Page 16 of The Journey of a Lifetime (Tiny Homes and Happy Tails #2)

M aggie froze as she came face to face with a woman sitting against a tree, sobbing.

It was the same woman who was arguing with the man the night before.

As soon as she saw Walker and Maggie, the woman scrambled to her feet, eyes wide.

It was then Maggie noticed the woman’s black eye.

It hadn’t been there last night.

Maggie forced out the words trapped in her mouth. “Are you okay?”

The woman ducked her head. “I’m fine.”

Maggie didn’t move. “You don’t look fine. Why are you out here in the woods?”

The woman shrugged and seemed to shrink into herself. “My boyfriend kicked me out of the truck.”

Maggie swallowed. “How long have you been out here?”

The woman dug her sneaker into the ground. “A few hours, I guess. I’m waiting for him to come back. He usually comes back after we get into a fight.” She stole a glance at Maggie. “This is the longest he’s ever left me.”

Maggie was horrified by the fact the woman had been kicked out and left behind. What kind of person would do that?

“My name is Maggie Sullivan, and this is my dog, Walker.” Maggie felt sympathy and anger at the same time. “I can take you into town if you want.”

The girl shook her head. “But he won’t find me if I leave.”

Maggie sighed heavily. “Maybe that’s a good thing.”

The woman’s face went red with shame.

Maggie cleared her throat. “Look, do you have any family you can stay with?”

The woman shook her head. “They don’t like Tony and won’t talk to me.”

Maggie bit the inside of her mouth. “Is Tony the guy that left you here?”

The woman nodded and glanced away.

“What’s your name?” Maggie asked quietly.

The woman looked at her and she dropped her eyes to the ground. “Cindy Miller.”

Maggie smiled and stuck out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Cindy eyed her outstretched hand and slowly took it.

Maggie glanced over her shoulder. “I’m just traveling through myself. Me and Walker are headed to Estes Park, Colorado.”

Cindy’s eyes went wide. “I’ve never been to Colorado. I’ve never really left the state of Arkansas.”

The girl’s family was in Arkansas. That was at least some information. She looked older than Maggie, with dark circles under her eyes and the bruise. Maggie suspected it was her circumstances that had aged her.

“You can’t just stay in the woods and wait for Tony to come back. What if he doesn’t?” Maggie studied her black eye. “Do you even want him to?”

Cindy sighed. “I have nowhere else to go.”

While they had been talking, Walker had been sniffing the ground like a pig on a mission to find a truffle. But he suddenly stopped and walked over to Cindy and sat down at her feet. He looked over his shoulder at Maggie and gave her sad puppy eyes.

Maggie felt sorry for the woman, but she had enough problems of her own without involving herself in someone else’s life. Besides, how could she help?

Walker let out a whine. Cindy glanced over at her. “Can I pet your dog?”

Maggie relaxed. “Sure. Walker is really friendly.”

Cindy slowly crouched and reached out a hand. Walker sniffed and licked her fingers. This drew a smile from Cindy who then stroked his head.

Maggie glanced back at the road as an RV passed.

“I really need to get on the road.”

Cindy stood and nodded.

Maggie blew out a breath. “But I can’t leave you out here. What are you going to do if Tony doesn’t show up? I doubt you want to spend the night in the woods.”

Cindy’s eyes darted around the wooded area. Clearly, she’d not thought past today.

“How about this? How about I drive you into town? I’ve got to pick up some things from the grocery. At least let me get you something to eat.” Maggie hoped she would agree. It didn’t feel right leaving the woman behind.

“I don’t think I should leave ….”

Maggie heard the rumble of a truck. She turned to see a park ranger pull up behind her van.

He slowly climbed out of his vehicle. He walked toward them with a frown. “Is everything okay here, ladies?”

Maggie glanced at Cindy who had gone pale.

Maggie faced the ranger and forced a smile. “Everything is fine. My dog had to take a bathroom break.”

The ranger smiled at Walker and then over at Cindy.

Maggie’s stomach tightened as she waited for the ranger to ask about her black eye. He said nothing.

It was then Maggie noticed that Cindy had pulled her hoodie over her head to help conceal her injury.

“I can understand about dogs. I have a German shepherd myself. It’s like having a toddler. Just when I want to go somewhere with him, he’s either needing to stop every thirty minutes to pee or is wanting a pup cup.”

Maggie nodded in agreement. “I don’t think Walker has had a pup cup in a while. I’ve been away at college and am taking a trip with him over summer break.” She glanced at Cindy. “Along with my friend. You know, a girl’s trip.”

The ranger smiled. “Well, I hope you are enjoying yourself. Don’t stay parked on the side of the road too long. We get a lot of traffic, and I don’t want any accidents.”

Maggie walked toward Walker. ‘We were just leaving.” She gave Cindy a pleading look before heading to the van.

She opened the side of the van and Walker climbed inside. She walked around to the driver’s side just as the park ranger started his truck.

Thankfully, Cindy climbed into the passenger’s seat.

As she pulled back onto the road, she glanced over at Cindy. “I’m glad you decided to come.”

Cindy shrugged. “I don’t like cops.”

Maggie made a turn. “He was a park ranger, not a cop.”

Cindy snorted. “Same thing. They all carry weapons, and they don’t believe you when you need help.”

Maggie didn’t know how to respond. Instead, she drove silently into town, wondering if she’d made a mistake trying to help.