11. Chapter Eleven
Chapter Eleven
T his was a mistake.
Owen regretted bringing Maxine to The Lighthouse Café. All it was going to do was get tongues wagging. Of course, Maxine’s aunt was already convinced this was a date, and he was sure she was already spreading it around town.
He restrained a sigh. Now his sister was eyeing them up with her own unspoken suspicions. He wanted to tell her she was jumping to all of the wrong conclusions, but she wouldn’t believe him. It would only make her more certain that she was right about them.
Owen swallowed hard. "Josie, this is Maxine Daniels. Maxine, this is my nosey sister, Josie." He turned to the other woman with his sister. “And this is Sara. My sister-in-law.”
Sara said a quick hello followed by a friendly smile.
After a brief frown at him, his sister sent Maxine a big warm smile. "It's nice to meet you, Maxine. Do you live here on the island?"
"My friends call me Maxi. And it's nice to meet both of you. And no, I don't live here. I'm just here for the race."
Ouch . Was that her way of saying they weren’t friends? Because she hadn’t told him to call her Maxi.
Obviously, she had absolutely no interest in him.
He tried to tell himself it was for the best. After all, he didn’t have much luck when it came to women.
His ex had let him think she was single, when in fact, she had a husband and child waiting at home for her.
How had he been such a bad judge of character?
"Owen!" The feminine voice drew him from his thoughts.
He turned his head to find Paula Jones waving before heading in his direction with a smile on her face. It wasn't just a friendly smile. No. This was a smile like she had something on him.
Once more he inwardly groaned. When his gaze met Paula’s, there was a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. His chest tightened. He could only hope she'd pass by them quietly.
"Hey, Owen." Her smile broadened as she paused next to him. "I'll be seeing you this weekend. I plan to have the winning bid." Her gaze lingered as it swept up and down his body. "Mm... Hm..."
He inwardly cringed. This Bachelor Auction was totally out of control. He had to put a stop to all of the insinuations. But how?
After Paula passed by, Maxi leaned in close. "Do I even want to know what that was about?"
"No." His voice was firm. Now was not the time for explanations. He turned back to his sister and Sara, who both wore amused expressions. "The wait is too long. We're, uh, leaving."
"There's no need," Josie said. "You can have our table. We have to get back to the inn."
"We do?" Sara asked with a confused look. After his sister shot her a look, Sara said, "Oh. Yes. We have to get back to work."
If Owen wasn't so stressed about being forced into the bachelor auction, he would have laughed at Sara's poor acting job.
He had a feeling that later on his inquisitive sister would be drilling him for information about Maxi—not that he had anything to tell her.
In fact, if this lunch didn't work out the way he hoped, he probably wouldn’t be seeing her again.
After his sister and Sara were gone, the server took their order. Maxi ordered a cheeseburger with a side of cheesy shoestring fries. He decided that didn't sound too bad, so he ordered the same thing.
After the server moved on, Owen leaned back in the booth. He closed his eyes as he gathered himself. He exhaled a sigh.
"Are you going to tell me what's going on with you and all of those women?" Maxi's gaze searched his.
He'd rather discuss her car and how she hoped to do all of the repairs in time for the race. He could see by her inquisitive gaze that she expected him to answer. The silence dragged on as he decided on an answer.
"So, are you going to tell me?” Her gaze prodded him. “Or am I to assume that you’re dating all of these women?"
He let out a laugh. No one who knew him would suggest that he was some sort of playboy. In fact, he was quite the opposite. "No. I'm not dating any of them."
She arched a brow, as though she were still waiting for a legitimate explanation.
"Okay. So, it would appear that I've been entered in the bachelor auction on Friday night."
"It appears? You don’t know if you signed up or not?"
He shook his head. "I didn't sign up."
"You didn't? Then how are you entered in it?"
"Let's just say that Bluestar is a really small island with some well-intentioned but meddlesome people. And I'm not certain which of them signed me up for the event."
"And you don't want to do it?"
He shook his head again. "Not even a little bit."
"So, just withdraw."
"Don't think the thought hasn't crossed my mind.” He let out a resigned sigh. “But I can't."
"I'm confused."
"It's for a good cause. The proceeds are to benefit the pediatric unit in the new hospital."
Her eyes widened. "So, you're doing it for all of the kids that will pass through the unit. That's so sweet." She sent him a genuine smile. "You really are a good guy."
“You say that like you weren’t sure.”
“To be honest, I wasn’t, especially after you took my car.”
“Sorry. I really did have the best of intentions. I still do.”
“I believe you now.”
"Wait." In a teasing tone, he said, "So, up until now you thought I was a bad guy?"
"No. Not exactly."
He pressed a hand to his chest. “Ouch. I’m wounded.” He sent her a frown. “So what was your first impression of me?"
She rested her elbow on the table and then leaned over to place her chin on her palm. "Depends. Which first meeting are you referring to? There was the meeting a few months ago at the church. And then there was the meeting at the tents. Or is it the meeting at your garage?"
"It’s my parents' garage," he corrected. "But I want to know what you were thinking at the church?"
Immediately color bloomed in her cheeks. "Well, um, I thought you were, um, heroic with the way you helped me out."
He thought back fondly on the moment. "I was glad to be in the right place at the right time. And what did you think at the tents?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. At first, I thought you were going to be a jerk."
"What? Me?" He pressed a hand to his chest as he sent her an innocent look. "A jerk?" Even though he sent her a smile, her words stung.
"Well, it wasn't all your fault. I just felt as though you were misjudging me."
He didn't understand what she meant. "I'm sorry I made you feel that way."
"I think I was judging you by my past experiences with other men who undercut my abilities when it comes to my mechanical skills."
He arched a brow. "Why would they do that?”
“Because I’m a woman.”
“I’m sorry you had to deal with that.” Not sure what else to say, he changed the subject. “I'm still waiting to see how good of a racecar driver you are."
"You already saw that. I ended up driving my car into the barrier."
"But that wasn't your fault. Everyone is grateful that you missed hitting Dasher. He is like Bluestar's unofficial mascot."
"Who is everyone?"
"Dasher's family. The mayor. My family."
"And they all came up to you and told you this?"
He nodded. "They would have told you, but they knew you were injured. They are anxious to see you finish the race."
She shook her head. "It's not going to happen. I’ve been giving it a lot of thought, and it’s going to need a lot of work."
"But you're a mechanic. Right?" When she nodded, he said. "Then you shouldn't have any problem fixing it, right?"
"It’s going to take a lot of time and a lot of money. I don't have enough of either of those things." The sadness and disappointment were written all over her face.
"Maybe I can help with that."
Her gaze rose to meet his. Confusion shone in her eyes. "I don't understand. How are you going to help?"
Their conversation was interrupted when their food was delivered. The only problem was that he no longer had an appetite. His stomach was knotted up with nerves. He had no idea how Maxi was going to take the news he had for her.
She squeezed some ketchup onto the plate. "So, what is it you were going to say?"
He swallowed hard. Then he reached into his back pocket and withdrew a fat white envelope with a rubber band around it. He placed it on the table and slid it across to her. "This is for you."
She glanced down at the envelope. She picked it up and slipped the rubber band off.
When she peeled back the flap on the envelope, she gasped.
She glanced around to see if anyone had noticed that she had a large wad of cash.
Then her confused gaze met his. With another quick glance around to make sure no one was paying any attention to them, she slid the envelope back across the table to him.
"I don't know what that is, but I don't want any part of it." She frowned at him.
"It's okay. The money is for you."
She shook her head. "I don't want it."
At the time he'd collected the money, he hadn't thought that she'd reject it. Maybe she just didn't understand. "But this will help you with the repairs on your car."
Her gaze narrowed. "I don't take handouts."
He shook his head. "That's not what this is."
The rigid line of her shoulders eased. "Well, I definitely can't accept a loan either."
His mind raced to find the right words to get her to take the money. He had absolutely no idea how to do it.
When she looked expectantly at him, as though waiting for him to scoop up the envelope, he asked, "Have you spent much time on this island?"
She shrugged. "I've visited a handful of times over the years."
"Have you gotten to know any of its residents?"
"You mean besides you?" When he nodded, she said, "Well, there's my aunt."
"Besides her."
"A few of her friends, but that’s it."
"If you spent some time on the island and got to know its residents, you'd find that they take care of each other. When someone's in need, the others show up for them. And that's what this money is. They are showing up for you."
"But they don't even know me."
"True. But they know your aunt, and they know that one of their own caused the accident. In fact, the bulk of the money is from the owners of the goat. They are so sorry about the accident."
Maxi was quiet, as though digesting his words. "Tell them thank you, but I can't accept it."
Well, that wasn’t what he was expecting.
His gaze moved to the bulging envelope. He had no idea who had given him what.
And even if he did, he knew the good people of Bluestar Island wouldn’t want to take their donations back.
They’d want it to go toward helping Maxi. He wanted it to go toward helping her.
“Please take it.” His gaze met hers. “You have to understand that something like this is normal for Bluestar. When one of their own is in trouble, they always pull together and help them.”
“But I’m not one of their own.” Maxi shook her head.
“Maybe not directly. But by extension, you are part of Bluestar. Your aunt has talked about you for years. I’m sorry I didn’t put it together and figure out who you were sooner.”
Her gaze was filled with questions. “Why would you know who I am?”
He shrugged. “It just seems that we should have met before now.”
“I haven’t spent much time on the island.”
He wanted to ask her why, but he worried that it might be too personal. Instead, he said, “Well, I hope you’ll be spending more time on the island.”
She shrugged. “Probably not. I have to get home. I have work to do.”
“You mean working as a mechanic? How long have you been one?” He couldn’t help himself from asking more questions. The more he learned about his competition, the more he wanted to know.
“Well, you see, I was supposed to have been born a boy. My dad wanted a son to follow in his footsteps. He already had the name of the garage picked out: Daniels and son. But when I arrived, he didn’t give up.
He just changed his plan. So, I guess I’m lucky there.
I grew up working around the garage. Other girls got their nails and hair done.
I learned how to change a car’s oil and spark plugs. ”
The server showed up at their table. “Can I get either of you anything else to eat or drink? Maybe some dessert?”
“I’m good,” Maxi said.
“Me too,” Owen said.
“Then I’ll just leave this with you.” The server placed the check at the end of the table.
After they finished eating and the bill was paid, they exited the restaurant. Then Owen asked, “Would you mind taking a walk with me?” When she arched a brow, he said, “It’s perfectly innocent. I have a deal to propose.”
If anything, her brow rose higher. For a moment, they stood there in total silence. At last, she said, “Lead the way.”
He turned and headed toward the beach. It was where he liked to walk when he had something serious weighing on his mind. He still wasn’t sure this was a good idea, but when had that stopped him in the past.
“Hey, Owen.” A young woman with long blond hair and a big smile stared right at him. He knew he should know her name, but it momentarily slipped his mind. “I’ll be at the auction to bid on you. Can’t wait!”
What was he supposed to say to that? His mother always told him that if he didn’t have anything nice to say, to say nothing at all. He said nothing and just kept walking.
“This auction certainly has a lot of people excited.” Maxi looked at him. “But not you.”
“Definitely not me. And now I need to find a way to make this whole thing bearable.”
They crossed the road and entered Beachcomber Park on their way to the beach. Thankfully, there weren’t that many people in the park. The tourists were probably either shopping in town or eating dinner.
This was his last chance to change his mind. When another woman approached him with a broad smile as she waggled her brows, he inwardly cringed. He had to put a stop to this, even if it meant making a deal with a beautiful woman that he barely knew.
“Will you pretend to be my girlfriend?” The words tumbled out of his mouth.
Maxi stopped walking and turned to him. With a wide-eyed stare, she asked, “What did you say?”
They had just reached the seawall. He walked over to it and took a seat facing the ocean.
After Maxi sat next to him, he remained quiet.
He wasn’t handling this situation correctly.
He hadn’t meant to shock her. Still, was there a proper way to ask a virtual stranger to be your fake girlfriend?
He didn’t think so. He was going to have to wing this.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to just blurt that out.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” She sighed. “For a minute there, I thought you were serious.”
“I am.”