planting both palms on the edge of her desk. "Why don't you
just do everyone in Pine Mountain a great big favor and move
on now. I think we've all had enough of your kind of help."
He spat out that word. "Putting up your silly little lampposts
and park benches isn't going to save this town from financial
ruin. We're ready for some real development, and it looks to Looking for You AllMy Life109
me as if you and this one-sided newspaper are the only obsta-
cles standing in our way at the moment."
"You're right about one thing, Greg, this town does want
and need development. And for your information, so do I.
But I believe the majority of people want good development,
and not at the expense-"
"You don't know this town as well as you think you do.
You haven't been here long enough to understand our ways
or our history-you're the newcomer here and I, for one, am
pretty certain you've worn out your welcome! And not that
you're even invited, but I happen to be having an important
meeting this weekend for those local businessmen who are
ready for growth and development in Pine Mountain-folks
who will stand behind me for the sake of our town. But
maybe you should send Out a reporter-not that you guys
will ever get your stories straight-but because the people of
Pine Mountain have a right to know the truth!"
She sank back into her chair as he stormed out of her
office. Lambasted by his words, she felt unsure of anything
at the moment other than the fact that he might have missed
his calling! The way he could confuse the issues and turn the
tables on his opponents, he really should've become a lawyer
or maybe even a politician. Not that all lawyers and politi-
cians were like him, but Greg could've made some of the
worst of them look pretty decent.
"Are you okay, honey?" asked Abigail after the front
door slammed loudly.
"Just peachy." Maggie forced a smirkish smile to her
face.
"Don't you worry about a single word he said," soothed
Abigail.
"That's right," agreed Scott, also poking his head in the
doorway. "I couldn't help but overhear his blustering, and
most of what he said was nothing but blatant lies."
"And what wasn't an out-and-out lie was completely
twisted anyway," added Abigail.
Maggie closed her eyes and exhaled slowly.
110Melody Carlson
"Want me to cover that meeting for you?" offered Scott.
She briefly considered this tempting offer, and then sadly
shook her head. "No, but thanks anyway. You've got the
Ebbert story to work on, Scott. Unfortunately, TS Develop-
ment is my baby."
"And what a spoiled rotten baby it is!" exclaimed Abi-