Page 23 of The Summer Arrangement
Before I know it, Milli and I are on our way to The Promenade. This famous cement pathway parallels the beach near the center of town. It may only be a little over a mile long, but it’s the best place to learn. The sand lining is the perfect place to land, and it’s away from any moving vehicles. My sisters and Iall learned to ride on this very pathway as Nana’s house borders it.
*****
“There you go… You’ve got this!” I exclaim, jogging beside Milli.
I’m still holding the seat of the balance bike, but she’s figured out how to keep her head over the handlebars and work her feet in the short time we’ve been practicing. I’m not sure who will be more tired when we’re done, but she’s determined to keep going.
“Yay!” Milli shrieks as she runs over a small bump in the sidewalk. Unfortunately, the wheel jerks, and she loses control.
“Whoa,” I warn, swooping my free arm around her just in time for the bike to veer off the path. If I hadn’t been holding onto the seat, she would’ve toppled onto the ground and crashed into a bush.
“Everything okay?” a familiar male voice approaches, laced with concern.
Turning, I see Lanie with her husband Ryan, walking from our deck to the pathway.
“Guess what, Milli? This is my sister and her husband Ryan.”
Milli’s arms grip around my leg as an unusual shyness sets over her as Ryan’s six-foot-four frame approaches.
Ryan immediately notices and stops a few feet back from us. My sister however comes closer and squats to her level as she says. “It’s nice to meet you, Milli. I’ve heard you love coloring and reading books. I love reading, too.”
This perks Milli up. “Books? I love reading my new book with Princess Thea! My Iz gave it to me. We went to story time.”
“You went to story time with Sophie?” Ryan asks knowingly. “Did she use puppets?”
This earns Ryan an enthusiastic nod, and she apparently forgets all about her shyness as she steps closer. “Uh-huh. The frog princess saved the day.”
Ryan reaches down and picks up the forgotten balance bike from the bush it’s currently leaning against.
“My Iz got me dat today.”
Raising a brow, Ryan asks, “Wow. Lanie and I were watching you from the kitchen. You’re picking this up fast.”
Lanie’s brows knit together. “Where on earth did you find a thing like that?”
“A garage sale, of course.” I smile. “I even got them to throw in this protective gear all for the tune of ten bucks.”
Ryan’s jaw drops as he guffaws, “Dude, you stole this!”
“No. Iz not steal.” Milli’s voice suddenly is stern as she points a finger in his direction. “She paid. Stealing is bad.”
Oh, my heart. This girl.
As we all fight to stifle a laugh, Ryan somehow manages to regain control. Dropping to her height to look her in the eye, he calmly says, “You’re right, Milli. Stealingisbad. I know Lizzypaidfor your things. I’m teasing her. I’m sorry if you thought otherwise.”
Milli’s expression is hard to read as she stares at Ryan with her lips pursed.
Ryan points to her bike and asks, “Wanna show me how you ride this?”
And just like that, everything is forgotten.
Reaching for the handle, she grins adorably at him. “Run beside me?”
“I think I can do that,” he says, glancing to me for permission.
The moment I nod, he stands and helps Milli get settled on the bike.
“Hold onto the back of her seat,” I warn. “She hasn’t quite mastered the balance part yet.”
