Looking For You All My Life Part 4

feel worried for Jed. Leah had mentioned just that morning

at breakfast how business had been terribly slow for White-

water Works this week, and although it seemed sort of silly,

Maggie felt responsible.

"h.e.l.lo?" she called as she entered the familiar shop,

sniffing the air for the pungent aroma of cedar. "Anyone

here?"

"In the back," called Leah. "I'm coming."

"How's it going?" Maggie asked as Leah emerged from

the back room, a cardboard box in one hand and a packing

slip in the other.

"Still pretty quiet." Leah brushed a dark strand of hair

from her eyes. "You're the first one to walk through the front

door all day."

Looking for You All My Life13

Maggie frowned. "Is Jed around?"

"No, he just left. He's working at home this afternoon."

"Well, that's probably good. How's he doing?"

Leah's brows lifted. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, I guess I was feeling a little concerned about him

from a business standpoint. I just ran into Kate, and you

know how she's so involved at the Blue Moose now, and she

has all these great plans about how to market Buckie's

work-and well, I suppose I feel a little guilty, like it's my

fault that Kate's not here-"

"But I'm here." Leah stuck out her chin defensively.

Maggie smiled. "Of course, I know that. And Jed

couldn't be happier-"

"But you don't think that's enough."

"That's not what I meant, Leah."

Leah set the box on the floor and folded her arms. "I'm

working really hard for Jed, Maggie. I told him he doesn't

even have to come into the shop at all if he needs to work on

his projects at home. I know this isn't an easy business, espe-

cially this time of year, but I'm here for him. Isn't that

enough?"

Maggie placed a soothing hand on Leah's arm. "It's more

than enough, honey. Really. Jed wouldn't trade you for a

hundred Kates. And I'm sure in time you'll have this whole

business completely figured out, and then you and Jed will

be the busiest shop in town."

Leah frowned. "I don't think either of us want that."

Maggie blinked, feeling somewhat chastised. "Well, you

know what I mean. I'm sure everything's going to be just

fine. I'm sorry if what I said didn't come out quite the way I

meant it." She looked Leah in the eyes. "Are we still okay?"

Leah's dark eyes looked misty, but she nodded. "Yes, of

course. I guess maybe I'm a little worried about Jed's busi-

ness too. There's so much to learn right now. I want to be a

help and not a hindrance, but I hate asking Jed questions all

the time. Sometimes I feel like I'm nothing but a nuisance."