Part 186 (1/2)

plain when I start getting you all up early tomorrow

morning. Now, I am going to bed!”

290Melody Carlson

IThat broke up the party, but Rebecca followed Maggie

into her bedroom. ”I hope it was okay to tell Barry about

Jed,” she said apologetically.

Maggie waved her hand. ”Oh, it's fine. I just didn't want

to make too much of it with Leah around. We've just gone

through a thing where she was feeling kind of threatened by

our relations.h.i.+p, and she and I are doing so well now that I

don't want anything to mess that up.”

”She seems like a very sweet girl.”

”She is. And she's been through a lot in her life already.

But anyway, I think it's all going to work out fine. Things

have even seemed better between Jed and me.”

”So you've given up all that back-burner business now?”

”Well.. .not exactly.”

”Oh. But ~ou and Jed are seeing each other again?”

”Well, not exactly... but sort of. We talked briefly a few

days ago. And everything seems to be working out. I'm not

worried.” Suddenly Maggie wanted to change the subject.

”So, Rebecca, what do you think of Barry these days? He's

really grown up, hasn't he?”

Rebecca laughed uncomfortably. ”Yeah. I'd forgotten

how attractive he is, and now even more so with age. You

guys and your dark Italian good looks.” She poked Maggie