Looking For You All My Life Part 76

at their table and uncomfortably realized they were looking

her way at just the same moment. It felt as if they were telling

Cohn Byers who she was-unless she was just becoming

overly paranoid. "Why don't we change the subject," she

said with a stiff smile.

"I think I may have found a spot for the library," said

Audrey. "I finally heard back on one of the vacant buildings

L.

120Melody Carlson

that had been confiscated by the county for back taxes sev-

eral years ago. And after they heard the proposed use, they

were very interested. We just might be able to strike a deal

that will make everyone happy."

"That's great, Mom. Where is it?"

"It's that old building right behind Galloway's Deli, next

to City Hall."

"Oh, yeah," said Spencer. "The place with those ratty-

looking awnings. Didn't it used to be a store or something?"

"Yes, the lady at the county said it used to be a clothing

store. But despite those horrible awnings it seems to be fairly

well built, and it's just the right size to house our little

library."

-Though the talk swirled around her, much of the fun of

the evening-the excellent food and the company of those

she loved-was lost on Maggie as she continued to be aware

of the men just adjacent from them. Each time she glanced

*at them, which she did only rarely and inconspicuously, it

seemed to her that Cohn was looking directly her way,

--smiling even. Finally, just as they began to eat their desserts,

Maggie noticed the men walking over to their table, with

Greg in the lead. Surely he wouldn't dare to make a scene in

herel

"Excuse me," he said in a distinctly cool but formal

-voice, "I don't like to interrupt your meal, but my friend here

was very determined to make the acquaintance of the Pine

Cone's editor. Maggie Carpenter, I'd like you to meet Cohn

Byers."

Cohn extended a hand and Maggie stood and took it. "I

heard you speak this afternoon, Mr. Byers."

"Ah, spying on the enemy?" But his words were warm

and he looked directly into her eyes. "And so, may I ask,

-what did you think?"

"I think it was very impressive. But I'm confused because

it's all quite contrary to what I've discovered in my

research."

Looking for You All My Life121

"And do you believe everything that you read, Ms. Car-

penter?"

She blushed. "You make a good point, Mr. Byers. And

yet, when all your sources seem to say the same things, you

do begin to take them at their word."