Free Love Unclaimed by Jennifer Benson Page B

either, but Travis was the one marrying her and Audree had already expressed her concerns about his choice for a wife.
    Trudy Meager had not gone to school with Audree, Ruby, and Travis, but they had all known each other. Trudy always expressed a great deal of interest in Gavin. Audree wasn’t aware of them ever actually meeting each other, but Trudy had definitely seen Gavin around. Trudy was a boarding school kid, so she was only home for summer vacations and holiday breaks. She had seen Gavin, along with everyone else in town, playing football and baseball, as well as around town and at parties after they were older.
    She had tried her best to get his attention, but to no avail. Gavin probably wouldn’t know her if he tripped over her. They hung out in different circles.
    Audree knew Trudy’s father was a very rich and powerful man around the county and that Travis and Gavin’s father wanted to share in the wealth. Mr. Montgomery had made sure that, since Gavin had not been available to schmooze with Trudy during their school years, Travis would be. Travis was, of course, hooked by her big boobs and little waist. She had the uncanny ability to get him to do almost anything while giving him very little in return. Audree and Ruby tried to point this out to him on more than one occasion, but he was blinded by her “charms”.
    “I’m not mad at you for not liking Trudy. She is not one of my favorite people either, but for Uncle Travis we have to keep our opinions about her to ourselves and just hope for him to be happy.” Audree swayed in the water with her daughter in her arms.
    “I think he would be happier marrying you, not as happy as Uncle Gavin would be, but happier marrying you instead of Trudy” Eva shrugged.
    “What? Uncle Gavin! Why would I marry Uncle Gavin?” Audree nearly choked on her nervous laughter.
    “Because you look at each other like Grammy and Grandpa look at each other. Even the way Daddy looks at Marissa,” she shrugged again, “all gooey eyed and junk.” She laughed.
    “You are eight, do you know that? You are not supposed to notice things like that.” Audree reached for her daughter and playfully pulled her across the pool.
    “Grammy says I have an eye for happiness and love.”
    “Well, don’t be running off and getting married the first chance you get. I’d like you to stay my little girl for as long as possible and talking like that…”
    “I know, makes me sound too big for my britches. Daddy says the same thing.”
    “Does he, now?”
    “Yup.”
    “He is very excited you are going to see him. He and Marissa have all kinds of things planned for you guys to do.”
    “Do you think he will marry Marissa?”
    “I don’t know, maybe. She’s a great lady, and she loves you very much.”
    “I know. I love her, too.”
    “I’m glad.”
    “Is this private party or can anyone join in?” The voice had Audree nearly jumping out of her skin and out of the pool.
    “Uncle Gavin! Uncle Gavin, you are here!” Eva jumped out of her mother’s arms and swam to the end of the pool.
    “Eva, wait, you are all wet!” Audree gasped, as her soaking wet daughter jumped at Gavin, who was standing near the pool in his thousand dollar suit.
    “Not a problem.” Gavin swung a towel out from behind his back and opened it up to catch Eva just before her wet body hit him.
    “You’d think you’d been a boy scout; always prepared,” Audree said as she swam to the end of the pool, keeping her eyes on him until she reached the steps. She knew Gavin’s eyes were on her, even though they were hidden behind his dark sunglasses. With Eva in his arms, he had no choice but to stand there and hold her while she jabbered about who knows what. Because Audree had stopped listening to her, she was occupied with teasing Gavin.
    Audree pretended not to hear the low growl escape from Gavin as she stepped out of the water and squeezed the water from her hair. She made the short walk to the chair holding