And You Will Find Love

"And who wouldn't!" Leila said angrily. "He ought to be arrested and put away. In jail or a nut house!"

"He'll get his, one way or another," Edna assured them both. "What goes around, comes around."

Barbara wasn't as sure about that. "I doubt he'd even be charged with the crimes. He and his father are so rich, they can buy their way out of anything."

"They may be rich and have influence in Chicago," Leila said. "But not out here."

"Maybe the arson investigators will be able to trace the fires to that rich guy," Edna said.

Barbara agreed. "That's what I'm hoping. But even if they find that he set the fires, I doubt there's much they'll be able to do. There's a lot of truth to that saying, 'Money talks.'

With Chet and his family, money yells!"

"Then what are you going to do?" Edna asked.

"About the fires? Nothing, I'm afraid. If I accused Chet, I also worry that he would get back at me, or Moose, even worse than he already has."

"And about the airport?" Leila asked.

Barbara smiled. "It's back to work for me. One thing I won't let happen because of this set-back... I won't let Chet win, by giving up. I'll get the airport rebuilt and going better than ever, or die in the attempt!"

"'At-a-girl!" Edna said happily. She had been afraid Barbara would let the fire get her down for good, but then realized she hadn't really known how tough a fighter her young friend was.

"We'll both help again, won't we?" Leila asked, looking at Edna. "My baby's some months off from coming into this wonderful world of ours!"

"You bet!" Edna said. "We made a great team once, we can do it again. Let's drink to it. And not over more lemonade." She got up from her rocker and started for the kitchen. "Time for Margaritas!"

Barbara and Leila cheered her on, even though Leila had to ask her for more lemonade, because of the baby.

Barbara caught her friends' enthusiasm. She welcomed their support like a thirsty man near to dying in the Mohave Desert was being offered a drink of what the new song said: "Cool, Clear Water"

And no matter what, she vowed to herself, she would always keep faith with Paul, and his promise to her: If she followed the words of the old monk who lived ages ago, she would yet find the happiness she yearned for, now more than ever.