“If I am clever enough to develop a technology that will improve airplane safety, don’t you think I am also intelligent enough to make sure my design is protected? I will not disclose any more until you havesigned a document acknowledging that the idea is mine and that you will not appropriate it.” Mattie was very proud that she did not stumble on the wordsdiscloseorappropriate. She had discussed the concepts thoroughly with her attorneys so that she understood how the paper in her hand worked.
Mr.Fabin scratched his cheek. “You’re an odd sort of gal, aren’t you?”
Hell’s bells and buckets of blood.She was so tired of being called agalin that tone.
“I am a businesswoman, and I protect what is mine.”
He twisted his sculpted lips as the room plunged into silence. No one spoke, but Mattie could feel the tension of her friends as they all waited for his response. Finally, Mr.Fabin grunted and reached for the agreement.
“My lawyers will have my head for signing this without their review, but you’ve got me too darn curious. You drive a hard bargain.”
“This isn’t the bargain.” Mattie lifted her chin. “This is just the document we need before we can even begin that step.”
This time Mr.Fabin’s shock seemed tinged with a hint of respect. “Touché, Miss McAdams, touché.”
He patted the front pocket of his tailored suit for a writing implement, but Aida silently handed him her fountain pen. Quickly, he scanned the three-page agreement and then signed it. Handing it back to Mattie, he said, “Now tell me about this design of yours.”
Mattie found that talking about her RadioNavigator was a lot easier than arguing over legal terms. She didn’t go into the technical details. She only told enough to pique Mr.Fabin’s interest. Despite his earlier doubts, she could see a glint in his eyes. He liked what she was telling him, even if it was coming from a female.
“I’ll tell you what, Miss McAdams,” Mr.Fabin said when she’d finished. “Have your attorneys send over the proposed license agreement to mine, and I’ll talk to my engineers. If you manage to save allof our reputations at the rematch, we’ll discuss whether my company is interested in your design.”
“I have a nonexclusive license already drafted.” Mattie dug into the satchel and took out the contract. This time the stack of papers remained completely steady as she extended it to Mr.Fabin. He accepted it immediately and then put on his fedora.
After tipping the brim, he headed toward the door. “Until Canyon of the Bridges, Mr.Ward and ladies.”
For at least a minute after the man left, no one spoke. Then, when they were sure Mr.Fabin could not hear them, they all simultaneously broke into excited shouts, cheers, and squeals. Even Leo let out a little whoop. But though Mattie celebrated, she couldn’t quite escape a weight pressing down on her.
Everything, it appeared, rode on the outcome of her rematch with Earl Crenshaw.
Chapter Twenty
The day of the competition at the Canyon of the Bridges dawned hot, bright, and cloudless, with nary a puff of breeze. With the exception of the oppressive heat, it was generally ideal conditions for writing messages in the sky. It was not, however, good weather for calming nerves. Mattie felt like a piece of kindling being rubbed back and forth under the glare of the intense autumn sun. The landscape itself matched her fiery anticipation. The red, orange, and white canyon walls swirled below them in a dazzling dance of color. Spectators had lined up along the rim, eager to see what Vera had dubbed theAviator’s Duelin the press.
The heiress had used her connections to churn up a flurry of newspaper articles breathlessly extolling the event. It had become a coast-to-coast sensation. Everyone had an opinion about who was going to win. Bookies were set to make a mint. Even Mattie had money on the race: for herself as the winner, of course. With the intense coverage, a man with Earl Crenshaw’s ego had no choice but to show, even if the authorities back in California had deemed the crash suspicious and were investigating his potential involvement.
Crenshaw had shown up yesterday, his slick grin replaced with a permanent sneer. Mattie had, at Leo’s prudent request, avoided him entirely. She had no need to exchange words with the odious reprobate.She would prove her superior piloting skills in the air, not on the ground.
“Swift!” Her father’s familiar voice pierced through the noise of the gathered crowd milling near the makeshift airstrip.
Surprised, Mattie turned to find him standing with her three brothers. To her shock, smiles wreathed their faces. Not one of her siblings wore a scowl at the idea of their little sister swooping through a canyon they’d all deemed too dangerous for her. Despite their open expressions, she proceeded cautiously, even though she just wanted to run into her father’s outstretched arms. She didn’t know why they’d come, and she hoped it wasn’t to stop her. Not that she would let them, but she didn’t want to fight, especially when an uncharacteristic nervousness gripped her. Ever since she had watched Leo plummet from the sky, some of her old feelings of invincibility had been shaved away, leaving her more attuned to the risks she took and the possibility of failure.
“I’m so proud of you, Swift. Just think! All these people are here to watch you fly!” Her father’s arms folded around her, tight and strong.
She pulled back and tilted her head up. “A lot are here hoping to see me fail.”
“But you’re going to prove them wrong, aren’t you, sis?” Jake spoke, his hands shoved into the pockets of his khaki trousers, his cap dipped over one eye, his expression... contrite.
Mattie didn’t answer immediately as she replayed the words in her head. No, she was right. He had actually uttered something supportive. She’d been preparing herself to deal with her siblings’ resistance, not their backing.
“Of course!” Mattie tried to speak enthusiastically, but her brothers must have detected her questioning tone. They all shifted and glanced at each other sheepishly.
“What is going on?” Mattie finally asked, sticking her hands on her hips. “Why are all of you acting so oddly?”
None of them spoke. Mattie arched her eyebrow and continued to stare.
“Your clothes look good.” Will, her youngest brother, attempted to compliment her. “Guess you’re finally not wearing my old castoffs anymore.”
Mattie straightened her spine at the reminder. Shewassporting new trousers and a cotton shirt tailored for the female body. They didn’t sag and droop and pool about her ankles. She wasn’t dressed in hand-me-downs anymore. She wore something that fit.
