Page 41 of An Uncertain Road

Bringing his mind back to the moment, Jensen nodded. He could at least be honest in this. “I know you can bring us to the end in front, Flora. You’re one of the best drivers I’ve ever seen.”

Before his eyes, Flora straightened, confidence drawing her upright and brightening her beautiful features. His heart ached at the thought that he would have to disappoint her soon. Would she be angry when she found out he’d been keeping a secret? Disappointed? Hurt?

Fred and Beth waved goodbye as they left for their evening stroll, while Flora engaged the tour official who stepped over to check their car in polite conversation.

Jensen’s heart was torn in two directions. He couldn’t do anything about the feelings churning inside him, so for now, he pushed the issue to the back of his mind.

Once the official checked the car in and moved on, Jensen returned to Flora’s side and pulled the cover off the engine. “I agreed to help you learn more about the car, so let’s get back to it.”

A wide, slow smile spread across Flora’s face. She pushed the sleeves of her white shirtwaist up a bit from her wrists and ran one hand over her hair, smoothing a few loose strands. “I would love that.”

For the next hour, Jensen walked her through his usual process for making small repairs that could be done on the road. Things such as patching a tire, flushing the radiator, and replacing spark plugs. Finally, she used the cloth he’d handed her to wipe off the layer of grime that accumulated on the dirt roads.

Now was as good a time as any to bring up the question he’d been considering since the moment she first asked to help him. “Flora, what was the real reason you wanted to work on the car with me?”

Her gaze flew to meet his, and her hand stilled in mid-swipe on the back fender. “What do you mean?”

He was getting better at reading her. That expression was not genuine ignorance. “You know as much about this engine as I do. That’s clear as can be.”

A pink flush started up her neck, and he couldn’t stop a grin. She knew she was caught. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to lie. I do believe there’s plenty I can learn from you about the mechanics of the car. But I did try to use men’s usual assumption that a woman wouldn’t have any interest in cars to my advantage.”

“There’s no way I could have missed your knowledge after all those hours we spent arguing over the car’s setup before the tour.” Jensen examined her face, waiting for the explanation.

She finally spoke again. “I hope you’re not angry with me for believing you would think that way, or for the deception. To be honest, I was a little worried that you were the one causing trouble for the tour.”

Jensen’s heart dropped, all warmth seeping from him. “Why would you think that?”

She rushed to explain. “I didn’t fully believe it. But Sam told me some things Mr. Franklin said that made me doubt you. Only for a bit, but I thought if I could spend more time with you, I’d discover if it was true or not.”

Of course, Archie was behind it. She looked so anguished Jensen couldn’t be angry. “And did you?”

“I discovered you are kind and care so deeply for others that you can’t help but want to keep them from any harm. You might make mistakes in trying to do so, but I don’t believe you ever do it with wrong motives.”

Her eyes spoke volumes, imploring him to believe her. And he did. He found he trusted her without question. Memories flooded Jensen’s mind of all the time they’d spent together over her car. The hours sitting close as they drove. She’d come to be an integral part of his day.

And those times were almost at an end. The realization started tearing a hole in his heart. There were only a few days left of this, of spending time with Flora and participating in her life’s passion. Then they would return to Philadelphia, where she would presumably continue driving for the Harrison Goods team and he would have to face the consequences of his choices.

As they gathered under the wide roof of the hotel porch later with Fred and Beth, Beth sighed as she leaned back in one of the comfortable chairs arranged along the railing. “It’s hard to believe the trip will be over in two days. It feels as if it’s just begun.”

Fred took her hand in his, and she smiled at her husband. The action served to remind Jensen that no matter how much he longed to, he had no reason to take Flora’s hand again, no right to harbor feelings beyond professional friendship. They would be going their separate ways as soon as they returned to the real world.

From his side, Flora spoke up. “We’ll still have a day to drive back to Philadelphia from New York. So that’s three more days to enjoy each other’s company.”

Fred nodded. “Thank you both for giving us the chance to experience this adventure. I couldn’t imagine a better wedding trip.”

Beth let her free hand rest across her belly, looking very motherly, although Jensen couldn’t yet see any signs of the child within. “And now we can prepare for the years of building our family, knowing we’ve had a marvelous adventure together.”

The sweetness of their joyful expressions as they gazed at each other was overpowering. Jensen had to hold himself back from jumping up and rushing to a less saccharine spot. But then he caught sight of Flora. She watched the two with such a wistful look. Was she thinking of her husband? She hardly ever spoke of him, come to think of it. Had theirs been the kind of love that Fred and Beth shared? And would Jensen ever have the right to ask her about such personal matters?

Jensen was saved from his romantic introspection by Beth rising from the chair. “I’m quite hungry. Fred, dear, will you get my wrap from our room before you join us for supper? I forgot it, and I always get a chill in the evening.”

Nodding, Fred headed to oblige his wife while Jensen escorted the ladies inside. They found seats at a table, and Jensen had a few moments to compose himself while Flora and Beth talked about baby-related things. He was starting to wonder what was taking Fred so long when a commotion across the room caught everyone's attention.

Fred stormed through the door, pushing past the hotel staff waiting to help guests find seats. His face was red, and his eyes immediately locked on Jensen. Jensen’s heart plunged and his teeth clenched together again as he rose to meet his friend. But more chill-inducing than Fred’s obvious anger was Archie, who followed Fred in and lounged against the doorframe while watching the entire scene unfold. What had he done?

Stopping a mere foot in front of Jensen, Fred pushed his finger into Jensen’s chest. “Why didn’t you tell me what happened? All these years, all the questions I asked about Gregory, and you never told me the whole story. You lied to me, Jensen, all while pretending to be like a brother.”

Helplessness washed over Jensen. “No, Fred. I never lied. I…couldn’t tell you everything. You were so young. I didn’t want to destroy the trust you had in me.”