Page 14 of Race to the Beach

It took hours, but eventually, the hospital staff was done poking and prodding her.Now, the doctor stood there.His name badge read:Dr.Grant Turner.He was a nice guy with a friendly bedside personality.

"Ms.Daniels, I've gone over all of your test results, and you are fortunate not to have any serious injuries."

Those words were music to her ears.If only her car had the same diagnosis.

"So, this means I can go?"She sent him a hopeful look before turning to Aunt Bonnie."Can you grab my clothes?"

"Not so fast," Dr.Turner said."Your shoulder has a severe bruise.You're going to need to apply the RICE method."After Maxi sent him a confused look, he said, "It's an acronym for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.You'll need to rest your left arm.That means no lifting or doing anything strenuous for a week or two.You'll also need to apply ice to your shoulder for twenty minutes at a time.You'll need to do this several times a day.And the nurse will bring in a sling for your arm."He must have noticed the frown on her face because he said, "You only need to wear it for a little bit to help with the swelling.You'll be better in no time."

It wasn't her shoulder she was worried about; it was her car.She'd invested so much time and money in it.How was she supposed to go home and tell the people that had been so generous to sponsor her in this race that she'd lost before she’d even made it to the start of the race.

She couldn't wait to get out of the hospital.She needed to see the car.Maybe it wasn't a total loss.Maybe there was something she could do to fix it.

Even as the thoughts were going through her mind, she recalled the accident.It hadn't just been a fender bender.The impact had been much more substantial.All she had to do was look at her shoulder to realize it.

Chapter Seven

Thiswasn'tgood.

In fact, it was very bad.

After the ambulance left, Owen surveyed the damage to not only Maxine's car, but also his own.He'd been right behind her, getting ready to maneuver around her when she'd tramped the brakes.There had been no time for him to move completely out of the way.He'd cut the steering wheel to the right, but there wasn’t enough room for him to clear her car.His front bumper clipped her rear bumper.

Guilt weighed heavy on his shoulders.He'd wanted to go with her to the hospital to make sure she was all right, but he didn’t think she’d want him there.She probably wouldn’t want anything to do with him after she learned how he'd played a part in the accident.By his car striking hers, it succeeded in pushing her farther into the wall, making the damage, and most likely her injuries, worse.

"Hey, are you okay?"His older brother Kent rushed up to him with a concerned look on his face.

His brother wasn't alone.Another brother Liam and his sister, Josie, stepped up to him.

"You should go to the hospital too," Josie said.

He shook his head."I'm fine.My car barely tapped the other car."That wasn't exactly the truth.It was more than a tap, but his car had only sustained minor body damage.It could still run in the race next weekend."I just have to get Maxine’s car towed out of here."

"Not a problem."Liam gestured over his shoulder to the flatbed slowly working its way in their direction.“And here come Mom and Dad.”

Owen inwardly groaned.He didn’t need his mother fussing over him.He needed to move his car back to his designated tent.

His gaze moved to Maxine’s car.Maxine wasn't there to make any decisions.Maybe he should have her car towed to his parents' garage.He could give it a quick look and see how extensive the damage was.He felt as though he needed to do something to make up for the fact that he'd run into her.

"Are you okay?"His mother rushed toward him with her arms outstretched.

After a quick hug, he said, "I don't think you're supposed to be out here.The race isn't over yet."

"Stop worrying," his mother said."They can't race with the flatbed out here and the wrecked cars."Her eyes shone with sympathy.

"I'm sorry this happened," his father said.His gaze strayed to the car."Will you be able to fix it in time for the race?"

Owen raked his fingers through his hair."I don't think the damage to my car is too serious.But I won't know until we get it home."Now was his chance to ask a big favor."Would you guys mind if I had them tow the other car to your place too?I feel really bad about hitting it and wanted to see what I could do to help out with the repairs."

Both of his parents' brows rose at the unusual request.His mother turned to his father.They did their non-verbal communication like they'd been doing since he was young.He always thought it was wild how his parents were so connected they could communicate without speaking a word.

His father turned to him."It's fine as long as it’s gone by the race next weekend."

Owen nodded."Thanks.I appreciate it."

He just hoped Maxine didn't mind.But she wasn't there to make her wishes known, and the car needed to be cleared from the track so the practice race could continue.Instead of bothering her, he decided to go ahead with his plan and leave a message for her at her assigned tent.He didn't want her to panic and think someone had stolen her car.

After parking his car in his tent, he went to Maxine’s tent.He left a note on a table.And then he headed to his parents’ house to see just how bad the damage was to her car.He still couldn’t believe they’d wrecked.Of all the times for Dasher to escape the Bell farm and head into town for a visit.

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