“I am going to kill you, Colette Larson!”
Maddie was screaming as she flung herself at me, wrapping me tightly in a bear hug. Stunned and more than exhausted and a little weak, I staggered backwards.
“I know, Maddie—“
She pulled back, her hands like iron on my shoulders. Her pretty faced was contorted in anger. I gulped. I hadn’t gotten far enough to think about what I was going to say to her, but I guessed honesty— as much honesty as I could give her— was the best route.
“Where were you?” She demanded. “I woke up and you were gone, and I found your blanket laying on the porch. I thought someone had snatched you!”
“Maddie, calm down, please, and let me explain,” I pleaded. “But first, can we sit down? I’m exhausted.”
I led her to the sofa where we had looked at magazines and watch
