Part 107 (1/2)

”He didn't tell me to leave town. But on the other hand, he

didn't invite me to stay either.”

”Are you staying?”

”I'd like to.”

”Do you have a place? I'm sure there are lots of rooms

available at the hotel. It's pretty slow over there.”

He shrugged. ”I guess I could stay at the hotel, but

they've fixed the place up so nice I'm afraid it's gotten pretty

expensive. And to tell you the truth, I'm a little low on cash

right now. I haven't had much income lately.”

Suddenly she wondered if the only reason Gavin had

come back was to weasel some money from his uncle. But

something about his demeanor made her think not. Still, she

couldn't be sure. ”What exactly are your plans, Gavin?”

He shrugged again. ”I don't know. I just needed to come

back here, Maggie. For some reason this place feels like

home to me. I just don't know where else to go.”

”I always thought you were more of a big-city guy,

Gavin.”

”I suppose I've changed.”

She smiled. ”I can see that. But if you stayed here, how

would you make a living? Any plans?”

L.

168Melody Carlson

His eyes lit up. ”You hiring?”

She thought about that for a moment. Just last week, she'd