Part 110 (1/2)

romantically involved with him.” She peered at Maggie curi-

ously. ”You're not are you? I mean, he's awfully nice, and

rather good-looking too.”

She rolled her eyes. ”Don't be ridiculous, Mom. Why is

it that everyone a.s.sumes if I spend any time with a man that

I must be romantically involved with him?”

”Well, you just never know.” Then taking on a teasing

tone, Audrey continued, ”And you must admit, you've been

seen with a number of attractive men lately. I'm sure it's just

a matter of time until you'll have all of Pine Mountain

atwitter.”

Maggie laughed. ”And what would be new about that?”

Leah came home late. She'd been helping Jed to Organize

some things for his trade show next week. ”Michael's going

to drive up to Seattle with him,” said Leah as she ate from

the plate of leftovers they'd saved for her.

Maggie turned the heat up beneath the teakettle. ”How's

old Jed doing?” she asked, hoping to sound nonchalant,

though just speaking his name seemed to make her heart

pound a little faster.

172Melody Carison

”Okay, I guess. Probably working too hard to get every-

thing just perfect for this crazy show. He's renting a big truck

to take everything in. It's sure good that he has Michael to

help him with all the loading and unloading. I just hope this

show is worth all his effort.”