Dandy pokes his head out the window.“Yes, Mother?”
“It’s almost dinnertime.Does your friend want to stay?We’re having meatloaf.She can call her mother and ask if it’s okay.”
Grabbing Dandy’s wrist, I see the time on his digital watch reveals it’s after six.
“Oh no!My aunt will be worried!I have to go.”I jump up and quickly collect my things.
I don’t have a cell.My aunt won’t allow it, saying I’m too young.But it’s not my aunt I’m fearful of.It’s my uncle Leon.
Dandy senses my panic.“My mom can drive you home.”
“I hate to ask, but would that be okay?It will take me over an hour to walk home, and the bus doesn’t run this late.This is my fault.I shouldn’t have lost track of time.”
Panic overwhelms me, just as it did when…
“It’s all right.We’ll get you home.”The moment Dandy places his hand in mine, the panic subsides, and I calm down.
We carefully climb down the tree house’s wooden ladder and race toward Dandy’s back door.When I enter the kitchen, I see that his mother, whom I met when I first arrived, wears a floral apron.She’s mashing potatoes while watchingJeopardy!
“Mom, can you drive Hallie home?”
His mom peers up at us, sensing my anxiety.“Oh, honey, I’m in the middle of dinner.”
“It’s okay.I don’t want to be a bother.I’ll walk.”I feel awful putting her out.
She washes her hands and dries them on a dishcloth.“I’ll call Matthew.”She reaches for her cell off the counter.
“Who’s Matthew?”I ask, not wishing to sound ungrateful, but I can’t get into a car with a stranger.
I’m afraid of cars, and riding in one with someone I don’t know is difficult for me.
My anxiety shows.
“He’s our neighbor, sweetie.I promise, you’ll be fine.”
I nod and wait for her to call, but it’s clear there’s no answer.
Just as I’m about to thank her for her hospitality, the loudest car I’ve ever heard in my life pulls into the drive.
Dandy rolls his eyes, while his mom claps her hands together, as if our problem has been solved.
“Kit can take you.”
I look at Dandy, who explains, “My brother.”
If I don’t get home before dark, I’m certain my aunt will call the police if she hasn’t already.
So I nod animatedly.“Yes, thank you, that would be great.”
However, the moment Kit Rivers enters the kitchen, I wish I had kept my mouth shut.
I can’t stop staring.
I’ve never seen someone so tall.With broad shoulders, ripped jeans, scuffed boots, and dark brown hair, he stands out, especially beside Dandy’s blond curls.His eyes are an intense hazel green with a streak of amber throughout.They remind me of a tiger’s eyes.He has a silver hoop in each nostril, and some ink on his arms and chest.I can’t make out what, however.
He and Dandy look nothing alike.
Kit looks at me, a strand of his messy hair falling over his eye.“Who’s the stray?”
