Part 15 (2/2)

Unfortunately, Maggie didn't have anything to offer but a piece of property on the other side of town, and then she didn't know who it belonged to. She was hoping Mitch had found out, but surely he would've called her if there was any good news.

Maggie looked over at Mitch, and offered a warm smile. He glared at her. Suddenly she felt weak and vulnerable in his face of anger. She'd been on Mitch's bad side before, but it never stung until now. He turned away from her.

”So, if you could just sign on the dotted line, all of this can be over.” Patricia stuck the doc.u.ment in front of Hazel. ”And I can get back to real business in New York.”

”Don't touch that, Granny.” Maggie stood up, took the paper, and proceeded to leave the office. ”Mitch, I need to see you and Granny out here.”

She heard the scooting of chairs behind her as she left the room. When the door behind her clicked, she turned around to find Hazel in tears, and Mitch with his arms crossed across his chest.

”Oh, my. She is a nasty woman.” Susie sat behind her desk chewing on a pen top. ”Nervous habit.”

”What the h.e.l.l is wrong with you?” Maggie punched Mitch in the chest with her finger. ”Is this how the Mayor operates?”

Maggie stepped back when she saw Mitch's jaw clinch.

”The mayor is supposed to hear all sides of the argument...” Mitch was interrupted by Hazel.

”I think it's over. I'll just sign the papers.” Hazel sighed deeply.

”It's far from over.” Mitch pulled the blue paper deed out of his pants pocket. ”I found out who owns the property on the other side of town, and he wants to offer it to the outlet mall instead of your farm.”

”Mitch!” Maggie threw her arms around him. It was the best news she's heard all year. ”Who is it?”

Her arms flung from around his head when he pushed her away.

”Maggie, this is a place of business, not a high school debate team.” His words were cold and calculating, sending knives into her heart.

”But, Mitch, this is great news.” Maggie stepped back giving him some room. Maybe she was wrong about Mitch. Maybe he had turned into a man she really didn't know.

”Oh, Mitch.e.l.l.” Hazel and Mitch embraced, while Maggie stood on the sidelines.

”Who is it Mitch?” Susie whispered, making sure no one could hear her in the other room.

”When I was meeting with Maggie the other day, and she pointed out the land, I vaguely remember something from the reading of my mother's will about a piece of property that she owned.” Mitch held the deed out for Maggie to take.

She quickly glanced through the two page doc.u.ment.

”You own it?” She hesitated with bafflement. Trying to wrap her head around it, she asked, ”Does this mean that we can go in there with the proposed plan we came up with yesterday?”

”Mitch, this means that you will make everyone in Grandberry Falls happy.” Susie wrapped her arms around Mitch's neck, sending a ping of jealously through Maggie.

”Hold on.” Maggie gently unwrapped Susie's arms from around Mitch. ”Patricia might not go along with this, but it is something they have done before.”

”Hazel?” Mitch looked at Hazel. ”Is this what you want? Do you want to save the farm? Or do you want the money?”

Everyone stood there in silence waiting for Hazel to answer.

”Maggie, are you planning on staying in Grandberry Falls?” There was determination in Hazel's face to get the answer out of Maggie, as if the answer depended on Maggie returning to Grandberry Falls for good.

”Yes.” Maggie took Hazel by the hands, and her features became more animated. ”Yes. This is my home. And if the County Attorney position is still open, I'd like to apply for it.”

She turned to Mitch, waiting for a response.

”How does Grady feel about this?” Mitch's curt voice lashed out at her.

”Grady?” Hazel seemed shocked to hear his name.

”Yes, Grady.” Mitch confirmed, still staring at Maggie.

”Grady has nothing to do with me.” The situation had become clear as Maggie realized that Mitch did see them at the Trembling Cup yesterday.

”It didn't seem that way to me when I saw you two holding hands and smiling at the Trembling Cup yesterday.” Mitch's nostrils flared with fury.

”And what about Wendy?” Maggie shot back, and held her ring finger in the air. ”Don't we need to consult with your fiance? We all know that I'm not engaged.”

Maggie couldn't hold it any longer. Mitch still hadn't told her about the engagement being called off and he wanted to know all about Grady, so it was a fair question to ask.

”Grady?” Hazel plopped down in the chair with her head in her hands.

”Excuse me, but have we all forgotten about the evil queen in the other room.” Susie pointed toward the conference room door. ”Can we take care of all of this later?”

”Granny,” Maggie bent down the best she could in the tight skirt to get on Hazel's level. ”Grady came back to tell me why he didn't go through with the wedding. And as much as you hate him, he did me a favor.”

”Uh. I want to hear this.” Mitch leaned against the desk.

”As a matter of fact, he couldn't go through with the wedding because he could tell that my heart and soul were here in Grandberry Falls. He said that he didn't want to see me unhappy.” Maggie took Hazel by the hands and helped her to her feet. ”My soul is here.”

Maggie turned to Mitch. It was her only shot. And she was going to take it.

”And my heart is here too.” Maggie stood vulnerable. A raw and primitive feeling overwhelmed her.

Susie's mouth dropped open; she stood speechless.

”I hate to interrupt this little reunion, but I have a noon plane to catch back to life.” Patricia Van Meter stood in the doorway of the conference room, tapping her watch.

”I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Patricia. But we have a new proposal for you and I think the Pelt Company will be in total agreement. If they aren't, then this can take even more time in the legal system if you don't sign the proposal today.” Maggie stood her ground against her mentor.

”Maggie Greenlee, are you really going to go up against me?” Patricia voice dripped with sarcasm.

”Yes I am.” Maggie made her way into the conference room, leaving Patricia to follow her in.

”Fine. Hurry up and tell us what you have to say.” Patricia's eyes narrowed as Maggie took over.

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