14Melody Carlson
"I know Jed doesn't think that at all. He loves having you
around, Leah. But if you're worried about the business
aspects, maybe you could ask Kate to stop by and give you
some tips."
Leah pressed her lips together. "I don't really like Kate
very much."
"Oh." Maggie thought a moment. "I used to feel like that
too, but I'm trying to be more open. And I'm finding there's
more to her than meets the eye."
"Maybe. But I think I'd rather try to figure things out for
myself around here. I learned a lot just working for Buckie.
In many ways these businesses aren't all that much dif-
ferent."
"You're probably right." Maggie glanced at her watch.
"Okay, then, I'll see you tonight. Is Jed still coming for
dinner?"
Leah's eyes lit up. "Yes. And I'm still cooking. He gave
me a venison roast from a deer he shot on his property.
Audrey promised to give me a hand with it."
"I'm looking forward to it.
Maggie walked slowly back to the Pine Cone to pick up
her briefcase before her interview with Mr. Westerly. Some-
thing in the tone of her conversation with Leah bothered her
a little. Why was Leah becoming so defensive? Maggie
hadn't ineant to infer that Leah's help in the shop was inad-
equate in any way. It was only that she felt worried about
Jed's business without Kate's experienced hand. It was no
secret that Kate had been an integral ingredient in Jed's past
success. But why should that threaten Leah? Good grief,
Leah was only eighteen years old-no one expected her to
replace Kate. But maybe this wasn't about Kate and Leah,
reasoned Maggie. Maybe this was about Maggie and
Leah. . .and Jed.
She'd only returned from California a week ago, yet in
that short time it seemed things had changed between her
and Leah. But with so much going on, she hadn't given it
much thought. Until now. Since last week's harvest party, Looking for You All My Life15
Leah, like everyone else, had become well aware that Maggie
and Jed might be entering into a new phase of their rela-
tionship. But so far, that relationship seemed to be devel-
oping slowly, which was perfectly fine with Maggie. She had
only seen Jed once since the party, and that was when they'd
met for lunch a couple of days ago. Even then, the warm
look in his eyes had convinced her that nothing between
them had changed a bit. She felt content to allow all the time
necessary for them to become better acquainted with each
other. Plus, she reasoned, they were both busy people with
many responsibilities. There seemed no need to hurry any-
thing along.