Looking For You All My Life Part 109

worry. I can fend for myself. But it would really help to have

a place to stay, at least for now. I thought I'd sell my car after

I got here, you know, to have some money to tide me over at

first. But of course I haven't had a chance yet."

She nodded, then glanced out the window, remembering

how Audrey had dropped her off at the office. "Speaking of

cars, could you give me a ride home?"

She told Gavin about her trip to Desert Winds as he drove

to her house, explaining all about Greg and Rick's plans to

develop the farmland, as well as how they swindled Arnold

Westerly Out of his property.

"I've done some pretty slimy things in my life," admitted

Gavin as he pulled into the driveway, "and I know in many

ways that I'm probably much worse than those two guys,

but what they're doing is really wrong! For the sake of the

town, I hope they can be stopped before it's too late."

"Oh, look," cried Maggie when she saw her house suddenly

beginning to glow with hundreds of little white lights. "They

put up Christmas lights while I was Out of town this weekend.

Oh, doesn't it look wonderful!" She leaped from the car and

ran up to the front porch to see Spencer hobbling around on his

walking cast. "This looks great, Spence!" She hugged him. "But

please don't tell me you climbed up on a ladder with that cast."

He laughed. "I would've, but Grandma wouldn't let me.

Leah and Jed did all of the high stuff and I did the places I

could reach from the ground."

She looked at the evergreen wreath on the door and at the

garlands wrapped around the porch handrails. "This is so

lovely. What a beautiful homecoming."

"Yeah, that was Grandma's idea. Hey, who's that?" asked

Spencer, looking over at Gavin as he carried a suitcase from

his car.

"It's Gavin Barnes. He's going to stay with us a while."

Then, lowering her voice, "He's really changed, Spencer. You

won't believe it."

Looking for YouAllMy Life171

Audrey had never met Gavin before, but after Maggie

discreetly took her aside and explained everything, she

warmly welcomed him into their household, even inviting

him to help her in the kitchen by peeling potatoes. Without

complaining, he rolled up his sleeves and pitched right in.

After dinner, Audrey took Maggie aside and offered to let

Gavin use the guest house while he stayed with them.

"No, Mom. I don't want to push you Out of your little

nest."

"But is it proper for him to stay with you in your home?"

asked Audrey with a concerned brow.

Maggie considered this. "Well, how would it be any dif-

ferent if I were running a bed-and-breakfast?"

"I suppose you're right. After all, it's not as if you're