Elle started walking toward the tree, and Lizzie followed her. They crept up to the tree and circled it, but no one was behind it.
“Are you sure you saw someone?” Elle asked.
Lizzie nodded, but she had a doubtful look on her face.
“It sure looked like someone hid behind this tree when I turned around,” she said, scanning the yard.
Focusing on the bushes nearby, she nodded toward them and added, “It’s possible that someone ducked into the bushes when I turned around to greet you.”
Elle turned to look, then turned back to Lizzie with a frown.
“I distracted you, and they were able to sneak away,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
Lizzie looped an arm around her friend’s shoulder and said, “Don’t apologize. You didn’t know.”
She pulled Elle close in a hug. A slow smile spread across Ell
