Chapter 11

• Colin came out of the bathroom and looked around. Splashing cold water on his face hadn’t helped. He looked over at Whiskers. She sat perfectly still looking in the kitchen. The amber eyes turned to look at him before she got up and came over to him. Using her large powerful shoulders, she began pushing at the backs of his legs and herding him to the kitchen. He shuffled in the direction the animal was directing while looking down at her. That’s just what he needed right now, a bossy feline with really large teeth. He was trying to figure how to chastise her without losing a hand when he heard the sniffling coming from the kitchen. He looked back down at the cat and was sure her expression was telling him to go fix things. Shaking his head he stepped into the kitchen.
• Maddy’s back was facing him as she stood leaning over the counter with her face in her hands. Her shoulders shook from the quiet sobs. Walking over he placed a gentle hand on her back. “Hey,” he said softly.
• She straightened up, but didn’t turn. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in,” Maddy wiped her hands quickly over her face.