“I see that you've spoken almost exclusively with the owner, Mr. Wells?”

Madsen was asking.

Kate nodded, shifting in her seat. “Yes, he's been very helpful in giving me

the backdrop, the history of the company.”

No one changed their expression, just stared at her, waiting.

“Yes, and I'm also consulting with another local expert. And I'm hoping to meet with the grandson of the owner next week. He's much more versed in their

European operations, as well as the future of the company.”

It was kind of a lie. Well, it was mostly a lie. Okay, it was a flat-out lie, and

she wished she hadn't said it. But she did know that Corey Steele was supposed

to be back in Golden Grove soon, and she was sure that John would be happy to

set up a meeting with him.

Finally, one of the members nodded. “That should be very helpful. A better

picture of the future of the company is what we'll need.”

“Should” not could. For the first time since the meeting had started, she felt like she had a chance at not being booting form the account…

“However…” Madsen said.

Oh, geez, not a however.

“…we're going to have to have a much more extensive report at the next meeting if we're going to trust you to present the full proposal.”

Kate nodded vigorously. “Yes, of course, much more complete, I promise

you. Once I have a few more pieces of the puzzle in place, I'll be able to suggest

a full package. Logos, slogans, and branding.”

Logos, slogans, and branding, oh, my. She had none of those, yet. She said

an internal thank you that she'd left Penny the Toothy Cow out of her logo suggestions at the last minute.

Madsen jutted out his chin as he nodded, thinking. “Well, at this point, this is

probably still our best bet. We can't negate the edge we may still have with Ms. Brady having lived in the town of the client.” He turned to her. “Is there any way you might be able to exploit that further? Maybe meet with more of the town folk? Connect with them, let Wells know you're still one of them, so to speak?”

Still one of them?

She swallowed. “Absolutely. I've already been quite successful in that

regard.” A flash of Peter's smiling blue eyes crossed her mind, and she blinked.

“With Mr. Wells, the owner. We've developed a very good rapport.” That part was true. The genial owner of Nitrovex seemed to have taken a fatherly shine to

her.

“Very well,” Madsen said. The other members began shuffling their papers

together, closing laptops, indicating the meeting was almost over. “Get back to Nitrovex soon. Meet with the grandson, this Corey Steele, if you can. I don't have to remind you that there are other companies bidding on this job, most of

them bigger than us.”

“Yes, understood,” she said, her neck sweating.

Madsen shut his own laptop and stood. “We'll expect a more complete report

at the end of next week, this time with some logo and slogan examples.”

It wasn't a question; it was a command.

“Absolutely,” she said.

The members left. All but Danni, who came around the long oval table.

“Looks like you got a second chance,” she said.

Kate smiled weakly, stacking her papers. “Yes, thank you.”

“Don't thank me. I was just about to blow the whistle on your little song and

dance.”

A cold fist gripped Kate's stomach. “Well, I, uh, know it wasn't the best proposal I've ever done.”

Danni's expression was neutral. “We've all had to fluff up the edges of a concept at one time or another. But flocculating solvents? That's a new one.”

“I'll do better next week. Full report, branding, everything.”

Danni nodded. “You'd better, or I won't be able to run interference for you.”

She sat on the table edge. “You sure you're up for this, Kate? It's a big job, your first major account.”

Kate's back stiffened as a little courage returned. “I am. I know I am. I've already got a few new ideas I didn't present today.”

“Good. As long as they're better than your happy cow, there.” She pointed at

Kate's laptop screen, where half the face of her toothy cow logo was peeking out