.

      “You’ll need to talk to Mel. He’s the one in charge.”

      So Mel was in charge of the documentation? The only reason Sawyer could think of everything disappearing was that Mel had something to hide.

      * * *

      For the balance of the morning, Erin and Sawyer went over his proposal page by page as they sat in the conference room. Erin wanted to understand his thinking and how he planned to execute his ideas. She’d prepared herself to argue her viewpoint, but much to her surprise, Sawyer didn’t discount her opinion. He listened to her suggestions, considered modifying his plans, questioned her reasoning, then they came to a consensus. She welcomed his reasonable reaction, so different from Mel and some of the other men she’d dealt with in town.

      “So, are you using some of the local residents in this rebuilding?” Erin asked.

      “Is there a cement contractor in town?”

      He knew there wasn’t but wanted to make his point.

      “No, we both know that, but there are local artisans who are excellent welders, and iron workers who know how to make the rodeo grounds more appealing for the visitors and horses. They could do some of the smaller projects. They’d welcome the work, and their hearts would be in the game.”

      Leaning back in his chair, he studied her. “I had planned on using larger companies out of Albuquerque for the main infrastructure components. But I’d like to encourage local craftsmen to bid on some of the smaller projects. I thought I’d add to the rodeo web page a list of the jobs that need to be done.” Sawyer picked up his pen and tapped it against the table. “I have a budget I need to stick to, Erin. I don’t think the board wants any overruns.”

      He had a valid point.

      “But you might not reach all the local craftsmen. One of the local iron workers refuses to use the internet.”

      “So, if I wanted to advertise for local iron workers and other people to hire, where would I do that?”

      She blinked. Her mind had geared up to argue for the local residents, and he’d short-circuited her brain. Again.

      The glint in his eyes caught her attention. “Bob Rivera is the man who knows everyone in this county and the surrounding counties. We could walk down to his store and ask him. Or, better yet, we could list the jobs, post it in his store and ask for bids. It’s not modern and high-tech, but some of the artisans prefer face-to-face business deals.”

      “I like that idea. Why don’t we make that list, then go over to Bob’s and post it? The sooner we fill the contracts, the sooner we get to work.”

      For the next few minutes they worked on Sawyer’s laptop creating the job list. She’d been impressed he didn’t ask the secretary or her to do it, but did it himself. Too often, she’d seen the guy in charge think the underlings should do the work.

      “I should’ve had you type my econ paper.” She laughed. “You’re faster than I am. I flunked keyboarding in school and did the hunt and peck method my dad does. Why, even Tate is faster than me.”

      He chuckled, then saved the file and hit Print. Then he walked to Lisa’s desk and waited for the printer to spit out the list, but nothing happened.

      He quickly jotted down the jobs on a piece of paper.

      “You did notice that I recommended the first thing they spend money on was a new computer and printer,” Erin commented.

      “I did. That will be one of the first purchases I make.” He closed his laptop and notebooks and put them back in his office.

      A glow of pride shot through her.

      “Remember what I told the other board members? A good idea is a good idea no matter who suggests it. I don’t have a corner on the market.”

      As they walked down the street to Bob’s hardware store, people came out of the buildings, seemingly curious. “Come see,” Erin answered. The people followed behind. Erin heard murmured comments.

      When they entered the hardware store, Bob and Tom Kirby, a local rancher, were at the checkout counter talking.

      “Morin’, Erin.” He looked at Sawyer and nodded.

      “Is there something I can help you with?” Bob asked.

      Erin heard the other residents filing into the building.

      “Sawyer and I have been discussing the rodeo redo and how to implement it. Sawyer needs the names of local vendors who want to bid on working for the rodeo.”

      “Oh?” Bob frowned at Sawyer. “I thought he’d want to use the big boys out of Albuquerque.”

      “I’m open to all bids. I do have a budget, but I want to include as many local vendors as possible. They know the history of the rodeo, and that could put a different spin on the work they do.”