Cindy lifted her eyes.“No.”She looked back at the phone.“She doesn’t sound mad.”
Maggie smiled.“She’s not.She’s worried about you.Why don’t you call her?”
Cindy shoved one hand in her jeans pocket.
“Your mom is worried about you, Cindy.”Maggie’s voice was soft and gentle.
Cindy nodded.She walked a few feet away, typed in the phone number and held it to her ear.
“Hello, Mom?It’s Cindy.”
Chapter33
Maggie poked another marshmallow on the end of the metal skewer and held it over the campfire.
“These are the best s’mores I’ve ever had.”Cindy took another bite, and the chocolate and marshmallow squeezed out between the two graham crackers in a gooey dessert.
“Must be that fancy chocolate I picked up at the store by the riverwalk today.”Maggie pulled her charred marshmallow from the fire and placed it between two graham crackers and a small piece of chocolate.She took a bite.The sweet flavors had her moaning with delight.“You’re right.This is wonderful.”
Walker edged closer to her and lay his head on her leg.He looked up at her with sad eyes.
She laughed.“Dogs can’t have chocolate.But I can give you a graham cracker.”She pulled a cracker out of the plastic sleeve and held it out.Walker gently took it out of her hand and lay back down, enjoying his snack.
“What do you have planned for tomorrow?”Cindy asked.
“While you and your parents are spending time together, I’m going to take Walker to this little hiking trail that allows dogs.I hope to find a quiet place near the water where I can journal.”
Cindy grinned.“I can’t believe they will be here tomorrow.”
Maggie laughed.“They would have been here tonight if there was an available flight.”Grabbing a paper towel off the roll, she wiped up her sticky fingers.“What are the plans for you guys tomorrow?”
Cindy chuckled.“Their flight arrives in Denver at nine.It should take them about an hour and a half to get here, unless my mom drives.Then it will take an hour.”Cindy’s face glowed with renewed vigor under the dancing flames of the fire.“They’ll come pick me up here and we will go to the park, find a bench and talk.”Her brows furrowed.“Which restaurant should we have lunch at?”
“Why not take them to the restaurant we went to with the outdoor seating option.You might see some elk by the water.”
Cindy nodded.“Yes, that’s perfect.”She leaned back in her seat.“Thank you, Maggie.”
Maggie lifted the water bottle to her lips and took a sip.“For what?”
Cindy gave her a knowing look.“Thank you for contacting my family.I might never have had the courage to do it on my own.Tony told me so many times my family didn’t want anything to do with me.”
Maggie tightened her grip on the bottle.“I hope you now see that Tony is a liar.”
Cindy nodded slowly.“I know that now.It’s hard to really hear someone tell you that your boyfriend is a bad guy.And it’s even harder to tell a friend the truth.I’m glad you did, Maggie.”
Maggie felt a satisfied smile slide across her face.The stress of worrying about Cindy’s safety had been lifted from her shoulders.Now that Cindy seemed to be back on track, Maggie needed to figureherselfout.
“I’m glad I could help.”
Chapter34
Walker raised his head and yawned.He looked over at Maggie who was still asleep.Since they’d been in the mountains, he had been waking up early.It must be the fresh mountain air.
He eased closer to Maggie and rested his head on her stomach.She stirred in her sleep but didn’t wake up.
Walker knew today was going to be special.Cindy’s parents were coming.He could sense how happy she was.Her parents would protect her from that bad guy, Tony.
He wondered how long he and Maggie would stay in the mountains.He liked it here.While his vision might be getting worse, he felt more alive and vibrant since they’d arrived.
