Free Sweet Hill Homecoming by Joya Ryan

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.  
    “We want as much of the town involved as possible,” Ms. Delmore continued. “Not only to give back but to come out and have a good time. Some local businesses have already signed up, but there are still several that we would love to have participate, owners who need to hear about what a great opportunity this is to not only give back but also promote their business, etcetera.”
    “Do we need volunteers to man some of the booths and help with the actual drives?”
    “Yes, and they are the hardest to convince, so be prepared to get creative.”  
    “Creative is my specialty,” Mia said, her mind already racing with ideas. “Are there booths from last year I can use?”
    “The city owns ten but we already have twice that registered. Like I said, the event has really grown since you’ve been gone.”  
    Mia did some quick calculation. She’d need booths, nothing fancy, but at least twenty more because that was her goal. Thirty different representatives of local businesses to come out.  
    “What is the budget?” Mia asked, hoping a single booth didn’t cost more than—
    “Zero,” Ms. Delmore said. “This whole event is solely based on donations.”
    Mia let out a breath. She had an entire town event to plan and no money to do it with. And even if she did have the cash, where the hell would she rent the booths? The nearest party rental store was two towns over. “But,” Ms. Delmore said happily, “the city will pay you for your efforts and time. Three-thousand dollars if this event raises ten-thousand dollars or more.”  
    Mia’s eyes went wide. Three thousand dollars was a huge amount to her and Kyle. That was a nest egg, a term of tuition for Kyle, or rent for three months!
    “And, if this event goes well, I’ll take the notion to the board to hire you for a permanent position of Community Event Chair.”
    Mia’s mouth hung open. For the first time in, maybe ever, someone was interested in her ideas and in