Part 43 (1/2)

went upstairs for something.” He set the rag by the sink and

moved closer to Maggie. ”I had a wonderful time today.

Thank you for everything.”

She smiled as he reached to push a stray strand of hair

from her cheek. Then his hand lingered on her shoulder, his

fingers gently kneading, sending little electrical currents

down her arm and up her neck.

”It's like Michael said,” she said quietly, ”we are like a

family...”

His face moved close to hers. ”A very happy family,” he

whispered. Then his lips brushed hers, first lightly, then

developing into a full kiss that left her heart fluttering and

her legs as limp as spaghetti.

”I found it!” called Leah as she burst into the kitchen,

holding a rumpled photo in her hand. But she stopped in her 72Melody Carlson

tracks when she saw them together, and then her eyes grew

dark and stony. ”Sorry. I didn't know you-”

”It's okay,” said Maggie, quickly pulling herself from

Jed's embrace, her cheeks flushed with embarra.s.sment.

”What do you have there?”

”Nothing!” snapped Leah as she turned and left the

kitchen, loudly thumping back up the stairs.

”Oh, dear,” moaned Maggie. ”And just when I thought

things were getting so much better.”

Except for a trace of sadness, Jed's face was unreadable

now. ”It's all my fault,” he said finally. ”I hate hurting her