Nothing from Sam or anyone?"
Rosa shook her head and sipped her coffee. "No, and
Sam is usually up on all the latest news. Men say women
gossip, but I think that's just their cover-up."
10Melody Carison
"Well, I suspect that Rick Tanner and Greg Snider have
been trying to keep this thing under their hats, but I'm on my
way out to interview Mr. Westerly this afternoon-"
"Old Arnold Westerly? I can hardly believe that man is
still alive-he must be about a hundred by now."
"I don't know about his age, but I do know he owns a
couple hundred acres of prime farmland-"
"Right between the Tanners and the old Snider place,"
injected Rosa, her brow lifting with suspicion.
Maggie nodded. "Anyway, I've learned that Greg and
Rick are buying that property and planning some big real
estate development out there."
Rosa slapped her hand on the table and laughed sarcas-
tically. "Now if that doesn't beat all. The antidevelopment
boys are out there scheming up their own little land deals
and trying to keep everything hush-hush. Well, good for you,
Maggie. I hope you blow this thing wide open."
"The only problem is..." Maggie's brow furrowed. "I feel
bad about Cherise. She's been so sweet to me at the fitness
center, and I just hate to see her get hurt by my story."
"Cherise is a big girl and stronger than many think.
Besides, Maggie, the truth is the truth. Right?"
Maggie set down her spoon. "Yes. And I've already sat
on this news for too long-mostly to protect Cherise because
she's the one who gave me the initial information. But I can't
be silent about something like this forever."
Rosa frowned. "I hope Greg and Rick aren't taking
advantage of poor Arnold. He's a sweet old guy. And all
alone."
"He sounded nice on the phone, and very sharp if he's as
old as you say. Plus he seemed eager to talk. But I'm afraid
he thinks I'm interviewing him for our Bit of History sec-
tion." She broke off a chunk of crusty bread and dipped it
into her soup. "In fact, I think I will schedule Scott to do a
history piece on him. No doubt this Mr. Westerly has some
interesting stories to tell." The bell on the door jingled and
Maggie looked up to see Buckie and Kate walk in. "Looks Looking for You All My Life11
like you've got customers, Rosa." Maggie waved as the
couple approached the counter.
"Thank goodness for the regulars." Rosa stood and
straightened her apron. "Nice catching up with you. And
good luck with that story."
Maggie finished her soup, then she went over to greet
Buckie and Kate on her way out. They seemed such a perfect
couple now that it made her wonder how any of them had
ever missed that potential from the start. "How's business?"