Chapter 2

“What do you mean you have the flu, Nichole?” Maggie cradled the phone on her shoulder as she tossed a shirt into her suitcase. “We’re supposed to leave today!”

“I know,” Nichole said. “But I can’t even get out of bed.”

Disappointment coursed through Maggie and she sat down on the green bedspread. “Really?”

“Yes, Maggie. I’m really sick. I’m sorry, but I can’t go.”

“Okay, I hope you feel better,” she said and disconnected the call. “Damn,” she whispered.

A few weeks ago, she’d convinced her friend Nichole to take a few days and explore southern Arizona. They had plans to hit Tombstone, home of the Gunfight of the O.K. Corral and Wyatt Earp’s grave. They were also going to spend some time in Bisbee, a booming mining town in the early 1900s, and now home to many artists. She’d never been to either place, but had read about them extensively. It was almost as if she were being pulled down to southern Arizona, like she needed to take this trip.

All the reservations were non-refundable. Not that she had spent a fortune on hotels, but money was money, and she hated to see it go to waste. She headed to the kitchen and called the online site she had booked everything through, planning to beg for a refund, or maybe even a credit so they could go later when Nichole was feeling better. While on hold, she looked around her condo. She had moved in just over a year ago, right after she’d decided to divorce Jerry.

Done in creams and tans, it was a comfortable place. She liked that it overlooked a small garden, especially at this time of year. The fall roses were blooming, and the red, pink, and white flowers were amazing.

While on hold, she made a cup of coffee with her Keurig. She sipped the vanilla-hazelnut brew, letting the warmth settle her. Jerry’s belittling words from yesterday still rang in her mind. With that and Nichole being sick, she just needed to calm down a little.

Fifteen minutes later, she hung up the phone and sat down at her small kitchen table. Running her hand over the light-colored wood, frustration welled within her. The reservations were non-refundable and non-transferrable. In essence, she was screwed.

She had been looking forward to the trip and experiencing the history Tombstone and Bisbee had to offer. She had taken three days off at the library as well, and getting time off wasn’t always easy.

Maggie sighed. It was the perfect time of year to travel in Arizona—it wasn’t too hot, nor was it chilly. The temperature hung in the upper seventies, perfect weather for being outside. She was going to lose her money on the reservations, and who knew when she would be able to get time off again?

Tears welled in her eyes. When Gina had called a couple of weeks ago and said Jerry had accepted their terms of the divorce, she decided to use the trip as a celebration.

She really, really wanted to go. Jerry had never wanted to explore the United States, always preferring trips to resorts in Mexico, Tahiti, or the Caribbean. He never understood her fascination with history, but preferred the trappings of modern-day luxury. He always said history belonged right where it was: in the past.

God, he was such a jerk.

Picking up her phone, she scrolled through her contacts. Julie was nice, but Maggie couldn’t imagine spending four hours in a car with her. Most of her other friends had full-time jobs and kids. After a few minutes, she pushed the phone across the table and put her head in her hands.

What if she just went by herself?

At first, she scoffed at the idea of traveling alone, but the more she thought about it, the more she warmed up to it. Her car only had ten thousand miles on it, so it was in good shape. She doubted it would break down, so she didn’t have to worry about being stranded on the side of the road out in the middle of the desert. What else did she have to worry about?

Nothing she could think of.

She had nothing to lose. After a year of living by herself, Maggie was used to spending time alone. Sure, it would be more fun with a friend, but why not take the journey by herself?

A spark of excitement quickly grew, replacing the frustration and disappointment. Yes, why not? She was starting over, and the “old Maggie” would never have considered taking a trip on her own. However, she wasn’t the “old Maggie” any longer; she was the new and improved thirty-two-year-old Maggie who was going to do exactly what she wanted, when she wanted to do it.

Smiling at her decision, Maggie hurried to her bedroom and threw some more clothes into her suitcase. It was an adventure, and she was going to have fun and enjoy it.