Chapter 1

The soldiers were all exactly alike, excepting one, who had only one leg; he had been
left to the last, and then there was not enough of the melted tin to finish him, so they
made him to stand firmly on one leg, and this caused him to be very remarkable.
Hans Christian Andersen
The Steadfast Tin Soldier
My dark hair whips my bare back as I gain on the form cycling through the trees up
ahead.
I may have just found my afternoon plaything. A perfect male specimen riding through
the forest alone.
Exactly what I need.
Thrusting my shoulders over the handlebars of my mountain bike, I pedal faster. My
tires gobble up the dirt trail as I close in.
My boy-toy-to-be turns his head and I get a glimpse of his profile under his helmets
visor. I recognize that face. Jay Something-or-other from school. My front tire wavers
for just a breath.
Oh.
I had been hoping for some random boy to have fun with, but this is a boy from my class
who is way too serious. Bordering on lame. Dont get me wrong, Jays intelligent and I
like a challenging conversation. But Im not looking for a conversation today.
Im looking for an afternoon fling.
Still.
I churn my strong legs back up to speed. He may not be the most exciting mark, but Im
trying to escape a nearly catatonic state of boredom. An hour ago I was lying on my
deck, too hot to read the trail guide Id laid over my face, when I heard a wasp chewing
on the wood railing. The munching sound got louder and louder until I wanted to crawl
out of my skin. I finally shouted, Go chew on somebody elses damned deck!
To a wasp.
Clearly, Dyna is ready to spend a little time with her own species.
Heads up! I stand on my pedals, lean over, and give two solid knuckle raps to Jays
helmet as I glide by.
Technically, I should be wearing one, too, but I ache for the wind. Its the reason Im
wearing just my bikini top and shorts and would probably ride naked if it wouldnt get
me arrested. I glance back at a surprised-looking Jay, shift to a fast coast, and leave the
next move in his hands.
Do you have the spirit of an adventurer hidden in there somewhere, Mr. Serious-
bordering-on-lame?
I keep my eyes on the trail, but a smile spreads across my face as Jay catches up. Okay,
game on. I change gears and pedal faster. The trail were on connects with the woods
behind my house and runs sixteen miles to the north and south. I usually prefer
spending time on it by myself, no matter what season it is.
Nature is most pure when experienced alone.
But Im always up for a fun drive-by encounter with a boy when Im bored.
Im impressed Jay manages to match my pace and notice that his arms are actually quite
muscular for a pale and overly serious type in a dorky bike helmet. Youre Dyna, right?
he pants.
The one and mighty. I glance at his chin-strapped face. While hes not my type, he is
probably what some girls consider swoon-worthy. His green eyes are rimmed with blond
lashes, and even at this speed his straight teeth charm me when he smiles. I, personally,
am not a swooner, and I dont really get girls who are, but I may have underestimated
my afternoon plaything.
Im glad.
I call to him, Its so hot my tits are melting off! Jay takes this as an invitation to turn
his head and openly check out my rack.
Still there, he confirms with a grin.
Thanks for keeping an eye on them for me.
Anytime. Hes obviously not looking for a deep and meaningful relationship.
Good.
I just want to stir up this simmering July afternoon. And while fooling around is a
definite possibility, Im not about to hand over my pink. Past attempts have been made
by a few bold boyfriend-types, but Im keeping that territory unexplored until I find the
right guy.
What do you have planned for the summer? he asks as I slow our pace.
Hanging on the mountain. I look over at him. Literally. Hanging. Ive gone rock
climbing almost every day since break started.
School finished nearly two weeks ago and Ive been hooking up with a few random
climbing buddies on the ridge. Our conversations basically consist of calling out things
like On belay! Tension! and Climb on!
After a few pedals Jay says, Yeah, Ive been superbusy, too. Working on building my
clips.
He interprets my silence as a desire for more details. Thats sort of like a portfolio for
writers. I need them for my college applications.
And here I figured you meant youd been scrapbooking.
He laughs, and I turbo-blast down the trail. Im nearly flying, but he speeds up and
manages to keep less than a bikes length between us.
Now things are getting interesting.
I launch my bike over a protruding stone just as a striped caterpillar with a suicide wish
inches into my pathway. Twisting my handlebars sharply, I avoid running the little guy
through.
The caterpillar is spared, but my landing is shit and my back tire slides in the dirt.
My arms tense.
Frack! I struggle to keep from veering off the trail but plunge into a full-on skid.
A sour taste fills my mouth as Im thrust toward a solid row of trees.
CrankinShitFrack! The wall of bark is coming at me fast. Leaning hard, I aim my bike so
its sliding sideways, tires first. I tense for impact.
In the background Jay shouts, Ohmygod!
Ignore him.
I grunt and dig in.
Pine needles and dirt form a violent cloud as I spin my wheels.
Come on, Dyna!
Powering through with everything I have, I finally grab traction. Regain control. I graze
lumpy roots with my pedal, just clearing the tree.
Jay stops to process my near-blow, but I dont even slow down. My heart pumps pure
adrenaline as I devour the trail. Tingles surge through my limbs. A rabbit makes way,
and the air is filled with chirps and chatters.
I am the most alive thing in the woods right now.
I look back and toss a laugh to Jay. He lunges forward to catch up, but I keep my
advantage all the way to the Wallkill River. When I reach the bridge I automatically rise,
stand on my pedals, and let go of the handlebars. As I glide along the rumbling wooden
planks I lock my knees, fling my arms open wide, and surrender to the rivers vastness.
The fresh air embraces me.
This is the only romance Ill ever need.
Jay speeds by me and my bike falters. What the hell? I grab my handlebars and he
swings into a sideways stop, blocking my way.
My tires yelp against the brake pads. What do you think youre doing? I jump off my
pedals onto the bridges even planks.
I could ask you the same thing. He reaches to steady my bike and looks at me the way
my parents might if they were the type to give stern parental glares. You almost ate it
back there.
Im fine. It was no big deal.
He laughs incredulously. Are you always so wild? I mean, I heard you were a daredevil.
You have a pretty epic reputation at school. But I didnt know you were semi-suicidal.
His eyes are wide and the crease of concern in his forehead softens me. I wonder if hell
kiss me later.
Dont worry, Im not some psycho chick with a death wish. Ive never even had a broken
bone. Jay is gripping my bike so tight his knuckles look ready to pop. Hey. Sorry if I
scared you. Its just sort of my familys motto: Risk nothing. Do nothing. Die anyway.
Mom and Dad both have that saying tattooed on their shoulders in the form of a flying
raven. My brother, Harley, rebelled and had his put on his rib cage, but Im thinking the
shoulder will work fine for me. I have a few other tats in mind, back of the neck, hip,
inner wrist, but Dads making me wait until Im eighteen. Hes pretty sure once I start
with the ink I wont want to stop. He might be right.
Jay shakes his head, and I wonder if I should be looking for someone else to hang out
with. Someone who wont look at me this intensely.
Finally, he moves his hand from my bike to my bare waist. His touch sends a tickling
wave across my stomach, but its probably just that human contact thing Ive been
lacking.
Nice family motto. Can we try that Do nothing part for the next hour or so while I
catch my breath?
I look down the bridge and see a couple lounging on one of the wooden benches in an
intimate embrace.
Sure, I say. But not here. Lets go do nothing down by the swim hole.
Swim hole? Jay looks up and down the trail.
Figures, I tease. How long have you lived here? Ill show you. Veering around him I
head off down the bridge and challenge, But youve got to keep up, Scrapbook Junkie.
I glance back to see Jay leap onto his pedals. His straight teeth are set in a grimace as he
flies past the stagnant couple and bears down on me.
I laugh with delight and speed up.

Copyright 2014 by Laurie Boyle Crompton