Page 15 of Race to the Beach

Because of the unusually large crowd in town, due to the festivities for the hospital’s grand opening, the vintage grand prix, and the carnival in Beachcomber Park, he’d decided to leave his cart at home and walk to the race.After giving the tow truck directions to his parents’ place, he set off with long quick strides.He honestly didn’t mind the walk.The sea breeze and sunshine helped loosen his tense muscles.He breathed in the salt air and blew it out, trying to unwind after the accident that easily could have been so much worse.

Thankfully, Maxine would be all right, and that was all that mattered.At least that was what he wanted to believe.He still didn’t have any confirmation.

He pulled his phone from his back pocket and dialed his oldest brother, Grant, who headed up the new hospital.Maybe he could tell him something—anything—about Maxine so he could shake off the worry that dogged his every step.

The phone rang and rang.Then it switched to voicemail.

It was probably for the best.He realized his brother wouldn’t give him any information about Maxine’s condition.His brother took the Hippocratic Oath very seriously.

With a sigh, Owen slipped his phone back into his pocket.There was one thing about living in a small town—there was no such thing as a secret, because if more than one person knew, then the whole town knew.He was certain with the speed of Bluestar’s gossip that he’d soon hear about Maxine’s condition.

He was just making his way along Sea Glass Drive when Aster Bell rushed up to him.She was pregnant and had a toddler on her hip.She had a worried look on her face.“I’m sorry about what happened at the race.”

“We both are.”Her husband, Sam, was standing right behind her with their daughter, Nikki, beside him.“I swear I latched the gate on the goat pen before we left for town.I have no idea how Dasher got out this time, but I intend to find out, even if it means setting up cameras all around the pen.”

Owen wasn’t sure what to say in response, so he nodded his head.He believed Sam.Dasher had a reputation for being like Houdini.He could gain his freedom from any sort of pen or barn.

“How is the other driver?”Aster’s face creased with worry lines.

“I don’t know,” Owen said.“She appeared to be okay when the ambulance took her away.But I haven’t gotten any confirmation.”

Aster adjusted the toddler on her hip.“I hope she’s okay.We feel so bad.”

He wasn’t sure what to say to that, so he changed the subject.“How’s Dasher?”

“Not a scratch on him,” Sam said.“He’s at home in the barn, where he can’t escape—at least he hasn’t figured a way out of there yet.”

“How’s the other driver?”Agnes Dewey joined the group.

“There’s no word,” Owen said.

“That’s too bad.I can’t believe that goat got in the way.”Agnes gave Aster and Sam a sideways glance.“Maybe he needs to be chained.”

Owen’s gaze moved back and forth between Agnes and the Bells.There were frowns on everyone’s face.Sam opened his mouth to respond to Agnes, but before he could utter a word, Aster jabbed his ribs with her elbow.Sam pressed his lips together without speaking a word.

“Owen.”Birdie rushed up to him with a worried look on her face.“I just heard about the accident.”She stopped in front of him and reached out to cup his face, turning it this way and that way as she inspected him for any injuries.“How are you?”

Birdie was more like a surrogate grandmother to him.“I’m fine.But I don’t know about Maxine.”

Birdie withdrew her hand as confusion shone in her eyes.“Do you mean Maxi?Bonnie Walter’s niece?”

“I, uh, don’t know.”He felt awkward that he didn’t know anything about her.

“Bonnie said that Maxi was going to be in the race.How bad was the accident?”

“Her car went into the wall,” Owen said.“The car is damaged, but I think it’s repairable.It’s going to take a lot of work.Maxine was alert and talking when they took her away.”

People started talking amongst themselves.Owen stood in the middle of the group without any escape.And to make matters worse, more people had joined the group.

“Hey, Owen,” Sam said above the murmur of voices.“Give this to Maxine.”There was a wad of cash shoved into his hand.“It was our responsibility for the accident, since Dasher caused it.Let us know how much more is needed for repairs and stuff.Whatever it is, we’ll cover it.”

Owen knew they couldn’t afford it.He was about to refuse the cash, but before he could utter the words, Sam and Aster walked away.With the crowd of people growing, there was no way for Owen to go after them.When he looked at the money in his hand, he saw they were large bills.Sam and Aster weren’t rich people.While Sam ran their family farm and Aster worked at City Hall, they also had a growing family.They definitely couldn’t afford to be throwing around money.

Birdie nudged him.“That’s a good idea to take up a collection for her.”Birdie reached into her purse and pulled out a little cash.“Here.Add this to it.”Then she turned her head and said to no one in general, “Who else can give a little to help out Bonnie’s niece?”

The next thing he knew, cash was being thrust in his direction.He had no idea how he’d become the point person to take up a collection for Maxine.And yet, he did it.The money kept coming.Bluestar Island knew how to take care of each other.

He liked that this would provide him with the perfect excuse to see Maxine again—to check on her well-being.There wasn’t any other reason he wanted to see her again.He was done with dating—especially dating out-of-towners.

---