A Child's Heart (Trent & Cassie's Story) A River City Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

an
exciting collection.”
    “Excellent. And we’ll have the exhibit until July
31?”
    “Yes.”
    “Thank you for calling. I was very concerned about
showcasing what I had received thus far. I’m relieved to know there
is more.”
    “I’m faxing the information as we speak, including
the website where you can get everything you will need.”
    “Thanks.” Cassie hung up the
phone. A wave of relief flooded her system, but knowing she had two
very different exhibits that would run concurrently was still a
problem. Something for everyone. From mummies to mums? Mums the Word. She rubbed her forehead. Why did I take this job?

 
    ~~4~~
     
    Cassie hung up the phone, smiled, and dialed Trent’s
house. When it rang for the seventh time, she gave up and
disconnected the call. It would have to wait. She had a meeting
with the city manager in ten minutes. She de-cluttered her desk,
and ran a brush through her hair.
    She wasn’t going to get out of the museum until late,
as it was interim report card night. The entire staff braced for
what they hoped would be a stellar turnout. Any child with an "A"
could come in free when accompanied by an adult, and Friday evening
would be Teen Stomp, a mini version of the opening gala, but with a
room set aside for the kids to lounge, listen to music, and play
games, all sponsored by a local company.
    Glancing over her calendar, she heard a knock on her
office door. “Come in.”
    Hugh Fitzgerald’s height and bulk made him stand out
in a crowd, but seeing him in her cramped office, he appeared even
larger. She smiled politely, and extended her hand to him.
“Welcome.”
    “I’m not here for a friendly chat. You’re over
budget!”
    She raised her eyebrows. “What budget? I’ve asked to
see my budget, and not one person seems to be able to give me
anything in writing. I want a line item budget. When you produce
that for me, I’ll be more than willing to sit down and go over
everything with you, but until then, I think we can shelve this
discussion.”
    “And what the hell is this?” He poked his finger a
little too close to the animal remains.
    “Don’t touch it! It’s a mummified cat.” The color
draining from his face was worth watching.
    “Ugh! What’s it costing us?”
    “Nothing yet. In fact, I don’t believe any of these
shows have cost the city a dime. They are paying their way.”
    “Not according to the bill I saw this morning.” He
gestured with his thumb at the door behind him. “Your dinosaurs
cost a small fortune.”
    “I know exactly what they cost, and that money was
recouped with the Dino Tread Gala. You’re looking at one side of
the ledger. Our tills have quadrupled with the visitors coming to
see that exhibit. You want River City to have a little culture?
It’s going to cost!" Her insides tightened as her anger rose. "And
I’m doing everything I can to bring in some top-notch exhibits, and
have them pay for themselves. Bring me a budget, because I’ve never
seen an electric bill for this place.”
    “I’ll send you your budget, and you’re going to find
your neck in a noose.”
    She pushed her chair back and slowly stood. Placing
her palms flat on the desk, she stared into the city manager’s
eyes. “Bring it on, Hughie, because your scare tactics aren’t going
to work with me. I’m not Bill Krumpler, and I’m not caving.
Remember, you guys came to me and asked me to take this job. Then
you throw me to the lions and expect me stay on some nonexistent
budget. Get out of my office, Hughie, because I don’t have time for
this.”
    He strode out the door and slammed
it in his wake. She shuddered, then closed her eyes. Go to hell, Hughie Fitzgerald!
     
    ***
    Several times Cassie looked at her
watch, wanting to call Trent, but she didn’t have time. And when
Jim from River Lights appeared, she smiled brightly. That local weekly magazine had
a lot to do with the success of the museum’s exhibits. Its
articles, under the guise of a sneak