In a flash, the pup caught the egg midair and promptly gobbled it up.
Harlow clapped her hands. “What a neat trick.”
“It took some time,” Morgan said. “Do you think Mort has the patience to learn it?”
“He loves eggs and is smart. I say it’s worth a shot.”
Morgan and her nephew did their best to teach Mort the balancing trick, but no matter how many times they tried to get him to hold still, he wiggled and squirmed, distracted by the treat on his nose.
“I’m beginning to think Mort has ADDD. Attention deficit dog disorder,” Harlow joked.
“It took time and a lot of patience on Tristan’s part to teach Chester. I think if you keep at it, he’ll be catching boiled eggs like an old pro before long.”
Brett’s watch chimed. “It’s time for us to head out.”
“We need to return the jet back to Easton Island Airport before Denver, the manager, hunts us down,” Morgan kidded.
Brett cleared his throat. “Before we go, my sister and I have a proposal for you.”
“For me?” David asked.
“We were wondering if you might be interested in amending our agreement.”
“Amending it how?”
“So that Morgan and I become permanent partners.”
“The three of us?”
Brett nodded. “I ran some numbers. We could cash out and walk away with our share, but it seems like a shame to end our joint venture.”
“I…I…have never considered the thought.” David turned to Harlow. “What do you think?”
Morgan lifted her hand. “You don’t have to answer right away. We could offer certain terms, ensuring it’s fair to all parties. I guess what we’re asking is if you might consider it or if we would be wasting our time.”
Harlow slipped in next to her father. “It’s entirely up to Dad. I’m sure he’s already told you the property has been in our family for decades.”
“I suppose I won’t be around forever,” David said. “You have your own life.”
“Give it some thought and let us know. No rush.” Brett shook his hand. “Morgan and I didn’t mean to throw you a curveball and spring it on you.”
“No need to apologize. There’s nothing wrong with curveballs.”
Harlow and her father accompanied them to the door.
“Thank you for making the trip here,” David said.
“As far as our current arrangement is concerned, I believe we covered all pertinent issues. The fact that the citations and penalties have all finally been waived or settled was the biggest hurdle,” Brett said. “It clears the way for us to move full steam ahead.”
Harlow bent down and patted Chester’s head. “Mort is going to miss his new buddy.”
“We’ll come back for another visit,” Morgan promised. “Maybe once the walls are up and we have something to look at.”
Tristan fidgeted on one foot and then the other, waiting for the adults to finish talking.
Harlow locked eyes with the boy. “Thank you for coming to visit us, Tristan.”
He offered her a shy smile. “Thank you for the arrowhead keychain.”
