Page 14 of The Sandbar saga

Her mom's laughter gave Katie shivers. "It's not my money. Katie's dad left it for her, and I aim to use every single cent of it on her care before she turns eighteen, making sure I don't have to deal with her."

Several seconds passed without either one of them saying anything, or maybe their conversation was muffled by the door. Katie wondered what money her dad left her and why.

"Since you care about her wellbeing and think you know my daughter better than I do, you should find no fault in continuing your counseling with her while she's in school. You can go ahead and take care of Katie," said her mom.

She pressed her cheek to the door. What did that mean?

"You need to go in there and talk to Katie and be honest. She's smarter than you give her credit for. She's going to see what you're doing as abandonment and neglect. By all rights, I could turn you into CPS," said Dr. Conner.

"That's your job, but money buys my freedom. Katie's taken care of, and she's going to get an education. No civil service organization would see a problem with that." Her mom paused. "Remember, I was married to a lawyer. I'm doing nothing wrong."

"You're a sad excuse for a mother," said Dr. Conner.

Her mother's high laughter penetrated the door. "I have no doubt you'll tell her that eventually after you're done trying to fix her and figure out it's impossible. She might only be twelve years old, but she's been a bitch since the day she's been born."

Katie stepped away from the door, her heart pounding. The name-calling was nothing new. She'd heard her mother call her that many times when she was talking to others and thought Katie was out of earshot.

Bumping into the chair, she sat down. She put her feet flat on the floor and clasped her hands together, placing them on her lap.

Her tears dried on her cheeks. She stared at the door. Would anyone come and check on her?

Her mom was sending her to a new school. She would need to leave home. What would happen to Ms. Gray?

Would she be able to see the sandbar and bridge from her window at the new school?

The door opened, and Dr. Conner filled the doorway. She studied him.

He avoided her gaze until he sat down beside her, then his forehead unwrinkled, and he gave a heavy sigh. She knew how he felt. Dealing with her mother wasn't easy.

She was fierce, cold, and could strike out when a person least expected it. How her father loved her mother remained a mystery to her.

Her gaze locked on Dr. Conner. She wanted him to...she had no idea what she wanted, only knew that Dr. Conner would make her feel better.

Her stomach clenched. She really wanted to feel better.

The shock of mother's news wore off, she needed someone to tell her she'd be okay. That going to a new school, away from home, wouldn't kill her.

"One thing in life that we can never prepare ourselves for is when others take the control out of our hands, and we're at their mercy." Dr. Conner leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees. "Katie, you've been handed more than your fair share of heartache, and I know you've been hit with a lot of information that has made you feel as if everything is changing. But I promise you, I will be there for you. I'm not going to let you handle the new changes on your own. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Will you change her mind so I can stay home?" she said.

His gaze remained on her. "I can't do that, but I will drive to your new school and see you every Tuesday and Friday, or whatever days they allow me to come. I won't let you go through the changes alone."

"Is the new school far away?" she whispered.

"Two and a half hours."

She came out of the chair, riddled with worry. "Do you have to go over the Megler Bridge to see me?"

He tilted his head. "Yes. Your new school is in Washington."

"You can't come." She grabbed his hand, panic gripping her whole body. "I don't want you there."

"Katie?" He guided her back to the chair and leaned toward her, squeezing her hands together in his. "Why don't you want me crossing the bridge?"

She pressed her lips together and shook her head. The thought of losing Dr. Conner, who had quickly become the only person who had shown any sign of wanting to be around her, scared her.

Dr. Conner studied her. Frustrated that she couldn't warn him about what would happen in the chance that saying it out loud, even thinking it, would make her fear come true, she held his hand to her chest, refusing to let him go.