Chapter 59
GEORGIA
Turned out, only Maverick James and Mayor Mary were able to show for the last meeting for the fundraiser.
This time we were in an office at City Hall and Mac and Patrick were both working.
We’d waited five minutes and hadn’t heard from either of them, so we assumed they were on an emergency call.
Good thing I emailed everyone the final photos I was sharing this morning because to stay on track with the fundraiser schedule, we couldn’t wait for either guy to be available for final approval.
All of the photos had been pared down to three per month.
I liked all of them but to me, there was one clear winner for each.
Maverick and Mayor Mary reviewed them all and agreed with me on ten out of the twelve, but for the other two they’d chosen great alternatives. I didn’t have any reason to sway them.
“You can see the cover was done on the computer merging all of the firefighters into one image.” I pointed toward my laptop that was between them.
Besides the posing with the puppies and kittens, we’d also stood each model along the side of the fire truck as part of their shoot and the graphic designer, using computer photo editing, was able to place all twelve of them into one image. They were side by side by side.
“This way there isn’t one cover model, but all of them together.”
Mayor Mary smiled as she looked it over. “It’s so nice. I like the lettering you’ve used.”
I preened, pleased she liked the almost-final product. Between me, the photographer and the graphic designer, we’d worked hard pulling it all together.
“The graphic designer will insert the selected images and then send the files to the printer once we have your approval. My role on the project is done, but know you’ll have a final print proof to review with her for any last-second typos or oopsies, but then the orders can be fulfilled.
There’s enough time to have the few hundred printed and ready for the fundraiser event in a few weeks and extra batch orders can be made at any time. ”
“Impressive,” Maverick said, his finger moving over the arrow on my laptop keyboard to continue to review the images. He looked to Mayor Mary. “You’re pleased?”
She nodded and beamed at me. “I am. So much. Georgia, this has been an amazing project and based on the orders already put in, we’ve already earned more than the chili dinner. That doesn’t include any upcoming sales during the event or those who wait until they see the real thing.”
I was relieved and thrilled. Excited and a little sad. This had been a fun project. Hard work, but the people were amazing.
“I’m so glad. Several shops in town also said they’d sell copies, like Steaming Hotties and the mechanic shop.”
“Excellent job.” She stood, shook my hand. I smiled, pleased she was so satisfied. “I’ll let you talk with your boss as I have another meeting. It was so nice meeting you and I hope you’ll come back to Hunter Valley soon.”
She stepped out of the room.
Maverick closed the lid on my laptop. “Please, sit.”
I’d been standing like I always did for these meetings and settled into a chair across from him. I folded my hands in my lap, crossed my ankles. Back straight. The perfect seated pageant pose.
Maverick was a big man. Intimidating. But I’d seen him hold his new little niece the other night in the hospital and knew he was a big softie. And compared to Mac’s grumpiness, Mav was easygoing.
But he was still my boss. My hope for a full-time job, not a short-term contractor, was in his hands.
“Your work has been impressive,” he began.
“The calendar idea itself was smart. The business side of it, estimating the profit/loss and other aspects shows an understanding of making a PR project successful. You found sponsors in a town where you have no connections and pulled in a secondary charity that will also benefit. That’s remarkable. ”
I nodded, practically holding my breath. He could say Thanks, you did great. Have a safe flight home.
“You were also able to keep costs to a minimum with donations of time from various vendors. All in all, a success and it hasn’t even launched yet.”
I smiled like I always did. Big and megawatt. No matter what he said next, he was right. I’d done a good job. But was it enough? Would I head back to Calhan and my mother’s house to pick up Sassy’s second tier coaching jobs?
Or would I be able to work in Denver? Maybe be Bradley’s roommate instead and carpool to the office together.
“Bradley was right in having you add your name to the candidate list. I never question anything that man suggests. He’s too good at his job. But it wasn’t Bradley who pulled this calendar together. You’re James Corp material and I’d like to offer you a full-time job.”
My smile grew the tiniest of bits, and it was one hundred percent real. My heart hammered and I was so happy. I did it!
“Thank you!” I gushed. I put a hand over my lips. “I’m very glad to hear that. Bradley, as you know, is my cousin and has already told me so much about the corporate office. I’m eager to live in Denver.” And not in Calhan.
He shook his head. “No, not Denver. Because Silas and I are both based in Hunter Valley now, we’ve decided to grow the local office here. There are only a few employees currently and we are in need of a PR person at this location. Hopefully that will be you.”
“Here?”
He nodded. “Yes, the job I’m offering is here in Hunter Valley.”