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BY FRIDAY CHARITY wasand had learned the name of nearly everyone orked there

Her eleven o’clockforward to ever since Sheryl had put it on her calendar

Pia arrived right on ti past her shoulders, her well-cut suit e in?" Pia asked as Charity led her to the s back to the big city?"

"I like it here Small town life suitsShe 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 re"

"Thanks for the warning" She eyed the folders "Light reading?"

"I like to think the inforuarantee that" Pia tapped the pile "These are recaps of the last two years’ worth of festivals, celebrations and general civic good tihts 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’ advice So if you ever need two thousand folding chairs at a great price, see me first"

"I hope I never do," Charity "

"Me, either"

"I’m new in town," Charity told her "What’s your excuse?" She couldn’t i

"A total lack of men," Pia said cheerfully "I’m sure Marsha explained that you need to focus onwe 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 ade"

"Tell uys in ly"

"Not that you ithout a date"

Pia shrugged "No, but a couple of "

"You grew up here?"

Pia hesitated, then nodded "Born and raised Third generation Or is it fourth? I can never reo, 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 lifeup My mom didn’t like to settle, but it was all I drea down roots You’re lucky"

Soe 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 knoho I was"

"It can be lonely"

"So can sh 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 ht want to invite a few executives and their falethe festivals All friendly and spruced up"

Charity scanned the list "When is the town not spruced up? There’s so," 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 iolf tournaolf course Several, actually, but the pro course is well known Don’t askon the celebrities theh-maintenance"

"Good to know," Charitythere for a husband"

Pia laughed "I’ kind I don’t even know if I want kids I’e ofa pet"

"At least you have a plan"

"I’ll let you knoorks out for h 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’lad you took the job, Charity I know you were Marsha’s nu because nuuys"

"I’hed "By the way, there’s a group of woirls’ night out Want ether?"

"Yes Thanks I’d really like that"

"Then I’ll be in touch" Pia gave a little wave and left

Charity returned to her desk, where she could see the stack of folders she would be carrying ho for review She’d been so busy with her job that she hadn’t had time to turn on the TV in her hotel rooh a case could beof Robert, a perfectly pleasant and noruy, her brain i on her while his nightly entertainirls’ night out would be fun and a chance to make friends in town Over the weekend, she could start exploring the area,classes on things like cooking or knitting She needed to get out , then turned to her computer But before she could read her e-lanced up to see a forty-so a dark blue police uniform walk into her office

"Alice Barns," the woman said as she crossed to the desk and shook Charity’s hand firht I’d come introduce myself"

Charity lad you did It’s nice to meet you" She tilted her head and srinned "Chief Barns in front of the press or my men Alice e’re off the clock"

"Good to know"

"How are you settling in?" Alice asked

"It’s been a busy week Lots to learn So far, I adore the town"

"It’s a good place to live," Alice told her "Not a lot of cri they’re smarter than they are The occasional break-in at one of the vacation rentals Tourists speeding Nothing ht be a new homeless person in town"

"Why do you say that?"

"Sorocery stores Mostly snacks and convenience foods A few toiletries Not to worry We’ll find out who’s doing it and put a stop to the stealing"