"But we can get you there.That's what I'm trying to say."
"There's no point now.I called them this morning.I wanted to ask for another week.I thought maybe that would give me enough time to get us up there and to at least find a place to park.We can stay in the camper for as long as we need to."
Callie's heart sank."What did they say?"
"Not to bother coming."
"Shoot."
Alara nodded."The thing is, though, even if I'd made it, they didn't have a job for me.Apparently, the friend of a friend who made the offer resigned on Tuesday, and the job was a favor to her."She let out a sigh."At least that makes me feel a bit better."
Callie could understand that.Alara hadn't lost the job because she couldn't get herself there.Callie reached out to touch her arm."We'll figure something out.It's all going to be okay."
She was devastated to see two tears roll down Alara's cheeks.
"I don't know how it can be okay, Callie."She glanced over at Zia."I don't even know what's wrong with me, and it's not getting any better."
Callie took her hand and squeezed it."We'll figure it out between us.You've got me now, okay?"
"That's so kind of you, but you don't even know us."
"That's not true," said Callie."We may not have known each other for long—"
"About a week," Alara interrupted.
"Yeah, but that's not the point.I know who you are.Iseewho you are."She smiled at Zia."And you.You're good people.You're my kind of people.And the thing is, I feel like we're the same kind of people.Please say you'll let me help."
Alara closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.When she opened them again, she nodded."I'm not comfortable with it.I think you know that.But I have no choice.I'm lost, Callie.I don't know what to do."
Zia came and perched on the arm of the chair, wrapping her arm around her mom's shoulders as she pressed a kiss to her hair."It's all going to be okay, Mommy, just like you tell me.It's true.It's all going to be okay.We might not know how right now, but it will be."
Alara wrapped her in a hug and buried her face in Zia's hair.
Callie got to her feet."Okay, so first things first.Have you guys eaten yet?"
"I had yogurt, thank you," Zia said.
"And you?"Callie asked Alara, who shrugged.
"Okay.Are you hungry?I can fix something."
"It's okay.I can—"
"I know you can," said Callie, "but what I want you to do is rest."
"Before I rest, we need to move."
"What do you mean?"
"We're not supposed to stay here for more than forty-eight hours.I thought we'd be okay because we left and came back again, but there was some kind of ranger guy who came by and told me we need to move on."
A slow smile spread across Callie's face."Well, that's okay, because I know exactly where you can go."
"You do?"
"I do.I told you about my cottage — now you'll get to see it."
"Oh no, we couldn't come and stay with you.That wouldn't be right.And we have the camper, and..."
