Part 18 (1/2)

”So, is he going to stay with you?” asked Leah.

”Sure. I think it should be interesting to get to know him.

He sounds like a very nice person in his letter. He writes well

and seems educated.”

”A missionary to Pine Mountain,” repeated Audrey as if

still processing this unusual information.

”I'd like to do a story on him,” said Maggie. ”Do you

think he'll be willing?”

”Don't know why not.” Jed heaped another dollop of

mashed potatoes onto his plate. ”He seems to have a lot to

share.”

After everyone sufficiently praised Leah for the fine

dinner, Maggie offered to clean up, sending everyone else to

the library. But before long Jed slipped back into the kitchen.

”Thought I'd make myself useful,” he offered as he took

over rinsing plates and handing them to her as she loaded the

dishwasher. Occasionally their fingers brushed each other,

sending a happy tingle up her arm. Jed took out the garbage,

then lingered on the back porch for a moment. ”Hey,

Maggie, come here!”

She hurried outside to see what was wrong, then followed

his gaze up to the dark sky where hundreds of delicate

snowflakes could be seen floating down in the beams of the

back porch light.

”Oh, it's absolutely beautiful,” she breathed with excite-

ment, stepping out from the protection of the porch overhang 34Melody Carlson