Page 9 of Race to the Beach

Chapter Five

Itwasraceday.

Correction: It was practice race day.

The next morning, Maxi was up before her alarm.The sun was just climbing above the horizon when she yawned and stretched.The truth was that she hadn’t slept all that well.If this was a case of nerves, and it was only for a practice session, she had no hope of getting any sleep the night before the actual race.

It seemed that she wasn’t the only one who hadn’t slept well.After she’d showered and dressed, she headed downstairs and found her aunt in the kitchen.She hoped that her moving about the upstairs hadn’t awoken her aunt.

“Good morning, Aunt Bonnie.”Maxi planted a feathery kiss on her aunt’s ivory cheek.

Aunt Bonnie smiled at her.“Good morning to you too.You look so pretty.But then again, I think you always look beautiful.”

Heat rushed to Maxi’s cheeks.She wasn’t used to receiving compliments.It was not something her father ever did.It just wasn’t who he was.

“Thank you for the compliment and the clothes.It was so sweet of you.”

Instead of her usual T-shirt and blue jean shorts, she opted to dress a little nicer.It wasn’t like she went all out with her attire.After all, she’d be wearing a fire-retardant coverall for the race, but she wanted something nice beneath, and so she wore a cute outfit that her aunt had gifted her for Christmas.It was a pink cotton short-sleeved top paired with light blue jeans with an embroidered white floral pattern that trailed up the outside of her pant leg to her knee.

“I’m just glad it fit.You have no idea how I agonized over what to get you.”Aunt Bonnie busied herself cracking two eggs into the sizzling skillet.Thankfully the stovetop still worked.“I’m happy to see you in such a good mood.You must be confident that you’ll win the race today.”

Maxi sent her aunt a toothy smile.“I’m not worried about today.It’s just practice, but it should let me know what, if anything, I need to improve on the car so that it’s the best.”

Aunt Bonnie stared at her for a moment.“I’m so happy for you.It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you in such a sunny mood.I think the island is good for you.”

While her aunt tended to the eggs, Maxi thought about her comment.She honestly didn’t think she’d been in a bad mood.Maybe she’d been more reserved than normal.It’s just that she’d had a lot on her mind.Since her father passed away, keeping the auto repair business going was one challenge after the next.The family home was too big for just one person, and the yard was huge.It seemed like when she was home, she was either sleeping or mowing the grass.

She’d thought of selling the place many times, and yet she felt a sentimental attachment to it.It was where she’d been born.According to her father, her mother had been so insistent about cleaning the house that she waited too long and gave birth at home.

It was also the place where her mother had spent countless hours helping Maxi to learn to cope with her dyslexia.It was also where her family had been happy.And she didn’t know if she’d ever experience that sort of happiness again.

Turning her attention back to her aunt, Maxi said, “Don’t worry.I’m fine.”

“There’s a long distance between being fine and being happy.This life is short.Don’t waste your time being fine—find the happiness.”

Maxi liked her aunt’s advice.“I’ll work on it.”

“Now, let’s get you fed because you have a race to win.”Aunt Bonnie moved to the stove and quickly served up some eggs, bacon, and toast.When she placed the plate on the table, she said, “I forgot something.”She rushed over to the fridge and grabbed the orange juice.She poured Maxi a glass and then placed it in front of her.“Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No.”She glanced down at the plate.“Thank you.You shouldn’t have gone to all of the trouble.”

“But I wanted to.I was relieved that the top of the stove still works.”

She had to agree.“I bet it’s just the heating coil that went out on it.We can replace it.”

Aunt Bonnie’s eye lit up.“I’ll order one.”

Maxi was really worried about what her aunt was going to do if anything else went wrong with the house.That was why winning this race was so vitally important.

Maxi stared at her full plate.“I really appreciate all your effort.”

The truth was that Maxi didn’t have an appetite.Her stomach was tied up in knots.She kept reminding herself that this was just a practice race—that it didn’t count—but it didn’t help ease the nerves.

And so, she forced the food into her mouth.It tasted like cardboard on her tongue, but logic told her that her body needed the nutrients.Also knowing how her aunt had gotten up extra early to make her breakfast, Maxi kept eating and chasing the food with the orange juice.

She didn’t linger long.After hugging her aunt, Maxi set off into the early sunshine.As she walked, she was surprised by how many people were up that early.People, she’d never seen before and probably wouldn’t again, smiled and wished her good morning.Maxi extended her own greeting.It was certainly a very friendly island.

The closer she got to the tent, the more congested the area became.She found herself searching through the crowd of faces.She told herself she was just taking it all in and that there wasn't a certain handsome stranger that she was searching for.The chances of seeing him again were slim.Right?

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