Part 35 (1/2)

He frowned. ”You know that's not what I meant. Besides,

I'm sure you're wrong. She and Buckie seem to be getting

along quite happily.”

”You're right. I'm sorry, my insecurity must've gotten the

best of me for a minute there.”

He looked deeply into her eyes. ”Tell me what you could

possibly have to be insecure about, Maggie Carpenter.”

She returned his gaze. ”Absolutely nothing at the

moment.”

”Hey, you two,” teased Rosa. ”You look like a couple of

moonstruck puppies. I came over to try to entice you to have

some dessert.”

”I'll go for some of that cobbler,” said Jed, ”seeing how

you need the business and all.”

Rosa rolled her eyes. ”Thanks, I needed that reminder a

lot right now. But don't forget, it's usually slow like this right

before Thanksgiving. But afterward is a different story, at

least when there's snow, that is...”

She returned with Jed's cobbler along with an extra

spoon for Maggie. Then she refilled their coffee cups. ”We're

all looking forward to coming out on Thursday, Maggie. Is

Audrey still sure she's up for all this? It'sounds like it'll be

quite a crowd.”

”Believe me, Mom's in her element right now. You should

see her lists and things. She even made cute little pine cone

turkeys for each place setting.” She smiled at Jed. ”I'll tell