certainly didn't make any secret of it to me, and obviously,
251.
252Melody Carlson
they know that my job is to print the news here. All they
really said was that they'd discovered enough evidence to put
a temporary halt to any more construction in the area in
question until they can reach a final conclusion in their study,
but at least this will slow the development boys down a little.
And, as I mentioned in my article, the holidays are a good
time for them to take a break anyway. No big deal, really."
Scott laughed. "Sure, no big deal, but maybe I should
start packing a gun to the office just in case old Greg Snider
should decide to come in here and vent a little frustration."
Maggie made a face at him. "Gee, that's a pleasant
thought, Scotty. Any more Christmas cheer you'd like to
spread around?"
"Just trying to be practical is all."
"Speaking of practical..." She glanced out the window as
the big flakes quickly accumulated on the steps of the porch
outside. "With the opening of the ski resort looking quite
possible, I wonder if I shouldn't hold back on printing a
couple of those especially irate letters that I selected for this
week's editorial page. And maybe we should shelve that local
Ibusinessowners petition story. Some of those people might
be feeling a little more optimistic and positive right now."
"But then again," said Abigail thoughtfully, "It just might
prove to be a good reminder to folks that moods around here
can change at the drop of a snowflake. People need to
remember in times like these that a little bit of patience can
go a long, long way."
"That's a good point." Maggie thought specifically of
Kate and Buckie's recent display. WQuld they still be so hard
on her if they suddenly had traffic flowing through the Blue
Moose as a result of this long-awaited snowfall? "I guess it's
situations like this that show you who your fair-weather
friends are."
By noon there was nearly two inches on the ground, and
it was still coming down steadily. Maggie walked happily to
the deli, eager for a hot bowl of soup. It was busier than
usual with local businessowners already celebrating what Looking for You All My Life253
looked to be a turn in the road for everyone. Maggie sat
alone eating her soup, pretending to read her mail as she lis-
tened to snatches of~conversation.
"Cindy at the hotel says she's already booked every single
room for this upcoming weekend..."
"My brother called from Portland this morning saying he
heard on the radio that our resort will be one of the first to
open in this area."
"And what with Christmas vacation starting this week,
we should be crawling with tourists in the next day or