"Good for you!" Maggie patted him on the back.
Looking for You AIlMy Life199
"Thanks. By the way, I have an idea I'd like to discuss
with you and my uncle. Do you think we could all meet for
dinner tomorrow night at the hotel? My treat."
"Sure, if you think Clyde is free...
"Or do you mean willing?" asked Gavin.
"Well, you know how he's been lately. Anyway, he's
already left for the day, but if you like I can invite him first
thing in the morning."
"It might help to get him there."
"Can I tell him what this pertains to?" She was won-
dering herself.
"Just tell him it's an idea that could help all of Pine
Mountain."
She brightened. "Okay, he just might be interested in
that."
{ n the morning Maggie called Scott into her office. "I
asked my mother what she thought about hosting your
wedding on New Year's Eve," she began in a serious
tone, her face somber as if to convey unfortunate news.
He nodded with understanding. "So, I suppose it was a
little overwhelming for her?"
"Well, it's pretty last minute, you know."
"Yeah, I figured it was too much to expect of anybody. It
was Chloe's idea, really. But I appreciate your thinking about
it. I can understand Audrey's reservations-"
"Are you kidding? She's totally jazzed about the whole
thing. My mother absolutely loves weddings-they're her
favorite event on the entire earth. It's her Italian roots, I
think. Anyway, she's slightly furious that you've put this
whole thing off until the last minute, and she even suggested
you wait until next New Year's Eve so we could go all out
with a really big bash of a wedding. Then I told her about
your Reno suggestion, and she threw a complete fit and
demanded that we host the wedding at my house or else!"
Relief washed over his face. "I really hated the idea of
trying to get hitched in Reno on New Year's Eve. I know
Chloe's not that into her family or social functions right now,
201.
202Melody Carlson
but I really do enjoy mine. And my little brother, Max, is
coming home from the Air Force for the first time since he
enlisted, and I was hoping this could be a really special time
for everyone."
"It will be. Go ahead and let your mom and Chloe know,
and tell them my mom will call them sometime today. She
wants to have a wedding planning meeting tomorrow
Imorning-and won't take no for an answer. And she also
wanted to know if Chloe has a wedding gown yet."
By now, Abigail had stuck her head into Maggie's office
and Maggie waved for her to come in. "Actually, I was won-