Secrets of the Spiral Tower Read Online Free PDF Page B

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    Several houses are located there and offer a panoramic view of the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers.  “Stop—I want to take a closer look,” Willow said. “Maybe I should buy these houses and refurbish them for guest houses. We could build a new one at the end of the ridge and cantilever a beautiful porch over the bluff.”
    “That would cost a fortune!”
    Willow shrugged.  “I’ve got the money. Why not spend it?”
    Connor shook his head ruefully, “You’re Rupert McKenzie’s daughter, all right.  He always dreamed big dreams and made them come true.”
    “So, you’re saying I’m a McKenzie?”
    “Without a doubt.”
    Connor turned the pickup onto North Washington Street and headed south toward a public parking spot near the Cinnamon Tree gift shop.
    The last time Willow visited downtown had been four years earlier, and she was amazed at the changes that had been made.
    “We owe all these improvements to our new mayor,” said Connor.
    “Should we go meet him?”
    “In due time. As you know, his family owns the old Valley building.”
    “I didn’t know that, but it makes sense because he’s so proactive in the revitalization efforts downtown.”
    “He is truly an asset to this community.”
    Connor parked the pickup.
     “Okay, I’ll bet Woody’s waiting on us as slow as we’ve been traveling.”
    “I’m ready.”
    Connor opened the large glass and wooden door to The Country Junction. The hostess smiled and asked immediately, “Table for two?”
     “We’re looking for Woody McKenzie.”
    “Please, follow me.  Woody is a regular and he has a special table.  He eats with us about three times a week for lunch and sometimes in the evenings with his family.”
    Connor pointed to a table in the back of the room.  “Yes, I see him now. Thank you.”
    “What can I get the two of you to drink?”
    “Sweet iced tea for me with a big slice of lemon,” said Willow.
    “And you, sir?”
    “Sweet tea sounds good.”
    “With lemon?”
    “Yes.”
    Woody was standing by the table and extended his hand to Willow.
    “Please, ‘Cuz,’ you can do better than a handshake. Let’s have a family hug. I haven’t had the pleasure of a hug from you in quite a while. It’s great to see you, Woody.”
    “It’s great to see you, too. It’s really been too long.”
    Willow took a deep breath of the warm cooking smells.  “This is a really neat restaurant.”
    “The barbecue is out of this world,” Connor said.  “I get the pulled pork plate with coleslaw and beans and a big slice of onion.”
    “That sounds good, except for the onion,” said Willow.
    “Sweet Vidalia.”
    “Maybe some other time.”
    The server returned with the drinks and asked, “Are you guys ready to order?”
    “Please bring two pulled pork plates, without onion this time.”
    “Aw, go ahead Connor,” Willow said, smiling. “I like the smell of onion.”
    “I’ll have the same,” Woody said. “Willow, so when did you get to town?”
    “About three hours ago. I flew into the Vicksburg-Tallulah Airport. That’s a pretty nice addition to this community.”
    “And how long do you intend to stay this time?”
    “I’ve been gone far too long from my family and Connor. I’ve decided to sell my businesses and retire here.”
    Woody looked genuinely surprised. “Why Vicksburg?  After all, you’ve traveled the world and can afford to live on the French Rivera or some other exotic port. You could always come back here for a visit a couple of times a year.”
    “That’s true, but Vicksburg is home and this is where my heart is. If I get wanderlust again, I’ll pack up and move on. But, for a while, I want to plant my roots in the Mississippi soil again. So much is changing about Mississippi that it’s becoming a great place to live. I saw the economic development council advertising in ‘Fortune 500’ magazine that Mississippi is ‘open for business.’  Having been in the advertising business for several