Free Bailey’s Estes Park Excitement by Linda McQuinn Carlblom Page A

once again curling within.
    â€œHang on a second.”
    Bailey could hear rustling, as if Kate were looking for something. “Here it is.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œMy mini-GPS. It’s a trial product my dad brought home from work one day. What better time to try it out than now?”
    â€œTrial product? GPS units have been around awhile.”
    â€œBut this one is tiny. It fits into the palm of my hand. I can clip it onto my belt if I want.”
    â€œThat’s fantastic!”
    â€œLet’s see, I’ll put in Estes Park, Colorado, and see what it brings up.” Kate punched in the city and state. “It worked! Now I just have to zoom in to find that street we were on.”
    â€œI’m glad you’re the one trying to figure this out,” Bailey said. “I’m directionally challenged.”
    â€œHere we go,” Kate said. “Looks like we walked north to get to this hill from town. The sun was to our right, so that must be east since it rose only a few hours earlier, right?”
    Bailey relaxed. “You’re starting to sound like Sydney!”
    â€œSo to get back we need to go south, so the sun is to our left.”
    Bailey looked up and shielded her eyes from the sun. “I’ll hang up and yell for you. Hopefully, you’ll hear me as you get closer. Then we can look for the trail together from here.”
    â€œOkay,” Kate said, “but if I don’t hear you soon, I’m calling you back.”
    â€œDeal.” Bailey stuffed her phone back in her pocket and yelled, “Kate! Kate, I’m over here!”
    She yelled for what seemed like a full minute, stopping only to listen briefly for an answer. A cool breeze swirled dry leaves around her feet, and she zipped her mud-splotched hoodie clear to the neck.
    â€œKate!” Leaves crunched behind her and Bailey swung around. “Kate?” No answer, but the crunching drew closer. “Kate, if that’s you, you’d better answer me!” Silence. “Kate, this isn’t funny!”
    From behind a clump of trees, a huge elk with enormous antlers stuck out his head and looked at Bailey. She froze, not sure if the elk would charge or if he was as afraid as she was. They stood, eyes locked, neither one moving a muscle. Finally, the elk seemed satisfied that the girl meant no harm and munched on a nearby shrub. Bailey exhaled a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding and inched forward to get a better view of the elk.
    Suddenly Bailey was startled by her cell phone ringing. “Kate? I’m watching a big elk eat. You should see him!”
    â€œYou’re supposed to be calling for me, remember?”
    â€œI did, but then the elk scared me and I was afraid to make much noise.”
    Bailey heard rustling again and turned to look. The elk turned his head, too, ears twitching. “Kate! Over here!”
    At the sound of Bailey’s voice, the elk turned toward her and narrowed his eyes. He lowered his head, those gigantic antlers pointing in her direction, then took a few steps toward her. Hardly daring to take a breath, Bailey froze. Images of charging elk filled her mind.
    Biscuit sniffed the air and leaped out of Kate’s arms, barking wildly. The tiny dog ran at the towering elk, who seemed momentarily confused by all the excitement. He tried to keep his eye on the dog prancing at his feet, one minute in front of him and the next behind. In apparent exasperation, the elk turned and lumbered off into the woods.
    Kate came through the trees. “Bailey! I was so afraid for you.” She hugged her friend. “Are you all right?”
    â€œI’m fine. But my legs felt like noodles for a minute there.”
    Biscuit scampered up to Bailey and jumped to get her attention.
    â€œI see you! Thanks for scaring that elk away. You really are a wonder dog!” She gave the dog a friendly rub. “But you scared us when you ran off