'Alright, everybody out.' Cordell exclaimed as he brought the truck to a stop at the campsite, glancing back in the mirror at Maddie. 'Wakey wakey sleeping beauty.'

'Oh...' She yawned softly as she woke up, a slight headache still lingering on even after her nap. 'We're here.'

'Welcome to the remote Muleshoe Bend Recreation Park.' August said in his David Attenborough imitated voice, unclipping his seat-belt. 'Home to thousands of mountain lions, not to mention the occasional alligator, rattlesnakes-'

'August.' Stella interrupted as she climbed out of the truck. 'Judging by recent events, that's probably not a very good joke.'

'Population; us.' He finished.

'Comforting August.' Maddie said with a sigh. It was her first time she'd actually been camping and though she tried to hide it, she was rather nervous about spending the next couple days out in the wilderness and away from civilization. 'Very reassuring.'

'Don't tease your sister Augie.' Cordell reprimanded as he stepped from the driver's side, closing the door after him. 'Maddie, don't listen to him. There haven't been any cougars spotted in this part of the park for weeks and as long as we're careful, we shouldn't run into any rattlesnakes.'

'I sure hope we don't...' She said as she climbed out of the vehicle and stretched, her muscles aching and protesting from having been sitting still for so long. 'Really really don't want to have to do CPR again in the near future.' Looking out over the lake she yawned softly again. 'So, what's first?'

'Sure be nice to go for a dip-'

'Before any of you get any brilliant ideas of running down to the lake for a swim, we have a tent to put up.' Cordell said, dashing any hopes August had of getting out of work. 'Camp set up first, then swim.'

'Yes sir.'

'In that case then-' Stella took charge of the situation. 'Dad, since you are so bad at setting up a tent, why don't you and August go find the firewood and Maddie and I'll take care of setting up camp. That's okay Madds?'

She shrugged. 'That's fine by me sis.'

'Right.' Their father went looking through the back of the truck for a moment and found an ax then tossed Stella the keys for the truck. 'Firewood it is.'

'Have fun girls.' August waved as he and Cordell headed off towards the trees. 'I expect to see a five star resort when we get back.'

'In your dreams Augie.' Stella replied. 'In your dreams.'

'So-' Maddie said, turning to Stella after their father and brother had left. 'I've got absolutely no idea what I'm doing...'

Stella chuckled and handed her a bag with a tarp that they'd put on the ground to protect the floor of the tent. 'It's not that hard. Believe me. First we'll make sure there's no sticks or rocks on the ground and get the tent set up-' She went looking through the items in the back again until she'd located the first part of the tent. 'and that's the hardest part done.'

'Alright...' By the tone she used to reply, Maddie was hardly convinced. When Stella had handed her a couple other things and she herself had gotten what they needed they left the parking area and headed down to the camping area. It was only a short walk from the truck, tucked away in a little clearing. They were the only people there as the campground they'd chosen was in one of the more remote places in the park. 'It's so quiet and peaceful here.' She mentioned as she placed her items down on the ground and breathed in deep of the clean air. 'So beautiful.'

'It is.' Stella agreed. 'This was one of mom's favorite camping spots for this very reason.'

'I thought your mom didn't like camping too much.'

'Well, we thought it was her favorite thing but... it's-complicated.'

They began clearing an area near one of the designated fire pits of rocks and sticks as they spoke. 'What was her favorite thing to do then?'

'I don't...' She paused for a moment, frowning as she tried to think. 'I don't actually know what her favorite thing to do was. I mean, she liked horse riding and photography but I don't know if they were her favorite thing. What about your mom? What did she like?'

'Going home to visit her parents.' Maddie said after a moment of thinking the question over. 'Mom loved visiting the ranch. After her parents passed though, I don't know what happened to the ranch. She never spoke of it.' She paused as a thought came to mind. 'Come to think of it, I haven't the faintest clue why we didn't move there. I don't think it was sold... But then again-' She shrugged. 'I was only five at the time. I was too young to remember much.'

'Maybe there's a way you could find out what happened to the ranch.'

'Maybe... I'll think about it.' They took the heavy duty tarp from the bag and laid it over the cleared area then Stella set about getting the tent out. 'There might be something in that box of mom's things at home.'

'Apart from that-' Stella said. 'What else did she like doing? What did you two like to do together?'

'My favorite was probably going to the park to feed the ducks.' Maddie replied as she waited for instruction. 'We'd get ice cream every Sunday and go to this big park in the middle of town. There was this old lady there who was the caretaker and Mom became really good friends with her. She'd give me pellets to feed the ducks and fish and I'd do that while Mom and her spoke.' A smile came to her lips as she thought over the memory. 'There was this big oak tree with a swing near the pond and Mom would sit on the swing to watch. I remember one time we went to have a picnic there and they had ducklings. When the ducks saw we had food they came over and kinda gate-crashed our picnic. I had a sandwich in one hand and a duckling in the other.'

Stella laughed at the image that came to mind. 'Oh that's a good one.'

'What about you and your mom? What did you two do together?'

'We days.'

She raised an eyebrow. 'We days?'

'It's like a me day, but when being alone isn't exactly the correct answer.' Out of the bag came another smaller bag with the tent poles. 'Sometimes we'd go hiking or horse riding or play bocce.'

'Bocce?'

'It's similar to lawn bowls in a way but played on a narrower, shorter green.' She began to connect the tent poles together and motioned for her to join her. 'So, these ones connect together like this...'

It wasn't long before they had all the poles together and threaded through the tent then they began to put it up. Amidst much laughter and a couple of times that a pole came loose and the tent collapsed, meaning they had to start over, they managed to get the tent up and standing.

Stella frowned as she went looking through the tent bag again then stood. 'I'll be right back.'

'What's wrong?' Maddie questioned. 'Isn't it finished?'

'Unless we want to get blown into the lake by a big gust of wind-' She turned back to her for a moment, walking backwards to the truck. 'We better get some tent pegs into the ground and I sure hope Dad remembered to pack them.'

'I think they're on the floor in the back seat.' She called after her, chuckling softly. From what she had heard every time the Walkers went camping they forgot something.

Upon her return Stella held up a small bag triumphantly. 'Right where you said it would be.'

'Mmhmm. Guess it's a good thing I grabbed the bag off the kitchen table before we left then.' She handed her an extra hammer and the two of them set to work getting the tent secured. With the tent pegs in they put up the awning and once that had been finished, started to bring their gear over to the tent. When Maddie placed down the last bag she looked at her watch then around the campground. 'I wonder where Dad and Augie are.'

'They'll be back when they get hungry.' Stella replied knowingly as she set up the camping table. 'They need some time together, with everything going on Augie hasn't had much of a chance to be with Dad. 'Specially since he's been doing so much with you.'

'Oh... I didn't realize.' Maddie said after a moment. 'I haven't meant to take Dad's time from either of you-'

'It's fine Maddie. Really. We know you've needed Dad's attention a bit lately. Not your fault.' She assured her as she attached the tabletop onto the frame. 'How have you been going?'

'Big sis checking in on little sis?' She questioned with a hint of teasing.

'Someone has to keep an eye on the younger kids around here.' Stella winked at her. 'I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately either but I don't know... You seem... happier. More at peace with yourself this past week.'

'Been doing a lot-' She emphasized the word while setting up one of their camping chairs. 'of soul searching lately. I think maybe it's 'cause I've stopped trying to make sense of things in my life and just accept them for what they are. Things like why my mom ever got with a guy like my father for instance. That's something I probably won't ever find an answer to, so I just need to accept it.'

'That makes sense.'

'You think?'

'Yeah. I had to do some of that 'soul searching' you speak of after mom died. I did... things... I'm not proud of after she died.'

Maddie raised an eyebrow.

'I um... It's complicated. I might have caused an accident and let Dad believe he was responsible for it. I hoped it would have made him wake up to the path he was going down but...' She sighed and shook her head. 'It just prompted him to leave.'

'Have you ever told him the truth?'

Stella shook her head. 'No.'

'It's probably not my place.' Maddie started cautiously after a moment. 'But maybe you need to talk to him about it.'

'It happened over a year ago-'

'Believe me, secrets have a way of coming out at the most inopportune moment if you don't deal with them. Look at me for example. Your Grandma finding me half dead in that barn sure wasn't a great way for y'all to find out I have a cutting problem.'

Stella was silent as she digested what Maddie had said. 'I'll think about it.'

Maddie nodded and returned her focus to getting the rest of the camp set up. On the odd occasion she glanced over at Stella who did seem to be pondering something deeply and she hoped that she'd speak to their father. It wasn't right to be keeping a secret like that. In the back of her mind however, her conscience had a little word to say. You might be handing out advice but you've been keeping secrets of your own...

'Well, well, well.' Cordell exclaimed with surprise as he and August returned a little while later, Maddie and Stella both sitting under the shade of the tent awning with a can of drink in one hand and a book in the other. 'Nice work you two.' He commented, placing the arm full of firewood he'd gathered down beside the fire pit. 'I'm impressed.'

'Glad to see it gets your tick of approval Dad.' Stella chuckled, placing her book aside. 'Lunch time?'

He nodded his agreement. 'Lunch sounds good.'

'After that-' August started, dumping his load of firewood on top of his fathers. 'I'm starved.'

'Guess it's a good thing Stella and I already made sandwiches then isn't it?' Maddie said as she opened the cooler beside her seat. 'What do you want? We've got chicken salad sandwiches, turkey and cheese...'

Lunch was eaten while the afternoon was planned out, Maddie saying a few things in the conversation but ultimately left the decision making to Cordell and his kids. With what Stella had mentioned it only served to make her more self aware of the fact that she had been taking a lot of Cordell's time away from them. The last thing she wanted to do by her presence was cause him to spend less time with them and for Stella to have mentioned it, in her mind, she was worried that they might be reconsidering agreeing to have her in the family.

After all, she was only the adopted daughter.

She wasn't really Cordell's child...

A mental note was written to herself to make sure that she stopped needing Cordell as much as she had. Granted, yes, she had needed him more than usual the past few weeks but how she felt didn't matter. She didn't want to disrupt their family dynamic. She was the outcast here. She'd just have to figure out another way of dealing with things that didn't include running to Cordell every two seconds.

The last thing she wanted, or needed, was to have the Walker kids jealous and resentful of her for taking their fathers time away from them.

'Alright.' Cordell said as he finished his lunch, tossing an empty chip packet into what was serving as their trash can. 'What's say we hit the water?'

Maddie swallowed. 'We're going to go swimming?'

'That's the general idea.'

Oh crap... 'Sounds like a good idea.' She forced a fake smile onto her face. 'I'll uh... I'll tidy up from lunch and join you all.'

After some more playful teasing around and such, Cordell, Stella and August got changed and headed down the trail towards the lake. Maddie watched them leave then set about making sure the food was secured and their garbage put away before heading into the tent to change. When Abeline had insisted that she take along the swimmers that she had brought her, she hadn't intended on getting in the water at all but the day was hot... The prospect of dipping her feet into the cool water did have its appeal. As she changed into her bikini she looked down at the fresh scars on her stomach and calves. Even though it was just family there was no way she was comfortable just wearing a bikini to go swimming.

Thankfully, Abeline must have thought of that for she had brought her a swimming shirt and board shorts to wear too. With that on over her bikini the scars on her stomach were hidden at least. The ones on her legs though... She sighed heavily as she doused herself in sunscreen. With any luck, with the amount of sunscreen she'd put on, no one would notice that there were fresh scars. Wounds that had only just finished healing from the last time she had cut.

More secrets.

Didn't she just tell Stella that keeping secrets from their father was a bad idea?

After tying up her hair and grabbing a towel, she set out for the lake. Cordell, Stella and August were already out in the water and the sickening feeling in her stomach intensified. Why had she agreed to go swimming?

'Come on Maddie-' August called to her as she placed her towel and shoes with the rest of theirs on the bank. 'the water's beautiful.'

'I'm coming. I'm coming.' She replied, her mouth dry as she approached the water with hesitation. When she touched the water with her toe, she froze. Why was she even doing this...

'Just jump in.' Stella encouraged her. 'It's only cold for a moment.'

'Just give me a moment.'

Cordell could see her hesitate and swam back in closer to the bank where she was. 'Something wrong Maddie?' The teen mumbled something he couldn't quite catch. 'Pardon?'

'I can't swim.' She said louder, expecting them to laugh. 'I don't know how to swim.'

Instead of laughing at her, Cordell came out of the water and joined her on the bank. 'I can teach you.'

Maddie swallowed hard. 'I-I don't know.'

'What are you afraid of?' He questioned gently. 'I won't let you drown.' She still hesitated. 'Do you trust me Maddie?'

After a moment, she nodded slowly.

'Then let me teach you.'

'You better not let me drown-'

He chuckled softly as she took his hand. 'I won't. Promise. We'll start with something real easy.' He motioned for Stella and August to swim over to them. 'The first thing you need to learn is how to float. August, you want to show her how it's done?'

'Sure.'

'I don't think I can do this.' Maddie said as she watched August float lazily on top of the water. 'I can't.'

'Yes you can.' Cordell encouraged her gently. 'Just trust me.'

'It's not that hard.' Stella added as August flipped back on to his stomach and joined them in the shallows. 'You have to trust that the water will hold you and it will.'

Trust. That one trait she found so hard to have. 'What-' She started after a moment. 'How-how do I do it?'

'Come here.' Cordell invited her out into the water a little further. It wasn't too deep, only up to her hips but it was deep enough for the lesson. He crouched down in the water so he was on her level and motioned for her to turn around. 'I've got you Maddie.' He said, his hands around her rib cage. 'Lean into my hands and let the water lift your body.'

'I don't-I don't think I can.'

'Yes, yes you can. Just trust me.'

Just trust me.

With every single cell in her body chastising her for the thought of even giving it a try, she asked her next question with hesitation. 'You won't let go? You won't drop me?'

'Maddie, I am right here.' He reassured her. 'I won't let you go until you are ready to do it on your own.'

'Alright... Well, here goes...' Letting the water lift her body she lent back into his hold, her legs rising until they were floating on the water.

'Let your body relax Maddie, if you are tense the water won't hold your weight. You need to relax and trust it.'

'I don't think I can...'

'Yes you can honey. You're doing great so far.' Cordell encouraged her. 'I've got you. Just rest back and relax and let the water carry you.'

'Okay...' She closed her eyes, trying to visualize how August had done it. With her father still keeping a strong hold of her she slowly began to relax and let the water carry her. Though her ears were underwater she could just make out Cordell encouraging her and after a moment, she opened her eyes. He was still holding onto her and smiled to which she offered a tiny smile back. Lingering a moment longer she then moved, sitting up again.

'Not bad for your first try.'

'Well done Maddie.' Stella added.

'It's not so bad, is it?' August questioned.

'It's okay...' She replied with hesitation. 'I sure won't be using that swing to jump into the water any time soon.'

'Give it time.' Cordell chuckled. 'Maybe next time we come. Want to try again?'

Maddie nodded with a small smile. 'Alright.'

Cordell spent a good ten minutes teaching her the basics of how to float and when she was ready, began teaching her how to kick. Holding onto his shoulders she began to get the hang of kicking and he slowly began to move around in the shallow water. A smile began to come to her lips, a genuine one as her fear began to dissipate and she started to enjoy herself.

Both Stella and August cheered her on, amongst the two of them taking turns dunking each other to her amusement. They helped demonstrate what Cordell was teaching her before he got her to attempt it and after he had said that he'd manage with Maddie on his own, they began taking turns with the rope to swing out into the water.

'Think you're ready to try a short swim?' He questioned her after he'd been taking her around for a good while. 'You've got the kicking down pat.'

'I don't know...'

'Just a short one.' Cordell promised. 'And I'll be right here.'

'A-alright.' They returned back to the shallows where she was comfortable and she let go, Cordell moving back a few paces from her. 'I'll give it a go.'

'When you're ready honey.'

Maddie took a deep breath, judging the distance she had to go between where she was and where her father was out in the deeper water. Where she was the water only came up midway between her knee and hip, out where he was it would come up close to her neck... With another deep breath she let herself down into the water and began frantically dog paddling and kicking while trying to keep her head above the water.

'That's a girl. You've got it Maddie.' Cordell encouraged as she dog paddled towards him. 'You're doing great honey.'

After what felt like an eternity, she finally reached him and placed her hands on his shoulders so she could rest and take a breath. 'That-that's hard work.'

He chuckled softly. 'It gets easier with practice honey. You did really good sweetheart. I'm so proud of you.'

A smile, a wide one, came to her lips. 'You really think I did a good job?'

'It was a good first try. Why don't you take another go? This time try doing freestyle like Stella showed you.'

Spurred on by his encouragement, she nodded. 'I'll try.'

And try she did. By the time she had started to tire she had really given swimming a good effort. Though her style wasn't going to be getting her to the Olympics any time soon, at least she'd had a go. It was enough for her first lesson and Cordell was pleased with her having a try. She was still very hesitant and frightened but as she gained confidence in the water that would take care of itself.

'I think I've had enough for now.' Maddie stated after having one last go at a short freestyle swim again. 'I'll just rest in the shallows, you go swim with Stella and August. I've kept you from them long enough.'

'You-you sure?'

'Yes Dad. Go on.' She replied with a smile, Stella swinging back out into the water again from the bank. 'They look like they're having fun. I'll just watch from here.'

'Alright. Just make sure you don't go any deeper than your waist.'

'You won't have to worry about that. I'm gonna stay right here in the shallows.' She assured him before playfully splashing him. 'Go have some fun.'

Cordell splashed her back and she laughed. 'Alright. Going. Going.'

She smiled as he left and she sat down on the sandy shore, the water just up to her shoulders where she sat. Cordell jogged over to where August was getting ready for his turn and though August offered the rope to him, he refused and let August take his turn ahead. When Stella and August were both in the water Cordell took his turn, cannon balling into the water near them. Maddie laughed as she watched them play about in the water, Stella and August both attempting to dunk their father though it was them that ended up going underwater.

Watching the three of them mess around, Maddie sobered. Did they regret having her come into their family? Before it had just been Emily and Cordell and the two kids, now they didn't have a mom but they had another kid to share their fathers attention with. Though she had enjoyed Cordell taking the time to teach her how to swim she was worried at the same time that maybe she'd taken too much time away from them again.

A soft sigh escaped her as she laid down in the water, lazily kicking as she rested on her elbows, Cordell dunking August again. One of the most annoying problems with anxiety was the fact that sweet moments like this weren't exempt from it ruining them with its presence...

As the day drew to a close and night approached, a slight chill came to the air. Maddie added some more wood to the fire before checking how the kettle was boiling then sat back in her chair. Cordell, Stella and August would be back from their hike soon and she hoped to have dinner ready before they returned to camp.

After they'd all had their swim that afternoon, Cordell had suggested that the four of them go for a hike. Deciding that he needed to spend time with his real kids, Maddie had declined with an excuse of being tired and having a headache. That hadn't been a lie either. She felt plum worn out after that swim... To her relief they had gone for their hike and she had taken a much needed power nap before preparing dinner.

She stared into the dancing flames of the fire, deep in thought. Around her, the sky was clothed in an array of colors as the sun began to sink behind the horizon and when the gentle breeze chilled her slightly, she gathered a coat from the tent.

Abeline's chili was heating up over the fire and with it, potatoes wrapped in foil buried in the coals. Though it was her first time camping she had claimed the unofficial title of 'cook' in the hope that they'd be left something edible to eat. Cordell was great at pancakes and a few other dishes but undeniably, the best cook out of the four of them was herself.

Not only did they have chili simmering away, she had hot dogs roasting and a sticky date pudding cooking away in the camp oven. Though they were camping that didn't mean they had to eat beans from a can and she had carefully thought out each meal. The sticky date pudding though, that was a surprise and since she was the cook, she could choose to cook anything she wished.

Sticky date pudding had been her mother's favorite dessert and instead of a cake on her birthday, she'd always make her pudding instead. After checking to see how it was getting along cooking she returned to her chair and gazed into the fire once more.

I wish you were still here Mom.

Even the thought of missing her mom tinged her conscience. Shouldn't she just be happy she'd found a home? A family that had taken her in? Would they think her ungrateful if they knew just how much she missed her mom. Even after five years. It still hurt. Cordell, he tried. They all did.

They just weren't her mom.

As the sound of people talking reached her ears she looked up to see Cordell and his kids returning, an arm around each of them. 'I was just about to ring for a search party.' She teased as she rose, her thoughts dissipating like the sparks from the fire into the night sky. 'Dinner is almost ready so pull up a seat, sit back and relax.'

'Whatever you're cooking smells good.' August said as he brought his chair over closer to the fire.

'You sure you don't need any help?' Stella questioned. 'I can give you a hand.'

'I've got it all under control.' She replied with a smile. 'Another ten minutes and it'll be ready to eat.'

'How's your headache?' Cordell asked as he brought his chair over, taking a seat between Maddie and August. 'You feeling any better?'

'Couple of painkillers and a nap and I'm like a new person. How was the hike?'

'Well, my feet will probably be killing me tomorrow-'

She let out a soft chuckle as their Dad went on about his new shoes not being as great as his old pair. 'Guess that means you won't be hiking again tomorrow then.'

'We'll see.'

'What's our plans for tomorrow Dad?' August questioned.

'Well, what do you two want to do?'

'I'd like to do the lookout hike.' Stella suggested. 'It's only a five mile round trip.'

'Five miles...' He grimaced as he took off his hiking shoes and rubbed his sore feet. 'I might have to sit that one out.'

'Poor Dad.' Maddie teased as she got up to gather the plates to start serving up.

'What about you, August?'

'Some swimming, then maybe experiment with some photography.' He looked over at Maddie. 'What about you Madds? You want to do anything?'

'I haven't really thought about what I'm going to do.' She said, carefully uncovering the potatoes from the coals. 'I'll be doing the meals obviously. I did bring my sketch pad along so I might do some drawing.'

'If you want to do drawing-' Stella got up to give her a hand. 'The view from the Lookout is absolutely gorgeous. If Dad isn't up to the hike maybe we could do it together and you could draw the landscape while we're there.'

'Sure.' Maddie nodded. 'Sounds like a good idea.'

Dinner was eaten amongst conversation and much to Maddie's relief, the meal had been cooked perfectly. Everyone got up to help with cleaning up and once that was done it was time for dessert. 'Alright, let's hope this worked...' She said while putting on the heavy gloves to open the camp oven. Taking off the lid, the aroma of the cooked sticky date pudding filled the air and she smiled as she pulled the baking tin out of the oven.

'Oh that looks good.' Stella remarked as Maddie brought the tin over to the table. 'What is it?'

'Sticky date pudding.' She replied, shewing the rest of them back from the tin. 'Just give me a minute you three. Go sit down and I'll bring it over.'

August lingered back at the table as Cordell and Stella returned to the fire. 'That smells sooo good.'

'Hey, keep your fingers out of it.' Maddie chastised with a chuckle, slapping his hand gently as he tried to take some from the piece she'd pulled out of the tin. 'Why don't you go get some smores started while you wait for me to finish serving up?'

'Alright, alright. Just don't take too long.'

'I won't.' She assured him, another little chuckle escaping her as she placed another piece into another bowl. For her first time cooking in a camp oven she was pretty happy with the end result and helped herself to a little bit to taste test. It tasted just as good as the ones she remembered her mom making when she'd been little...

'Alright, here we go.' Maddie carried the bowls over to the campfire. 'Dad, here's yours.'

'Thank you honey.'

'August- here's yours and there's your one Stells.' After handing them their servings she sat back in her chair beside Stella.

'Oh this-' Cordell started as he cut another piece off with his spoon. 'This is great Maddie. What did you call it again?'

'Sticky date pudding. It's a British thing.' She replied. 'My Grandma on mom's side used to make it and it was mom's favorite dessert.'

August had dug into his piece with gusto and when he'd finished, turned back to Maddie. 'Is there enough for seconds?'

She laughed softly. 'You like it that much? Yes, go on. There's enough for seconds. Just-' She cautioned as he rose to head over to the table where it sat. 'Leave enough for the rest of us.'

'It's gone now.' Stella remarked, finishing off her piece. 'If Augie says he likes something he'll eat it all in one go.'

'No I don't-'

'Yes you do-'

'No I don't-'

'Alright, alright.' Cordell interrupted them before Stella and August could really start it. 'No need to start world war three. Maddie, that was really nice. I can see why it was your mom's favorite dessert.'

'Thanks Dad.' She smiled as she scooped the rest of her sauce in the bowl back onto her cake. 'I used to help her make it every year for her birthday when I was little. Guess you could say it's kinda a family tradition cause Grandma passed the recipe to her and she gave it to me.'

'I'd say it's a hit.' August replied as he returned, digging into his second serving. 'Think you can teach Mawline to make it?'

'I'm guessing that you're hinting that you'd like to have it again.'

'Mmmhmm.'

'I guess I can share the recipe with her.' Maddie stood, taking her plate over to the wash bucket before returning with a big bag of marshmallows and a couple long sticks to roast them on. 'Anyone for some marshmallows?'

'I don't know about the rest of you but I don't think I could eat another mouthful.' Cordell declared as he lent back in his chair.

'Oh, there's always room for marshmallows.' Stella teased. 'And smores. Don't forget the smores.'

'Ah Maddie-' August raised an eyebrow as he saw that the marshmallow his sister was toasting was on fire. 'Think you've just set that on fire.'

'Mmmhmm.' She pulled it from the fire and blew out the flame. 'Charcoal on the outside, nice and gooey on the inside.'

'Yuck.' Stella remarked as she watched Maddie slip the blackened marshmallow from the stick and pop it in her mouth. 'That just...'

'Delicious.' Maddie grinned.

August shook his head. 'Seriously Madds.'

'Hey, don't knock it till you try it.'

Cordell just chuckled with amusement as Maddie set another marshmallow on fire. 'You are different Maddie girl.'

'Yep. I know.' She replied with a grin. 'But hey, my Mom used to toast hers' the same way. I love them like this.'

Stella raised an eyebrow. 'Burnt to a crisp?'

'Exactly. Here-' Maddie slipped the marshmallow off the stick and held it out to her. 'Try it.'

She looked at her with a look of oh, seriously?

'Come on Stella.' August teased. 'Give it a go.'

'Only if you agree to try one too.'

'Alright. Alright.' He agreed. 'I'll try one as well.'

Stella looked at the marshmallow apprehensively then ate it. 'Well... I guess it's not as bad as I thought.'

'Pretty good hey.' Maddie blew out the flame on another one, holding the stick over to August so he could take it. 'What about you Dad?'

'Oh I'm good, thanks.' He declined her offer. 'I'm not a god, I don't like to eat burnt offerings.'

'No sense of adventure in that one.' She said mischievously, Stella and August laughing. 'You don't know what you're missing out on.'

'Charcoal for one and if Emily were here, she'd agree with me.'

'Yeah, cause Mom used to eat hers barely toasted at all.' Stella replied as she picked up another stick to start roasting her own. 'The way she cooked hers they didn't look any different from eating them straight from the packet.'

'My mom and your mom would have definitely gotten into a debate about the best way to have marshmallows in that case.' Maddie said with a chuckle. 'I remember one time mom got into a debate about it with one of her friends, they talked about it for ages and neither one won the argument. When Mama got going, oh boy- she was like a dog with a bone.'

And so, around the campfire drinking hot chocolate and roasting (or in Maddie's case, burning) marshmallows, those gathered shared stories of both Emily and Macey. As the hour grew later Cordell decided that it was time for them all to go to bed and so after letting the fire die down and making sure that the camp was in order, the four of them headed into the tent.

'Dad...' Maddie said softly after a time of staring up at the ceiling, Stella and August having fallen asleep ages ago. 'You awake?'

'Am now.' He murmured. 'Can't sleep?'

'Mmmhmm.'

'Come here.' Cordell invited her to snuggle over closer to him and when she had moved over, he put his arm around her. 'What's keepin you awake?'

'Just thinking bout my mom.' She whispered softly. 'Do you still think about Emily?'

'Every day.'

'Do you think it'll ever get easier?'

'I don't think it'll be easier as such... but time passes and we move on. It's the way life goes.'

'I guess so.' Maddie sighed softly. 'I just wish I could learn more about her. Like, why didn't you mention before that she sang at the Side Step?'

'I thought I'd already told you that.'

She shook her head. 'Geri told me. Stella and Augie, they're lucky because they have people they can talk to about Emily. I've got no one who can answer questions I have about my mom.'

'What about your mothers journals? Maybe you'll find some answers in them.'

'I hadn't thought about them...' She said as she thought it over for a moment. 'Yeah. Maybe I can take a look through them.'

'Great. Now, do you think you can let me sleep?'

Maddie chuckled softly, nuzzling closer to him in her sleeping bag. 'Yes Dad. You can sleep.'