just be one big happy family." He gave her a cheesy smile.
Maggie had to chuckle. "That's nice, Spence, but it 5
Leah's decision. She knows she's welcome here."
"Yeah, who knows?" said Leah. "I might just stay a
while. Maybe at least throughout the holidays." She glanced
at all the festive preparations going on around them, then
took another slice of pizza. "After all, this is a pretty hap-
pening place to be, and I sure can't complain about the
food."
That night, Maggie, immersed in a new novel recom-
mended by Elizabeth, was reading long past midnight when
she was startled to hear a vehicle pull into her driveway. She
looked out her bedroom window to observe a large truck
with its lights on below, and suddenly realized it was Jed
dropping off Michael. She quickly threw on her thick che-
nille robe and slippers and dashed downstairs, opening the
door in time to greet the two men.
"Sorry to disturb you," said Jed as he handed Michael his
bag, "but we were so homesick we decided to hotfoot it back
home today."
280Melody Carlson
"You're not disturbing me," said Maggie. "I was already
awake. But I just wanted to let you know that Leah is staying
here. And I didn't want you to be alarmed when you saw
your pickup off the side of the road near your house. She had
a little driving mishap, but she is fine, and I'm sure your
pickup is okay too."
Jed walked up toward the porch with a look of concern
etched into his features. "She's really okay then?"
"Yes. She's perfectly fine." She looked down from the top
step to see his smooth, handsome features illuminated by the
porch light. She wanted to just stare at him, to drink in his
presence, but she forced herself to look away, watching as
Michael unloaded some things from the cab of the truck.
"She said your shop has been really busy this week."
"Good. But if Leah's fine, why is she staying here?"
"I think she was lonely. Would you mind very much if she
stays a few more days, maybe through the holidays even?
She just mentioned this evening that she might like to. And,
by the way, Gavin hasn't been staying here for over a week
now. He found his own place in town."
His brow remained somewhat puzzled. "Sure, Leah can
stay wherever she wants to." Then he turned to Michael
who was approaching the porch with several bags and'
looking very sleepy. "Hey, Michael, maybe you'd like to
come back and stay with me again?"
"Yes. I like your cabin, Jed. It is much more like what I
am used to at home. I sometimes feel lost in these big
houses."
"Well, then, I guess we'll see you later, Maggie," said Jed,