Chasing Perfect Read Online Free PDF Page A

seemed to figure that out.
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    O VER THE NEXT FEW days Charity continued to learn about her job and meet the rest of the staff. She noticed that every one of them was female, with the exception of Robert Anderson, the treasurer.
    â€œRobert’s been with us five years,” Marsha said after a meeting on Wednesday, then excused herself to make a call to the county commissioner.
    Robert was a nice-looking man in his early thirties. His dark eyes sparkled with amusement as he shook Charity’s hand. “You look a little surprised to see me. Is it because I’m a guy? Did the Mayor tell you about our little problem?”
    â€œYes, which must make you really popular.”
    He grinned and motioned for her to follow him into his office, where they sat on opposite sides of his desk. “I do okay.”
    â€œDid you know about the odds being in your favor when you took the job?”
    He chuckled. “No, and I never noticed during my interviews. I was focused on the job, not the surroundings. Not very observant, I guess. About the secondweek after I moved here, I realized that a lot of women were dropping in to welcome me.”
    Charity was still having trouble grasping the whole “man shortage” concept. “It’s real then—the demographic issue?”
    â€œA very delicate way of putting things. Yes, it’s real. I haven’t figured out why, not that I put a lot of thought into it. Men don’t stay. Or move here. Statistically in an average population, more male babies are born than female babies. It’s around one hundred and ten male babies for every one hundred female babies. But more males die before the age of eighteen, and by middle age there are more women in any given population. Except here. There are more females of every age group.”
    Charity had thought the fried computer and seeing Josh Golden’s butt on her assistant’s screen saver would be the strangest parts of her week.
    â€œI’m speechless,” she admitted. “I don’t say that often.”
    Robert laughed. “It’s not that big a deal.”
    â€œNot for you. Not only are you one of the precious few, you haven’t been instructed to bring in more male-based businesses.”
    His laugh turned into a wince. “Marsha said that?”
    â€œIt was a clear directive.” She glanced at Robert’s left hand. “Hmm, I don’t see a wedding ring there. Why aren’t you doing your part for the town by being married?”
    He held up both hands, palms facing her. “I tried. I got engaged. We broke things off when we realized we had different ideas about family. I wanted kids, she didn’t. She moved to Sacramento.”
    â€œOne less single female to worry about,” Charity murmured, wondering if some TV personality was going to jump out of a closet and tell her she’d been part of an elaborate hoax. As much as she wouldn’t enjoy the humiliation, it would be kind of nice to find out the mayor had been kidding about the man thing. Not that she thought her luck was that good.
    Then she realized her response to Robert had been slightly less than sensitive. “Oh, wait. I didn’t mean to say that. I’m sorry your engagement didn’t work out.”
    He shrugged. “It was a while ago. I’m dating again.”
    â€œAre they rejoicing in the streets?”
    â€œThere was a parade last week.”
    â€œSorry I missed that. I met Pia O’Brian a couple of days ago. It seems there are a lot of parades in Fool’s Gold.”
    â€œFestivals,” he corrected. “It’s our thing. There’s one nearly every month. It brings in tourists and the locals seem to love them. Is this your first small town?”
    She nodded. “I’ve mostly grown up in large suburbs, which isn’t the same thing. I’m looking forward to the change.”
    â€œJust be aware that everyone knows everything