Page 10 of An Uncertain Road

She paused to glance at Isabelle, hoping her words wouldn’t hurt the dear older woman. As much as she’d seen his flaws, Isabelle was still Henri’s mother and mourned him more now—two years after his death—than Flora did.

To her relief, Isabelle smiled and started gathering her sewing supplies. “It is getting late and I’m quite tired from the lovely party. I’ll leave you to finish your talk. Bonne nuit.”

They returned her wish for a good night and watched as she shuffled from the room. Flora’s heart ached over how much older Isabelle looked now than when they’d first met only a few years ago. She’d lost a husband and her only child in that time, and the grief had marked her permanently.

Once she left and silence fell over the room, Flora focused her full attention on her brother. “Henri was passionate and exciting. I didn’t believe he wanted to use me like Clement used everyone around him. But over time, I saw how he would get so consumed by his desires that he didn’t take the time to consider what I might want. He wanted to race, but he was better as the mechanic than the driver. So he decided—without asking—that I would drive the cars, and he insisted on teaching me.”

Flora paused to swallow as her throat constricted. She’d never told anyone the entire story, and it was more difficult than she’d imagined. “At first, the races were thrilling, and I did love it. But after a while, I wanted to stay home and start a family. Before his last race, we quarreled over that very thing. It’s the reason I stayed home, to show him he could race without me. That I could have a baby, and he would still win races as he wanted.”

Words to describe those days eluded Flora. It was surprisingly difficult to express the things her heart had desired that were no longer a possibility. “That hope is gone now, of course. Despite our difficulties, the one good thing our marriage gave me was a love of racing and the knowledge that I have a real talent for it. If I’d been driving instead of letting him go alone that day, I doubt that accident would have happened. Henri might still be alive.”

Again, she had to stop. Owen scooted his chair closer to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Flora, I’m sorry. I had no idea you felt that way. You must know, deep down, that it isn’t your fault he died.”

Sniffing against the tears that threatened to fill her eyes, Flora shrugged. “I do know that, even if I question it sometimes. But there’s more I need to tell you. Henri’s selfish choices continue to impact me and Isabelle. He bankrupted us before his death. The Montfort family fortune was long gone by that time. So racing is more than a desire for me, it’s a necessity. It’s the only way I can make a living and give Isabelle the comfortable life she deserves for her last years. The only way I can keep my independence.”

Standing, Owen paced the room several times, running one hand through his hair as he did. “I would never want to stop you from doing what gives your life purpose. And I understand your desire to forge your own path. But Flora, this isn’t any race. This is two weeks of dangerous roads, unknown obstacles, and strangers you may not be able to trust. Can’t you pick an easier type of racing, at least? Soon enough, we’ll be running teams on the dirt tracks that have been springing up across the country.”

“You know as well as I do that no race is safe. And I won’t be alone facing all that. I’ll have people who are family to you by my side.” Searching for the words to show him what was in her heart, Flora stood and moved to look out the window at the dark, empty street. “Too many men think women don’t belong in sports. I could put in an application and try to enter another race myself, but even before Henri’s death, female drivers were being denied entry to races in Europe. I’m certain that’s the case here, as well. If not, it will be soon. Mr. Harrison’s respectable name might be the only thing that gets me a spot in the tour in the first place. I need to run this race now and start making a name for myself that can’t be denied.”

Pacing again, Owen spent a few minutes in what looked like deep thought. Flora let him sort through all she’d said. Finally, he turned to her, clearly having come to a conclusion as the hint of a smile played around his otherwise-serious expression. “All right. I won’t try to dissuade you from racing. But I will require frequent communication. And your absolute promise that you won’t take unnecessary risks.”

Delight flooded Flora. She hadn’t needed his permission, but she’d longed for his approval. Leaving the window, she wrapped her arms around Owen. “I’ll do my best. And think how grand it will be when you can brag that your sister won the inaugural Glidden Tour. You’ll be the envy of Philadelphia.”

Owen laughed, returning her hug. “I’ll be glad if I can say my sister is happy and living the life she wants. That’s what you deserve.”

* * *

On Friday afternoon, Jensen shifted in his desk chair, looking around the office and wondering how much longer it would be his. Owen had yet to assign him a new position in Harrison Goods—not that Jensen was anxious to make the change. Maybe he should go ahead and volunteer to unload the wagons that brought crates of merchandise. That was the only job in the company he hadn’t tried yet. Surely, he couldn’t be a failure at that.

A knock at the door broke into his thoughts. Jensen opened it to find Owen standing on the other side, shuffling from one foot to the other. Was this it? Was it time to face his fate?

Returning to his seat, Jensen gestured for Owen to join him. “What can I do for you today?”

Owen’s fingers twitched out a beat on the arm of the chair he had dropped into. Jensen might have to come up with some small talk to break the tension, the silence stretched out so long. But finally, Owen spoke. “Flora and I spoke last night about Fred’s idea for the Glidden Tour. Have you decided if you’re going to ride along as the mechanic?”

Jensen’s shoulders tightened. This was the last thing he wanted to talk or think about. “I’ve been convinced to participate.”

Owen’s eyes narrowed as if he was trying to read Jensen’s mind and figure out the statement that, admittedly, had come out a bit cryptic.

Well, if they were going to discuss it, Jensen might as well be honest. “It’s the last thing I want to do. Racing isn’t for me. But Fred is set on going with or without me. And I can only imagine the trouble they would get into without someone who at least recognizes possible threats.”

“Ah.” Owen leaned back in the chair, looking much more relaxed than when he entered the room. “You’re going along to watch out for their safety. Excellent. I have a request for you along those same lines.”

“What would that be?”

“Flora is set on driving. She’s excellent at it, don’t get me wrong. But much like Fred, she tends to put her goals over concern for safety. You would think after her husband died in a racing crash, she would be more cautious, but it seems to have pushed her toward even less prudence.”

A pang hit Jensen in the stomach. Her husband had died while racing? Had it been like Gregory? He had an unexpected desire to talk with her and let her know she wasn’t alone in that grief, but it was hardly his place to do so. “Then what’s your request for me?”

“Since you’re already watching out for Fred, try to keep Flora in line too.”

A snicker escaped Jensen before he could stop it. Owen’s eyes widened, and Jensen remembered this man would soon be his boss and part of his family. “I’m sorry, but it seems that might be more than one man can handle. I haven’t spent much time with your sister, but I can tell she’s quite set on taking care of herself and won’t hesitate to demand her right to do so.”

Owen rubbed his face with one hand. “I know. That’s exactly the problem. She is capable. But that doesn’t mean she’s invincible. I’ve already lost my parents and my brother. If something happens to Flora, I’m left with no family. I need her to make it through this safely.”

The way his voice broke when talking about his sister’s safety softened Jensen’s resolve yet again. “Why don’t you ask her not to do it?”

Owen sighed. “I did. We had a long discussion. But in the end, she’s a grown woman, a widow who would rather build a career than sit and watch everyone else live their lives. Driving in this tour means the world to her, and I want her to be happy. But I also want her to come back unscathed.”