Page 15 of The Sandbar saga

She was losing everyone and everything.

He inhaled deeply and looked down at her hold on him before meeting her gaze again. "If I could go to you without crossing the bridge in town, would you want to continue our appointments?"

Her throat muscles spasmed, and she nodded.

"Then, I will go out of my way and cross the Columbia River in Longview," he said.

The air in her lungs escaped. "You will?"

"For you." He lowered her hands and patted them, letting go. "But first, you need to prepare for a new environment."

She sat down and sagged against the chair. "I don't want to go."

"I'm afraid, because of your age, you must." He shifted on the seat and took out his wallet. "Take this, and don't lose it."

She held out her hand and accepted the small white card, reading the front. It had Dr. Conner's name, address, and phone number printed on the front.

"I will have to check with your school to find out which days I can meet with you. Until then, if you need anything, call that number to get ahold of me."

She pressed the card to her chest as if she held on to the one thing that would save her from her nightmare.

Outside, a car door shut, and an engine started. She lifted her gaze and looked out the window. Her mother's vehicle pulled around the circle driveway and headed toward the street. Her throat burned with unspoken anger.

As often happened living on the coast, the winds picked up and rain splattered on the window.

She felt no remorse hoping a storm was coming.