Read Online Tossing the Caber (The Toss Trilogy) by Susan Craig - Free Book Online
Authors: Susan Craig
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thoroughly. Could she be planning to use that information to sweeten a deal with Carbon Unlimited?
Damn it, I should have had a lawyer draw up that intellectual prope rty agreement, instead of getting distracted by the negotiations. It was too late to do anything about that now. He was going to have to examine the contracts minutely to make sure she wasn’t trying to slip something past him. “Keep your eyes wide open, Carmichael.”
He bounded up the steps to the door, two at a time.
Three and a half hours later, the contract was signed. Leaving Diana in conversation with the attorneys, Logan paused at the top of the steps to look up and down the street. The smell of grilled steak drifted from the Corner Restaurant. His stomach growled. Maybe he’d treat himself to lunch. Downtown York looked better than ever. The historic old buildings seemed to gleam with prosperity in the midday sun.
The deal was official now. He reached inside his jacket, to tuck his copy of the paperwork deeper into the pocket there, and resisted the temptation to leap from the landing to the sidewalk, stepping sedately down instead. Diana hadn’t tried any tricks—the terms were just as they’d agreed in her office. My office now. She even included the intellectual property clause they discussed.
A wide grin split his face, as he shoved his hands in his pockets and strolled toward the scent of food. She played fair, so far, though she’d treated him with chilly politeness. The grin vanished. Well, that was fine with him; he didn’t need the distraction. At last, the ball was in his court. “You’re on your way, Carmichael.”
Come Monday, he would be the one in charge.
On the top floor of Lennox Incorporated, Diana faced the small, eff icient woman who ruled over the outer office.
“Ms. Lennox, I’m going to miss you. First your daddy gone, and now you leaving… It doesn’t seem right, somehow.” Mildred’s salt and pepper hair curled around cultured pearl and rhinestone earrings. She wore a prim black suit and sensible shoes. A pearl and rhinestone pin, mate to the earrings, held firmly to her lapel.
“I’m not gone for good yet, Mildred. I’ll be back in two weeks, and then I’ll be meeting with Dr. Carmichael every Friday for at least a year.”
“It just won’t be the same.” The older woman had been with the company practically since the beginning and probably could have run the place herself if she’d had the temperament or the inclination.
“Don’t fret, Mildred.” Diana put an arm around the bony shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze. “You’ll get along fine with Dr. Carmichael. Just steer him right for me, okay? And have a good weekend.”
Mildred seemed to think that unlikely. “I’ll try.” Casting another worried look at Diana, the secretary picked up her purse and left.
With a sigh and a smile at Mildred’s retreating back, Diana got down to business. She turned and opened the door to her office for the last time. After today it would be his office. That would feel strange. Standing behind the desk, she studied the tired, old walls and wondered where the feeling of nostalgia was coming from. This place had never been comfortable for her, yet she knew she was going to miss it. Not all the memories were bad. Her father had pushed her hard, never quite satisfied, but there had been good times, too.
Even so, her sadness felt out of place. I guess it’s because today is an ending. The end of Diana Lennox, CEO.
For the first time it occurred to her to wonder who she would be when she was not the CEO. What role would she play in the company, and how would it be done? Coach? Mentor? Consultant? Or maybe… just outsider? She felt a bit adrift, and more than a little alone.
Opening the top drawer, she removed the few personal items kept in her desk—a makeup bag, comb and mirror, a few birthday cards that had been sent to the office. Not enough to fill the small box she’d brought.
Damn it, I should have had a lawyer draw up that intellectual prope rty agreement, instead of getting distracted by the negotiations. It was too late to do anything about that now. He was going to have to examine the contracts minutely to make sure she wasn’t trying to slip something past him. “Keep your eyes wide open, Carmichael.”
He bounded up the steps to the door, two at a time.
Three and a half hours later, the contract was signed. Leaving Diana in conversation with the attorneys, Logan paused at the top of the steps to look up and down the street. The smell of grilled steak drifted from the Corner Restaurant. His stomach growled. Maybe he’d treat himself to lunch. Downtown York looked better than ever. The historic old buildings seemed to gleam with prosperity in the midday sun.
The deal was official now. He reached inside his jacket, to tuck his copy of the paperwork deeper into the pocket there, and resisted the temptation to leap from the landing to the sidewalk, stepping sedately down instead. Diana hadn’t tried any tricks—the terms were just as they’d agreed in her office. My office now. She even included the intellectual property clause they discussed.
A wide grin split his face, as he shoved his hands in his pockets and strolled toward the scent of food. She played fair, so far, though she’d treated him with chilly politeness. The grin vanished. Well, that was fine with him; he didn’t need the distraction. At last, the ball was in his court. “You’re on your way, Carmichael.”
Come Monday, he would be the one in charge.
On the top floor of Lennox Incorporated, Diana faced the small, eff icient woman who ruled over the outer office.
“Ms. Lennox, I’m going to miss you. First your daddy gone, and now you leaving… It doesn’t seem right, somehow.” Mildred’s salt and pepper hair curled around cultured pearl and rhinestone earrings. She wore a prim black suit and sensible shoes. A pearl and rhinestone pin, mate to the earrings, held firmly to her lapel.
“I’m not gone for good yet, Mildred. I’ll be back in two weeks, and then I’ll be meeting with Dr. Carmichael every Friday for at least a year.”
“It just won’t be the same.” The older woman had been with the company practically since the beginning and probably could have run the place herself if she’d had the temperament or the inclination.
“Don’t fret, Mildred.” Diana put an arm around the bony shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze. “You’ll get along fine with Dr. Carmichael. Just steer him right for me, okay? And have a good weekend.”
Mildred seemed to think that unlikely. “I’ll try.” Casting another worried look at Diana, the secretary picked up her purse and left.
With a sigh and a smile at Mildred’s retreating back, Diana got down to business. She turned and opened the door to her office for the last time. After today it would be his office. That would feel strange. Standing behind the desk, she studied the tired, old walls and wondered where the feeling of nostalgia was coming from. This place had never been comfortable for her, yet she knew she was going to miss it. Not all the memories were bad. Her father had pushed her hard, never quite satisfied, but there had been good times, too.
Even so, her sadness felt out of place. I guess it’s because today is an ending. The end of Diana Lennox, CEO.
For the first time it occurred to her to wonder who she would be when she was not the CEO. What role would she play in the company, and how would it be done? Coach? Mentor? Consultant? Or maybe… just outsider? She felt a bit adrift, and more than a little alone.
Opening the top drawer, she removed the few personal items kept in her desk—a makeup bag, comb and mirror, a few birthday cards that had been sent to the office. Not enough to fill the small box she’d brought.
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