Perfect Partners
the management of Copeland Marine over to you?”
Keith smiled ruefully. “I was beginning to think the only way I’d get anywhere at Copeland Marine was if Victor Copeland died. But having the yard get taken over by Thornquist Gear a year ago put a whole new light on things.”
“You want a chance to run the yard?” Letty watched him intently.
Keith shrugged. “I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but the fact is, I’m the only one who can save it. With your help and that of Thornquist Gear, of course. And I think it’s worth saving. The town’s entire economy is dependent on that yard. A lot of good people will be badly hurt if Copeland Marine closes.”
“I’m beginning to realize that.”
Keith looked at her. “I realize Thornquist Gear is not a charitable institution. I don’t expect you to keep Copeland Marine going out of sympathy for the people of Echo Cove. But I think I can offer you a plan that will work.”
“A plan that will effectively put you in charge?”
Keith nodded. “Copeland is a bullheaded, stubborn old man who thinks he can continue to run his company and his town the way he has for the past thirty years. He won’t change voluntarily, but Thornquist Gear has the power to make him change. You can set up a new management system, Letty. You can restructure things the way I’ve outlined in this file. You can save the company and this town.”
“Now just why in hell would she want to do that?” Joel asked, his voice deadly and quiet.
Keith spun around in the chair and saw Joel lounging in the doorway between the two rooms. “Hello, Blackstone.”
Letty glowered at Joel. “I didn’t hear you open that door, Joel. You should have knocked.”
Joel ignored her. “You didn’t answer my question, Escott. Why would Letty want to save Copeland Marine?”
“Because there’s a lot more at stake here than your personal vendetta with Victor Copeland.” Keith got to his feet. “I came to see Letty because I had a hunch she’d be a lot more reasonable about this than you are.”
“You came to see Letty because you had a hunch she’d be a soft touch.”
“That’s not true. I said reasonable and I meant reasonable,” Keith retorted.
“Don’t you think I’m reasonable?” Joel murmured.
“No, frankly, I don’t. I think your judgment is skewed by what happened between you and Copeland fifteen years ago.”
“And I think your judgment is warped by the fact that you’re Victor Copeland’s son-in-law.”
Keith’s shoulders bunched. “You want another chance at the job, Blackstone? Is that the real reason you’re back in town?”
“If you believe that, you’d believe anything,” Joel muttered. “Including the possibility that Copeland Marine can be saved.”
“
Gentlemen
.” Letty surged to her feet. “Quiet, both of you. I will not tolerate this kind of bickering. You have both been involved in one disgusting brawl already, and you both look very much the worse for it. I will not permit any further violence. Is that clear?”
Joel and Keith turned to stare at her as if she had just materialized out of thin air.
Joel shoved his hands into his back pockets. “Christ, Letty, you’re not back at Vellacott College telling a couple of sophomores to be quiet, you know.”
“Is that right? It’s hard to tell the difference.”
Keith had the grace to look embarrassed. “Sorry, Ms. Thornquist. I’ve been a little on edge lately.”
“So has Joel.” Letty glanced from one to the other. “I understand that this is a highly charged situation, but I nevertheless expect you gentlemen to conduct yourselves in a civilized manner. At least I will insist upon it while you are in my presence. Now, I want you to shake hands.”
“I said this wasn’t the reference desk at the Vellacott Library,” Joel growled. “For the record, it’s not kindergarten, either. We don’t shake hands and make up just because teacher says so.”
Letty swallowed and pushed her glasses more firmly onto her nose. “I insist, Joel.”
“You insist,” Joel repeated softly.
Letty gathered herself and straightened her shoulders, realizing that she had painted herself into a corner. Joel was watching her with gleaming eyes. He was well aware of her dilemma. She had, in her role as president of Thornquist Gear, just issued a direct order to her CEO in front of a member of the enemy camp. But she was powerless to enforce it.
She had a sudden, vivid recollection of Joel’s
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