Looking For You All My Life Part 177

livid color about the paper's biased coverage of the wetlands

*issues, even suggesting it was the newspaper's fault that Pine

Mountain Estates was being investigated in the first place.

Maggie listened quietly to them without commenting one

way or the other, then she handed each man a candy cane,

wished them a very merry Christmas, and graciously showed

them to the door.

The Christmas edition would also carry the uplifting

*story of how Barbara Harris was donating a church building

to the town, and how Michael Abundi had been invited to

pastor their congregation, though the official announcement

wouldn't come until Sunday. The Christmas edition was

coming along so well by Friday afternoon that Maggie sug-

gested that after next Monday they should all take the rest

*of next week off and simply enjoy the holidays.

Looking for You All My Life277

"I can do you one better than that," added Clyde,

winking at Abigail and Gavin. "What Maggie doesn't realize

is that we usually don't publish our next newspaper until

after the New Year. Which means I don't want to see anyone

in here until the first Monday after that."

"Actually, you guys won't be seeing me for another two

weeks after that," added Scott.

"That's right," said Maggie. "I'm letting him take his two

weeks of vacation time early this year-for his honeymoon."

Before Maggie left the office on Friday afternoon, Gavin

pulled her and Clyde aside. "I wanted to let you guys know

that Stan called me today. He looked over all the informa-

tion I faxed him yesterday. He said he doesn't see any reason

not to look into this whole thing more closely. But then he

said," and Gavin chuckled, "that the only obstacle at this

point might be the actual physical layout and appearance of

the land we're considering."

Maggie laughed. "Boy, is he in for a pleasant surprise!"

"Good job, Gavin," said Clyde.

"Thanks, but we've only just begun," said Gavin soberly,

although Maggie felt pretty sure she could see him glowing

as a result of his uncle's rare praise-the first positive word

she'd ever heard Clyde send in his direction.

"I know," said Clyde, "but it's a good start." He glanced

to Maggie and placed a finger over his lips. "But still, mum's

the word."

"Got ya. When will Stan come to check everything out,

Gavin?"

"The first weekend after the New Year. I've got it all set

up. Gavin looked uncomfortable for a moment. "Do you

think we could do this at the expense of the development or

the paper or something? Even though I sold my SUV, I'm

running a little short on funds."

"Of course, son. Did you think I expected you to fund

this entire operation from your own pocket? Remember this