I burst through the door, set my Sassafras backpack down gently, and put my hands on my knees, panting. My dad rounded the corner three seconds later.
“Ah, good! You’re home. Thank you for being responsible. I was starting to worry I shouldn’t have sent you out so late in the afternoon.”
“Thanks . . . Dad . . .” I huffed out. “I’m . . . glad . . . I . . . got to go.”
Sassafras’ ears perked up, and his head spun toward the front door a moment before I heard it open. Mom!
“Brrrr, it’s getting cold out there,” Mom said as she carried two grocery bags and a small plastic bag into the kitchen. She paused when she saw me. “What have you been up to?”
“Uhhhh, I needed to do something,” I winked a few times for good measure, “out in the forest.”
“Something in the forest? OHH!” my mom said as she finally realized what I was hinting at.
“I can help Mom put these away, Dad,” I chirped.
“OK, I’ll leave you to it then,” Dad said as he left the kitchen.
“Oh, Mom!” I whispered. “Have you ever seen caterflies? They are SO cute! Their eggs were trapped behind ice but I rescued them . . . at least, I’m pretty sure I did. I had to rush home. But can we go check and make sure they’re OK tomorrow? First thing? Right after I wake up?”
Mom laughed. “They sound adorable. I can’t wait to meet them! Great work helping them and yes, let’s go first thing in the morning. I also got you this,” and she slid a bag over to me.
I opened it and squealed. “Fabric for Sassafras’ snowshoes! Yessss! Thank you!”
“Go grab your sketches, and we can get these ready for Sassafras before tomorrow morning’s adventure,” Mom said as she put away the last of the groceries. I hurried off to grab my plans for the coolest cat shoes ever. If we worked quickly, Sassafras could wear them to visit the caterflies tomorrow!