Looking For You All My Life Part 2

Nothing from Sam or anyone?"

Rosa shook her head and sipped her coffee. "No, and

Sam is usually up on all the latest news. Men say women

gossip, but I think that's just their cover-up."

10Melody Carison

"Well, I suspect that Rick Tanner and Greg Snider have

been trying to keep this thing under their hats, but I'm on my

way out to interview Mr. Westerly this afternoon-"

"Old Arnold Westerly? I can hardly believe that man is

still alive-he must be about a hundred by now."

"I don't know about his age, but I do know he owns a

couple hundred acres of prime farmland-"

"Right between the Tanners and the old Snider place,"

injected Rosa, her brow lifting with suspicion.

Maggie nodded. "Anyway, I've learned that Greg and

Rick are buying that property and planning some big real

estate development out there."

Rosa slapped her hand on the table and laughed sarcas-

tically. "Now if that doesn't beat all. The antidevelopment

boys are out there scheming up their own little land deals

and trying to keep everything hush-hush. Well, good for you,

Maggie. I hope you blow this thing wide open."

"The only problem is..." Maggie's brow furrowed. "I feel

bad about Cherise. She's been so sweet to me at the fitness

center, and I just hate to see her get hurt by my story."

"Cherise is a big girl and stronger than many think.

Besides, Maggie, the truth is the truth. Right?"

Maggie set down her spoon. "Yes. And I've already sat

on this news for too long-mostly to protect Cherise because

she's the one who gave me the initial information. But I can't

be silent about something like this forever."

Rosa frowned. "I hope Greg and Rick aren't taking

advantage of poor Arnold. He's a sweet old guy. And all

alone."

"He sounded nice on the phone, and very sharp if he's as

old as you say. Plus he seemed eager to talk. But I'm afraid

he thinks I'm interviewing him for our Bit of History sec-

tion." She broke off a chunk of crusty bread and dipped it

into her soup. "In fact, I think I will schedule Scott to do a

history piece on him. No doubt this Mr. Westerly has some

interesting stories to tell." The bell on the door jingled and

Maggie looked up to see Buckie and Kate walk in. "Looks Looking for You All My Life11

like you've got customers, Rosa." Maggie waved as the

couple approached the counter.

"Thank goodness for the regulars." Rosa stood and

straightened her ap.r.o.n. "Nice catching up with you. And

good luck with that story."

Maggie finished her soup, then she went over to greet

Buckie and Kate on her way out. They seemed such a perfect

couple now that it made her wonder how any of them had

ever missed that potential from the start. "How's business?"