Page 163 of Rags's Awakening
“Well, I wouldn’t say that. I mean—”
“Casey, it’s cool. I’m thrilled. My parents don’t know what’s going on, but they’re happy to see Rags smiling more than he has in years. Just don’t tell him I told you that.” Her eyes sparkled.
“I won’t,” she said.
“Do you need me to track anything else in the budgets for the Colorado Creates grant?” Clara asked.
“I’m good. Thanks for helping me out with the numbers. It’s one of six grants I’m working on. I figure one of them has to come through, right?”
“I hope so. I heard last summer’s fundraiser was great.”
Casey nodded. “It was one, but I’m hoping to top it this year. We’re gonna have to work hard for the next month to pull it all together.”
“I’m excited. I love organizing stuff like that,” Clara said. “I can ask Mathew to come up with some ideas for interactive activities.”
“That’s an idea. I want this to be one of the best galas the theatre’s ever done.” Casey smiled. “How does Mathew like conducting the workshops?”
A tinge of pink bloomed across Clara’s cheeks. “I guess okay. Why?”
“You seem to help him out a lot with setting up.”
Clara looked down and picked at her cuticle. “He needs the help.”
“I’m glad he’s come on board. He’s a nice guy. Way better than Simon.”
Clara’s eyes snapped up. “Don’t tell Rags about Mathew. He’d be… well…” Her voice trailed off.
“Difficult? A know-it-all? A general pain in the butt?”
Clara laughed. “You know him too well.”
“Don’t worry, it’s just between you and me. But for the record, I think Mathew’s worth getting to know.”
Clara’s flushed cheeks deepened. “We’re going out to dinner this Saturday. It’ll be our first date.”
“I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time.” Casey glanced at the wall clock. “I better finish this report. I want to send it out today.”
“I better get going, too.” Clara glanced toward the window. “Looks like a storm’s moving in.”
“That’s what they’re saying. I can’t wait for the cold and snow to end. It’s March and it’s freezing outside.”
Clara laughed. “I don’t know what I’d do if we had an actual spring. Depending on how bad this storm gets, I may take off a little early today.”
“Go ahead. After I’m done here, I’ll work on the grant applications at home.”
Once Clara left the office, Casey focused on the budgeting report she needed to send to the Board of Directors.
About an hour later, her phone beeped. A smile lit up her face as she pulled it from her purse. The smile faded when she saw Curtis’s number on the screen.
Curtis:I have some books you’d find very interesting.
Casey sighed then typed:
Casey:Pretty busy right now.
Curtis:That’s ok. I’ll bring them over.
“What don’t you understand about me being busy?” she muttered.
