through about a thousand feet of solid rock, but it was
worth it. We have some of the best water in the world here."
"How old is Desert Winds?"
"It's been about two years since we first opened the club-
house and Phase One of the housing." He pointed to a sec-
tion of impressive-looking homes off in the distance, circling
the southern perimeter of the golf course.
"So it's fairly new compared to your other communi-
ties?"
"Yes, it's our most recent project. That's exactly why I
thought you should see it as it's probably very similar to
what we have planned for TS Development in Pine Moun-
tain Estates."
She glanced around the restaurant. It was about half-
filled, mostly with people who looked to be of retirement
age. She also noticed that most of the waiters appeared to be
of Hispanic background. Not that she had anything against
that, but she remembered the stories she'd heard of illegal
workers. However, the girl waiting their table was a perky 152 ~ Melody Carison
blue-eyed blonde, probably not much older than Spencer.
She greeted Cohn by name as she took their orders.
"Does everyone know you here?" asked Maggie as she
started on her salad.
He laughed. "Not everyone. But this is my special table,
and Christy's dad is an associate of mine."
"I noticed that a lot of the waiters are Hispanic..." She
studied his eyes for any clues as he answered.
"So we're an equal opportunity employer." He shrugged
without any real show of concern.
But she wasn't about to be cowed by his confidence. "Do
you know for sure that all your employees are legal U.S. cit-
izens?"
He shrugged. "Does anyone?" Then he smiled warmly.
"Actually, my personnel director handles these things. You
can take it up with him if you like. I'll give you his number."
"Thanks." She smiled apologetically. "I hate to seem like
such a pest, but you know it's the reason why I came."
He pretended to frown. "It wasn't just for my good com-
pany after all?"
Playing his game, she frowned back. "~ell, then I'd have
been terribly disappointed about being abandoned for the
day, wouldn't I?"
His eyes lit. "You mean you are? I could try to wind
things up in time for dinner tonight..."
She waved her hand in dismissal. "Oh, no, no. Don't
worry about me. I'll be perfectly fine, really. I'm looking for-
ward to relaxing. I even brought a good novel along."
He seemed unsure. "Are you certain, Maggie?"
She nodded, feeling a bit like a hypocrite as she fingered
June's business card resting in her pocket. "I'm certain,