L live here, and I plan to try to see them during my stay."
128Melody Carlson
They visited for about an hour, but Maggie could see that
Barbara was still worn out from her trip. "I think I'll let you
get some rest," she said. "I know you're probably still on
East Coast time, and the traveling must've been exhausting."
"Yes, it's funny I do feel very tired, but I also feel rather
invigorated at the same time. I must admit I was a little wor-
ried about adjusting to the higher elevation. They say it can
be more difficult as we grow older, but I'm already feeling
adapted to it." She smiled warmly. "I'm just so very glad that
Icame."
Maggie gave Barbara her home phone number and told
her to call if she needed anything at all, and then she told her
about tomorrow night's arrangements to have dinner with
Jed, Michael, and Leah, taking a moment to explain about
Jed's daughter. Barbara inquired about whether Maggie
might also join them, but Maggie gracefully declined, saying
that she had previous plans. For some reason, she wished she
could better explain to this thoughtful woman who had
known and liked Jed since his boyhood days that she and Jed
did indeed share a deep and promising relationship, which
for the time being was put on hold. Sometimes it all seemed
so unfair!
"I'm so looking forward to meeting Michael, and I can't
wait to see dear Jed again. I do thank you for all your help,
Maggie. I certainly hope I'll get to see more of you too while
I'm here in Pine Mountain."
"Well, if you have the time I'd love to have you out to my
house-it's the old Barnes place. I'd like you to meet my
mother and son."
"It would be my pleasure. I used to be fairly good friends
with Betty Barnes-well, at least we played bridge together.
But she and her son moved away some time before we did."
"Then you remember Gavin?"
"Ah, yes, Gavin. A handsome boy, but full of the devil. I
think his mother spoiled him a bit too much. It was a good
reminder to me though-when you only have one son it's
easy to spoil him."
Looking for You All My Life129
Maggie thought of her own son and laughed. "I know
exactly what you mean. Anyway, I'll have to fill you in on
Gavin later. For now you need to get some rest. I know you'll
be comfortable here. Cindy and Brian are great hosts."
In Wednesday's paper, Maggie had run the story covering
the Pine Mountain Estates meeting on the front page.
Nothing sensational, nothing inflammatory, just what had
transpired in Saturday's meeting. But in her own column on
the editorial page she raised questions about whether their
town was willing to wear blinders regarding the dubious
way TS Development had acquired its property in order to