"I think he's doing his homework," said Audrey. "And
now, tell us about your dinner, Maggie."
"It was all right. Cohn is actually quite nice.
"I'll say," said Leah. "You should have seen the way he
was looking at Maggie all gaw-gaw eyed-"
"It wasn't like that at all," she countered quickly. "He's
just one of those really smooth guys who knows how to treat
a lady. And, of course, he's trying to get on my good side for
the sake of good publicity at the paper."
"Well, Mrs. Harris was certain that he was your 'beau'-
I that's how she put it." Leah giggled.
"Oh, good grief!" exclaimed Maggie in horror. "Well, I
hope you set her straight, Leah."
"Well, I didn't know for sure what was going on myself,"
said Leah defensively. "It wasn't until I got home just now
and asked Audrey what was up that I even knew what was
go ing on. And to tell you the truth, I thought maybe you two
were on a date. I mean, stranger things have been known to
happen." Was it just her imagination, or did Leah appear to
be somewhat smug?
Maggie groaned again. "And I suppose that's what Jed
thought too?"
Leah shrugged. "I don't know what he thought. He didn't
really seem to care. At least he didn't say anything about it.
But Barbara kept making comments about what a hand-
some-looking couple you two make, and how she under-
stood now why you weren't able to join us for dinner
tonight. By the way, Barbara thinks you're just the greatest,
Maggie." Leah smiled brightly.
140Melody Carlson
"That's nice," said Maggie, her voice void of expression.
"She seems like a sweet person." Then she turned to her
mother. "Leah invited them all for dinner this weekend, so
you'll get to meet her. I think she's a little older than you, but
I'm sure you're going to like her."
Before going to bed, Maggie considered calling Jed just to
make sure he understood that her dinner with Cohn Byers
was nothing more than strictly business. It made her sad to
think that he might be feeling hurt about any of this. And yet,
she felt uncomfortable calling him-probably stemming from
an old-fashioned notion that women shouldn't call men. Just
the same, she couldn't make herself pick up the phone. She
stared at the phone by her bed for a long moment, willing him
to call her but, of course, it never rang. In frustration, she
decided to write a much-overdo email to her friend Rebecca.
DearRebecca:
Sorry it's been so long. Fortunately, I know we both
lead very busy lives, so I doubt you've been pining
away waiting to hear from me. So much is going on
here, I hardly know where to begin. When you come