Part 2 (1/2)

Nothing from Sam or anyone?”

Rosa shook her head and sipped her coffee. ”No, and

Sam is usually up on all the latest news. Men say women

gossip, but I think that's just their cover-up.”

10Melody Carison

”Well, I suspect that Rick Tanner and Greg Snider have

been trying to keep this thing under their hats, but I'm on my

way out to interview Mr. Westerly this afternoon-”

”Old Arnold Westerly? I can hardly believe that man is

still alive-he must be about a hundred by now.”

”I don't know about his age, but I do know he owns a

couple hundred acres of prime farmland-”

”Right between the Tanners and the old Snider place,”

injected Rosa, her brow lifting with suspicion.

Maggie nodded. ”Anyway, I've learned that Greg and

Rick are buying that property and planning some big real

estate development out there.”

Rosa slapped her hand on the table and laughed sarcas-

tically. ”Now if that doesn't beat all. The antidevelopment

boys are out there scheming up their own little land deals

and trying to keep everything hush-hush. Well, good for you,

Maggie. I hope you blow this thing wide open.”

”The only problem is...” Maggie's brow furrowed. ”I feel

bad about Cherise. She's been so sweet to me at the fitness

center, and I just hate to see her get hurt by my story.”

”Cherise is a big girl and stronger than many think.