Page 214 of Banter & Blushes

The North Shores committee stood proudly at the future home of their new Fire Department. Bob spoke first, as usual, “Mr. Mitchell thank you for agreeing to helpwith our project.”

“I’m happy to do so. Thank you for selecting me.”

Huh, Elva watched the two men talk. He didn’t correct them to ‘all my friends call me Mitch.’ Maybe he reserved that for only certain people.

“Good to see ya, Mitch.” Cal’s wide smile took over his face.

“You too, buddy.” They shook hands. “When you called me about this I was sure you guys would pick one of those fancy city contractors who wear a suit and go to an office every day.” He joked.

“We did have a few of those bids,” Cal started, “but we knew you were the right man for us. Didn’t we Elva?”

All the attention of the group turned to her. “What?” Her eyebrows raised before clearing her throat. “Yes. We did have a few bids from companies offering to send a rep down to look at it for us in their corporate car. Lots of pomp and circumstance.” She explained, pleased with her response.

“I meant about Mitch being the right man for the job?” He laughed and rocked back and forth on his toes. “I think we all agree on that.”

Oh no, she thought.The girls got to Cal, too. They work fast.

“We agree!” Jill added in prompting Josephine to elbow her gently before they both started giggling.

All heads nodded up and down before Melanie snapped a couple of photos of the empty lot.

Tucking his notebook under his arm, Mitch surveyed the project. His crews were already leveling the ground and prepping the site. “So tell me more about how this project came to be?”

Bob let out agroan. “I’ll admit when I’m wrong. It doesn’t happen often, but there’ve been a few times.” He laughed, making everyone else laugh too. “It was just time to make sure our community is taken care of. Honestly, well overdue.” He smiled at Elva knowing they had several conversations about this before it came into reality.

Seeing that no one else was offering the information, Melanie raised her hand up to show she’d answer. “When our town was hit with one of the worst storms in recent history. By the grace of GOD, no one was injured and we had minimal property damage. But it was the perfect catalyst to take a good look at improving the quality of life for our residents.”

“AND Melanie and Tom got married during the storm,” Jill added, giddy as could be. “Right in the basement of the community center. It was so romantic.”

Taking the conversation back to the project, Elva spoke up. “The addition of this station, and buildup of North Shores, is really going to help grow the Landings. As much as none of us want to see any changes,” she eyed Bob, “sometimes,” her glance then found Mitch, “change is exactly what we need.”

Mitch smiled at her across the group. He couldn’t help but feel drawn into her, her eyes, and her infectious smile. “Well…” he lost his train of thought thinking about her last comment. “Yes. Then. Good.” He stumbled.

Trying to break the obvious tension, Melanie held up her camera. “Let’s do some official group photos for the groundbreaking.” Everyone waited to be instructed. Melanie lined each committee member up by height, making sure the shot was balanced on each side, noticeably leaving Elva out.

“What about me?” Elva’s voice was quiet and concerned.

“Oh, I have something very special for you.” She giggled. “You are going to stand in the front here next to Mitch, and I want you both to hold the shovel as a symbolic new beginning.”

She walked around to the front and watched as Mitch dug the shovel into the earth, making it authentic. She liked that about him. He was exactly that.Real.Looking straight ahead her hand brushed against his on the handle, “oh I’m sorry.” She said involuntarily pulling her hand further down. The side of his thumb gently glided along the edge of her hand, sending goosebumps up her arm before his strong hand gently covered over hers. His wide smile looked straight ahead at the camera. “Don’t be.”

Did they just have a moment holding a shovel? Is that even a thing?Elva tried to push the thought out of her mind as she smiled for the picture.

Mel gave the group a thumbs up after she took the last photo secretly telling Josephine and Jill that their plan was getting off to the right start.

The summer sun beat down upon them in the vacant lot. Elva felt sweat forming around her hairline. “No Dozer today?”

“He’ll be with me some days once we get a roof up for shade. It’s a little hot for him and his thick coat.”

“I’m sure he’s sad to be missing out.”

“I assure you he is plenty happy lounging on the sofa in the air conditioning. And I leave the tv on for him.”

“Do you really?” Elva was hanging on his every word. “That’s so sweet. What does he like to watch?”

Checking his smartwatch he thought, “right about now should be the baseball game. Sometimes he likes cooking shows.”

“I absolutely love that,” she smiled.

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