Page 8 of Race to the Beach

"Don't be sorry.It's not your fault the oven died.I'm touched that you wanted to make me a special dinner."The gesture made her think of her mother and how she would make her special dinners for her birthday and her achievements in school.There was a pang in her heart at the thought of her much-loved mother that she hadn't seen in twelve years.

"So, I'll just meet you at the restaurant?"Aunt Bonnie asked.

"Actually, I'm on my way home.I should be there shortly."

"Okay, dear.See you soon."

After they disconnected the call, Maxi was more determined than ever to win the race and take care of her beloved aunt.She wouldn't fail her.

Where did she go?

She was nowhere to be found.

Owen couldn’t believe the beautiful woman was back.It had been months since the wedding, and he still had her heart pin.He had been starting to think she would never return to the island and then quite unexpectedly she’d just appeared before him.She’d disappeared just as quickly.

Owen was about to go in search of the mystery woman, when Mayor Banks approached him.Although Tony Banks was only a few years older than him, Tony had always acted older than his actual age.Maybe it was his wardrobe, which consisted of suits and bow ties.His brown hair was trimmed short, and he always looked so polished.And now that he was mayor, he even sounded mature for his age.

"Hello, Owen.You’re just the person I needed to see."

Oh no.It was never good when the mayor wore a big smile and clapped him on the back like they were buddies.In that moment, Owen wanted to disappear into one of the many cracks in the asphalt.Every time the mayor wanted to speak to someone, it was because he had something he needed them to do.Owen had absolutely no idea what the mayor had in mind, and that just made him worry all the more.

Owen forced a brief smile to his lips."Hey.Did you come to check out the cars for the race?"

Mayor Banks looked confused for a moment."Uh, there are a lot of cars entered in the race.It appears the vintage grand prix is a big hit.Let’s hope it draws in a lot of spectators."

"Does this mean that it's going to be an annual event?"

"Well, the city council would have to make that decision, but if there’s a big turnout for this event, I feel that it's a safe bet."

Deciding it was best to get going before the mayor remembered why he'd flagged him down, he said, "Well, I should be going."

"I just wanted to thank you."

"Thank me?"Owen had absolutely no idea what the mayor was talking about."For what?"

The mayor sent him a smile."For signing up to take part in our bachelor auction."

Owen surely couldn't have heard him correctly.There was absolutely no way he would voluntarily sign up to have himself auctioned off to the highest bidder.The mayor had to be mistaken.

Owen shook his head.“I didn’t sign up.”

The mayor continued to smile.“Sure, you did.I saw your name on the sheet.”

This was a huge mistake, but the mayor looked certain this was going to happen.Owen struggled to come up with a legitimate excuse to get him out of it.And to make matters worse, he’d made a big deal to his family and friends about being on vacation all week from his job, so he couldn’t use that as an excuse as to why he couldn’t participate in the auction.

"And since you’re participating,” the mayor said, “other guys have volunteered.I can't thank you enough."

Owen swallowed hard.Dating was the very last thing he wanted to do.It didn't matter that the proceeds would go to the pediatric ward in the new hospital.He'd much rather write a generous check for the hospital.The highest bid for a date with him would go for what?Maybe fifty dollars?If he was lucky, a hundred.Tops.

"Thanks again."The mayor patted him on the shoulder.

When Owen gathered his thoughts, he turned to where the mayor had been standing, but Mayor Banks was no longer there.In fact, he was now several yards away and moving away quickly.If Owen didn't know better, he'd think the mayor was running away.But that wasn't Tony Banks’s style.

The mayor didn’t seem to know it wasn't Owen who had added his name to the sign-up sheet.So, if it wasn't him, and it wasn't the mayor, who else would have done it?

Numerous answers came rushing to him: his mother, Birdie Neill, Agnes Dewey, his sister or any of his brothers just to mess with him.And when he found out who thought auctioning him off was a good idea, he was going to have a long talk with them.

It was a good thing that today wasn't the practice race because so far, nothing was going right for him.First, he saw the mystery woman, but then she slipped away before he had a chance to speak to her.And then, he learned that someone had signed him up for the bachelor auction.Now how was he going to get out of it?

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