Page 13 of Race to the Beach

She reached for the strap on her helmet.When she moved her left arm, she groaned in pain.She lowered her left arm and struggled to release the strap with her right arm.But she felt claustrophobic wearing it.Her fingers fumbled until at last she was able to work the strap loose.And then she yanked off her helmet.

She heard footsteps rush up to her car on the other side.When she went to turn her head, she found her neck sore.This was her first car accident, so she didn't know what to expect.

"Hey, are you okay?"a male voice called out to her.

"I..."Was she okay?Her mind felt as though it had gotten a good shaking in the wreck.It was shock."I am fine."She turned her head and was met by familiar blue-gray eyes.

"Maxine."There was a definite note of surprise in Owen’s voice.He opened the passenger side door."Are you all right?"

She went to nod her head, but just a little bit of movement had her wincing."I'm okay."

And then she heard the wail of sirens in the distance.They were coming for her.She inwardly groaned.Not only had she wrecked her car, but now she'd ruined the race for everyone else—including Owen.Thankfully, it was only the practice race.

The next thing she knew, Owen leaned into the car.He grasped her hand and then pressed his fingers to her wrist.

She attempted to yank her arm from him."What are you doing?"

"Relax.I'm taking your pulse."When she sent him a confused look, he said, "I'm a trained paramedic."

She stopped trying to move and let him take her pulse, which she was certain was well into the three-digit range.“Was anyone else involved in the accident?”

There was a distinct pause.She couldn’t tell if it was because he was concentrating on checking her out or if he didn’t want to break the bad news.

“No.The other cars got stopped in time.”

The relief washed over her.As her gaze moved over the raceway, she wanted to ask him more questions, but she didn't get a chance.

"Where do you hurt?"Owen asked.

Her chest tightened.She felt like she couldn’t take a full breath.She reached for the seatbelt."I need to get out of here."

"Whoa."He reached out, placing his hand gently on her shoulder.“You need to stay still until we get a neck brace on you.”

“I told you I’m fine.I want out.”When she attempted to move again, she winced.

“See,” he said.“You are not fine.You were just in a car accident.And as a paramedic, I’m telling you not to move.”

The ambulance, with its flashing red lights, pulled up next to them.Everything started to move in fast motion as more paramedics joined Owen.Together, they worked to get her out of the car.It wasn’t a straightforward process as the driver’s side door was smashed against the concrete barrier.Against her protests, they transported her via ambulance to the new Bluestar Hospital.

Maybe if she wasn't so angry with herself for wrecking the car and losing her chance to win the money to help her aunt, she would have noticed the beautiful hospital with all of the latest technology.But as her gurney was whisked down the hallway, she was lost in her own grief.

In between x-rays and scans, her aunt showed up with a worried frown on her face."What happened?I couldn’t see from where I was standing.”

"You mean the wreck?"When her aunt nodded, Maxi glanced around to make sure they were alone before she continued.She lowered her voice."You aren't going to believe this, but I swear I saw a goat in the road."

Aunt Bonnie's eyes widened."A goat?"

"I know.It sounds ridiculous, but I swear that's what I saw."

Her aunt was quiet for a moment."It's not as ridiculous as you might think.There is a goat on the island who is known to come into town to visit."

“No way.”Her aunt was probably just telling her this to make her feel better, but as Aunt Bonnie continued to nod, Maxi asked, "Really?"

“Really.His name is Dasher.He’s a miniature black and white goat.He’s really cute, but he can get himself in all sorts of trouble.”

“Is he all right?”

“I don’t know.”Her aunt sent her a concerned look.

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