The sun was coming up over the horizon as Skylar trotted into the ranch yard, Maddie bringing her to a stop out the front of the barn. 'Good girl.' She stroked her neck then slid off, leading her into the barn to untack her. It still didn't seem real, that Skylar had been 'given' to her to care for. Her own horse… She smiled, the mare nuzzling her as she undid the cinch. 'Yes, you will get your carrot before I turn you out.'

Her bags were placed down on a haybale, the heavy saddle taken from the mares back and hung back up on its rack. Giving her the carrot from her pocket she led her back out, turning her loose into the pasture. Skylar snorted as she closed the gate, tossing her head as she raced off to find the other horses and she smiled. There was nothing she loved more then watching a horse gallop across the field.

The mare turned out she collected her things from the barn then headed over to the small farmhouse where Cordell and the kids lived. Stella had said they were still packing and since she had finished, thought she would give them a hand. She knocked, the door being opened after a short moment.

'Maddie.' Cordell greeted. 'Morning. Come in-' He moved aside, letting her come through. 'Stella and August are still packing, would you like something for breakfast?'

'I've already eaten, but thank you. I hope I'm not too early, I thought perhaps I could give them a hand?'

'Sure, sure, just down here.' He led the way to the kitchen where the kids currently had their camping gear spread about. 'Look who's here.'

'Morning Maddie.' Stella greeted.

August glanced up for a moment then looked back at his list. 'Hey Maddie.'

'Morning.' She smiled, placing her bags down on the floor beside the table. 'Anything I can do? Put me to work.'

'I'll leave you guys to it.' Cordell remarked, heading to make himself a cup of coffee.

'We're just taking inventory of what we need.' August explained. 'Um, do we have all the headlamps?'

'Uh-' Stella took a moment to do a count. 'Check.' He came over, beginning to count them over himself. 'What is the point of doing this if you're just gonna do it yourself?'

'Look, I'm just trying to make sure we don't repeat that 2017 fiasco, all right?'

'Augie has a point.' Cordell interjected. 'Who thinks a picnic blanket is a hammock anyway, right?

'Mom, mom did it.' Stella protested.

Maddie chuckled. 'I feel a story there.' Cordell's phone started to ring and he took the call as she handed Stella the headlamps to add to the bag. 'I really hope my coming along isn't an imposition-'

'It's not.' She smiled. 'We wouldn't have asked you along if it was.'

'Well, I've never been camping before, so I probably have absolutely no idea what I'm getting myself into.'

August laughed. 'You'll be fine, it's not like we're doing a Bear Grylls survival weekend. We are taking our own shelter and food.'

'That's good to know.'

'Hey, uh-' Cordell started as he headed to the back door. 'Emergency at the Side Step.'

'Would you look at that.' Stella sighed. 'A last-minute case.'

'There's no case. I'll be right back.'

'I bet you five bucks he bails.'

'Your on.' August agreed. 'Dad said he would be back.'

'Right, well in the meantime, let's finish packing.' Maddie suggested.


'Then turn left after the giant oak tree.' Stella said, flicking through the clothes hanging in her wardrobe. 'Yeah, we're almost finished packing.'

'I thought you already finished packing.' August said as he and Maddie walked into Stella's room.

'I only had one evening look, and this too isn't going to work by the lake and the campfire. And a flannel just seemed, too off-message.'

'Yeah, okay. Yeah, what exactly is the message here?'

'Honoring mom-' She looked over at Maddie as she picked up her old Barbie horse from the bookcase. 'Both our Mom's.'

Maddie smiled sadly, looking down at the horse. 'I remember having one exactly like this when I was little, my Mom gave me her's.'

'That one belonged to my mom too.' She replied, before turning back to her brother. 'Obviously we need someone to help us get there, cause none of us can drive. Look, camping was Mom's favorite thing and I'm not gonna waste this day just cause Dad bailed.'

'Come on, you don't know that.'

'Your Dad said he would be there.' Maddie interjected, placing the horse back. 'From what I've seen, your Dad does try to keep his word. We could swap Dad's if you like…'

August threw a jumper at her. 'No, we'll stick with the one we've got, thanks Maddie.'

She chuckled. 'Was worth a shot.'

'Hey.' The three of them turned around as Bonham walked into the room. 'Bags in the van, Oscar Mike in fifteen. Morning Maddie.'

'Morning Sir.'

'Gramps, this isn't Nam. What are you even talking about?'

He chuckled, motioning for August to toss him the sleeping bags. 'August.'

'All right-' Tossing the bag he explained for the 'non' military minded in the room. 'Oscar Mike, 'On the move.''

'You, you might just make it kiddo.'

Abeline came into the room, her arms full of camping supplies and her husband picked up the bag on top before she dropped it. 'Your dad got held up a little.'

'Okay, cough it up.' Stella said, looking at her brother.

'He's not canceling.' Bonham said as he headed out.

'He's going to meet us at the campground.' Abeline said. 'So, leave the attitude and pack your flannel.'

'Wait, you guys are coming?' Stella questioned nerveously.

'Nothing slips past this one.' He remarked to his wife.

'Um, I kind of already made my own backup plan.' At the sound of a car horn outside, she picked up her bag and hurried out of the room.

The four of them went over to the window, Maddie and August raising their eyebrows as they watched Stella and the young man speak.

'Who's that?' Maddie questioned.

'That's what I'd like to know.' Abeline replied, heading for the door.

'I'm guessing she called Trevor.' August explained as they followed after Abeline and Bonham. 'Stella mentioned the other day she met a guy while doing her community service work down at the stables near the jail.'

'What was that for?'

'Possession of marijuana.'

'And that is-'

He raised an eyebrow. 'It's a drug, people smoke it. Haven't you heard of it?'

She shook her head.

'Gosh… you have been living under a rock.'

Maddie chuckled. 'I don't know if that's an insult or a compliment.'

'A little of both, I guess.'

'Gramps-' Stella started as they walked out of the house. 'Mawline, this is my ride.'

'Bonham Walker.' He shook hands with the young man.

'Trevor. Nice to meet you, sir.'

'Thought this was a family trip.' Abeline remarked, looking at Stella.

'So you're the one I have to win over.'

She smiled, turning to Stella. 'Stella, honey, can we talk with you for a moment?'

'I'll be right back…'

August walked up to Trevor, shaking his hand as Stella went to go speak with their grandparents. 'I'm August, this is Maddie. She lives down the road from us.'

'Hi.'

'Hello.'

'Well…' Trevor exclaimed, looking over at Stella. 'This is kinda awkward.'

Maddie chuckled in agreement. 'Yeah, just a little.'

'I'm sorry Maddie-'

'No, August, it's not your fault.' The sound of a galloping horse caught her attention and she smiled as Skylar came up the hill with the herd chasing her. 'Skylar is having fun.'

'You guys have horses here?' Trevor questioned.

August nodded as they walked over to the fence. 'My Gramps breeds quarter horses-' He watched at the palomino came to a stop in front of Maddie, nickering softly as she received a pat. 'You know… Skylar used to be my mom's horse.'

Maddie's hand froze as she turned to him. 'Augie, I had no idea… Your Grandpa has been teaching me to ride on her-'

'I know. I'm cool with it.' Skylar came over to sniff him then moved on to Trevor. 'When Mom died, we just…' His voice trailed off and he sighed. 'I'm glad Gramps gave her to you, she deserves to be loved.'

'You can be assured that's one thing she'll never want for.'

'So-' He turned back to Trevor. 'You must like horses, taking the job at the stables.'

Trevor nodded. 'My family is in the rodeo, I've grown up around horses.'

'Do you compete in rodeo?' Maddie questioned.

'My Dad was teaching me how to rope so we could enter the steer roping together, but now he's in jail.'

'Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.'

'What about your folks? They like horses?'

'My Mom did, my Dad, not as much.'

'Hey-' August interjected. 'You heard from your Dad yet?'

'No, still nothing yet.'

'Where's your Dad?'

'Um, I'm not sure.' She replied to his question. 'Last time I heard from him, he was taking a trucking job for a shipping company. He broke his phone so had to borrow one of the company ones, I'm guessing he just hasn't had a chance to buy a new one yet-'

'Alright, you lot.' Bonham shouted, waving for them to come over. 'Those who aren't in the van in five minutes, get left behind.'

'Guess that means I'm coming along then?' Trevor remarked, August shrugging.

'Ugh…' Stella hurried over. 'Trevor, I am so sorry… I didn't think it would be a problem-'

'Hey, Stells, it's fine. Overprotective Grandparents, I get it-'

Maddie turned back to August as Stella and Trevor walked away. 'Are you sure you are cool with me looking after your Mom's horse?'

'Yeah, I am…' The two of them headed to the house to grab the last of their things. 'Just look after her well, okay? She's been a bit neglected this past year, it just hurt too much to go see her, know what I mean?'

She nodded. 'I couldn't bring myself to play my Mom's guitar for months too, I understand.'

Silence fell as they stepped back into the house, August handing Maddie her bags before collecting his own. 'What was your Mom like?'

'She was…' She tried to think of how to put into words what she wanted to convey. 'Gentle. She had a caring heart, she was the person to help anyone in need. I remember once when we went to have lunch in a cafe-' She smiled a little at the memory that came to mind. 'There was this girl there who wasn't much older then me at the time who wanted my mom's autograph but was too scared to ask. Mom overheard and wrote this sweet little message for her on a napkin, something about chasing her dreams then sang the girls favorite song for her. On our way out, the girl's mother stopped us to thank Mom for what she did, her daughter had just been diagnosed with Leukemia and it had been a hard year. My Mom's kindness brought joy to that little girl at that time.'

'Your Mom sounds like she was a good person.'

'She was…' She turned away so August didn't see the tears in her eyes. 'I miss her so much.'

'I miss my mom too.' August replied gently as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

'If we don't get a move on, we're going to be left behind.'

'You okay?'

She nodded, sniffling back tears. 'Yeah. Come on, I'll race you to the van.'

'Hey, that's not fair, I have more bags to carry then you!'


Maddie stared blankly out the window at the scenery that flashed past, ignoring the sounds of laughter that rang out from the other occupants of the van. It was fruitless, she knew, to send her father messages when he didn't have a phone but she couldn't help it. She just wanted to talk to him, to hear that he was okay…

Her phone vibrated and she wiped a tear away as she picked it up to see what it was. Abeline had messaged her. You okay hon? You've been awfully quiet the whole trip.

I'm alright, just got a lot on my mind… She texted back, thinking for a moment. If I asked Cordell if he could find my Dad, do you think that he would?

I'm not sure, you would have to ask him. You're really worried about your dad, aren't you?

I am. I just miss him…

I'm sure Cordell will help if he can.

Alright, I will ask him. I think I might take a nap, how long until we stop?

About half an hour, there's a rest area where we usually stop for lunch.

Okay, I'll take that nap then.

She flicked her screen off, resting her head against the window again, thoughts dancing around and around in mind. With a sigh she closed her eyes to appear that she was sleeping but she knew sleep wouldn't come.

They reached the rest area, a little park off the road in the forest. A few picnic tables were scattered around and bathroom facilities were close by. Being the only people there, they had the entire rest area to themselves.

'Ow, my legs.' Maddie complained as she scrambled over the folded seat infront of her, literally falling from the car.

Trevor laughed, giving her a hand so she didn't end up flat on her face. 'They fall asleep, did they?'

'Mmmhmm, pins and needles.' She grimaced, shaking each leg out for a moment. 'Be thankful it ain't you in the back there, man… Reminds me why I hate small spaces.'

'Toughen up, buttercup. You could be walking.' Bonham teased as he walked past.

'Oh, very funny. How about you go in the back and let me drive the rest of the way?' She replied with a cheeky grin, Trevor going over to the table to join Stella.

'Not on your life.'

'Thought so.' With her legs awake once more she walked around to the back where Abeline was getting out the cooler. 'Anything I can help with?'

'Ah yeah-' She picked up the cooler, motioning to some water bottles. 'you can take that lot of water there.'

'Oki doki then.' After taking them to the table she sat down the end next to August. 'Your in the back for the rest of the way.'

'Awe, no…'

'I'm only kidding.'

'Thank goodness.'

Abeline started to hand out the packed lunch, Maddie retreating into her own world as they started to argue about Trevor eating what had been packed for Cordell. Her lunch was handed to her but she didn't feel much like eating and just gingerly nibbled at her sandwich. The last time she had been out for a picnic was with her Mom, a week before she had passed…

Something happened with the van but she didn't take any notice, instead watching a Blue Jay dancing on the grass in front of her. She smiled sadly, tossing a little bit of bread on the ground to feed it. The Jay ate it eagerly, cautiously dancing closer to her, looking for more.

Sliding off the chair she moved away a couple paces from the others, crouching down on the grass. 'Here you go Buddy, I won't hurt you.' She said gently, tossing another crumb to it. When she went to the park with her Mom, they always fed the birds. A few times too there had been curious squirrels and her Mom had taught that if she were patient enough, the creatures would come eat from her hand.

'Hey, look.' Trevor said, he and August were the only ones left at the table as the others tried to fix the van. 'She's almost got him feeding from her hand.'

August got his phone out, not wishing to miss a perfect photo moment. The Jay danced closer to where the girl sat on the grass and he held his breath. Quickly the Jay pecked at her hand then quickly retreated to eat the bread he had gotten.

'I never had the patience for that.' He remarked, the Jay coming back for another go. 'My Mom tried to teach me to feed the ducks at the local pond, I couldn't sit still long enough to get them to come to me.'

The bread gone she glanced around, blushing as she saw August with his phone out. 'Tell me you did not just take a picture of me now.'

'It was too good an opportunity to miss-'

'I look terrible in photos.'

'I disagree, I think they look great.'

The Jay fluttered away as she stood and returned to the table. 'Let me have a look.' She asked with a sigh.

'You can show your Dad what you've been up to when he gets back.'

'My Dad is hardly the kind to be interested in photos of me feeding wildlife.' August was right, there were a few good ones, he'd even managed to get one of when the bird had sat on her hand for a brief moment. She handed the phone back. 'Could you send me a few though? I'd love to use them as a reference for drawing.'

'Sure.'

'Alright, come on you lot, back in the van.'

'Oh looks like they fixed it.' August remarked as he glanced over, the engine running again. 'I'll sit in the back this time Maddie.'

'No, you don't have to. I don't mind.'

'It's alright, you've been there long enough and besides, I won't take no for an answer.'

'Alright then, thank you.'

'Don't leave any rubbish behind-' Bonham called out. 'Stella, your empty water bottle is blowing away.'

'I've got it.' Maddie exclaimed as she quickly caught the plastic bottle. 'I'll take the rubbish to the bin.'

As the Walkers and Trevor got in the van once more, she carried the rubbish over to the bin, lingering a moment to take a breath. The Jay fluttered down, landing on top of the bin in front of her and she smiled sadly. 'Guess I've made a little friend in you, hey?'

'Come on Maddie.'

'Coming.'


'I am so sorry how this trip turned out-'

'Abeline, there's no need to apologize. Really.' Maddie assured her, her bags slung over her shoulder as they stood on the porch of her house later that night. 'I didn't want to impose on Cordell and his kids, it was nice of them to invite me to stay at the Side Step but they need this time to be together, just them.'

Abeline placed her hand on the girl's shoulder. 'Maddie, you are more mature than some adults twice your age.'

'Oh, I don't know about that…' She chuckled. 'Thank you, for the day out. Even though I didn't end up actually going camping, it was kinda fun.'

'Well, one of these days we might actually get to go camping. You should join us.'

'I'll think about it.'

She looked at her closely. 'Maddie, I can see something is troubling you and it's not just because you haven't heard from your Dad.'

'No, no I'm alright… I just need… some alone time. I was talking with August earlier today about Mom, it just brought up some memories. I'm fine, honest.'

'Okay.' She said, glancing back at her husband who was waiting in the vehicle. 'If you need anything, just call. Okay?'

'I will. Thank you.'

'Good night.'

'Night.'

She stood on the porch, watching until they had left. Crickets chirped loudly as a soft breeze started to blow and she headed into the quiet, lonely house. Being with the Walkers for the day, watching them as a family reminded her of what she didn't have. She didn't have a family, heck, at the moment she didn't even have a father.

She tossed her bags onto the floor of her room as she walked in, her eyes resting on her Mom's guitar. They said music was good for the soul… Picking it up gently, she took a seat on her bed and played into the night.