Chapter 65

Jim looked out at the mob of children in the mall and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. They were there for Leigh. Students who had never met her sat chatting or playing on their cell phones. Amber had suggested strongly if they remained orderly he just leave them alone. He noted the teachers who sat drinking coffee also kept an eye on the crowd.

The real ring leader was Georgia. Somehow she'd put this together overnight and challenged authority with a calm and poise belying her age. She and her friends wandered through the mall providing some conversation here, a little trouble shooting there. Anna taught beading with the help of Mai Dupreis, Fran's sister. Tom made snowshoes and had his own group of watchers. Steve tied flies. Jim shook his head, right there was the future of Spruce Bay. He figured it was in good hands.

"They'll be landing in about twenty minutes," Carol said.