Walker let out a whine.Cindy glanced over at her.“Can I pet your dog?”
Maggie relaxed.“Sure.Walker is really friendly.”
Cindy slowly crouched and reached out a hand.Walker sniffed and licked her fingers.This drew a smile from Cindy who then stroked his head.
Maggie glanced back at the road as an RV passed.
“I really need to get on the road.”
Cindy stood and nodded.
Maggie blew out a breath.“But I can’t leave you out here.What are you going to do if Tony doesn’t show up?I doubt you want to spend the night in the woods.”
Cindy’s eyes darted around the wooded area.Clearly, she’d not thought past today.
“How about this?How about I drive you into town?I’ve got to pick up some things from the grocery.At least let me get you something to eat.”Maggie hoped she would agree.It didn’t feel right leaving the woman behind.
“I don’t think I should leave ….”
Maggie heard the rumble of a truck.She turned to see a park ranger pull up behind her van.
He slowly climbed out of his vehicle.He walked toward them with a frown.“Is everything okay here, ladies?”
Maggie glanced at Cindy who had gone pale.
Maggie faced the ranger and forced a smile.“Everything is fine.My dog had to take a bathroom break.”
The ranger smiled at Walker and then over at Cindy.
Maggie’s stomach tightened as she waited for the ranger to ask about her black eye.He said nothing.
It was then Maggie noticed that Cindy had pulled her hoodie over her head to help conceal her injury.
“I can understand about dogs.I have a German shepherd myself.It’s like having a toddler.Just when I want to go somewhere with him, he’s either needing to stop every thirty minutes to pee or is wanting a pup cup.”
Maggie nodded in agreement.“I don’t think Walker has had a pup cup in a while.I’ve been away at college and am taking a trip with him over summer break.”She glanced at Cindy.“Along with my friend.You know, a girl’s trip.”
The ranger smiled.“Well, I hope you are enjoying yourself.Don’t stay parked on the side of the road too long.We get a lot of traffic, and I don’t want any accidents.”
Maggie walked toward Walker.‘We were just leaving.”She gave Cindy a pleading look before heading to the van.
She opened the side of the van and Walker climbed inside.She walked around to the driver’s side just as the park ranger started his truck.
Thankfully, Cindy climbed into the passenger’s seat.
As she pulled back onto the road, she glanced over at Cindy.“I’m glad you decided to come.”
Cindy shrugged.“I don’t like cops.”
Maggie made a turn.“He was a park ranger, not a cop.”
Cindy snorted.“Same thing.They all carry weapons, and they don’t believe you when you need help.”
Maggie didn’t know how to respond.Instead, she drove silently into town, wondering if she’d made a mistake trying to help.
Chapter17
Maggie had fueled up the van before pulling into the parking lot of the grocery store.Cindy had been quiet the entire ride despite Maggie trying to engage in conversation with her.
