That's just conjecture, I apologize.
Not sure how else he could have gotten back to anything resembling civilization unnoticed otherwise. It's a long walk in a small town anyone walking around Is noticeable. It's not like a small or medium sized city where ppl walk for fun or exercise. If you're waking to town in this part of the country it's because you're broke. All the cars nearby would stare at you walking. MOO he has been there before working on a 3-6 mo contract or visiting fam and had the area reconnoitered pretty well. It would have been any vulnerable female that day.
Oh so very true! I've see people in my tiny town leave the bank, get into their vehicle, and drive across the street to go to the post office. I've given up walking about town for exercise. I just stick to the one-lane road that leads to my house and walk up and down, up and down to avoid stares (and occasional offers to drive me to the convenience store because they think my car is out of gas).