing in that contract will stop me in any way from saying yes. I’ve wanted this since I was old enough to know what Circle PR was.” Ever since my mother passed, taking the torch felt natural, a way for me to stay as close to her spirit as possible.
My father picks up the thick contract from his desk and hands it to me. “Excellent. Take a look at this, and come back to me with any questions.”
“I will.”
I wait until I’m outside of his office to jump up and down with excitement.
And I definitely wait until I’m inside my office with the door closed to squeal and pump my fist in the air.
I’ve been waiting—and waiting—for my father to give me the reins to our family’s Circle PR firm. He was supposed to retire when I graduated from business school. But he changed his mind and decided I wasn’t ready yet.
Nonetheless, all’s well that ends well because my time is now.
I open the contract and glance through all of the standard clauses and transfer stipulations. Everything looks to be in order.
Until I read the last page.
Mia Matilda Carroll must be married for one year before this contract goes into full effect.
I slap the contract down on my desk and rush to my door.
Like he was waiting for me, my father is just outside. He’s got the barest hint of a smile on his face.
