Marsha sipped her tea. “I love it when people listen to me.”
“I’m sure everyone does. From what I can tell, the biggest concern the hospital committee has is about community support, so I’ll be dealing with that directly.”
“Excellent.”
Charity passed over a second file. “I’ve been meeting with a software company. They’re in San Jose and while they’d keep their headquarters there, they need to expand. A lot of the staff have expressed a desire for small-town life. They want to stay in California and be relatively close to the main office. So I have high hopes we can convince them to come here.”
“Software, huh?”
“Most computer geeks are guys.”
“True and I’ve always liked that type of man. Computer guys, engineers. They’re usually stable and dependable. Important qualities when it comes to marriage.”
Charity glanced at the other woman’s left hand. There wasn’t a ring. She started to ask, then thought it might be a little too personal. But Marsha must have noticed.
“Like many women in my generation, I married young,” Marsha said. “John was a sweet man. Probably too good for me, but he loved me unconditionally. We were so happy together. We had a daughter.” She paused, as if remembering a moment in the past. “How that man loved his little girl. We had plans for a big family, but he was killed in a car accident when our little girl was only three. I was pregnant at the time and the shock of losing him caused me to miscarry.” Marsha pressed her lips together. “It was a difficult time.”
Charity was shocked to hear about the tragedy. “I’m so sorry.”
“It was a long time ago. Now I just have good memories, but for a while I didn’t think I could survive the double loss. My baby girl helped pull me through, just by needing me. And I had the town.”
Marsha smiled at her. “John and I had both been born here, so when I lost him, so did the community. They rallied. About a year later, someone put me on the ballot for the city council. I think it was to shock me out of my depression. I never campaigned, but somehow I won. I went to my first meeting with the idea that I would resign, but somehow I got sucked into it all. Here I am, some forty years later, still working in city government.”
“I’m glad you are. You do a terrific job.”
“You’re kind to say that.”
Charity wanted to ask about Marsha’s daughter, but as she’d never heard her mentioned, she didn’t. She was a little afraid something bad had happened to her, too.
“I have a lot of friends,” Marsha continued. “This has always been my home. So even with John gone, I belonged. I hope you’re getting a sense of that belonging yourself.”
“I’m really enjoying myself, getting to know people.”
“Making friends?”
“I am. I went over to Jo’s the other night to hang out with Pia and her friends. I met Crystal.”
Marsha shook her head. “A lovely girl. So desperately sad. When she lost her husband, I completely understood what she was going through. We were all so excited when she decided to have their embryos implanted. But then they discovered she was sick. It’s just not fair.”
“I know. I was thinking that when Jo told me about her situation. That it would help Crystal to have a child, but if she’s sick…”
“I know what you mean. Losing both parents would be so difficult. I sometimes wonder what God was thinking when He put all this in motion. We all hope she makes a full recovery. It’s just the doctors seem to think that’s unlikely.”
Marsha smiled at her. “And this is the part of small-town life that is difficult. We know each other’s joys, but we also know each other’s sorrows.” She shook her head. “And now let’s talk about something more cheerful. I couldn’t help but notice you had dinner with Robert the other night. Was that fun?”
Charity wasn’t used to discussing her personal life with her boss. She knew that Marsha was just being friendly, but she honestly didn’t know what to say, what with Robert being the town treasurer and all.
“He’s a great guy.”
“Very eligible.”
“It’s a little early to be marrying me off.”
“True, but I can’t help it. I have a matchmaker’s heart. I love watching people fall in love. Robert seems very steady.” She laughed. “Which sounds awful, but you know what I mean. It’s the dependable thing. He’s not flashy.”
Not like Josh, Charity thought, doing her best not to remember the brief but incredible kiss she and Josh had shared. No point in belaboring the impossible, not to mention improbable.
Marsha sipped her tea again. “Although something could be said for a man who will always surprise you.”
Charity blinked. “Excuse me? What happened to steady?”
“I suppose I’m biased. I’ve known Josh a long time. He’s like a son to me. I’d like to see him settle down with someone special.”