He let out a bark.
Grandma Cecilia laughed as she scrambled into the passenger seat. “How much longer until we get to our campsite for the night?”
Elana shut the side van and walked around to the driver’s seat. “A few more hours and we should be there.”
It took longer to get there due to traffic. By the time they pulled into their camping spot, the sun was quickly going down, and the temps were considerably cooler.
“A fire is going to feel good tonight.” Elana wrapped her arms around her as she went to the side of the van to let Jack out.
The dog jumped out before she could put his leash on. Surprising enough, he sat at her feet and didn’t run off.
She grabbed the leash and quickly attached it. “Don’t scare me like that, Jack,” she muttered as she walked him in the grassy area of their campsite.
“I don’t think he would run off. Jack’s a good boy,” Grandma Cecilia called from inside the back of the van. She popped her head out and held up a hoodie. “Want to put this on?”
Elana shivered. “Yes. I guess you were right. I should have packed a proper coat.” She and Jack walked back over to the van. Her grandmother held the leash while she tugged the hoodie on.
“That’s better.” Elana stuck her hands in the pocket. “I need to dig out that coat you brought for me.”
Grandma Cecilia nodded. “I think Ethan stuck it under the platform of the bed. He rearranged things when he was making updates.”
She nodded. “Jack has been walked. Do you want to sit outside while I start dinner?”
Grandma looked at her. “You’re going to start a fire, right?”
Elana nodded. “I’ll wrap the potatoes in foil and cook them in the fire while I cook the steaks on the burner inside.”
Grandma Cecilia nodded. “Good idea.”
Thankfully, the previous campers at the campsite had left a pile of wood behind. Elana began the job of stacking the wood in the fire ring. She added the lint and then lit the match. It didn’t take long before there was a blazing fire.
Grandma Cecilia came out of the van with three potatoes wrapped in paper towels. “I prepped the potatoes.”
Elana frowned. “Grandma Cecilia, you can’t wrap the potatoes in paper towels. They’ll burn. They need to be wrapped in aluminum foil.”
Her grandmother frowned and looked at the potatoes. “Of course, how silly of me. I’ll redo them.” She went back inside and reappeared a few minutes later with the potatoes properly wrapped.
Elana smiled. “Thanks.” She put them on under the fire and turned to her grandmother. “It should take some time for the potatoes to cook. I’ll go and prep the steaks and salad.”
Grandma Cecilia smiled and sat down at the picnic table. “Need help?”
Elana shook her head. “No. You relax out here with Jack.”
Her grandmother smiled. “I think I’ll catch up on some missed calls.” She pulled her phone out and began texting.
Elana pulled the steaks from the cooler and found a plaster platter to place them in. She found some spices and some butter and let the steaks marinate while she turned her attention to making a salad.
Once the salad was made, she turned on the burner and began melting the butter in a small skillet over the burner. She realized how many supplies Ethan had added to the van when he made the upgrades.
The aroma must have drifted out from the van over to Jack. She heard him let out a couple of pitiful whimpers. She turned and looked out of the van.
His eyes were locked on her, and he cocked his head when they made eye contact.
She grinned. “Don’t worry, Jack. We have an extra steak for you.”
Grandma Cecilia patted the dog on his head. “He’s just impatient. I can’t blame him. Smells good, Elana.”
Elana smiled at the compliment. “Thanks. By the time the steaks are done, the potatoes should be ready as well.” She turned her attention back to the task of cooking.
