Page 9 of The Sandbar saga

She glanced over at Dr. Conner. He already sat his bicycle and waited for her.

Not wanting to disappoint him or make him angry after he bought a bike she could ride, she sucked in a big breath and pressed her foot down on the pedal, surprising herself when she landed on the seat, and the bicycle rolled forward.

Wobbling and almost losing her balance, she rolled out onto the street and squeezed the brake handle. She jumped off the seat. Her heart pounded hard enough to break out of her chest.

Seeing Dr. Conner ride ahead, she hurried to get the bike going again. Every second scary and uncomfortable. She'd never ridden on the street with the possibility of a car coming at her, only on the path behind the house on even, smooth ground.

Dr. Conner turned and looked back at her. She kept peddling and made the corner. Having to use her legs more to climb the slight incline, she concentrated on the ground in front of her. As soon as she made it to the asphalted path, she'd relax.

"Go ahead and turn left." Dr. Conner slowed and moved out of her way. "Lead the way."

She continued peddling, riding over the small speed bump onto the path. Keeping the tires on the asphalt as she turned, she almost giggled when she succeeded in getting them there.

She was biking.

Not knowing how far Dr. Conner expected her to go, she kept pumping her legs.

Her hands, tired from gripping the handles, ached. The rubber knobs on the rubber made it impossible to let go. Sweat rolled down her temple. She should've put her hair in a ponytail, but she hadn't expected to go outside. She certainly never dreamed of going to see if the deer was at the stream with her fawns.

"Do you see that bench ahead?" asked Dr. Conner from behind her.

Realizing he couldn't see her face from behind her, she said, "Yes."

"We can stop there."

Riding straight for the wrought-iron bench, she tested her brakes and jumped off the seat, landing on both feet before the bicycle careened to the side. She almost fell before she saved the bike from getting a scratch mark.

Anxious to stand on her own, she toed the kickstand and stood beside it, rubbing her hands. It seemed like she'd ridden miles and miles, and it was the best feeling in the world.

"Come sit. Rest your legs, so you'll have enough energy to ride back home. We can follow the path when we leave." He pointed in the opposite direction and then patted the bench. "That way, you can put the bike in your backyard. It'll be better to start from the path than be out on the street when you're riding alone."

She stepped over and sat down, glad for somewhere to get off her shaky legs. "I can't keep a bicycle that isn't mine."

"It's yours now."

She jerked her gaze to him. "You really bought it for me?"

"Your mother paid for it." He pointed to the bike. "There's a water bottle in that holder on the frame. I filled it up for you. It's fresh and cold."

For the first time, she noticed that he held his own bottle of water. She went and retrieved it, popping up the top. Thirstier than she realized, she drank and then carried it back with her to sit beside him.

She had a hard time believing her mother bought the bike or gave her permission for her to go riding.

Searching the area, she noticed the stream. Looking in the brush and between the trees for the deer, she fell into a comfortable silence. Dr. Conner wasn't asking her too many questions today.

Several minutes later, a woman and a child—younger than her—rode by. She moved her feet under the bench and gripped the edge of the seat as Dr. Conner dipped his chin to the woman.

She feared someone seeing her outside and getting ahold of her mom. If she got in trouble, her whole summer would be ruined.

"Are you still enjoying your days on your own?" asked Dr. Conner the moment they were alone again.

Reeling from receiving the bike and Dr. Conner caring if she was doing okay, she swung her feet back and forth. "Yes."

He chuckled. "Then, I would guess it was worth standing up for yourself and getting what you want, right?"

She glanced at the bike again. The only reason she received the bike and was able to stop having a nanny was because of him. If it weren't for Dr. Conner, she'd be stuck inside with Ms. Gray, and she never would've been able to see where the deer live.

Since her dad had died, her mom always aimed her temper at her. It was as if her mom blamed losing her husband on Katie. Her anger confused her because she hadn't told anyone what she wished the night her dad died with Miss Cynthia.