Looking For You All My Life Part 180

lingering a moment as Michael climbed back into the truck

with his things.

"Did you have a good show, Jed?" she asked, longing to

prolong this encounter.

"Yeah, surprisingly so. Thanks for asking."

She took a breath then said, "I missed you, Jed."

"You did?" He seemed genuinely surprised.

"Of course. I've been missing you for weeks now."

Looking for You All My Life281

His eyes began to glow warmly and he moved toward her,

now standing on the first step of the porch. "Well, the truth

is, I've been missing you too. And I've been wondering if we

could get together and talk some things over."

"I don't know why not. I know I have some things I need

to say to you." She smiled down on him.

He stepped up another step and now looked directly into

her eyes. "And there's one thing I need to say right now,

Maggie." He reached over and touched her arm. "I need to

tell you I'm sorry for being so horrible that day in your

office. I don't even know what got into me, but will you for-

give me?"

"Of course, but I said some pretty harsh things too. Will

you forgive me?"

He nodded and continued looking right into her eyes.

"I've been giving everything a lot of thought, and I think

there has to be a better way to deal with all this. I don't want

to hurt Leah, but I can't stand to be apart from you any

longer, Maggie. Do you think we could find some time to get

together and talk about all this.. .about us?"

"I sure hope so!" Her heart felt like it was actually flut-

tering and she couldn't think of anything else to say.

"I'll call you tomorrow and we'll talk." Jed sounded

hopeful.

"By the way, have you got any plans for Christmas yet?"

"None that I know of."

"We want to invite you and Michael over. We've already

got Barbara Harris and Leah all lined up. We felt pretty sure

you guys might like to join them."

He smiled. "Now, that sounds like a perfect plan."

"And my brother and an old friend of mine are coming

too.

"I'd like to meet them." His voice was so warm, so

gentle. This was the Jed she knew! It was all she could do not

to run down the steps and throw herself into his arms, but

she held onto the cold wooden railing, controlling herself.

"Well, then you will."

282Melody Carlson

"I think it's pretty late, and I'm sure Michael's getting

cold in the truck."

'L,.

"Yeah, you better go. See you in church tomorrow?"