Page 40 of An Uncertain Road

The official was immediately swamped with participants asking questions and demanding answers on various matters.

Flora turned to Beth and Fred. “It’s like those farmers at lunch yesterday who complained about one of our teams destroying that field. Who’s doing such hurtful things?”

Fred sighed, watching the continuing commotion. “Competition sometimes brings out the worst in people. We’ll have to keep our eyes and ears open. If we can isolate who’s causing trouble, we can help keep the tour in the public’s good graces.”

Flora faced Sam, who’d turned a shade of gray that looked unhealthy. “Sam, are you ill?”

He jumped up, pushing his chair back from the table with enough force to rattle every glass upon it. “I’ll be fine. I need to check the car over before the drive today.”

He rushed from the dining room, leaving Flora, Fred, and Beth staring after him.

Flora turned to her companions. “What on earth has gotten into him?”

Fred’s gaze lingered on the doorway. “You don’t suppose he knows who’s been doing these things? He might be afraid to name a team and make an enemy.”

Flora rolled the thought over in her mind. “I’ll talk to him later. Perhaps after today’s leg, he’ll feel more inclined to explain what’s going on.”

After they finished their meal, Jensen was already waiting by the Decauville. He still looked weighed down, more like the irritable man who started the tour with them than the kind, warm man she’d come to know since. Fred filled him in on what they’d learned over breakfast while they all got settled in their seats.

Jensen’s jaw tightened when Fred outlined their concerns about Sam. “I’ve known Sam a long time. He’s a good fellow but too anxious to make a name for himself. I’m worried about what he might have gotten involved with.”

Flora looked at Jensen in surprise. “You think his team might be part of the problem? Why would he stand for that?”

For the first time that morning, Jensen met her eyes. “Ambition does strange things to a man.”

But kind, funny Sam? “You said yourself, Sam is a good man. I can’t believe he would participate in cheating and the destruction of property. If they’re trespassing and harming others to get ahead, I have to believe Sam would put his foot down.”

Jensen shrugged and looked away. “Well, I know his team’s driver, and I don’t believe Sam is strong enough to stand up to a bully like him. Not many men are.”

The cars ahead of them roared to life, and Flora had to focus for the time being on starting the day’s drive well. But she couldn’t help wondering if Jensen was right. Could darling Sam be helping his team cheat while knowing it was hurting others?

Flora was glad for the good weather and easier roads on the day’s drive. Half her mind was trying to decide what she believed about Mr. Franklin and Sam, while the other half thought about passing cars and making the turns Jensen pointed out. After starting the day in tenth, they were sitting in sixth place by afternoon.

This time, Jensen kept the map in one hand, checking it often so they didn’t miss anything. Despite his gruff demeanor first thing that morning, he seemed more willing than ever to help Flora race around other cars.

As the outskirts of Worchester, Massachusetts, came into view, he leaned close, his muscular shoulder pressing against her arm. “You don’t have any more turns until we get into town, and it looks like a decent stretch of road. Think we can pass that team up ahead before we get to the check-in?”

Throwing a grin toward him, Flora pushed the gas pedal in and started increasing their speed. “Do you even need to ask?”

As the town grew closer, Flora caught up to the car. Jensen had been right. The road ahead was clear and straight, and Flora executed a perfect pass. The other team waved and smiled as they did, making Flora smile as much as Jensen’s encouragement. Those were the kind of competitors that made the tour an event that would last.

Very soon after, they entered Worchester. Flora navigated the city streets with no trouble, bringing them into the parking area near the hotel in fifth place, their highest finish in the tour.

Flora hopped out of the car, more energetic than after any of the other legs. She stood close to Jensen, speaking for his ears alone. “That was a wonderful day. Thank you for all the support you gave me. If we can repeat this the next two days, don’t you think we have a chance to finish at the top?”

* * *

Staring into her bright, trusting eyes at that moment, Jensen wanted to promise her everything. Since his conversation with Archie the night before, Jensen’s mind had been consumed with trying to figure out how he could protect those he cared about until he was able to find the right way to tell them everything.

But sitting next to Flora while they’d enjoyed a successful drive had refreshed his spirit. When she was confident and careful, she became the excellent driver Mr. Harrison claimed her to be. It had been a delight to work alongside her, giving her reference points for how far she was clear of other cars or rough stretches of road, finding ways they could match what she intended to do with the reality of what Jensen saw in the landscape.

Anytime he thought about returning to New York, though, a pressure built up inside him. When they finished this tour, he was going to have to face the fact that if Archie hadn’t already exacted his revenge along the way, the first thing he would do would be to tell everyone who mattered about Jensen’s long-held secret.

The truth of his involvement in Gregory’s death was going to come out, one way or the other. Unless he kept Flora from driving the Decauville over that finish line.

Jensen shook that thought away and forced himself to smile down at Flora, standing so comfortably close to his side. He couldn’t do that. Not to Flora and not to Mr. Harrison.

Even if it was the only way to protect himself.