Page 4 of The Journey of a Lifetime (Tiny Homes and Happy Tails #2)

M aggie curled up beside Walker on her bed and buried her face into his soft fur. She let the tears she’d been holding back flow down her cheeks as she thought about Mason and Lauren, and their devastating betrayal.

It was bad enough that Mason had cheated on her, but it was worse that he cheated on her with her best friend. She simply could not understand how Lauren would do something so despicable.

She and Lauren had been best friends forever.

Maggie had never even seen any signs that Lauren had any interest in Mason.

There were even a few times Lauren had hinted that Mason wasn’t good enough for Maggie.

Looking back, Maggie wondered if that was Lauren’s attempt at breaking them up so Lauren could be with Mason.

She buried her face in Walker’s fur. Walker wouldn’t judge her.

Not like her parents would once they found out.

Like usual, they would find a way to make Mason’s infidelity her fault.

Her father would brush off Mason’s actions while her mother would tell her to think about protecting her family’s name.

To her patents, reputation was everything.

Maggie’s stomach lurched at the thought of having dinner with them tonight, especially since they were having company. She racked her brain to come up with an excuse.

Her phone buzzed in her purse. She sat up, quickly fished her phone out and looked at the screen.

It was a text from Mason asking her to call him back.

She glared and tossed the phone on the bed.

No way was she calling that jerk back. Walker seemed to agree and let out a snort.

There was a quick knock on her bedroom door. “Maggie, can you run to the bakery and pick up the dessert I ordered for tonight?” Her mother called out from the other side of the closed door.

Maggie rolled her eyes and stood. She had no desire to go anywhere, but maybe the fresh air would do her some good. “On my way.” She looked down at Walker and smiled. “Want to go for a ride, Walker?”

The dog let out an affirmative bark, and she laughed.

Gathering her purse and Walker’s leash, she led him out of her room to the front door.

“Maggie, what are you doing? You can’t take Walker to the bakery. He’s a dog .” Her mother gave her a look like her daughter had lost her mind.

Maggie decided not to argue. She didn’t have the energy. Instead, she shrugged and hurried out the front door. “I’m not taking him into the bakery. He’ll wait in the car.”

She didn’t bother waiting to hear her mother’s words, and quickly put her dog in the passenger’s seat. Hurrying around to the driver’s side, she slid in and started the engine.

Walker gave her a toothy grin when she rolled his window down. He stuck his head out and let the wind blow through his fur.

He looked like a younger version of himself. He looked happy.

Maggie quickly found a parking spot in front of the bakery and pulled in. She reached over and patted Walker on the head. “I’ll be right back, boy.”

Maggie climbed out of her car and walked to the bakery. She glanced over her shoulder as she opened the door to see Walker resting his head on the window and watching the people strolling along the sidewalk.

The sweet scent of buttercream frosting and cinnamon wafted over her. The comforting aroma pulled her back in time, reminding her of childhood birthday parties.

A time when things were simpler. A time when things were happier.

She bent to look at the display case of cinnamon rolls the size of a dinner plate while she waited her turn.

“Your mother would tell you no respectable lady would order something so big. She would say to choose the macaroon instead of the cinnamon roll.”

Maggie straightened at the familiar voice.

“Daniel. What a nice surprise running into you.” She smiled at her old friend and gave him a quick hug. “And I’m not here for cinnamon rolls. Mom ordered a dessert for dinner tonight.” Maggie took in his longer hair and shook her head. “It’s been a while.”

She had been best friends with Daniel Baylor all through middle school and junior high.

His dad was the beloved vet of the town.

Often his father would bring home an animal that had surgery earlier in the day to keep a close eye on them overnight.

She could remember many times going over to his house to see a pet being nursed back to health.

Daniel studied her and nodded. “It has been a while. I hear college is going well. At least that’s what your mom told my dad when she brought Walker in.” His expression hardened.

Maggie frowned. “I’m out for summer break. Just got home today.” She cocked her head. “I didn’t realize it was time for Walker’s shots.”

He gave her an accusing look. ‘It’s not.” He turned his attention back to Mrs. Wilson, the owner of the bakery, and grabbed his bag of goodies. “Thank you, Mrs. Wilson.” He gave Maggie a look before walking out the door.

Maggie bristled at the way Daniel had dismissed her. While they weren’t as close as they once were, they were always on good terms.

“Maggie! Back in town, I see. I guess you are here to pick up for your mom.” Mrs. Wilson smiled brightly. “It’s in the back. I’ll be right back.”

Maggie bit her lip and glanced out the window. Daniel was climbing into his old blue pickup truck.

Glancing at the clock on the wall, she headed for the door, calling out to Mrs. Wilson that she’d be back later. She had time to talk to Daniel before picking up the dessert for dinner.

Maggie ran out onto the sidewalk just as Daniel pulled away and drove in the direction of his parents’ house.

Walker looked at her, gave her a toothy grin and let out a bark.

She headed to the driver’s side and slid inside the car. Maggie started the car and pulled out on to the street.

Maggie pulled into Daniel’s driveway just as he was getting out of his truck. When he spotted her, he frowned.

She climbed out of the car. This time Walker didn’t stay in the car. He followed her through the open driver’s door, jumping to the ground.

“What are you doing here? Aren’t you going to be in trouble with your mom for not picking up her dessert?” He arched his brow and crossed his arms over a muscled chest. The bag of goodies dangled from his hand.

She crossed her arms and lifted her chin. “I want to know what your deal is. Do you have an issue with me that I don’t know about? You’ve never been mean to me. But you were back there.”

He snorted. “I’m not being mean to you.”

Maggie shoved her finger in his chest. “You most certainly were mean. And dismissive.”

Daniel frowned. “I’ve never been mean to you in my life.”

She arched her brow. “Fine. Then why did your tone change with me when you said Mom brought Walker in to see your dad. Is something wrong with him?”

Daniel studied her, and he dropped his arms to his side. “Your mom hasn’t told you.”

It was a statement, and not an accusation.

A cold shiver ran down her back. “Tell me what?”

Daniel set the bag of goodies on the hood of his truck. He bent and called to Walker. The dog slowly made his way over.

He rubbed Walker between the ears. “Walker is going blind.”

She shook her head. “You’re mistaken. Mom said he’s having trouble in the house. Bumping into things. She said he’s just getting old.”

He stood and looked at her. “No, Maggie. Walker is losing his sight. He’s slowly going blind. One day he’ll wake up and the world for him will be dark.”

Maggie swallowed the lump in her throat. “Mom didn’t tell me that.”

Daniel snorted. “Did she tell you she brought him in so Dad would put him down?”

Maggie’s mouth dropped. She bent down and cuddled Walker into her arms. “That’s not true.”

Daniel arched his brow and crossed his arms over his chest. “Ask your mom. Or you can ask my dad. He’s inside.”

Maggie blinked. “But she didn’t put Walker down.” She glanced down at her beloved dog.

“That’s because Dad refused. He said he wouldn’t put a dog down who was just going blind. He said it was heartless.”

The full events of the day came to a culmination. From Mason’s cheating to her mom not listening to her, to finding out what could have happened to Walker. She sat on the concrete driveway, and hugged Walker close.

Walker, as if sensing something was wrong, licked her face.

Daniel eased down to sit beside her. “Dad said he figured you didn’t know anything about it. But your mom said she had talked to you about it and you agreed. I should have known you would never do something like that.”

Maggie looked at him. “You should have called me and let me know. I can’t believe she was going to do that.” She wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.

“Your mom views Walker as a nuisance. She never was an animal lover.” Daniel draped his arm over his knees and glanced down.

Maggie swallowed hard as Walker lay down and rested his head in her lap. “I know, but still.”

Daniel cocked his head. “I think Dad scared her from trying to take him anywhere else to have it done. He told her that if Walker came up missing, he was going to report her to the police. That scared her into not trying to find a vet who would do what she was asking.”

Maggie’s shoulders slumped. “Thank God for your dad. He always was a good man.”

Daniel smiled and nodded in agreement. “So, you are home for the summer. Any plans? I’m sure you have an apprenticeship with some big, fancy law firm.”

Just the thought made her stomach turn. “Yeah. Mom has the Smiths coming over for dinner. She expects they’ll offer me a summer internship.”

Daniel snorted and stood. “You don’t sound overly excited.” He held out his hand. She took it and got to her feet.

She dusted off the seat of her jeans and shook her head. “It seems like everything has changed in a day. From Walker to Mason …” her voice drifted off.

Daniel frowned. “What’s going on with Mason?”

She shook her head. She wasn’t ready to talk about it with anyone.

Daniel didn’t push. He was like that. He never forced her to talk about anything she didn’t want to talk about.

He pointed to the garage. “I don’t think you’ve seen my van since I finished it. Come on, I’ll show you.”