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,
and I was so relieved that you were okay, well, something
happened inside me. I mean, I've always really loved
you.. you have to believe me. Ever since that first day when
Spencer brought you home last summer.. .but last night, I
was watching you, and I suddenly felt like.. well, like I
couldn't love you a bit more if you were my own flesh and
blood daughter."
"Really?"
"I mean it. It was that strong sort of mother-bear-emotion
that you'll never understand until you have a child of your
own. But I had it, Leah. I swear, I did. I still do. I think, last
night, I adopted you as my very own daughter whether you
like it or not. And even if nothing ever comes out of my rela-
tionship with Jed-other than just good friends-I want to
stick by you forever." She sniffed. "I want to be a grand-
mother to your kids. Can you understand that?"
Leah nodded and broke into a big, watery smile, then the
two hugged, long and hard. Finally they stepped apart, and
Maggie reached across the counter for a nearby box of tis-
sues. "Here you go."
Leah wiped her nose. "So, I guess that means you forgive
me too?"
Looking for You All My Life275
"Leah, mothers always forgive their children." She
thought about that for a moment. "Well, okay, at least this