8. Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight
A lmost free.
Maxi was resistant to wearing the sling. However, if putting it on was what it took to get her out of there, then it was worth it. It also made her arm hurt less, but she wasn’t mentioning that to anyone.
With her aunt hovering, Maxi did her best to act like the accident hadn't totally freaked her out. She didn't know which memory scared her more: the thought of hitting the goat or the concrete barrier that rushed toward her. She pushed the troubling images from her mind.
She already had her aunt make calls to verify that the goat was unharmed. It was a huge relief to get that confirmation. She didn’t have her ask about her car’s condition. She wasn’t ready to hear the answer—not yet. She wanted to get out of the hospital first.
Maxi adjusted the sling strap before turning to her aunt. "Are you ready to go?"
"You're asking me?" Aunt Bonnie pressed a hand to her chest. "I'm not the one who was just in a car accident. I still think you should stay for observation."
Maxi saw the genuine worry that shone in her aunt's eyes. "You heard the doctor. I'm fine. Now I have to find out how bad the damage is to the car." She picked up the hospital release forms. "Did you happen to see the damage to my car?"
Aunt Bonnie's mouth opened and just as quickly closed as she averted her gaze. It was like she knew something she didn’t want to tell her.
Maxi's chest tightened. "Aunt Bonnie, what is it?" When her aunt wasn't immediately forthcoming, Maxi said, "You can tell me. Whatever it is. I can handle it."
But could she bear the news? If the car she'd been working on for months was totaled, it could very well total her emotionally. As the panic rose within her chest, she shoved it back down.
She was letting her imagination get the best of her. She could deal with it. After all, a dented car was nothing compared to prematurely losing not one but two parents.
When she couldn't take the suspense any longer, she said, "Please. Just tell me."
Aunt Bonnie shook her head. "I don't know. I didn't see the car. By the time I reached the wreck, they wouldn't let me near you. They told me to meet you at the hospital. I have to say that your accident took a few years off my life. I've never been so worried."
Maxi blinked back the tears that rushed to her eyes. "I'm so sorry. I never meant to worry you." Maxi stepped forward and wrapped her good arm around her aunt. When Maxi pulled back, she said, "Have I told you lately that I love you?"
Aunt Bonnie smiled. "I love you too. And I'm so relieved that you're safe. Now let's get you home."
Maxi shook her head. "Not yet."
Aunt Bonnie sent her a concerned look. "You've been through a lot. You should rest. And I'll make you some chicken and dumplings for dinner."
Maxi's eyes widened. "My favorite. But don’t you make those in the oven?"
“I actually make them on the stovetop. And thank goodness it still works."
Maxi couldn't deny that she was craving her aunt's homemade meal. "But first, I need to check on the car." When Aunt Bonnie frowned, Maxi said, "I just can't relax until I know the extent of the damage."
Aunt Bonnie arched a brow. "You're thinking of fixing it? In time for the race?” When Maxi nodded, her aunt said, “But your arm needs to rest."
Maxi glanced down at her arm and frowned.
In her eagerness to be competitive again, she'd momentarily forgotten about her banged up arm, which was saying a lot because there was a constant dull ache in her shoulder.
It was just that she'd invested so much of herself in competing in this race. She couldn’t give up now, even if there was a kernel of hope.
Maxi sent her a pleading look. “I won't be long."
Her aunt pulled her phone from her purse. "I'll call you a taxi."
“They have taxis on the island?” This was news to her.
“Yes. Bluestar Taxi Carts.”
Maxi reached out, putting her hand on her aunt’s arm. "Please don't. I'm fine to walk."
Aunt Bonnie pursed her lips and was quiet for a moment. "But you were just in an accident, and you just got out of the hospital. You need to take it easy. Please let me take care of you."
"Aw..." Her heart filled with love as she gave her aunt another one-armed hug. "You're the best."
"Then you'll let me call a taxi."
Maxi hated her aunt spending more money on her, but she knew how important this was to her, so she nodded. "Okay."
Twenty minutes later, Maxi was dropped off at the edge of the school parking lot. As time went by, Maxi felt the many aches and pains in some of the most unexpected places.
Her steps were slow but steady. She noticed people stopping and looking at her. Maybe she should have taken a look in the mirror before she left the hospital.
She ignored the curious looks and slowly made her way to the familiar white tent. When she reached it, she threw up the flap of the tent.
She gasped. The tent was empty. She blinked, but when she opened her eyes, there was still no car. How could that be?
Her heart raced as a million thoughts flew through her mind. Where would they have taken it? It wasn’t like there were car garages on the island since vehicles weren't permitted except for special permits that were issued at city hall.
She stepped farther into the tent and turned around in a circle as rapid thoughts filled her mind. Where did they take it?
It was then she noticed something on the table at the back of the tent. She walked over to find an envelope with her name on it. It hadn't been there earlier, or she would have noticed it. Hopefully, it wasn't some sort of bill for towing her car.
She picked up the legal-size envelope and held it in front of her. She'd already had about as much bad news as she could take for the day. Maybe it was best just to stuff it into her purse and open it another day. The thought was oh so tempting.
But she knew that it would weigh on her mind. She'd keep conjuring up what could be inside the envelope until she drove herself mad. It was best just to open it and get it over with.
She stuck her finger in the corner of the envelope and yanked. When it was open, she pulled out the piece of paper inside and unfolded it.
It wasn't a bill. She breathed a little easier. It was a handwritten note.
Maxi,
If you're reading this, I hope it means that you’re doing okay. I would have stopped at the hospital, but your aunt was with you, and I didn't want to intrude.
I know you're looking for your car, and I wanted to let you know that everything is okay. I had it towed to my garage. We can talk when you’re up to it.
Owen
At the bottom, he’d scrolled a street address and phone number. She read the note again. He’d taken her car? He’d taken her wrecked car? Why would he do such a thing?
She looked up the address on her phone, and then she set off in that direction. This time her steps came faster. Her irritation over her missing car overrode the pain from her bumps and bruises. The more she thought about Owen taking the liberty of towing her car to his garage, the angrier she got.
It wasn't even like they were friends. They were barely more than strangers. What would she call them? She thought about it for a moment. Competitors. Nothing more.
He had no right to do anything with her car. Unless he was planning to make sure the car was completely out of commission. Her stomach sank at the thought. She didn't want to think that he would stoop to something so low, but she didn't know him.
She recalled the way he'd been there to catch her when she'd almost fallen not once but twice. Still, that was a spur-of-the-moment thing. Maybe he was the type who had to win at all costs.
She consulted her phone again to make sure she was walking in the right direction. She stewed over him taking such liberties with the car that she’d invested so much of herself in.
Why would he take her car? It was the question she kept coming back to. It really puzzled her.
When she made it to the correct address, she was surprised by the beautiful house.
It was a two-story white home with gray shingles.
The shutters were teal with flower boxes on the first-floor windows.
The blooms were in shades of pink, blue, and yellow.
The front door was a coral color, but it was the big front porch that ran the full length of the house that caught her attention.
There were a couple of white rockers, but it was the porch swing at the one end that drew her in.
She could imagine curling up there at the end of a long day with a tall glass of iced tea in hand.
Bang. Bang.
The noise drew her attention. It sounded as though it was coming from behind the house.
She moved to the driveway that led her past the house and toward the backyard.
It was there she found a large garage. It looked as though it could accommodate at least two cars with room for a riding mower off to the side.
She found it odd that someone would have a big garage on an island that outlawed the operation of motor vehicles. But she didn't have time to contemplate it, because as she approached the garage, she noticed her car.
The backend was facing her. From this vantage point, it didn't look like it had been involved in a collision. Though the increasing throb in her shoulder told her that there had most definitely been an accident—one she hoped to never repeat.
The right side of the backend told a totally different story. She steeled herself as she took in the crunched-up metal. It reminded her of an empty pop can that had been smashed. The paint was lifting, and the bare metal beneath it was showing in places.
As she approached the front of the car, she noticed someone was under it. "What are you doing?"