Looking For You All My Life Part 91

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 b.u.t.tons 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