“She almost single-handedly revived the Chamber of Commerce. She was the primary force behind the founding of the citizen’s coalition. At her request, we had a literal army of volunteers help makeover Main Street. As a result of her tireless efforts, we’ve seen a display of community spirit unrivaled in the last twenty-five years. Her Shop Local campaign has brought a forty percent increase in local revenues since its inception, and that number only seems to be going up. She is the brain behind the YES Cap campaign and one of the reasons this referendum saw record numbers at the polls. And, as if all that weren’t enough for an entire team of people, when all seemed lost and everyone else gave up, she kept the faith and gave us the answer for how Wishful can save itself, complete with linkage to the resources to enable us to do exactly that. Norah Burke, can you please join us down front?”
Cheeks faintly flushed, Norah rose from her seat and edged into the aisle, looking a trifle embarrassed as she made her way through the gate from the visitors’ gallery to stand in front of the Council.
“Norah, you have given of your expertise, your time, and your personal resources, all in the name of supporting this town you’ve decided to make your own. We owe you a debt that can never be properly paid because you cannot put a price on the gift of hope. But we came together today to honor you and your endless contributions to Wishful.”
Sandra stepped down from the bench and brought her the engraved plaque, while the room erupted with applause. Cam’s heart fairly burst with pride as Norah accepted it and then his mother’s embrace. Sandra gestured to give Norah the floor.
With a helpless look at the audience, Norah lifted a hand to her cheek. “For probably the first time since any of you have known me, I don’t know what to say.”
A faint ripple of laughter swept through the assembly.
“Thank you. I’m so honored. But really this doesn’t belong to just me. I might’ve had the ideas, but I couldn’t have executed any of them without help from all of you. The success isn’t mine, it’s Wishful’s.”
“Well, we’re glad to hear you say that,” Hank said.
Norah turned back to face the Council.
“See, there’s the matter of the vacancy in the City Planner’s office,” Grace said.
“And we can’t think of anyone better suited to the job than you,” Ed said.
Norah blinked. “You’re…offering me a job?”
“Normally we’d do a formal interview, get references, the whole shebang,” Sandra said. “But in this case, your actions over the last four months more than answer all our questions. You’re smart, dedicated. You’re above reproach. And you consistently put Wishful first. That’s exactly what we want in a City Planner. We realize we’ve put you on the spot, so you don’t have to give an answer right now. Take some time to think about it.”
She turned her gaze on him, and Cam knew her answer even before she spoke it. “I don’t have to think about it. Yes. There’s nothing else I’d rather do.”
~*~
“You totally knew they were going to do that.” Norah poked an accusatory finger in Cam’s arm.
He grinned, unrepentant, and draped an arm around her shoulders. “I totally did.”
“Well, I’m glad I wore the suit since I was up there in front of all those people.”
“You could’ve gone up there in shorts and a t-shirt and it wouldn’t have diminished your accomplishments or how much we all appreciate them.”
“Yeah, but the suit looks better in pictures.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
“It was your idea to make me the new City Planner, wasn’t it?”
“I might’ve put the bug in their ear when we were discussing qualifications for the position. But I couldn’t have gotten you hired all on my own. The decision was unanimous. No contest. No discussion. You were made for this job.”
“I think maybe I was.”
“C’mon, I want to show you something.” Cam steered her across the green, toward the fountain. “I’ve been instructed to inform you that the honors don’t end with just a plaque.”
“They don’t?”
“Nope. You’re getting a burger named after you at Dinner Belles. And Cassie is creating a drink in your honor for permanent inclusion on the menu at The Grind. The General Burke.”
Norah gave a happy sigh. “You know, I have no idea what cockles are, but that just warms my heart all the way down to them.”
“Pretty sure that makes you an official local. There’s no getting rid of us now. We’ve got our hooks in you too deep.”
“You had your hooks in me from day one. You and your silly dog.”