Rule Number One by JT Hine

Author:JT Hine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: biracial, terrorists, strong women, national parks, book two, teenage hero, bicycle racing, bicycle travel
Publisher: JT Hine

24. Katherine cops an attitude

THE NEXT MORNING, Katherine smelled coffee as she woke up. After a short disorientation, she remembered the day before. As she stretched in bed, she tested her bruises and her neck. Nothing hurt. Rising and walking to the bathroom, she checked herself in the mirror. The bruising was dramatic but not unexpected. The discoloration would fade next week.

After dressing, she tried some of her morning routine. Squats and stretches were fine. The gash on her chest tugged when she did a plank, so she skipped the push-ups and went downstairs.

“You look none the worse for wear,” said Louise, pointing to a chair at the kitchen table. “I trust you slept well.”

“Nine hours! I must have needed it.”

“I should say.” Louise poured coffee. “Your husband will be back soon. He said that we need to go over your gear and review his and Hilda's preparations yesterday.”

Tani distributed plates of bacon and eggs. “This is so exciting! Wish I were going.”

“The only place you're going to is school, dear.” Louise looked at the clock. “Will you try to catch Aliya, or are you planning a solo ride?”

“On my way.” She kissed her mother. Then she reached out to shake hands, but Katherine pulled her in for a hug. “Thank you so much, Tani. This means the world to me.”

“Come home safe, okay?”

“Okay.”

With a skip, the girl was out the door with her book bag slapping on her back.

“Such a mature young woman, Tani. Not a typical teen.”

“She's had to grow up fast when my mother started to slip. I could not have handled it all without her.”

“I never would have asked for my daughter to go through what she has since we left Newton, but I know what you mean.”

“And I trust Tani as you trust Emily. We are lucky to have them now.”

“Indeed.”

While they ate mostly in silence, they reflected on the experiences that had shaped their exceptional daughters.

As Katherine finished drying the skillet, Mark drove up. The morning was spent unpacking the panniers, checking the equipment, then repacking and mounting them on the brand-new Surly Disc Trucker. The amount of detail her husband and her friend brought to the job of outfitting her for an indefinite adventure tour in a few hours amazed her. Because they knew her so well, Hilda could modify her own list to suit. Mark had tuned and checked the new bike.

“No combat first aid kit?” Katherine asked in jest.

“Emily has one already.”

“Right. The EMT course.”

“And Wilderness First Aid in Texas.”

“This seems so light for such a long tour.”

“Yes, but she has the cookware, tent, and everything you can share. All you need are your clothes, toilet kit, mess kit, mat and sleeping bag.”

“I haven't slept with her since she was a baby.”

“Well, she doesn't snore, in case you wondered.” The nurse had toured with Emily two summers earlier.

“And I know you don't,” he added.

With hugs and some tears, they said goodbye to Louise, climbed into the van and drove to Richmond International Airport.

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