Looking For You All My Life Part 186

plain when I start getting you all up early tomorrow

morning. Now, I am going to bed!"

290Melody Carlson

IThat broke up the party, but Rebecca followed Maggie

into her bedroom. "I hope it was okay to tell Barry about

Jed," she said apologetically.

Maggie waved her hand. "Oh, it's fine. I just didn't want

to make too much of it with Leah around. We've just gone

through a thing where she was feeling kind of threatened by

our relations.h.i.+p, and she and I are doing so well now that I

don't want anything to mess that up."

"She seems like a very sweet girl."

"She is. And she's been through a lot in her life already.

But anyway, I think it's all going to work out fine. Things

have even seemed better between Jed and me."

"So you've given up all that back-burner business now?"

"Well.. .not exactly."

"Oh. But ~ou and Jed are seeing each other again?"

"Well, not exactly... but sort of. We talked briefly a few

days ago. And everything seems to be working out. I'm not

worried." Suddenly Maggie wanted to change the subject.

"So, Rebecca, what do you think of Barry these days? He's

really grown up, hasn't he?"

Rebecca laughed uncomfortably. "Yeah. I'd forgotten

how attractive he is, and now even more so with age. You

guys and your dark Italian good looks." She poked Maggie

in the arm.

"You're not looking so shabby yourself, Rebecca. And if

I'm not mistaken, I saw my little brother checking you out

pretty carefully tonight."

Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Now don't start this, Maggie.

You know it'll only lead to trouble. Let's all just enjoy being

together and let it go at that."

The two old friends continued to talk into the wee hours

of the morning. Maggie knew her son would be alarmed, but

it was so fun to visit and catch up on the past several years.

She promised herself she'd rise early and Spencer would be

none the wiser.

omehow everyone managed to rise early on Christ-

mas Eve day, and after eating a quick breakfast

actually prepared by Spencer, they headed up for

the slopes. It was a perfect day with fresh powder and blue

skies, and Spencer delighted in showing off his new snow-

boarding skills to Rebecca and his uncle, only falling occa-

sionally. Rebecca skied with Maggie for the first part of the

day, but after lunch she and Barry (both higher-level skiers)

decided to attack the more challenging slopes. Then, just as

Maggie and Spencer were waiting in the lift line, they heard

a girl's voice calling out Spencer's name, and they turned to

see Leah, carrying a s...o...b..ard and jogging toward them in

clunky boots and what looked like a brand-new snow-