Looking For You All My Life Part 62

patient and understanding, but why did life have to become

so complicated?

nly two days after the first snow had fallen, and

before the ski resort ever received enough to open,

an unseasonably warm wind began to blow from

the south and within twenty-four hours the streets were

rapidly running with melted snow. The warm spell continued

to the end of the week, and Pine Mountain grew soggy and

damp, with shopkeepers and businesspeople growing more

worried and dismal than ever.

"Guess we better get that island man to do some more

praying," said Dolly as she arranged two large bowls of veg-

etarian chili in front of Maggie and Scott, taking a moment

to refill their water gla.s.ses.

"Well, you know Michael's from the tropics," said

Maggie as she stuck her spoon into the chili. "I guess when

he prayed for snow, he just forgot to specify that tempera-

tures should remain cold."

Dolly laughed and headed back to the kitchen.

Scott glanced around. "You better not tell my mom I ate

in here."

Maggie laughed. "Rosa knows I come in here about once

a week, and she thinks it's great. She likes Dolly and Jinx-

and it's not like these guys are in any serious compet.i.tion

99.

100Melody Carlson

with your mom's deli. The menu and atmosphere differ

greatly."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right. Mom doesn't usually get

truckers in the deli. Also, I know for a fact Buckie won't step

foot in here."

"Okay, let's not get distracted. Remember, this is sup-

posed to be a business lunch." She broke some crackers into

her chili.

"By the way, Mag, good story about the wetland issues.

I can't believe you haven't heard anything from our devel-

opment boys yet. I thought for sure Greg Snider would send

in one of his nasty letters of protest."

"Well, I did hear from Cherise just yesterday that he and

Rick are pretty furious about the whole thing."

"And she's still speaking to you?"

"Cherise and I are friends, and it's no secret around ?own

that she and Greg are having some problems right now

anyway. I think she's enjoying watching him squirm a little."

"Do you think they'll stay together?"

"I think Greg's a fool to treat her the way he does. I doubt

he'd ever do any better than Cherise and, despite everything,

I think she might still love him. For both their sakes I really

hope they can work things out."

He nodded and took another bite of chili. "It's nice to see