Page 7 of Race to the Beach

Max had never taken part in a motor race before.That was why she'd arrived a week early in order to take advantage of the practice race.She wanted to make sure the car was tuned up just right, and she also wanted to check out the course.Looking at it on a paper was totally different than actually driving it.

Her car was now parked in a white tent in the school parking lot amongst dozens of other white tents.It would remain there for the week until the grand prix the following weekend.

After making sure everything appeared all right with the car after the long journey, Maxi locked the car doors.It was time to head to her aunt’s house.She'd promised Aunt Bonnie that she would be back in time for dinner.

Her aunt had refused to tell her what was on the menu, but Maxi had been able to tell by her aunt's broad smile that it was something special.Her aunt was a fantastic cook so Maxi was guaranteed a delicious meal.And there was a good chance there would be apple crisp for dessert, since it was her aunt’s specialty.Her stomach rumbled its anticipation.

She lowered the flaps on the tent and then tied them shut.When she turned around, she didn’t see very many people in the restricted area.She noticed how most of them were men.She wasn’t honestly surprised.

She worked in a male-dominated profession, but she refused to let it stop her.It only made her more determined to show them that a woman could be just as good of a mechanic and now a race car driver.

As she walked along, she didn't recognize any of the faces.Maybe if she had the opportunity to spend more time on the island, she would make some friends, but she didn't think that was likely to happen any time in the near future.Every time she closed the garage back in Virginia, she lost money.She couldn’t afford to lose much money.

And then her gaze strayed across a familiar face.It stopped her in her tracks.It was a very handsome face.She stood rooted to the spot as she continued to stare.It was the man from the church—the one with the strong arms that kept her from careening down the steps.

She tried to remember if she’d thanked him.She thought so but she couldn’t be sure.Perhaps she should take the time to thank him now.

In that instant, the good-looking stranger turned and glanced in her direction.When his gaze met hers, her heart skipped a beat.She continued standing there, looking into his blue-gray gaze.It wasn’t until a small child bumped into her that the spell was broken.

She glanced down but not before she noticed he was walking in her direction.Her pulse raced as her palms grew damp.Stay or go?Stay or go?Stay.

She looked up.He was only a dozen or so yards away.She ignored her body's reaction to seeing him.She was just going to tell him how much she appreciated his help after the wedding.And then she'd be on her way.

A friendly smile settled on his lips.It made his eyes twinkle.She glanced away before she found herself staring into his eyes again.

What should she say to him after she thanked him?Her stomach fluttered with nerves.Maybe she'd ask his name.It would be nice to put a name to the handsome face.Yes.That was what she'd do.

He was almost to her when he stopped.Had he changed his mind?Had he been smiling at someone else?

And then she realized the reason he’d stopped.There were a couple of vintage cars slowly making their way to their designated tent.One was a silver Corvette.The other was a black Mustang.They were both in excellent condition.She wondered what they had under the hoods.Would her engine have more power than theirs?

It wasn't until the cars moved out of sight that she realized she'd let herself get distracted.When she looked around for the handsome stranger, she didn't see him anywhere.How was that possible?

She walked in the direction that she'd last seen him, but he wasn't there.

Buzz.

She wondered who was calling her.She withdrew her phone from her purse.When she glanced at the screen, she smiled when she saw her aunt's name.

She pressed the phone to her ear."Hello."

"Maxi, don't come home."

"What?"Surely she hadn't heard her aunt correctly."But I thought we were having dinner."

"Uh...Change of plans.How about I meet you at the Lighthouse Cafe?"

"Wait.What?"Maxi took quick steps in the direction of her aunt's house.“I don’t understand.”

"Everything is fine, dear.You don't have anything to worry about."Aunt Bonnie's voice was higher pitched than normal.

There was definitely something wrong.And Maxi was determined to find out what was going on."Are you ill?Did you hurt yourself?"

"Heavens, no.I'm totally fine.I told you everything is okay."

"Then what happened to the dinner you were planning to make—the meal that you went to the market this morning to get all of the ingredients for?"Maxi's steps became quicker.

There was a deep sigh on the other end of the phone."This is nothing for you to worry about but...Well, um, the oven died.I turned it on to preheat it for the lasagna, and when I checked it, it was still cold.And now the special dinner I'd planned for your first night back on the island is ruined.I'm so sorry..."Her aunt's voice cracked with emotion before it faded away.

---