“Chinchilla!” Cried Collete.
Her welcome, which was very cheerful and full of energy, pulled my perturbation away from my current state of embarrassed mind.
On my way to the packhouse, I felt their eyes on me like they were going over with a fine-tooth comb, making my cheeks red and hot. But no! I reminded myself it was natural, none was appalling about it.
And here, in the living room, I could plainly sense their eerie rubbernecks. “What’s been running in that sweet head of yours? Don’t mind your mind, Chinchilla.” She giggled. “In all actuality, your pack is ecstatic. Look around, don’t keep your eyes down. Look at them, they are smiling like idiots.” Collete gestured, grinning.
My eyes followed.
Wholehearted smiles and affectionate pairs of eyes were staring back at me. Only a few
