As Eileen walked up the path to Lucy's front door she passed by Craig. She greeted him cheerfully, but he barely acknowledged her before getting into his car and driving away.
"What's his problem?" Eileen asked Lucy as her friend met her at the door.
Lucy shook her head. "He's going to meet with his lawyer. I just hope when this lawsuit is settled, he'll stop being so moody and start acting normal again."
"So, other than a moody husband, how have you been?" Eileen asked as she followed Lucy into the living room.
"Busy. I'm starting to get caught up with school, but I still haven't found the time to get back into my internship. I'm not sure that I will now that Victoria Burgess has resigned from managing Pheasant Run."
"Why is she resigning?"
"Because she's a mean old biddy," Lucy snapped. When Eileen looked shocked at her outburst, Lucy managed a smile and soon the two friends were giggling together. "Seriously, she came over here earlier, going on about how being associated with the Stuarts was hazardous to her upstanding reputation."
"You're kidding. That is so wrong." After a moment's thought she added, "I guess that's another reason to be glad I didn't marry Hector. I'd hate to have a mother-in-law like that."
"Yes . . .and it's not just me that she has a problem with. After she made her point about my family, she started questioning Jordan's abilities. She seems to think he's flaky now, just because he left work unexpectedly one day. That was the day his sister was kidnaped and had to be taken to the hospital! I hardly think leaving work in that situation is a sign that he's unreliable."
"Me neither. You can't blame someone for that."
"Apparently, if you're Victoria Burgess you can. But she was quick to assure me that because his sister has left town, he shouldn't be a problem now and I don't have to worry about working with him at the country club. I guess it's just her that he's not good enough to work for."
"So you and Jordan are going to be working together again?" Eileen asked, trying to keep her tone neutral. "How do you feel about that?"
"It's just something that has to be done. Another item on my busy list," Lucy said nervously. As hard as Eileen was trying not to imply anything by her question, Lucy knew just what her friend was really thinking and she had to struggle to answer just as neutrally. "It's only temporary, until I can find someone else to take the job."
Eager to change the subject she asked, "So, how have you been, Eileen? How was your big date?"
Eileen grinned brightly. "It was great. We're going out again tonight. I can't wait."
"What's the plan for tonight?"
"I don't know, but it doesn't really matter. I just like being with him. He's so . . ." she drifted of with a dreamy smile.
Lucy laughed. "I don't think I've ever seen you so crazy about a guy before."
"I don't think I've ever felt this way about anyone before. This is so different, Lucy. Before I just went out on dates for fun, to hang out with guys I kind of liked, but this isn't like that. It's like every moment seems so important. Does that make any sense at all?"
"You seem happy. That's what's important."
"I'm glad you could come in today, Mr. Sexton," Reese greeted Craig as he walked into her office.
"You said there was news," he said flatly.
"Yes. The copyright board has reached a decision," Reese said, looking down at the papers on her desk for a moment. "They've decided to accept the revised copyright for the sheet music of the songs in question that lists both you and Mr. Spencer as authors of your joint works. So you're free to record your songs without paying royalties to Mr. Spencer."
"What about him paying me for use of the songs?"
"I'm afraid that's not the way it works. Since it's registered as a joint work and he is the other name on the copyright, he's free to use them as well."
"You mentioned fees, damages, payments," Craig said, grasping for some positive outcome to this decision.
"The courts denied them. We might have had a case before, but since Mr. Spencer had the copyright amended they were denied. I'm sorry."
"What about an appeal?"
"It wouldn't do any good. It's settled."
Craig huffed in frustration. "Thanks anyway," he said as he stood up and walked out the door.
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