Spencer and Leah went to the high school basketball
game after dinner. Leah had kindly offered to chauffeur "the
two handicapped kids" as she teasingly called Spencer and
Daniel. But at the same time, she seemed to be aware of how
badly Spence had wanted to play basketball on the freshman
team this year; and because of that Maggie suspected Leah
was being more helpful and empathetic to him of late. For
tunately it was only a week or so until his cast came off
while Daniel would probably wear one until after Christmas.
Maggie would never admit it to anyone, but she was just
slightly relieved that their injuries had slowed these boys Looking for You All My Life145
down some. Spencer; although only fifteen, seemed to be too
independent and was growing up too fast these days.
After cleaning up the dinner dishes, Audrey and Maggie
settled in front of the fireplace in the library, Audrey with her
knitting and Maggie with her most recent edition of the L.A.
Times.
"I must admit I'm a bit concerned about you going down
there," said Audrey as she set down her knitting. "I know
you're a grown woman and able to take care of yourself. But
that smooth-talking Cohn Byers worries me a little."
"You don't need to worry, Mom. Everything will be just
fine. And if it makes you feel any better, I'm taking my cell
phone with me. If Cohn decides to tie me up and leave me
out on the railroad tracks, I'll be sure to give you a call,
okay?"
"And just how will you push the buttons with your hands
all tied up?" asked Audrey wryly.
"I guess I'll just have to use my nose." They both
chuckled over this image, then Maggie added, "Really,
Mom, I did stories that are much more threatening than this
when I was down in L.A. Remember that piece about the
Russian mob? This will be a piece of cake compared to that.
Who knows, it might even be fun. And honestly, despite
what we may have thought before, Cohn Byers appears to
be a perfect gentleman."
"Yes, but looks can be deceiving, and Spencer didn't seem
to like the way he was looking at you that night we had
-dinner." 3
Maggie laughed. "Spence is very protective, which I
happen to think is quite normal and rather sweet. But think
about it, Cohn Byers wouldn't dare do anything to offend
me. After all, he knows I'm a big-mouthed reporter. Why
would he risk his reputation in such a silly way?"
"Yes, I suppose you're right. Besides if anything hap-
pened to you he'd have half of Pine Mountain, not to men-
tion a very angry Jed Whitewater, down there giving him
what for!"
L.
146Melody CarlsonT