Page 92 of The Outpost (Jamison Valley 4)
“Hi.” I hugged her back.
“Hi.” She squeezed tighter. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I’m good.”
She let me go and did a thorough inspection of my face, her fingers brushing over the gash that had healed into just a small pink scar.
“See? I’m okay.”
“I’ve been so worried. And I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” I smiled at my friend and then turned to Maisy with another wave. “Hey. Sorry to scare you.”
The shock on Maisy’s face had disappeared and she finally let go of the death grip she had on Coby’s hand. “It’s okay. I’m just glad it’s you.”
“What are you doing here?” Felicity asked.
“Well, I’m supposed to be here hiding out. But so far you guys and Jess have discovered me and I’ve been here for less than twelve hours.”
“But why? Why aren’t you at the outpost?”
Before I could answer Felicity’s question, Coby yelled, “Me-me!”
Abandoning Maisy’s side, he ran to Boone’s bed and pulled out a small blue blanket from underneath.
“Oh, thank god we found it,” Maisy sighed. “He had a complete meltdown last night when we couldn’t find that blanket and then wouldn’t sleep in his own bed. There is no such thing as sleeping when a two-year-old’s foot is in your side. I’m exhausted.”
“Then I’m glad you found it.”
“Great, we’ve got the blanket,” Felicity huffed. “Now tell me, what is going on?”
“Coby, no!” Maisy shouted before I could answer. We all whirled around to see Coby dragging his “me-me” through the water I’d spilled on the floor.
“Shoot!” I rushed to grab a towel, mopping up my puddle before Coby got soaking wet. “Sorry.” I picked up my bucket and sponge, then wrung out the sopping towel in the sink.
“It’s no problem,” Maisy said, pulling Coby away from the water. “He’s just obsessed with water puddles. It’s our fault for barging in. Honestly, I thought Beau would be gone again this weekend.”
“We just got here last night.”
“I’m going to ask this again and hope this time I get an answer.” Felicity’s voice was getting louder. “Why are you here? Why would you leave the outpost? Is it really safe for you to be in town? Did something happen? Can I get some answers here please before I completely panic?”
“I’m fine, so calm down. Nothing happened. Beau just didn’t think the outpost was a great spot for me with winter coming.”
“Oh,” she breathed and the tension in her shoulders vanished. “Okay, good thinking.”
“Mama! Chaca milk.” Coby tugged on Maisy’s purse.
She reached in and handed him a sippy cup of chocolate milk, then set her bag on the counter. “Give me one minute. I want to hear this story. Let me get Coby set up with a cartoon and then we can talk.”
Maisy led Coby to the living room and Felicity started drumming her fingers on the island.
“Do you want some coffee?”
“Yes.” I turned to get her a mug but she stopped me. “No. Never mind.”
“Um, okay.” My friend had never once turned down coffee. “Are you feeling all right?” Her face was a little pale. I would have chalked that up to the shock of seeing me but surprise didn’t explain the dark circles and bags under her eyes.
“Not really.” Felicity shook her head. “And I can’t have coffee right now.”
