Looking For You All My Life Part 77

"They also say that seeing is believing. Have you ever

considered visiting one of my developments in person?"

"Unfortunately, your developments aren't handy to Pine

Mountain. And our little newspaper just doesn't have the

budget for researching. I tend to rely on the Internet and a

few other sources I consider to be reliable."

He smiled. "Then why don't you allow me to fly you

down to see one of my places for yourself?"

She was somewhat taken aback by his friendliness and

personal manner. Suddenly she grew very self-conscious, for

it seemed that the entire restaurant had grown quiet and it

felt as if every head had now turned their way. "Well, I just

might consider that, Mr. Byers." She quickly fumbled in her

purse and managed to produce a business card. "If you're

really serious about your offer, why don't you give me a call

and we'll see what we can do?"

He took her card. "I'll do just that. And forgive me for

interrupting your dinner. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms.

Carpenter," then he bent toward her and lowered his voice.

"And by the way, you're nothing like the dragon lady these

fellows described to me." Then he winked at her.

She couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, thank you very

much-I think."

She sat back down and watched as the men exited the

dining room. "Well, go figure," she said to the three sets of

eyes now focused tightly on her.

"Wow, Maggie," said Leah, "you handled that really

well."

"That Mr. Byers is one smooth number," commented

Audrey as she turned her attention to her berry cobbler.

"I didn't like the look in his eyes," observed Spencer

dryly. "This guy seems sort of slippery if you ask me."

y Monday, the weather hadn't changed a single bit,

and the forecast was for a continuance of this unwel-

1) come warm spell. Only yesterday at church, a few

people had suggested they should get Michael Abundi to

pray for snow again. Maggie felt relieved for Michael's sake

that Jed, wanting to make the most of this mild spell of

weather, had closed his shop for the whole day and driven

Michael and Leah over to see the Oregon coast. Leah had

arrived home late last night with wonderful tales of all they'd

seen and done, even touring a completely renovated clipper

s.h.i.+p that had been docked near a seaport town for a few

days. Maggie had listened with what she hoped appeared to

be delighted interest, but at the same time had silently chided

herself for the small ripples of envy that floated through her.

How she wished she could experience a trip to the coast with

Jed too. Maybe someday. In the meantime, if the warm

weather continued, perhaps she should plan a similar trip

with Spencer and her mother.