Maggie reached the van and tied Walker’s leash to the picnic table.She carefully opened the van door and peered inside.
Cindy was still asleep, bundled in the sheets.
Maggie quietly grabbed the coffee pot, coffee, mug, and a large bottle of water and took everything outside.She grabbed an extension cord and hooked it up to the small outlet near the van door.She hooked the coffee pot to the extension and quietly shut the van door.
While the coffee brewed, she sat at the picnic table.
Her phone buzzed.She pulled it out of her pocket.
Glancing at the message, her heart rate thudded in her chest.
We need to talk.Mason
She left him on read and started to shove her phone back in her jeans pocket but it buzzed again.
Maggie, where are you?You start work this week.~Mom
She snorted and put her phone away.“So, it took you three days to figure out your daughter was not at home.That is very telling.”
Cindy poked her head out of the van.“Is that coffee I smell?”
Maggie smiled.“Almost ready.Grab another cup from the cabinet.”
A few seconds later, Cindy appeared in the same clothes she’d worn yesterday with a brown mug in her hand.
“How did you sleep?”Maggie stood and poured them both a cup of hot coffee.
Cindy gave her a sleepy smile.“Best night’s sleep I’ve had in a while.”She took a sip of her coffee and sighed.“How was it sleeping in the tent last night?”
Maggie arched her brow.“It wasn’t too bad.I didn’t get cold.Walker snuggled next to me all night.”
Cindy gave the dog a rub between the ears.“I’m kind of excited to sleep in the tent tonight.I haven’t slept alone in a tent.I always had … Tony.”She glanced away.
Walker let out a whine breaking the tension of the moment.
Maggie stood.“He’s ready for his breakfast.Be right back.”She disappeared into the van and reappeared with a bowl of food and a bowl of water.
“Here ya go, Walker.”She set the bowls down in front of him.“There’s a campground shower that doesn’t seem to be busy right now.Why don’t you go get a shower first and then you can watch Walker while I go.”
Cindy studied the ground.“I don’t have any clean clothes.”
Maggie shrugged.“I’ve got some clothes you can wear.I’d say we are the same size.”
Cindy looked up at her, eyes wide.“You’d let me borrow your clothes?”
Maggie walked over to the van.“Of course.Let me see what I’ve got.”She climbed inside and quickly found some gym shorts and T-shirt.She poked her head out of the van.“I picked out shorts since it looks like it’s going to be hot today.Is that okay?”She held up the clothing.
Cindy stood.“That’s great.I’ll make sure to get them clean before I give them back.”She took the offered clothes.
“Wait.Here’s my shower bag.”She held out a mesh bag with shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, and her toothpaste.“I don’t have an extra toothbrush but I can run to the campground store and pick one up.”
Cindy shifted her weight.“I don’t want to be a bother.”
Maggie grabbed Walker’s leash.She started walking toward the store before Cindy could argue.“No bother.I’ll get a shower after you are done.”Maggie strolled toward the store.
Walker stopped to sniff a couple thatches of grass and peed on a tree.Once they got to the store, she hesitated, unsure they would allow dogs inside.
A woman walked out the door with a large Great Dane in tow.
