“It’s okay, Walker.It’s just an elk.Don’t bother him and he won’t bother us.”
The hair on his back went down, and she gently tugged on the leash.“Let’s walk this way.There seems to be a lot of shops to explore.”
They spent another two hours exploring the idyllic town of Estes Park, lost in the beauty of the town.
Chapter30
Maggie sat by the campfire and wrapped her blanket around her shoulders.After exploring the town, they had dinner at a restaurant in the Riverwalk area that offered outdoor seating.They had a picturesque view of the rushing water.
Cindy ordered the trout while Maggie ordered a burger for herself and a burger patty for Walker.By the time an Uber brought them back, everyone was exhausted.
Maggie set up a campfire while Cindy heated up some hot chocolate that she’d bought at one of the stores in town.
Cindy sipped her hot chocolate and sighed.
Maggie cut her eyes at the girl with a grin on her lips.“I haven’t seen you this relaxed all trip.”She gazed at the mountains in the dark.“I can’t blame you.The mountains really are magical.”
Cindy reached out and rubbed Walker’s fur.“I think Walker agrees.He’s worn out from his adventure.”
Maggie’s heart swelled with love as she looked at her dog.He’d had quite the adventure walking the streets of Estes Park.They stopped at the water’s edge after dinner, and an elk stepped out of the woods to study the dog.Walker let out a soft growl and studied the large animal.They stood there watching each other until the elk got bored and walked back into the woods.
Maggie’s phone buzzed with a text breaking the solitude.She glanced down at the message and frowned.
“Everything okay?”Cindy asked.
Maggie stuck her phone back in her pocket and shrugged.“It’s a text from the apartment manager.He’s saying the deadline for signing the lease is due in a week.Mason already signed and he’s just waiting on me.”
Cindy frowned.“Can you get your own apartment?”
Maggie shook her head.“I can’t afford one on my own.Too expensive.Besides, the only person I could have considered moving in with is now my ex-best friend.Seems like I’m out of choices.”
Cindy looked back in the fire.“There are always choices.Sometimes we don’t like the options, but we must make the best of it.”
Maggie shifted in her seat.“So, what do you think my options are?”
Cindy shrugged.“Well, you have to go back to college, and you have to have an apartment.It could be worse.You could be homeless and not able to go to college.”
Maggie frowned.“You make it sound like I need to survive and not care about my happiness or what’s right.”
Cindy’s shoulders slumped.“Maybe that’s what life is, surviving and making it to the next day.”
Maggie’s heart stuttered in her chest.Was Cindy right?Was happiness and peace an elusive dream?
“But what do I know?”Cindy chuckled.“I’m exhausted.I’ll take the tent tonight.”She stood.
Maggie shook her head.“No, you take the bed.I’ll take the tent.Besides, I’ve been looking forward to sleeping under the stars in the mountains.”
Cindy frowned.“Are you sure?The temps are going to drop tonight.”
Maggie nodded.“The sleeping bag is rated for low temps, and it will be close enough to the fire.Besides, Walker is a great blanket.Go ahead and take the bed.”
Cindy gave her a grateful smile and nodded.“I’ll see you both in the morning.Good night.”She opened the van door and disappeared inside.
Maggie was tired, but her mind was unsettled.She reached for her backpack and pulled out her journal and turned to a blank page.She looked over at the fire and studied the flames.Picking up her pen she began with one line about the dancing flames.The more she wrote, the more a story began to develop.Before she knew it, it was well past midnight and the fire was dying.
Yawning, she stood, put away her things and crawled into the tent with Walker beside her.
Before her head could hit the pillow, she was fast asleep.
