Here is the first of the Stella Madison Capers, the story of how everything started, and how she escaped from a catastrophe that seemed to come out of nowhere. Which is the nature of catastrophes but it's so hard to be logical when you're in the middle of one. It's also the story of how she met the colonel (if you're interested in that sort of thing).

Something happened in Stella Madison's life that she never dreamed could come close to someone as careful as she was. But it did. In fact, if it hadn't been for sheer Providence and the kindness of strangers (who quickly became friends), she wouldn't be here to this day.

Lesson learned: trouble comes to everybody and usually in bunches.

Home Before Dark is "A Little Traveling Book: Just big enough to take you somewhere."