Page 44 of The Journey of a Lifetime (Tiny Homes and Happy Tails #2)

M aggie spent the next day walking around downtown Estes Park with her mom. Julia marveled at how close the elk were and made sure to put herself between the large animal and Walker. She even popped into a dog-friendly bakery and bought him some treats.

“Oh, look. I want to go into that art gallery.” Julia pointed across the street.

They walked to the door. “I’ll wait out here with Walker while you look.” Maggie settled onto a bench and Walker lay at her feet. She fished out her journal from her backpack and started writing.

“Maggie, you will never believe who I ran into.” Julia was all smiles as she walked toward her from the gallery.

Maggie stood and shoved her journal back in her backpack. “Who?” She tugged on Walker’s leash. Walker trotted happily next to her.

“Ashley Bradshaw. We were best friends in high school. I want to introduce you.”

She glanced down at her dog. “What about Walker?”

“Ashley said he can come in. It’s dog friendly.” Julia tucked her arm into hers.

Maggie and Walker stepped inside. The walls were lined with different landscape paintings, some that Maggie recognized as Colorado landmarks.

A middle-aged woman with spikey hair and wearing a colorful blue and green flowing dress smiled and held out her hand. “You must be Maggie. Julia has been telling me all about you. I’m Ashley.”

Maggie shook the woman’s hand, surprised by her grip. “Nice to meet you, Ashley.” She glanced at the painting to her right. “This is beautiful. Is the artist local?”

Ashley’s smile widened. “Yes. Her name is Marion Harper. She has been painting all her life, and just started selling her work. She just turned eighty.”

Maggie gaped. Ashley laughed at her reaction.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to react like that.”

Ashley waved her apology away. “Don’t be sorry. I love letting people know. Marion is a great example of how it’s never too late to start over. Isn’t that right, Julia?”

Julia brightened and nodded enthusiastically. “That’s exactly right, Ashley.”

Ashley knelt and held up the back of her hand to Walker. The dog sniffed and then licked her hand “Julia tells me Walker has been taking a road trip with you.”

Maggie laughed. “He seems to be enjoying it.”

Ashley stood and looked at her. “She also said Walker is losing his sight. You know a dog’s other senses will kick in to compensate.” She walked over to a cushioned bench, sat, and patted the seat next to her.

Maggie followed her lead and sat. “It still makes me sad.”

Ashley gave her a comforting smile. “I know. But dogs are tough.”

Maggie reached down and rubbed Walker’s belly. “I guess you are right. I just worry about him.” She looked up at Julia. “So you and Mom went to high school together?”

Ashely nodded. “We did. We became best friends in seventh grade. It wasn’t until college that we drifted apart. I guess it didn’t help that I moved to a different state.” Ashley leaned back. “Your mom tells me you’ve been in law school but are considering a career change.”

Maggie jerked her head in Julia’s direction, surprised that she would share that information. “I guess I am.”

Julia blushed and looked at a nearby painting of the Colorado mountains and wildflowers bursting with purple color. “The artist really started life over at eighty?”

Ashley stood. “She sure did. Her husband of fifty years left her ten years ago and so she started selling her paintings.”

Maggie frowned. “Why would he leave after being married so long?”

Ashley snorted. “He got on the blue pill and met a thirty-year-old who was looking for a sugar daddy.”

Julia curled her hands into fists. “That’s awful.”

Ashley shrugged. “It was. But Marion ended up better in the end. She’s making money hand over fists with her art and has a nice home in the mountains with a couple of dogs. She can do whatever she wants and doesn’t have to worry about taking care of someone else.”

Julia sighed. “That sounds nice.”

Maggie caught her gaze. Her mom shifted her weight. “So, Ashley is actually looking for someone to write about an upcoming art exhibit she will be hosting to raise money for domestic violence survivors.”

Maggie blinked. “But I don’t know anything about domestic violence.” She looked over at Ashley.

The owner laughed. “I’m not suggesting that. I need someone to write an article for the gallery’s website to draw publicity and hopefully raise a lot of money. All of the artists involved will be donating a piece of art. It’s going to be a silent auction.”

Maggie’s heart stuttered in her chest. “That sounds wonderful. But I don’t know if I can do that. I’ve never written anything … professionally.”

Ashley shook her head. “Your mom says you are a very talented author. And, as we know, Julia doesn’t lie.” She smiled at her friend before excusing herself to help a customer.

“How do you know how I write?” She looked at her mom.

Julia shrugged. “I snuck a peek at your journal last night when you went inside the van to change clothes.”

Maggie’s eyes widened.

“So I think you should write this article. Ashley said she will pay you.”

Maggie shook her head. “No. I wouldn’t take money for the charity event. But maybe this is a step in the right direction with writing. If nothing else, it will be good practice.”

Julia smiled brightly. “I think you’re right.”

After saying their goodbyes, they walked out of the gallery with smiles on their faces.