Chapter 34

The house was so far back from the main road that there wasn't a car to be heard. A woodpecker tapped in the distance. A whippoorwill called, the sound oddly relaxing. She was used to noise. Car horns. Irate morning commuters. At the very least, church bells from down the street when in Milwaukee. She didn't know whether to find the quiet peaceful or disturbing.

Her dad came outside twenty minutes later. He halted before reaching a nearby chair, staring at the caked batter in her hair and on her face.

She shrugged. "I ran out of soap."

His mouth hung open. Then he laughed and claimed a seat beside her. He took a cautious sip of coffee and glanced at the mountains. "What are you doing out here without a book or a laptop?"

"Just sitting."

"Did you have a fight with Troy?"

"No."

"Baba? What did she say now?"

Camryn smiled, looking at his bald head and narrow face. "Nothing, Dad. I'm just sitting."

"Never known you to just sit."