Mountain must seem a pretty small thing up there amidst all
that heavenly splendor."
She smiled. "I never thought of it like that. But I suppose
you're right."
"Anyway, getting back to Thanksgiving, I was wondering
if we might be able to squeeze in one more guest."
"Of course." Maggie pushed her empty soup bowl to the
side of the table. "May I ask whom?"
"Remember the man I told you about who's coming from
the South Pacific? Well, he's already in Portland and plans to
arrive on the bus tomorrow."
"This should be interesting."
58Melody Carlson
"Yes. He sounded like a real character on the phone. And
by the way, let Audrey know that I'll bring the famous sweet
potato dish I told her about-the one my mother used to
make."
Maggie smacked her lips. "Sounds delicious."
He reached out to take her hand while lowering his voice.
"I've missed you."
She sighed softly and nodded. "Me too. Life's been so
chaotic the last few days. Maybe it'll slow down a little with
the holidays coming..." She glanced out the window to the
clear, blue sky. "Do you think it'll ever really let loose and
"I'm sure it will. Just don't know when. But I know
everyone in town, including me, could use that ski traffic
about now."
"Pretty slow?"
He nodded grimly. "I'm thinking about taking some of
my pieces to a big trade show up in Seattle next month. It's
kind of last minute, but a friend of mine offered to share his
booth with me. It would be a way for me to expand the busi-
*ness-but I'm just not sure if the timing's right."
"It wouldn't hurt to try, would it?"
*"I guess not. But it might be a waste of my time and gas."
"Or you could end up with too much work."
"Or possibly miss out on some good business here. The
show happens about a week or so before Christmas-that
could be a real busy time for the shop, especially if the ski
season opens up by then, which it normally would."
"How's Leah doing these days? She seemed a little
stressed out last week. She's been trying so hard, but I think
her expectations are too high."
"She's getting the hang of it, and I'm trying to be patient
with the learning curve. I guess I never quite realized how
spoiled I was having Kate with me for these past few years."
"I'm sure she'd come back to you in a heartbeat."
Maggie's eyes glinted mischievously, as if she were baiting
him.
F.
Looking for You All My Life59