Races went on all day, but each grand heat had its own champion. In this grand heat, number five, Sam and Chloe won the first heat with a team from the Wedding Shop coming in second.
“The top two teams move on to the final heat,” Ben said.
Pop’s Yer Uncle won heat number two. A team from the kids’ theater came in second.
Finally, Hooley called the third heat. “On the line.”
Chloe came up to the starting line. “You got this,” she said. “Take your time, focus, run together.”
“Ready?” Ben glanced at Cami, smiling. “Start with the outside leg.”
“On your mark—” Hooley, from the bullhorn.
Cami and Ben leaned forward. Her heart thundered in her chest. Suddenly the bullhorn blasted, and the racers were off.
Ben kept their cadence. “Out. In. Out. In.”
Around them, in front of them, couples toppled.
“Sorry, Cole,” Ben hollered as he and Cami leapt over one of the downed racers.
“No, you’re not,” Cole called. “But go, go, go! Beat Pop’s!”
Cami wanted to look behind but feared she’d lose her balance. She whispered with Ben as he kept the pace. “Out. In. Out. In.”
“Let’s go faster,” she breathed out.
Ben picked up the tempo, and as the finish line grew closer, Cami could taste their victory. Suddenly, Chloe appeared in their view, jumping and waving her arms.
“Hurry, Pop’s is closing in. Go, go, go!”
In four more strides they crossed the finish line. First place.
“You won, you won!” Chloe raced toward them and grabbed them in a winner’s hug. “You were amazing.”
Cami was catching her breath as she accepted congratulations, still tied to Ben. When the crowd cleared, they plopped to the ground for a rest.
“That was so fun.” Was she glowing? She felt like she was glowing.
Chloe handed them each a bottle of water and an “all the treats you want from the Haven’s table.”
“I don’t think I can eat,” Cami said after a long drink.
“We can wait until after our final victory.”
“Oh really?” She loved the smile in his wide blue eyes. “You’re confident, Carter.”
“Sure, why not? Time for a new champ in town.”
His ball cap had been knocked sideways, and his short hair glistened with sweat. When Cami reached up to straighten his hat, Ben caught her hand and angled toward her.
“Cami.”
“Ben?”
He raised his hand to the side of her face. Was he going to kiss her? Her heartbeat kicked up, sure he was going to kiss her. She tipped toward him just as?—
“Winners, on the starting line.” Hooley and his darn bullhorn.
