She swallowed and nodded.
He sat on the windowsill, slid his legs over, and with some maneuvering, ended up hanging from the ledge by his hands. Then dropped. He hit the ground, knees bent, and went down on his rear. He stood, brushed off his pants, and called to her in a loud whisper. “Okay, your turn, just do what I did.”
She stuck her head out and whispered back. “Are you crazy? I can’t do what you did. It’s like you were a monkey.”
“You have no choice. Do it, or you’ll miss your curfew.”
Awkwardly, she put her knees on the windowsill, turned, and ended up leaning on the sill with both elbows, her legs hanging above his head.
“All right, drop,” he whispered.
“No.”
“Yes.”
She twisted her neck and regarded him. “Stop looking up my skirts.”
“What!”
“Shh! I said, stop looking up my skirts.”
“I’m not looking up your skirts.”
“Yes, you are. I’m hanging here in my skirts, and you’re looking up at me.”
“I have to look up if I’m going to catch you.”
“Close your eyes.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. If I close my eyes, I’ll miss catching you.” He barely finished his sentence when she let go, arms flaying. Her bottom hit him in the chest, and they both went down in a heap. She sat on his neck.
“Get up, you’re choking me.” He gasped.
She rolled over just as the front door of the house opened. “Who’s out there?” Mrs. Davis stood on the porch, broom in one hand, a heavy black skillet in the other.
“It’s just me, Mrs. Davis. I decided to take a walk before bed.” He straightened his clothes and walked toward her.
“Mr. Colbert? I didn’t even see you leave the house.”
“You were busy with your tea. I’ll be in shortly.”
“All right. Good night again.”
Once the door closed. Ellie joined him, picking leaves out of her hair, dusting off her dress. Her bun trailed down her back, half in, half out. A smudge of dirt smeared her chin, and her eyes were bright with laughter. The woman was missing something in the brain. How could she possibly find this situation funny?
“Come, I’ll drive you home.” He put his hand out.
Ellie’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh. The envelope. I forgot to get it.”
Max put his hand to her lower back and escorted her to the Oldsmobile. “It was never in my room to begin with. It’s in the top drawer of my desk at school.”
Chapter 6
“Your hair is messed up.” Ellie eyed him as he took her elbow and they walked to the automobile.
Max frowned and smoothed it back.
“You’re never messed up. You’re always perfect.”