Maggie chuckled.“I guess that answers my question.”They walked inside.A cold blast of air skittered across her skin.She headed down the short aisle and quickly found the toothbrushes before heading back to the front.
“What a beautiful dog,” the cashier gushed.She was an older woman with salt and pepper colored hair.“What’s his name?”
Maggie handed her a ten-dollar bill and looked down.“His name is Walker.”
The cashier handed her change.“I bet he’s a good boy.Are you traveling with family?”
Maggie hesitated.“Nope, just me and Walker.”
The cashier nodded.“It’s good you have a dog with you.I bet he gives you peace of mind and protection.”
Maggie laughed.“And lots of cuddles.”
The cashier grew solemn.“Just be careful.There are so many young women that go missing every day.Just look at our bulletin board.We print out Facebook posts about missing young girls in hopes one of our travelers spots them.”
Maggie glanced over at the bulletin board by the door.“That’s a great idea.”
The cashier gave her a warm smile.“Be sure to check it out on your way out.”She glanced at Walker.“Do you mind if I give him a treat?We keep them behind the desk for extra special doggos.”
Maggie nodded.“Of course.He would love one.”
The cashier reached below the desk and retrieved a small dog bone-shaped treat.Walker gently took the offered treat out of her hand and headed for the door.
Maggie stopped short of the door and glanced at the bulletin board.A lot of the missing women looked underage.Her heart sank when she thought about these girls who had found themselves in danger.She took a step and stopped when she spotted a picture of a young blonde woman.
She glanced back.The cashier had left her position behind the register and was restocking the cooler with waters.
Quickly Maggie removed the post of the missing girl and folded it before putting it in her pocket.She quickly headed back to her van.Cindy wasn’t back from showering.
She loaded Walker into the van and closed the door.Sitting on the unmade bed, she unfolded the piece of paper.
It was a Facebook post about a woman who had gone missing while camping.Her boyfriend had posted it under a camping page.She pulled out her laptop and looked up the boyfriend on Facebook.
A shiver ran down her spine as she recognized the man.It was Tony, and he was looking for Cindy.
God only knew what he would do once he found her.
The door of the van flew open, and Maggie jumped.Cindy’s hair was up in a towel, and she had Maggie’s clean clothes on.“It’s your turn.”
Maggie folded up the paper and stuffed it in her jeans pocket.She jumped up and quickly grabbed some clothes.“Great, I won’t be long.Hey, do you mind staying in the van with Walker?I don’t think this heat is agreeing with him, and I want to keep an extra eye on him.”She lied.
Cindy’s smile faded.“Of course.Should we take him to the vet?”
Maggie shook her head.“No, I think he just needs to stay inside where it’s cool.”Grabbing her clothes and the shower caddy, she stepped out the door.“I’ll make this quick.”She shut the door behind her.
Chapter22
Cindy munched on her egg and bacon sandwich while Maggie barely kept the van under the speed limit.
“I don’t see why we had to leave before eating breakfast.”Cindy took a drink of water.“I mean, it’s supposed to be a road trip.It’s not like you have a deadline.”
Maggie had taken a quick shower without bothering to wash her hair.By the time she got back to the campsite, Cindy was frying eggs and cooking bacon.She told her to make a breakfast sandwich so they could eat on the road.After seeing the flyer, Maggie was scared to stay longer in case someone would recognize Cindy.
Maggie didn’t look at the girl.She didn’t want her to see the lie in her eyes.“The quicker we get to Colorado, the more time I will have to spend in the mountains.Besides, it’s a lot cooler.”She cleared her throat.“Have you ever been to the mountains?”
Cindy chewed thoughtfully.“When I was about eight, my parents took me to the Smokey Mountains.We stayed in a motel while we did all kinds of things like mining for gold and cooking over a campfire.”She glanced at Maggie.“You know, when Tony said we were going to travel around in his camper, I thought it was going to be a wonderful time.Turns out camping wasn’t as fun as I remember.”
Maggie cut a glance at her “Maybe camping wasn’t the issue.Maybe he was.”
