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magazines. You only found Klaus through a referral. That’s how he knew you were serious, and that you had the finances to afford him.
    Maggie read an article in a gun magazine that interviewed Klaus. The information was incredible and outlined the personal security a dog could add to security detail for millionaires. He believed you should take your dog with you when you travel, it would thwart off attackers. And when you own a billion dollar company, you make enemies. Some of them won’t wait for you at home— hence bringing the dog.
    The cool air whipped in behind Eli. He climbed into the back of the car and buckled himself in his seat. His puffy coat made it difficult, so Maggie made him unzip it.
    “Hey buddy, how was your day?”
    “Good.” His cheeks were red from waiting outside. He held onto a green piece of paper even though the wind tugged it from his little hands.
    “What do you have there?” She took the paper and read it as they crept forward out of the school pick up line. “You’re collecting pine cones for a Christmas craft. How cool is that?”
    “It’s gonna be fun. Can we get some from our yard? There are huge ones in the back at the bottom of the hill.”
    Maggie wasn’t a fan of the hill. It was fun for sledding but walking back up to the house, had its challenges.
    “I tell you what, why don’t we go to the store and buy the other supplies this way we can support the school and then when it warms up, we will collect plenty of cones in our yard.”
    Eli shook his head, already sipping away at the chocolate milk she brought for him.
    The lights in town were far and few between. Maggie sailed up the busy route. The twenty mile trek between towns was filled with rocky canyons and sparse fir trees. Spacing out at the light, Maggie started to think about Ben. She knew he wanted to return to Denver, so why did he ask her out? He did come back and spent time with Eli. That doesn’t reflect the actions of a guy who’s ‘not’ interested. Still, what was she doing? Was this some sort of pep talk to get her ready for a date or worse, to prepare her in case there was no date.
    Maggie checked the rear view mirror when they drove through town. She smiled as they came to a red light. Eli was singing along to his favorite tune, when she looked back again she noticed a man in a dark hoody crossing the street. Her heart froze.
    She couldn’t see the person’s face but the walk was familiar. She watched him reach the corner and head up a hill. There were no restaurants or gas stations in the area, and the light was a crossing only for cars that lived in Cascade.
    “BEEEEEPPPPPPP.” The car behind her slammed on the horn. Her eyes were fixed on the man. She hesitated to move. The figure climbed up a rocky formation and kept going. Was it Jack?
    “Go mommy,” Eli called.
    The light turned orange and cars continued to pass. She pressed on the gas and sped through the signal. “Eli honey, Mommy has a great idea. Why don’t we go home and warm up by the fire. We can do the store on a warmer day.”
    She kept driving and dug through her purse. Her throat closed. Was that Jack? Or was her mind playing tricks on her?
    Vala was at the door and Maggie rushed Eli inside. He swerved a paper plane through the air like a fighter jet. “Mom, look it’s on fire,” he said eagerly as he ran around her.
    Maggie never knew the right response when her entire body tensed up and Eli was just playing as little boys do. She wanted to stop him, protect him and sometimes even yell, but what good would that do.
    At bedtime Maggie urged Eli to go to sleep. Her mind was in a quandary over Ben. She had been hoping to hear from him, but nothing. She began to wonder why.
     
    Maggie stood still, the echo of footsteps came from behind her. She spun back, trying figure out which way she should go. The trees were vast and sprawling, neither direction seemed safe. She began to look around, and looked up. Where was she going to