Page 20 of The Journey of a Lifetime (Tiny Homes and Happy Tails #2)

W alker finished sniffing the grass and quickly did his business.

He loved this time of night, right before bedtime when the grass was cool and damp. Tonight he was camping outside with Maggie.

Since the sun went down, the temps were cooler, and Maggie had even put on a hoodie before setting up the single tent.

As she walked him back to their campsite, he watched Cindy as she stared into the dwindling campfire.

He could smell the sadness on the girl. She was so different from his Maggie, and it made him sad as well.

Cindy stood and got into the van.

What Cindy needed was a good dog. A dog that would cuddle with her at night and always protect her. Especially from that man named Tony.

The hair on Walker’s back stood on end at the thought of him.

“Are you settled for bed? Need anything?” Maggie poked her head inside the open van door.

Walker sat at her feet and waited.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to sleep in the tent and you sleep in the van?” Cindy’s voice was quiet and unsure.

Maggie nodded. “Of course. I think Walker will enjoy sleeping outside with me tonight. Isn’t that right, boy?”

Walker looked up at her and wagged his tail. There was nothing better than being outdoors. He might even have a chance to sneak out of the tent and catch one of those squirrels that kept running away from him.

“Well, good night then.” Maggie walked over to the tent. She looked down at him. “Ready for bed, Walker?”

He didn’t need to be asked twice. He walked into the tent and made a couple of spins before settling down on the bottom of the sleeping bag.

Maggie zipped the tent closed and crawled into the sleeping bag. It didn’t take her long before she fell asleep.

Walker rested his head between his paws and smiled to himself.

Maggie. A road trip. Sleeping outdoors.

Life didn’t get much better than this.