Page 68 of Race to the Beach

“Then prove it.”

“You mean I have to race in order for you not to think that I’m a quitter?”

He didn’t say anything but the challenge was there in his eyes.

Maybe he was right.Maybe she needed to accept a ride from him back to town and then she could beat him on the racetrack.The idea appealed to her.

“Fine.Let’s go.”

For the briefest second, a small smile lifted the corners of his lips.“Good.I’ll get the cart.”

It was only after he jogged away that she looked back, realizing they’d walked quite a distance.It was tempting to keep walking, but he was right.She’d come to the island with a purpose—to win the race.

She glanced at her fitness tracker.There wasn’t much time left.Only thirty-nine minutes until the start of the race.Could they make it in time?

One minute to go.

Owen sat behind the wheel of his race car.He glanced over at Maxi.As they didn’t finish the practice race, they were positioned at the back of the pack.

He knew Maxi had high hopes of winning the race, but he didn’t think it was possible from this position.But he’d wanted it for her.He knew if she didn’t at least try, she’d regret it.Plus, it gave him a little more time to figure out how to make things up to her.She was even more upset with him now than she was the night before.

The green flag was waved, and the motors of the fifty race cars revved.Owen found it frustrating to wait for the rest of the field to get going before it was his turn to press on the accelerator.

The track was congested.At the moment, there was nowhere to go.He chanced a glance over at Maxi.She had the same problem.As she weaved side to side, it was obvious she was searching for an opening.

He searched for his own break.Every time things started to open up in front of him, they would head into a curve.When they once more made it to a straight away, the field would become congested again.Both of his hands clenched the wheel as frustration mounted within him.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed some motion.A quick glance to his right, and he noticed Maxi make a move.One moment she was next to him, and the next she was snaking her way through the pack of cars.

After another curve, he made his move.Maxi was a couple of cars in front of him and quickly lengthening the distance.He was impressed with her moves.Not only did she have a sleek car, but she knew how to work it.

By the last lap, Maxi was no longer in sight.He hoped she was inching her way to the lead.He couldn’t think of anyone better to win the race.No matter what, she’d beat him fair and square.

It was a race to the beach, and it was coming into sight.The checkered flag was scheduled to fly next to Beachcomber Park, where they were going to hold the trophy ceremony.

The carnival was still set up with colorful game booths, rides for the little ones, and a big Ferris wheel.He would like to take Maxi for a ride on the Ferris wheel.In fact, there were a lot of things he wanted to do with her.

He made it around the final curve.He maneuvered around two more cars when the finish line came into sight.When he drove beneath the checkered flag, he looked around for Maxi.She was nowhere in sight.And he had no idea who had won the race.

He pulled his car over to the side.He took off his helmet and climbed out.He stretched as he glanced around.Maxi had to be there somewhere.There was no way she would have left already.

It took a couple of minutes, but his family came rushing up to him.His brothers and sister with their significant others were all smiles and clapping him on the back.When he asked why they were congratulating him when he hadn’t even won, they said because he’d restored their grandfather’s car and made the family proud.

“Has anyone seen Maxi?”He was starting to think she really had left.

“No, I haven’t,” Grant said.

“I haven’t either,” Josie said.

He needed to go find her.There were things he needed to say to her—things that he hadn’t known until now that he’d ever be ready to say to another person.Maxi had come crashing into his life and turned it upside down.Now he couldn’t imagine his life without her in it.

Owen didn’t have the answers of how they’d make their relationship work with her living in Virginia and him on the island.They did have one thing going for them—his job was mobile.As long as he had a computer and the internet, he could work anywhere.

“I have to go,” he said to no one in particular.

He’d only taken a couple of steps when his sister called out his name.He didn’t want to waste any more time, but he couldn’t just blow off his sibling.He stopped and turned.

“I just saw Maxi over there.”Josie pointed toward the stage where they were going to hold the awards ceremony.Later in the day, a band would be up there, playing as part of the carnival.

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