Page 16 of The Sandbar saga

Chapter 6

The small piece ofchalk in Mrs. Radcliff's hand repeatedly tapped against the board, echoing in the room, as she worked out the negative number equation.

Katie, lost on the concept of how there could be a negative five, stared out the window. Math was the last class of the day and the end to her official first week at St. Mary's Catholic School for Girls.

She'd learned three things during the week. One—there were no boys here. Even the teachers were all women. Two—the only private time she had was after dinner when she could escape to a small room where she slept. Three—she wasn't Catholic.

"Using the same formula that I've shown you on the board, I want you to do the twenty-four questions on page thirty-four over the weekend, and have them turned in on Monday." Mrs. Radcliff walked to her desk as the bell rang.

Katie gathered her pack from underneath her chair and shoved her book inside. Standing, she waited for the other girls to rush past her, then she walked to the door.

"Katie? A moment, please." Mrs. Radcliff looked up from her desk.

Unable to avoid talking with the teacher, she slowed her steps and changed directions.

"I would advise you to spend some extra time trying to catch up with the others in the classroom. Going from your transcripts, our school is a year ahead of what you were learning in public school." Mrs. Radcliff handed her a packet of papers. "I'll give you some extra time, but I expect you to be caught up by next quarter. Go through each unit and do the tests at the end of the chapter. When you're done, we'll go through them to see where you'll need extra help. The school does have a tutor who can work with you if you find yourself struggling. Make sure you ask if you need extra help."

"Yes, Mrs. Radcliff," she whispered.

"Also, you're wanted in the office before you head to study hall to do your homework."

She nodded and walked out of the room. School was out. Why would she have to do her homework now and not after she had some time off?

All she wanted to do was take off her uniform, put on regular clothes, and lounge on her bed, and not think of the work that needed to be done or the fact that her mother hadn't stayed at home to see her off or called to make sure she arrived at the school okay.

Even Ms. Gray had dropped her off at the head office and left. Not only had her nanny left in a hurry, but Ms. Gray dropped a bombshell of an announcement that she was no longer going to be working for Katie's mom, and it was her final goodbye.

She had to rely on the teachers and Miss Brooke, her dorm supervisor, to figure everything out. And, all they'd done is match her up with Kendrid, another girl at the school who lived in the room next to hers and instructed her to ask questions until she was familiar with her surroundings.

Kendrid was okay. She wasn't mean, just quiet, which made it hard to ask her anything.

She opened the office door and stepped inside. The secretary looked up from the computer screen.

"Katie, you can walk back and knock on Ms. Scott's door," said the secretary.

She walked to the hallway and read the name plaques on the tall, wooden doors. Finding the right one, she knocked softly.

"Come in," said a female voice.

She turned the handle and stepped into the room. Her gaze met familiar dark eyes. Elation filled her. The excitement, so rare, propelled her forward. She threw herself at Dr. Conner, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"You came," she whispered, closing her eyes at the onslaught of emotions. "You really came."

He was the only person she wanted in a world full of strangers. She clung to him, swearing never to let go.

His body shifted, and his hands circled her upper arms as he came down on one knee and looked her in the eyes. Warmth flowed from him, comforting her.

"I think you'll like the news I've come to share," he said.

In her excitement, it never entered her mind to hold her tongue. It'd been ten days since she'd last seen Dr. Conner. She wanted to ask if he'd seen the deer and what happened to her bike and if her mom regretted sending her away.

"I've just finished talking with Ms. Scott, and she's been kind enough to offer a schedule where I can meet with you off-campus twice a week," said Dr. Conner.

"Tuesdays and Fridays?" She leaned forward, anxious to hear.

He dipped his chin once. She bounced on her toes. Today was Friday.

"Are you going to stay today?"