He most definitely liked road trips.
Walker sighed heavily, hoping the motion would wake Maggie.No such luck.
She’d stayed up after Cindy had gone to bed in the van and written in her journal.Once she began, she couldn’t seem to stop writing.Once the fire died, they’d crawled in the tent and went to sleep.
He dreamed of chasing bunnies in a meadow and squirrels up a tree.In his dreams everything was more vivid than in reality, and colors seemed to come to life.
Walker’s tummy rumbled and he shifted against Maggie.
Still she didn’t wake.
He snuggled against her and decided his only option was to go back to sleep.
Soon his eyelids grew heavy and he was chasing bunnies again in a meadow of purple flowers.
Chapter35
“We will get an Uber.I still have the name of the guy who allowed Walker to come with us that first night.He should be here any minute.”Maggie snapped the leash on the dog.
Cindy frowned.“I hate to put you out.It would be easier for you to take the van.I can just sit here and wait for my parents.”
Maggie shook her head forcefully.“Absolutely not.I’m not letting you wait outside.They have the address of the campground, right?”
Cindy wrung her hands together.“Yes, and I told them what campsite we were at.”
Maggie glanced at her Uber app.“He’s getting close.”She looked up at Cindy.“Maybe I should wait until your parents get here to leave.”
Cindy grabbed her arm.“No.I’ll be fine.Come on, I’ll walk you to the office so you won’t be late for your Uber.”
Maggie relented.Walker brushed up against her leg as Cindy walked them to the office, chatting excitedly.
The familiar car pulled up in front of the office and the driver gave a little wave.
“I guess this is my guy.”She took Cindy’s hands between hers.“I know you will have a wonderful day with your parents.I can’t wait to meet them.”
Cindy gave her hands a gentle squeeze.“Please have dinner with us tonight?I’m sure my parents would love to meet you.”
Maggie nodded and slowly walked to the car with Walker at her side.“How about we cook dinner at our campsite?”
Cindy’s eyes grew wide.“They would love that.”
Maggie opened the car door.“Perfect.Once we get back, we can go grocery shopping together.”
As the driver pulled away, Maggie lifted her hand.Cindy waved back and hurried back to the van.
Chapter36
Maggie had the Uber drop her and Walker off at a dog-friendly hiking trail.The meandering trail led them by a slow-moving creek.Wildflowers and berry bushes were in full bloom, bursting with colors of reds, blues and yellows.Walker’s nose went to the ground where he seemed focused on some animal droppings.She gently tugged the leash.
Birds chirping in the tree tops and wind in the leaves made her eager to find an area to spread her small blanket out and open her journal.
The hiking trail led to a small waterfall.
Maggie smiled.“I think we’ve found our spot, Walker.”
She found a clearing under a sprawling tree and spread the blanket out on the grass.
Maggie sat down and made space for Walker.The dog made a couple of circles and lay at her feet.
