Bud Spinner, a fear-filled reclusive garage owner, a shy inner-knower of hidden goodness in people, helps Map Girl and Geena escape Ardenville with cash and a map. Bud secretly writes car fix-it manuals, banking the money in another town. Bud, Ben, and Andy, two other fear-filled recluses in town, find each other and become fast friends. Bud repairs cars. Ben reads science fiction. Andy fishes unsuccessfully.

Unknown to themselves as well as the town, they are able to detect good and evil, the hidden emotions and intentions in others. Constantly overwhelmed by their gifts, they stay extremely resistant to the ills of the outside world. Their solution is to hide.

Easily overwhelmed by nature and the unknown as well as people, they buy a cabin and spend weekends away from Ardenville. But Dan, a private eye hired by Mama to keep tabs on her ex, ejects them from their cabin, forcing them to flee Ardenville on their first road trip, carrying a gift for Map Girl. After visiting Map Girl, Miss Emma, a world famous artist, and her father, William the Dude Makepeace, talk them into staying at a remote monastery for awhile. They plan on spend Christmas with Map Girl, not knowing the unexpected ways of Fate will be awaiting their Magi talents and skills at the desert store. An opportunity to delve deep into three misunderstood souls.