Part 104 (2/2)

163.

164Melody Carlson

into town. ”But I just couldn't tell him about June's tour. I

didn't want to get her into trouble.”

”Or yourself,” agreed Audrey. ”Don't worry, he'll hear

about your findings soon enough.”

Maggie sighed. ”I honestly wish it had gone differently. I

really wanted to be pleasantly surprised. For the sake of

everyone in town, I wish I could write a good report on

Desert Winds.”

”Just write the truth-that's good enough.”

Maggie treated her mother to lunch at the hotel. As they

ate Audrey told her about the conversation she'd had with

Jed when she called him to change the dinner date with Bar-

bara Harris. ”He seemed very concerned about you going

down to Nevada with Cohn Byers on such short notice.”

Maggie made a face. ”What? Did he think I was eloping

or something?”

Audrey laughed. ”Maybe. Although I a.s.sured him it was

strictly business. Just the same, I'm not sure he was con-

vinced.”

”Did you talk to him about Leah?”

”I tried to. But he seemed pretty defensive. I think he's

carrying a lot of guilt over abandoning her as a baby, and I

have a feeling he's willing to do whatever it takes to make up

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