Part 175 (1/2)

Tears began to trickle down Leah's cheeks. ”You know,

sometimes my mother would just take off-even when I was

really little. She'd just run off with some guy for a few days,

or weeks. Someone she said she loved, even if he was just a

big, stupid jerk.” A little sob broke inside of her. ”She always

loved her men more than she loved me.”

”I understand why you felt jealous, but you must know

by now that your father's love is very different than your

mother's. Jed would never, ever leave you-not for anyone.”

Her eyes also filled with tears. ”I know that for a fact. He's

very protective of you-almost to a fault. Oh, Leah, he loves 274Melody Carlson

you so much. He would never in a million years hurt you.

You must know that.”

”I do.” Leah swallowed hard.

”Then what's the problem?”

”I wasn't so worried about Jed.” Leah looked down at

the floor. ”I was worried about you.”

Now the tears began to flow down Maggie's cheeks as

well. ”Oh, Leah, I would never hurt you either. Honestly, I

wouldn't. I mean, I admit I was getting a little irritated at you

because I thought perhaps you were trying to push Jed and

me apart-”

Leah looked into Maggie's eyes. ”I was!”

Maggie nodded. ”I know that now. But, somehow it just

doesn't matter anymore. I don't really know how to explain

this very well, but last night when I was watching you sleep,