Looking For You All My Life Part 34

Mountain must seem a pretty small thing up there amidst all

that heavenly splendor."

She smiled. "I never thought of it like that. But I suppose

you're right."

"Anyway, getting back to Thanksgiving, I was wondering

if we might be able to squeeze in one more guest."

"Of course." Maggie pushed her empty soup bowl to the

side of the table. "May I ask whom?"

"Remember the man I told you about who's coming from

the South Pacific? Well, he's already in Portland and plans to

arrive on the bus tomorrow."

"This should be interesting."

58Melody Carlson

"Yes. He sounded like a real character on the phone. And

by the way, let Audrey know that I'll bring the famous sweet

potato dish I told her about-the one my mother used to

make."

Maggie smacked her lips. "Sounds delicious."

He reached out to take her hand while lowering his voice.

"I've missed you."

She sighed softly and nodded. "Me too. Life's been so

chaotic the last few days. Maybe it'll slow down a little with

the holidays coming..." She glanced out the window to the

clear, blue sky. "Do you think it'll ever really let loose and

"I'm sure it will. Just don't know when. But I know

everyone in town, including me, could use that ski traffic

about now."

"Pretty slow?"

He nodded grimly. "I'm thinking about taking some of

my pieces to a big trade show up in Seattle next month. It's

kind of last minute, but a friend of mine offered to share his

booth with me. It would be a way for me to expand the busi-

*ness-but I'm just not sure if the timing's right."

"It wouldn't hurt to try, would it?"

*"I guess not. But it might be a waste of my time and gas."

"Or you could end up with too much work."

"Or possibly miss out on some good business here. The

show happens about a week or so before Christmas-that

could be a real busy time for the shop, especially if the ski

season opens up by then, which it normally would."

"How's Leah doing these days? She seemed a little

stressed out last week. She's been trying so hard, but I think

her expectations are too high."

"She's getting the hang of it, and I'm trying to be patient

with the learning curve. I guess I never quite realized how

spoiled I was having Kate with me for these past few years."

"I'm sure she'd come back to you in a heartbeat."

Maggie's eyes glinted mischievously, as if she were baiting

him.

F.

Looking for You All My Life59