Page 36 of Web of Dreams (Casteel 5)

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"Love, true love, is what makes life fulfilling,

Leigh. This is something you will understand, and

when you do, you will appreciate all the things I am

telling you.

"Can I tell you more? Will you listen like a best

friend, a close girlfriend? I've never had a truly good

friend. I grew up with two terrible sisters who were

always so jealous of me, would never tell them one

good thing or share one good feeling with them.

Leigh?"

"I'm your best friend, Momma. I . . just . ." "Oh good," she said, her eyes taking on a

faraway look. "The first time I set eyes on Tony and

he set eyes on me, it was as if the clouds were swept

off the blue sky. Everything became more vivid, more

alive around me. Colors brightened, birds sang, and

the breeze, no matter how cool, was refreshing and

soft. I couldn't wait to awaken every morning and get

myself to Farthy, just so I would be around him, hear

his voice, and feel his eyes on me.

"That's what love is, Leigh, true love." She reached out for me. Her words were so magical, her thoughts so wonderful, I couldn't help but step closer

until she could take my hand and look into my eyes. "I knew he had opened his heart to me and that

I had found a place there. Whenever he spoke to me,

his voice grew so soft, so loving. There was a longing

in his eyes that made me tingle all over," she said,

confessing to me like a schoolgirl who had just found

her first love. Only this was Momma talking . . .

Momma . . . and to me!

"Oh, I tried to resist at first, Leigh. I wasn't

unfaithful to your father. I told myself over and over

that I was a married woman, that I had a husband and

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