“Gerald, why me? You’re standing here giving me this amazing offer without even conducting a formal interview.”
“I find that actions speak louder than words. Yours are commendable. You’re driven, intelligent, creative, and you have the kind of moral compass I don’t often see in the business world.”
“Are you aware that I was…dismissed from my last position for that moral compass?” Might as well put that out there.
“That wasn’t how Philip Vargas put it when I called to check up on you.”
Oh God, what did he say? Norah was afraid to ask. “And yet, regardless of whatever he said, you’re here. Why?”
“The picture he tried to paint wasn’t consistent with my own impressions of you, with your actions down here, or with the opinions of any of those other corporations. It’s obvious to me that a great deal of the success Helios has enjoyed over the last five years is a direct result of your work, and Vargas is only realizing that in the wake of your absence. He tried to pretend otherwise when attempting to woo me to hire Helios, but I recognize a cretin when I see one. I made it clear I was interested in you, not in Helios.”
Norah resisted the urge to do a celebratory fist pump at that. “I imagine Philip didn’t take that well.”
“Not so much. It will probably relieve you to know that we do little business in Chicago. Our main offices are based in Denver, with satellites in New York, Atlanta, and London.”
“London?”
“I do a fair bit of business in Europe.” He began walking again. “Now, I’m not sure what your salary was at your prior position, but I’m certain we could come to an agreement.” He named a ballpark starting salary that had her eyebrows winging up. “I realize there are things you would want to tie up here, so start date is flexible, based on your schedule, and we’d cover relocation expenses.”
Relocation.
And just like that, the surreality of the conversation faded and the happy little dream bubble that had been building around her popped.
“Thank you. Not only for the job offer but for your obvious faith in me and my capabilities. Not many people would look past what Philip said. I’m beyond flattered.” What else could she be when someone offered her dream job on a platter?
His blue eyes sharpened. “But?”
“But, I’m committed to saying here, to building something on the foundation I started.” And somewhere, her father was doing the live person’s version of spinning in his grave.
“With the town or with the guy?”
“I fell in love with them both.” Norah looked around at the bright new face of downtown Wishful. “I have a vision for what this place could be.”
Looking intrigued rather than insulted that she’d turned down his generous offer, Gerald angled his head.
“Tell me.”
She had no idea of his background, but he couldn’t run an international company without spending sufficient time in cities that he’d experienced everything she hoped to counter. So she outlined it for him, honing in on all her personal reasons for believing that rural tourism could be a success here. As she spoke, Norah could see that, unlike Cam and the rest of the City Council, Gerald immediately understood her concept.
“There’s a real market for that. It’s a brilliant way to revitalize this town, if you can pull it off.”
“And there’s the kicker. The rest of them aren’t sold on the idea. Yet. But I’m not done researching and working up a full plan either. Conceptually, the project is still in its infancy.”
“It’ll be a lot of work.”
“I’m not afraid of hard work. And I find that what I’ve done here is considerably more rewarding than anything I did for Helios.”
“So you’re going to stay. Really give up the city life?”
She thought of Cam and the family here, so ready to fight for her. “I’m not leaving anything worth keeping.”
Gerald’s smile was sad. “I hope that works out better for you than it did for me.”
Norah wondered if he was talking about the girl he’d loved and lost but didn’t think she had a right to ask.
They’d stopped in front of a sleek, black BMW. “This is me.”
“Thank you for coming down and for the offer.”