Page 9 of The Journey of a Lifetime (Tiny Homes and Happy Tails #2)

M aggie woke to Walker whimpering at her side.

When she pried her eyes open, sunlight streamed in from the windows.

Groaning, she sat up. She would remember to make sure the window shades were closed tonight. She’d been too exhausted to think about it last night.

Walker let out another whine.

She tossed the covers off her legs. “Okay, boy. I get it. Let me get my shoes on.”

Maggie made quick work of putting her sneakers on before grabbing Walker’s collar and leash.

Once Walker was secure, she opened the door.

The humidity hit her in the face as she stepped outside.

Summertime in the South was always brutal. It was only May but was going to get worse as the summer months went by.

The RV park was abuzz with people cooking bacon over griddles and kids riding their bikes.

Maggie glanced down when Walker was done with his business and pulled out a doggie bag from the leash. She grimaced as she cleaned up after Walker and then quickly found a garbage can to dispose of the green plastic bag.

As she walked back to the van, her stomach growled as the smells of breakfast cooking around the campsites wafted around her.

She shut the van door behind her and Walker and washed her hands at the tiny sink. Turning around, she faced the dog.

“Are you ready for breakfast?”

Walker cocked his head in response, wagging his tail.

She laughed. “Of course you are.” She found his dog bowl and filled it with food.

Before she set it on the floor, she gathered her clothes together. The RV Park had a public shower she could use, and she was going to take advantage of getting a hot shower while she could.

After gathering her clothes and essentials, she set Walker’s bowl on the floor and shut the van door behind her. He would be content in the air-conditioned van while she showered.

Maggie entered the bathroom and went to the shower area. It smelled of mildew, but everything appeared relatively clean.

Twenty minutes later, after her shower, she walked back to the van with damp hair.

Walker barked before she opened the van door.

Cautiously peeking in, she smiled and rubbed his head. “It’s just me, Walker, but I’m glad you are being a good guard dog.”

Walker leaned into her hand.

Maggie’s stomach growled again, reminding her she was late eating breakfast.

Tossing her dirty clothes on the bed, she went to the cabinet and fished out the coffee maker.

She placed the coffeepot on the small counter before reaching for the bag of coffee grounds.

Once she started the coffee, she scrounged around in the cabinet for a quick breakfast.

Luckily, she found a couple of granola bars and grabbed one.

“I have to make a grocery run. We are going to need food for tonight” She sat on the floor next to her dog.

She would make a quick visit to an ATM for emergency cash and just use her credit cards for gas and food along the way.

She wasn’t much of a spender and had saved the monthly allowance her parents had put in her checking account.

She wasn’t rich by any means, but she would have a comfortable trip.

Maggie stared out the open van door at the activity of the campers.

She spotted a couple campers drive by and frowned. Because she had gotten there so late, she forgot to look up the check-out time.

Grabbing her phone she quickly pulled up the website. She grimaced as she realized she was supposed to check out fifteen minutes ago. Now she wouldn’t even have time for her coffee.

Maggie threw her unopened granola bar on the counter and stepped outside.

An old lady in a yellow golf cart stopped in at her camping spot. She was wearing a T-shirt with the name of the campground. She clamored out of her golf cart with a clipboard in her hand.

Maggie shoved her hands in her jeans pocket and gave the woman a sheepish grin. “I’m sorry. I just realized I am late checking out.” She pointed over her shoulder to the van. “I got in late last night and overslept.”

Just then Walker jumped out of the van and made his way over to Maggie.

The older woman’s eyes lit up. “You have a dog. He reminds me of the first dog I ever had. I was just a little girl.” Her eyes softened at the memory.

Maggie glanced at Walker and smiled. “His name is Walker.”

The older woman bent down and held out the back of her hand. “Hello, Walker.”

Walker cautiously walked over, stumbling a bit over his feet. He sniffed her hand and then gave her a lick.

The old woman laughed and ran her fingers over his head. “He’s a good boy. Seems to be getting a little old, like me.”

Maggie smiled. “We are on a little road trip. Sorry I’m late leaving. I can start packing up right away.”

The old woman stood and shook her head. “Don’t you worry about a thing. We have a policy for campers who get here after ten. Those who arrive late can check out at three instead of eleven.”

Maggie sighed with relief. “That’s great news. That gives me time to get some coffee.”

The older lady frowned. “You’ve not eaten anything today? Well, I can help with that.” She held up a finger and headed back to the golf cart. She lifted the lid on the cooler strapped to the back.

She returned and held out something wrapped in aluminum. “It’s a bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich.”

Maggie’s stomach growled again as the delicious aroma reached her. “How much is it?” She started for the camper to get her purse.

“No charge. I made extra. I always have extra for the employees working in the store.”

Maggie took the sandwich and smiled. “Thank you. I need to buy groceries before we camp tonight.” She unwrapped the sandwich. “This looks wonderful.”

The old woman smiled and started for the golf cart. “The campground store also has some basic groceries if you want to pick up some things before you hit the road. All at a good price too.” She waved before driving away.

Maggie sank down in the doorway of the van and bit into the sandwich. She moaned in delight.

“Maybe this camping thing isn’t so bad after all.”

Walker let out a bark.