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is…” For a woman who made her living with words, she couldn’t find any to describe just what a low-down scoundrel she thought he was.
    â€œHandsome, smart, sexy as sin,” Maggie supplied.
    Dinah regarded her with amazement. “Are you crazy?”
    â€œDon’t tell me you didn’t notice,” Maggie teased. “That’s why you’re all tongue-tied and pink-cheeked. What was he wearing? Jeans and nothing else, am I right?” She fanned herself in an exaggerated gesture designed to make a point. “He’s the only man I know who can turn denim into a proper fashion statement.” Her grin spread. “Or should I say improper?”
    â€œI didn’t notice,” Dinah claimed piously.
    â€œLike hell, you didn’t. You’re a female, aren’t you?All women notice Cordell’s…” She paused significantly, then added, “Attributes.”
    â€œMagnolia Forsythe! A lady does not utter such a comment about a gentleman.”
    Maggie grinned at the direct quotation uttered all too frequently by their prim principal throughout their grammar school days. “According to you, Cordell is no gentleman. Give it up, girl. You’ve been gone a long time and probably hiding out in caves for much of it. The only reason you’re so upset with Cord is because he made you sit up and take notice of what a real man looks like.”
    â€œDon’t be ridiculous,” Dinah declared emphatically. Seeing Cord had reinforced just what an ill-mannered lowlife he was. He’d always taken an inordinate amount of pleasure in aggravating her. Nor would she ever for get or forgive what he’d once done to try to drive a wedge between her and Bobby. “I wouldn’t give him a second look if he were the last man on earth. Bobby overcame those unfortunate Beaufort genes, but Cord certainly hasn’t. He’s pond scum. Always was. Always will be.”
    Maggie’s knowing smile spread.
    â€œWell, he is,” Dinah insisted.
    â€œWhatever you say, though you were far less judgmental when we were in grammar school. Weren’t you the one who insisted that both Cord and Bobby needed to be included in our birthday parties, even when our folks cringed at the very idea of it?”
    â€œI was thinking of Bobby,” Dinah insisted. “I didn’t want his feelings to be hurt. After all, he was our classmate. He’s the one who insisted on dragging Cord along. He worshipped his big brother, though Lord knows why.”
    â€œAnd you didn’t give two figs about Cord’s feelings?” Maggie asked, her skepticism plain.
    Dinah frowned. “Okay, yes. Maybe a little. It would have been rude to leave him out. Neither one of them could help that they were poor. Bobby took the opportunities they were given and made something of himself. Cord’s apparently as lazy as ever.”
    Maggie merely raised a brow at that. “And I thought journalists were supposed to gather facts, not leap to conclusions.”
    There was something in her friend’s tone as well as her words that suggested Dinah had gotten it all wrong. “Why have you turned into some big defender of Cord Beaufort all of a sudden?”
    â€œI’m not. I’m just encouraging you to do your research before you rip apart a man you haven’t seen in years,” Maggie said defensively.
    â€œAre you telling me I’m mistaken?”
    â€œI’m telling you to do a little of that investigative reporting you’re so famous for.”
    The chiding note in Maggie’s voice silenced Dinah. She took a long swallow of her sweet tea and sighed. It was a little like drinking ice-cold syrup. “This is heaven. I haven’t had tea like this since I left home.”
    â€œIt’s about time you remembered some of the good things about living here,” Maggie said lightly. “Maybe you’ll come home more often.”
    Dinah