Part 76 (1/2)

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