Part 4 (1/2)

feel worried for Jed. Leah had mentioned just that morning

at breakfast how business had been terribly slow for White-

water Works this week, and although it seemed sort of silly,

Maggie felt responsible.

”h.e.l.lo?” she called as she entered the familiar shop,

sniffing the air for the pungent aroma of cedar. ”Anyone

here?”

”In the back,” called Leah. ”I'm coming.”

”How's it going?” Maggie asked as Leah emerged from

the back room, a cardboard box in one hand and a packing

slip in the other.

”Still pretty quiet.” Leah brushed a dark strand of hair

from her eyes. ”You're the first one to walk through the front

door all day.”

Looking for You All My Life13

Maggie frowned. ”Is Jed around?”

”No, he just left. He's working at home this afternoon.”

”Well, that's probably good. How's he doing?”

Leah's brows lifted. ”What do you mean?”

”Oh, I guess I was feeling a little concerned about him

from a business standpoint. I just ran into Kate, and you

know how she's so involved at the Blue Moose now, and she

has all these great plans about how to market Buckie's

work-and well, I suppose I feel a little guilty, like it's my

fault that Kate's not here-”

”But I'm here.” Leah stuck out her chin defensively.