Elana stood under the spray of the hot shower in the bunkhouse. Dennis had offered the use of the amenities, and she’d reluctantly agreed. But when she discovered how much privacy she would have, she jumped at the chance.
As she let the hot water wash over her, she thought back to the text she’d gotten from her father earlier that day. He’d wanted to know if she had witnessed any mental decline in Grandma Cecilia.
She sent a quick text saying she had not and then turned off her phone.
He hadn’t asked how she was doing during the road trip. Not that it should be a surprise. He never really showed her much fatherly love. Anna was the only one who asked every day about their safety and how things were going.
She reached over and turned off the water. Grabbing a towel, she quickly dried off and changed into a gray lounge set. Then she picked up the hairdryer she dried her hair.
After slipping on her sneakers, she gathered up her stuff and headed back to the van.
“Ready to eat?” Grandma Cecilia called out from a picnic table.
“Be right there.” Elana put her items away in the van and grabbed a coat. The temps had dropped in the mountains. She was grateful that her grandmother had gotten her a coat for the trip.
She got out of the van and shut the door behind her. She walked over to examine the new tire.
“We put it on while you were showering. This tire will get you where you’re going.” Dennis said.
Elana gave the man a grateful smile. “Thanks. How much do I owe for the new tire?”
Dennis shook his head. “Your grandmother already paid for it.”
She smiled. “I appreciate everything you’ve done.”
Dennis shrugged. “I have a daughter your age. I would want someone to make sure she was okay if she were on a road trip.”
Elana’s heart dropped. “Your daughter is lucky to have a dad like you.”
Dennis chuckled. “I’m sure your father would do the same.”
She snorted. “The most he might do is get his secretary to call AAA. But he wouldn’t have the first idea how to change a tire.”
He nodded. “City slicker.”
She grimaced. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard that word used outside of a movie.”
Dennis grinned and waved her over to the campfire, where everyone was gathered around. “Come eat before it gets cold.”
Elana didn’t argue. The thought of food made her empty stomach rumble.
She followed Dennis over to the large table laden with food. Elana picked up a paper plate and made a BBQ sandwich and added some baked beans and coleslaw to her plate. She snagged a small bag of Cheetos. She eyed the pound cake but decided to come back to get a slice.
Grandma Cecilia smiled and patted a seat beside her near the fire. Jack was resting contentedly at her feet, staring into the dancing flames.
Elana smiled and eased into the chair next to her grandmother. “How is it?” She eyed her grandmother’s half-eaten sandwich.
The woman leaned close and whispered, “Don’t tell them, but this is the best BBQ sandwich I’ve ever had.”
Elana grinned at her grandmother’s words. “That’s high praise coming from you.” She picked up her sandwich and took a bite.
The flavors of the sandwich burst on her tongue. She closed her eyes and sighed. Her grandmother was right.
A cowboy next to her chuckled. “Save room for dessert. We have the best cook in the state of Wyoming.”
Elana smiled up at him. “Can’t wait.”
Jack looked up at her and whined.
