A Decent Proposal by Teresa Southwick

said.
    â€œGenerally stories being passed around town are factual and details aren’t made up or exaggerated.” She grinned. “Folks here in Blackwater Lake take pride in the integrity of our rumor mill.”
    â€œGood to know,” he said.
    â€œIf anything, whoever’s doing the telling plays down personal opinion. But you’re even more handsome than I heard.”
    â€œThank you. I’d hate to disappoint.”
    â€œSo,” she said, “are you and Sydney an item?”
    In a way,
he thought, but not how she meant. “Well...”
    â€œSorry. I’m nosy. But the thing is, folks are going to ask me. It’ll be all over town that you were in here today.” She shrugged.
    â€œAn item?” Burke thought for a moment. “Not unless you define an item as a man and woman who are getting to know each other.”
    â€œHmm.” It seemed as if she was the tiniest bit disappointed in the answer. “Okay, then. What is it I can do for you today, Mr. Holden?”
    â€œBurke, please. You’ll probably be seeing a lot of me around here.” He smiled pleasantly, but there was no response from the clerk. “I’m here to look into building permits for the resort.”
    â€œYou’ll need to speak with the building department supervisor.”
    â€œThat would be great. Is he free?”
    â€œI’ll check for you. Have a seat.”
    â€œThanks.”
    Burke did as asked but had hoped to be shown in without having to wait. There was a lot to do back at the office and he had a scheduled call with his cousin soon. After ten minutes he began to look at his watch. Probably he should have called ahead to make an appointment. He didn’t want to be perceived as presumptuous. That little detail would spread like a wind-driven wildfire and not make his work life in this small town easier.
    Just when he was wondering whether or not to leave a message that he would call and schedule a time, Sally walked back behind the counter.
    â€œSorry I took so long, Burke. Had to update John on some things. He’ll see you now.”
    Burke had seen John Donnelly, Building Supervisor, stenciled on the door to this office. “Thank you.”
    â€œFollow me. Through there.” She pointed to the door separating the waiting area from the back offices.
    Sally led him down the hall to the last office, which was probably the biggest. The door was open and she poked her head in. “John, this is the fella I was telling you about.”
    â€œThanks, Sally.” The man was in his late fifties, with gray hair and brown eyes. He was a little over six feet tall because they were eye-to-eye when he stood and held out his hand. “John Donnelly. Nice to meet you, Mr. Holden.”
    â€œBurke.”
    â€œOkay.” He indicated the two chairs in front of a desk where construction plans were unrolled for further scrutiny. In the corners of the room, similar rolls were standing up in stacks, probably blueprints waiting for approval. “Have a seat, Burke.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œWhat can I do for you?”
    â€œI wanted to introduce myself. As you probably know, I’m in charge of building the resort up on the mountain. It’s my job to facilitate construction, cross the
t
’s and dot the
i
’s. In my experience, the process of doing that is much smoother after I get to know who I’ll be working with.”
    John, cool and assessing, leaned back in his desk chair. “I can see that.”
    â€œIt would also be helpful to know what paperwork the county requires. Every one is a little different.”
    â€œSure.” The other man nodded.
    â€œI’ve researched codes and zoning restrictions for Blackwater Lake but wanted to find out from the guy in charge if I have the latest information.”
    â€œI can help you with that.”
    â€œIt would speed things along to know how many copies of the building