* exercise to get me in shape for snowboarding."
* "And judging by the sky," said Sam, "that might not be
* too far off."
Maggie glanced up past the treetops to see a section of
low hanging clouds just about the color of pewter. "Good-
-r Looking for You All My Life235
ness, those clouds are really rolling in fast. Do you think it's
going to snow up here?" -
Rosa nodded happily. "I think it might. Maybe- we should
get our trees picked out quickly, just in case."
Spencer selected a stately white fir to be placed in the
high-ceilinged parlor of their house, and the Galloways
chose a shorter tree to fit into their snug living room. Spencer
and Sam took turns with the saw, and somehow between the
two teens and Sam, they managed to lug down the trees
without much help from Rosa and Maggie. - -
"Guess I just came along for the walk," said Maggie.
"And me, for the company," laughed Rosa. "But that's
okay because both were worth it."
A few flakes were beginning to fall as they reached the
parking lot, and Maggie couldn't help but lift her hands with
delight. "Oh, isn't it beautiful!"
''Yeah,'' agreed Spencer as he leaned his tree against the
vehicle. "I think the reason the snow waited so long was just
so I could get my ankle all healed up in time for snow-
boarding."
"Well, it might still be a couple of weeks," said Maggie
doubtfully. "You know you still have your physical therapy
to-
"I think snowboarding's a fantastic form of physical
therapy!"
They all laughed and joked as they loaded and tied the
trees down to the top of the SIN The snow began to fall
rapidly, coating the tops of their hats and shoulders. "Do you
think it'll be snowing in town too?" asked Maggie, eager to
see Pine Mountain and her house all blanketed in white again.
"You never know until you get down there," said Rosa
as she offered her a cup of hot cocoa. "But at least it's
snowing up here."
They sipped their cocoa and watched as the snow quickly
began to accumulate. How quiet the woods suddenly seemed
with the snow filling the air with its fluffy softness. Then,
shaking off hats and coats, they all climbed into the SIN "I * *236- Melody Carlson
thinklmighthavetoputonthosesnowtiresafterall," corn-
mented Sam as he switched the rig into four-wheel-drive and
headed carefully down the white-covered road.
"Is Leah still staying out at Jed's, Maggie?" asked Rosa.
"Yes. I encouraged her to come stay with us, but she
didn't want to."
"How does she get to work?"