Part 123 (1/2)

remember that your independence might send a wrong mes-

sage. He could be a.s.suming that you aren't as interested as 192Melody Carlson

he is. And then add to that how there seem to be a lot of

other men around you, and the whole thing might make him

feel like he can't trust you. And that might be why he comes

across the way he does.”

”I.. .1 hadn't really looked at it like that.”

”Well, try to put yourself in his shoes. How would you

feel if he'd flown off for a weekend with an attractive female

client? And then taken in another attractive female boarder?”

Maggie's eyes opened wide. ”Wow, I see what you

mean!”

”So, you just might want to cut the poor man a little

slack.”

”I suppose so. But what about this whole thing about

putting our relations.h.i.+p on hold?”

”You must know that Jed only did that out of concern for

Leah, not because he loved you any less.”

”But how can you be so sure, Mom?”

don't know. Just a gut feeling, I guess.”

”I.

”Well, you've certainly given me some things to think

about.” Maggie smiled hopefully.

For the remainder of lunch, they made lists and plans for

Christmas and ways to entertain their guests. Thankfully,

Audrey was more than happy to carry much of the load of