42
Madie rolled over, cuddled into Cody’s back, soaking up his warmth while she pulled the covers tighter to her neck. It was early November and the nights had turned chilly. She’d almost fallen asleep again when a knock came at the door.
She lifted her head and listened as another harder knock sounded. “Huh?” What time is it? She looked over Cody’s shoulder at the side table. What? 11 a.m.?
She pushed herself up and out of bed, grabbed her housecoat, and padded to the door. She flung it open and looked through the locked screen. Her mother stood on the stoop with a worried look on her face.
When Val saw her daughter, relief flooded her face and her shoulders relaxed. Madie glanced over at the bed. Cody was up and in his jeans, pulling a shirt over his head.
Unlocking the screen door,
