Part 178 (1/2)

is my investment, not yours. You're just the hired help.”

Clyde studied Gavin, then added, ”For now, anyway.”

278Melody Carlson

Gavin looked relieved and smiled at his uncle. ”Stan's

bringing his family for three days of skiing and vacation. I'll

personally try to show them a good time and hopefully

they'll fall in love with the small-town charm here. Maybe

one evening we can meet with the two of you for dinner at

the hotel.”

”Sounds like a plan, Gavin,” said Maggie. ”Just let me

know. There's so much going on in the next couple of weeks,

I might need a reminder by then.”

Maggie, Audrey, and Spencer spent Sat.u.r.day preparing

for Christmas and the upcoming wedding, with Leah joining

in that evening after work.

”The shop was so busy today,” she said as she bit into a

piece of pizza that Maggie had thrown together for a quick

dinner. ”I think Jed's going to be really pleased. A lot of the

sales were just small items, like towel racks and picture

frames, but it's amazing how quickly they start to add up.”

”That's great,” said Audrey. ”Everyone in town should

be pleased with the traffic. I had to wait for five minutes to

get a cup of coffee at the Window Seat this morning.”

”Yeah, but all these tourists present another problem

too,,' complained Spencer.

”What's that?” asked Maggie.