Leah took the dogs Out for some exercise, but they'll be back
any minute. And there are some snacks in there too."
"Michael seems nice," commented Audrey as she
returned to peeling potatoes.
"Yes, he seems very sincere. It's too bad about the climate
adjustment. That must be a shock to him."
"That won't be his only adjustment," said Audrey as she
plunked a potato into the pot.
"Well, I'm sure he'll have some culture shock too. But he
seems like such a happy person, I'm sure he'll adapt
quickly."
"I'm not talking about culture shock either, honey. Have
you noticed that we have no blacks living in Pine Moun-
tain?"
Maggie stopped chopping nuts for a moment and con-
sidered this. "Now that you mention it.. although I've seen
African-American tourists in town-"
"That's not quite the same. Don't you think this could be
a little hard on Michael?"
"I don't know why it should be any harder for him than
it is for Jed~r Rosa-for that matter. They're both in a
minority."
"And you know they both suffer for it occasionally. But
I suspect it could be even worse for Michael. I mean, let's not
be naive-this town has its share, or even more than its 64 ~ Melody Carlson
share, of bigots tucked here and there. Remember that
family-what's their name?"
"You mean the Ebberts?" Maggie laid down her knife. "I
think that rumor about their white supremacy group is a
little far-fetched."
"But there's no denying their racial prejudice. You told
me yourself about the hate-filled letters they regularly send
to the Pine Cone."
"Letters I never publish." She scooped the nuts into a
bowl. "I suppose you've got a point, Mom. But then again,
*I'm sure Jed will prepare Michael for this sort of thing.
Besides, I think it's about time this town grew up a little in
the area of racial equality. And if necessary, I'll write a big
*old editorial stating just that."
Audrey laughed. "Who would've thought editing a little
*paper like the Pine Cone could have turned my daughter into
*such a radical?"
Maggie grinned with a spark in her eye. "Yes, it seems I'm
*just making new enemies left and right. But it's sort of fun,
you know."
"Just watch your backside." Audrey's voice sounded
slightly serious.
Soon the house was filled with people. The Galloways
came, minus Scott and Chloe as they'd driven to Portland to
be with her family up there. Elizabeth Rodgers arrived,