Looking For You All My Life Part 114

for, Maggie. I'm ready for a good fight."

She sighed. "I'm sure we'll get one after this week's paper

comes out."

He chuckled. "Yep, that's what this business is all about."

"You know, with your love of controversy, you should've

run a big-city newspaper, Clyde."

Looking for YouAllMy Life179

He considered this, then he shook his head. "Nope, then

I would've missed out on a whole lot of good fis.h.i.+ng and

hunting. The way I see it, I got me the very best of both

worlds."

Back in her office, Maggie called Gavin and told him to

report for work. They agreed that office s.p.a.ce might be

unnecessary to start with as selling ads could be done by

phone or by visiting the businesses. For now he would use

the mobile phone and keep track of his mileage, and perhaps

if things went well, they'd eventually set up an office for him.

Besides, Maggie figured this arrangement would keep Gavin

out of Clyde's hair for the time being. Gavin told her that

he'd already called a car dealers.h.i.+p in Byron that was inter-

ested in helping him to trade down in vehicles. He hoped to

get a fair amount of cash for his big sports utility vehicle and

still afford a small economy car. "I'm willing to do whatever

it takes to make it here," he a.s.sured her. "I want you to

know I'll begin looking for a place to rent in town as soon

as possible."

"It sounds as though you're off to a good start. Come in

sometime this afternoon, and Abigail will get you set up with

everything you'll need."

Just as Maggie was winding down for the day, Jed

stopped by her office. She tried to conceal her pleasure as she

closed the door behind him. Inviting him to sit, she admired

his squared shoulders and straight posture. He wore a soft

suede vest, and she tried to remember if it was the same one

he'd had on the first time she'd seen him last spring. She

studied his even features as she sat back down behind her

desk. Perhaps after her last email message he had decided to

end their little "break." Then she noticed that his expression

seemed different today. Something seemed to be troubling

him. Whatever it was, she felt ready to face it. She smiled

hopefully and leaned across her desk in antic.i.p.ation.

180Melody Carlson

"How are you doing?" she asked finally.

"I'm okay, I guess." He pressed his lips together as if con-

sidering how to begin his next sentence. "How are you

doing?" The way he spoke the words seemed to imply he

was inquiring about more than just her health and well-

being, but she wasn't sure how best to answer.

"Oh, I don't know..." She looked to him for some sort

of clue. "Did you get my email last night?" She smiled again.

He shook his head. "No, I haven't even turned on my