at their table and uncomfortably realized they were looking
her way at just the same moment. It felt as if they were telling
Cohn Byers who she was-unless she was just becoming
overly paranoid. "Why don't we change the subject," she
said with a stiff smile.
"I think I may have found a spot for the library," said
Audrey. "I finally heard back on one of the vacant buildings
L.
120Melody Carlson
that had been confiscated by the county for back taxes sev-
eral years ago. And after they heard the proposed use, they
were very interested. We just might be able to strike a deal
that will make everyone happy."
"That's great, Mom. Where is it?"
"It's that old building right behind Galloway's Deli, next
to City Hall."
"Oh, yeah," said Spencer. "The place with those ratty-
looking awnings. Didn't it used to be a store or something?"
"Yes, the lady at the county said it used to be a clothing
store. But despite those horrible awnings it seems to be fairly
well built, and it's just the right size to house our little
library."
-Though the talk swirled around her, much of the fun of
the evening-the excellent food and the company of those
she loved-was lost on Maggie as she continued to be aware
of the men just adjacent from them. Each time she glanced
*at them, which she did only rarely and inconspicuously, it
seemed to her that Cohn was looking directly her way,
--smiling even. Finally, just as they began to eat their desserts,
Maggie noticed the men walking over to their table, with
Greg in the lead. Surely he wouldn't dare to make a scene in
herel
"Excuse me," he said in a distinctly cool but formal
-voice, "I don't like to interrupt your meal, but my friend here
was very determined to make the acquaintance of the Pine
Cone's editor. Maggie Carpenter, I'd like you to meet Cohn
Byers."
Cohn extended a hand and Maggie stood and took it. "I
heard you speak this afternoon, Mr. Byers."
"Ah, spying on the enemy?" But his words were warm
and he looked directly into her eyes. "And so, may I ask,
-what did you think?"
"I think it was very impressive. But I'm confused because
it's all quite contrary to what I've discovered in my
research."
Looking for You All My Life121
"And do you believe everything that you read, Ms. Car-
penter?"
She blushed. "You make a good point, Mr. Byers. And
yet, when all your sources seem to say the same things, you
do begin to take them at their word."