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Tate sighed. Whatever was going on with this kid, with this little family unit, Tate wasn’t sure. But he had a feeling it was just starting.
“Then I suggest you get on it.” He tipped his hat to Mia. “And I’ll be in touch about community service.”
“Community service?” Mia huffed. “But he’s not being charged.”
“You’re right, he’s not. You’re welcome,” Tate said with a grin which Mia clearly didn’t appreciate. “But vandalism gets community service, unless you prefer a fine?”
When she bit her lip, he had his answer.
“Didn’t think so.” He took one last look at the fair haired bombshell that had him charged up and looking forward to nothing but a cold shower later.
“So like I said, I’ll be in touch.”
Chapter Five
“This is very impressive,” Council woman Betsy Delmore said, flipping through Mia’s portfolio.
It was a booklet of all the projects she’d undertaken in the past and events she’d thrown. Okay, so it was a glorified scrapbook. She took pictures of the club’s events she was responsible for and particularly proud of over the years. With Jen’s help and a run to Kinkos late last night, the “portfolio” turned out pretty well.
“Certainly this caliber of…” Betsy frowned when she came to the Breast Cancer Awareness Bash that involved mostly pink bikini tops and booty shorts reading, “Celebrating The Top Half,” across the bottom, “party, is more than I expect for Sweet Hill’s Santa’s Sleigh Drive, but there is a lot of work that goes into it. And you are definitely creative.”
“And I’m fully dedicated to take on this event, Ms. Delmore.”
She closed the book. “Well, I think you could do some wonderful things, Miss Blake. I’ve heard plenty about your reputation.” Ms. Delmore tilted her head and smiled, her short white bob brushing her jaw and her long necklace dangling.
Mia couldn’t tell if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Likely bad since everyone else around Sweet Hill still associated her with the Mia from eleven years ago.
“As you know
, twenty years ago this event started with a small coat drive in the middle of town square and since then it has grown into an entire day of community giving and holiday festivities. But with the Sheriff’s Department, Fire Station and hospital having all joined forces in the hopes of making it an event for the whole town to enjoy, the burden of planning the event has become too much for my department to orchestrate.” Mrs. Delmore shook her head. “This year they want to do coats, toys and food.”
“That’s a lot for a one day event.”
“Which is why it has become a planning nightmare. Each group has very different ideas of how the day should go, and I need one person working as the liason between all the different groups so that the event has a cohesive feel to it.”
“So you’re looking for someone who can work as a go between, take each committees ideas and mesh them so that all of the working parts work together.” Piece of cake.
“Exactly. And I think having you coordinate everything, follow up with all establishments, and make sure everything runs smoothly and in the same direction is what’s needed to take this from a quaint charity event to a professionally run fundraiser,” Ms. Delmore said.
“I understand,” Mia nodded, trying not to get her hopes up. But her pulse was pounding a little faster and her brow was a bit dewy with anxiety at the prospect. “I’d be happy to take on this project. I’m a hard worker, I understand how to listen to ideas as well as lead people to the right ideas, and I’m a real people person.” Which was something she firmly believed in.
While men were her particular specialty and unfortunately, most of them in Seattle who came into the club had their own agenda, Mia prided herself on being a good listener and thinking outside the box.
“Well, then you’re hired!” Ms. Delmore said.
Mia about shot up out of her chair. “Really? Just like that?”
“We are on a time crunch and you are the first person I have met with who has ever handled events this size. Not to mention, you seem to have the skill set I’m looking for. Now, you’ll have to work fast with each of the coordinators to get up to speed. Think of it more as a partnership, but I’m counting on you to spearhead this event and make it something that the town can be proud of.”
“Will do,” Mia said and Ms. Delmore handed her a packet.
“Here is a list of some local shops that have come out to support us in the past, along with their contact information.”
“Are you still holding it in the old church off Maple Avenue?”
“Lord no, we outgrew that space five years ago. Now we use the first floor ballroom of the courthouse. I also secured you the outdoor lawn area right outside, should you outgrow the ballroom. Which you will.”
Mia glanced at the list and made some mental notes of what shops to call and stop by.
