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I’d just finished pulling my hair into a high and tight ponytail when a knock sounded on the door. “Ready to hit the trail?” Charles called.

“Ready.” I opened the door, and he grinned, handing me a bottle of water.

“Looking good.” He winked and he motioned for me to lead the way out of the RV.

I exited into the bright sun, wishing I’d had the foresight to grab some sunglasses on my way out of the house. I hadn’t been awake enough yet to think properly then. I wasn’t even sure I was awake enough now.

Charles exited the RV after me with a picnic basket slung over his arm.

“Wouldn’t a backpack be better?” I asked, pointing to the awkward cargo.

“We don’t have that far to go. It’s just a short walk to a nice clearing that overlooks the water.” He locked the door and then shoved the keys in his pocket. “Don’t you think I know better than to make you work out on your big day off?”

I smiled and leaned into his side, and he slung an arm over my shoulders.

Perhaps this wouldn’t be such a terrible trip after all.

Chapter Six

Charles and I walked hand in hand to the spot he’d pre-selected for our picnic, and it was every bit as lovely as promised.

It was still quite early in the season, but this was also the first nice weekend after a long and hard winter, which meant that campgrounds were packed. In fact, all of the tables that had been setup in the clearing were already filled with picnickers.

“C’mon,” Charles said, tugging me along. “Let’s find our own little spot off the beaten path.

Thankfully, the fresh air and beautiful scenery had already begun to do wonders for my sour mood. As we walked, I glanced back at the trail behind us a few times to make sure no uninvited animals had decided to join our trek, and each time I didn’t spot them, my smile grew wider and wider.

And my fantastic boyfriend had planned an impromptu getaway because he knew that I needed it. How lucky was I?

We walked another five minutes until we came upon an enormous white ash tree. By the time we settled ourselves at its base, I was more than ready for the break—and the sustenance. I’d only managed half a mug of coffee that morning before our big adventure began and was looking forward to filling my stomach with the feast Nan had prepared. Yes, even though she was terrible at picking out clothes for me, Nan’s cooking beat all.

“Let’s see what we have here,” Charles said, rubbing his hands together before lifting the lid on the basket. The scream that followed made us jump back in fight.

“What is it?” I asked with a gasp.

But Charles didn’t answer. He simply pointed at the basket with a shaky finger.

Okay. I gulped and crawled forward on my hands and knees to see for myself.

I’m not proud to admit that I yelled out a string of curses at the top of my lungs when I discovered what was inside. Needless to say, there was no delicious picnic waiting for us. Instead I found one very fat and happy raccoon covered in sticky berry juice.

“Pringle!” I cried. “How could you?”

He flopped out of the basket and rolled right into me, splattering my borrowed hot pink sweats with deep red juice.

I groaned in frustration.

Pringle moaned in discomfort.“I was just going to nab a quick taste, but then I heard Charles coming, so I hid. I didn’t know he’d take the basket with me in it. And then the two of you were walking and walking for what felt like forever, and I’m a nervous eater, so I decided to help myself to the rest of what you had in here.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” I demanded, my brows pinched together in fury.

He rolled his eyes as if this whole thing was my fault and not his.“I just did.”

“Before that, I mean.”

The raccoon moaned again and clutched at his belly.“Everything was so good. I just couldn’t stop.” He rolled onto his side and studied me with dark, glistening eyes. “Say, do you think Nan will make me another of those strawberry cream cakes once we’re back home? Because that was one of the best things I’ve ever tasted.”

“I’ll make sure she doesn’t,” I fumed. At least none of the other campers were around to see the crazy lady yelling at a raccoon.

“Now go wash yourself off in a creek or something. You look like you just walked out of a crime scene,” I said with a scowl before relaying the whole thing to Charles.

As I talked, Pringle loped away. His entire coat was stained with berry juice, giving him a blood-soaked zombie roadkill appearance that made us both cringe.

“It’s fine. Everything will be fine,” Charles said with a smile that felt forced. “We’ll relax here for a little bit before heading back. We can grab something for lunch once we’re back at the RV.”

“Yeah, if Octo-Cat hasn’t already eaten it all.” I crossed my arms over my chest and frowned. I didn’t want to be a bummer, but I was just so, so disappointed, and I knew Charles was, too.