They had been told only that Doc wanted Ellie to see something special.
Nobody knew exactly what waited inside the rear bay.
The Blue Ridge Riders stood near the open workshop, trying unsuccessfully to hide their excitement. A few mechanics smiled from the doorway, and the upholstery specialist stood beside Virginia with her hands clasped tightly in front of her.
Doc waited near the closed rear garage door.
He looked nervous.
That alone surprised Hank.
The enormous biker had once calmly handled a motorcycle breakdown in the middle of a mountain storm. He had faced angry customers, dangerous repair problems, and situations that made other men panic.
But now his hands were trembling.
Hank stepped beside him.
"You all right?"
Doc glanced toward the family.
"Ask me in five minutes."
Hank smiled.
"She'll love it."
Doc looked at him.
"You don't know that."
"No," Hank admitted. "I don't."
He placed one hand on Doc's shoulder.
"But I know you did everything you could."
Doc nodded.
Then Ellie spotted him.
"Harley man!"
Doc turned.
The little girl's face lit up.
He walked toward her and lowered himself onto one knee.
"Morning, Princess."
Ellie smiled.
"Did you finish my motorcycle?"
Doc looked toward Rachel.
Her mother nodded.
The biker returned his attention to Ellie.
"We finished something I want you to see."
Ellie gasped.
"Is it pink?"
Doc smiled.
"Part of it."
"Does it have wheels?"
"More than two."
Ellie looked delighted.
"Five?"
Doc laughed.
"Not quite."
She considered that.
"Four?"
"You're getting warmer."
Ellie frowned.
"Three?"
Doc nodded.
"Three."
The little girl looked toward her mother.
"Mama, three is a lot better than two."
Rachel laughed through tears.
"I suppose it is."
Doc stood and looked at the family.
"Before we open the door, I want to say something."
The room quieted.
He looked directly at Rachel and Mark.
"This is still a prototype built for a very specific purpose. We've done the engineering work needed to reach this stage, but we haven't finished the medical review. Nobody is promising a ride today."
Mark nodded.
"We understand."
Doc continued.
"If the doctors or therapists aren't comfortable with it, we don't move forward. If Ellie doesn't like the seat, we don't move forward. And if she changes her mind, that's the end of it."
Rachel swallowed.
"Thank you."