Page 69 of Always Meant for You

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And saying yes to this means I won’t be on the farm working for Cal.

“It’s not an issue,” I reply with a tight smile. “I can stay for eight weeks.”

Margaret turns toward her sister. “Madam Mayor Betty, should we call a vote?”

Betty leans back and offers a quiet smile. “Mm-hmm.”

Margaret addresses the people. “This vote must come from all of us. Not just the council. Now, all in favor, say aye.”

There’s a beat. Then voices rise in unison—ayes strong and sure, with a few cheers from the back of the room.

Margaret jots something on her notepad, then looks up. “All opposed, say nay.”

“Nay,” Cal says.

And I won’t lie. It hurts.

I reach for the M charm.

The charged air presses in around me.

Will this man always see me as a girl?

Will he ever see the woman standing in front of him?

Then Betty speaks.

“Mabel Muldowney.”

My heart is in my throat. “Yes, ma’am.”

“On behalf of the town of Elverna and the Elverna Sustainable Farming Initiative,” she says, with a twinkle in her eyes, “you’re hired.”

Chapter Thirteen

CAL

Mabel Muldowney, you’re hired?

Did the town agree to pay Mabel ten thousand dollars to run marketing and PR for the Elverna Sustainable Farming Initiative?

Jamie used to talk about her graphic design skills. He said she had an eye for detail. But this isn’t dabbling in color palettes. This is our town. Our farms. Our future.

And we’re handing that over to Mabel?

“Cal?” Margaret’s voice cuts through the haze.

“Yes?”

“That’s everything on the agenda.”

The meeting is still going on, and I’m still standing here, frozen.

I rub my hand down my face. “Yes, ma’am. That’s correct.”

She nods. “Then I’d like to officially welcome Mabel Muldowney to the Sustainable Farming Initiative. I’m sure you and Cal will make great strides working together. This meeting is adjourned.”

A lead weight drops in my gut.

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