“How are you settling in?” Pia asked as Charity led her to the small conference table by the window. “Ready to run screaming back to the big city?”
“I like it here. Small town life suits me.”
“You say that now,” Pia said, her voice teasing. She set a stack of folders on the table. “Give it a few months, when you realize everyone in town knows your business and they’re not afraid to talk.”
Charity laughed. “My life isn’t that interesting. Why would anyone care?”
“You’re new. Fresh gossip for the ladies in town. Just remember—there aren’t any secrets. Not for long.”
“Thanks for the warning.” She eyed the folders. “Light reading?”
“I like to think the information won’t put you to sleep, but I can’t guarantee that.” Pia tapped the pile. “These are recaps of the last two years’ worth of festivals, celebrations and general civic good times. The Fourth of July parade, the Christmas Lights Fantasy Night, that sort of thing. The ever-popular Gold Rush Days. If it needs a booth of any kind and it’s happening in Fool’s Gold, I’m probably involved. Or at the very least, offering advice. So if you ever need two thousand folding chairs at a great price, see me first.”
“I hope I never do,” Charity murmured.
“Not planning a big wedding?”
“Not dating.”
“Me, either.”
“I’m new in town,” Charity told her. “What’s your excuse?” She couldn’t imagine Pia being without a man. She was so pretty and outgoing.
“A total lack of men,” Pia said cheerfully. “I’m sure Marsha explained that you need to focus on male-based businesses. The last thing we need around here is a beauty college. I do my best with male-oriented events. Golf tournaments, car shows.” Pia both looked and sounded serious.
Charity couldn’t help laughing. “I know this is a big deal, but you have to admit, it’s really strange.”
“Tell me about it. There were ten percent more girls than guys in my high school graduating class. That made prom time very ugly.”
“Not that you went without a date.”
Pia shrugged. “No, but a couple of my friends had to import guys for the dance. Very humiliating.”
“You grew up here?”
Pia hesitated, then nodded. “Born and raised. Third generation. Or is it fourth? I can never remember. My parents moved away years ago, but I stayed. The last of the O’Brians in Fool’s Gold.” She grinned. “It’s a lot of responsibility.”
“Apparently.” Charity leaned toward her. “Living here all your life must be great. I moved around constantly when I was growing up. My mom didn’t like to settle, but it was all I dreamed about. Getting to know everything about a place, putting down roots. You’re lucky.”
Something flickered in Pia’s eyes. “The disadvantage is that whole lack of secrets thing. Everyone knows everything about you. Sometimes I think it would be very nice to be able to walk down the street without anyone knowing who I was.”
“It can be lonely.”
“So can small town life.” Pia shook her head. “Okay, enough with the philosophy and back to business. I have this year’s festival schedule for you to look over. Depending on what kind of business you’re courting, you might want to invite a few executives and their families to experience small town life. Or better yet, single male executives. We’re at our best during the festivals. All friendly and spruced up.”
Charity scanned the list. “When is the town not spruced up? There’s something nearly every month.”
“That’s not even everything,” Pia continued. “There are also various charity events. We were going to have a bike race, but that keeps getting pushed off.”
Bike race? As in Josh Golden’s territory? Charity thought about asking but was afraid Pia would think the question implied interest.
“There are the charity golf tournaments,” Pia continued. “We have a great golf course. Several, actually, but the pro course is well known. Don’t ask me why—I don’t do the golf thing. And I’m not big on the celebrities themselves. Too high-maintenance.”
“Good to know,” Charity murmured. “So you won’t be looking there for a husband.”
Pia laughed. “I’m not sure I’m the marrying kind. I don’t even know if I want kids. I’m still at the keeping-a-plant alive stage of my life. Next, I’ll consider getting a pet.”
“At least you have a plan.”
“I’ll let you know how it works out for me.”
They went through the rest of the festival event schedule. Charity promised to look over the material and let Pia know if she had any questions.
Pia collected her purse and briefcase and stood. “I’m glad you took the job, Charity. I know you were Marsha’s number one choice for it. Which is saying something because numbers two and three were single guys.”
“I’m all the more appreciative.”
“As you should be.” Pia laughed. “By the way, there’s a group of women who get together a couple times a month. Sort of a girls’ night out. Want me to call you the next time we get together?”