Page 16 of An Uncertain Road

They found an empty spot by the edge of the water, the waves lapping gently at the shore even as the sound of them crashing farther out filled the air. Children laughed and ran, splashing each other and anyone in their path. Many people had changed into bathing clothes to frolic in the water. But Flora was content to stand in the sand, close her eyes, and let the coastal atmosphere wash over her.

A movement at her side broke her out of the reverie. She looked up to see Jensen smiling at her, one of those genuine, charming ones that she didn’t get to see often enough.

“Fred and Beth took a walk. I thought I’d stay with you and give them some time alone.”

Flora returned his smile. “Would you like to sit in the sand? It gets everywhere, but to me, the feeling of it under my hands is worth the mess.”

They were soon settled far enough from the wet, packed sand and the tide to stay dry, but close enough to admire the water. Flora let the tension ease from her shoulders as she stared out over the horizon. “It’s easy to forget how insignificant we really are.”

“You say that as if insignificance is a good thing.” Jensen’s voice was filled with amusement.

She turned to face him. “Isn’t it? I like remembering that the problems I face aren’t bigger than anyone else’s. And that God created much bigger things than my troubles. Don’t you like knowing He’s so much greater than what we go through?”

He didn’t respond at first. Was he offended? Perhaps he didn’t believe in God, in His goodness. Should she have asked before speaking about Him?

But Jensen’s words calmed her fear. “Does that help you trust Him more? I believe in God, but trust Him to always do what’s best for me? That’s harder to do.”

She let her eyes soak in the beauty of the rolling ocean again. “I don’t know if shifting my perspective helps me trust better, but it does help me feel less panicked about the matters I’m facing.”

Jensen’s shoulder brushed hers again as he ran his fingers through the sand between them. “What has you feeling that way right now?”

The last thing she’d meant to do was reveal her uncertainties to Jensen. But what could it hurt to let him know how she was feeling? They needed to work together, after all. And being honest with each other would help that process. “The race.”

The knowing way his eyebrows raised made her stomach flutter. “I had a feeling you weren’t all confidence as you tried to let on this morning.”

Flora held up one hand to stop him. “I’m not so worried about my ability to drive the car. But things happen in races. You clearly know that as well as anyone. There are things that I may not be able to control. I don’t want to be responsible for any injuries.”

To her relief, he didn’t tease her as Henri would have. Jensen immediately sobered. “You don’t have to handle this alone. I’ll be there every step of the way. My whole purpose for being here is to make sure everyone is safe, and we get through the tour without problems.”

Unfortunately, that did sound like Henri. It was the same attitude he had the last time they parted, filled with over-confidence that he alone was responsible for her, and he would do what she couldn’t. And then he’d gone and let tragedy strike himself.

Pain started throbbing in Flora’s temple. Would she ever be free of the idea that a woman couldn’t get herself through life? She pushed up out of the sand, the calm moment ruined. “You can’t keep anything bad from happening to us by will alone. No one can control what happens during a race. And not one of us is invincible.”

It felt cowardly, but Flora escaped across the beach, heading toward where Jensen indicated Fred and Beth went on their walk. It had been a mistake to open up to Jensen. No matter how kind and understanding he sometimes seemed, he was still a man who had far too much confidence in his ability to control his world. And she couldn’t let herself get caught up in that kind of thinking again.

Catching up with the other two, Flora thanked them for giving her some time on the beach. “Why don’t we spend the rest of the day at Luna Park? Beth, I’m sure you know of some attractions there that we can’t miss.”

Jensen caught up to them only seconds behind her with a scowl fixed on his face. “Wouldn’t you rather find somewhere to sit and enjoy a quiet afternoon? We’ll have plenty of activity packed into every day once the race begins. I’d like to take another look at the car after the long drive here.”

Beth shook her head, refusing to fall for his attempt to get them back to the hotel. Flora had seen his discomfort all morning, and after their conversation on the way into town yesterday, she could guess he didn’t appreciate crowded tourist spots. But he was the one who promised Fred the chance to give Beth all the things she’d been dreaming of for her wedding trip. Now he would have to handle what came with that promise.

So they left the beach and crossed back through Dreamland to the exit, spilling out onto Surf Avenue with a throng of other tourists. As the group entered Luna Park, they admired how each park along the famous beach maintained a unique feel while showcasing distinct architecture and fascinating attractions.

Beth led the way straight to A Trip to the Moon. Flora found the idea of the cyclorama captivating. They joined other spectators in a seating area made to look like a winged ship. The show began with the ship rocking from one side to the other, the unexpected movement causing Flora to grab Jensen’s arm. Blushing, she quickly pulled her hand away. She didn’t need to give him any more reason to argue that she was too feeble to handle driving in the tour.

As the ship swayed, canvas panels showing different scenes shifted around them. It appeared they were lifting from the ground, then they watched the earth grow smaller and smaller while the moon’s surface grew. Actual wind picked up around them. A sudden clap of thunder made Flora gasp, along with many of the other spectators.

Jensen leaned toward her. “Think I could protect you from a fake storm, at least?”

Flora glared at him and pointed her chin in the air. How dare he throw her words back in her face? And over such a silly thing as an amusement ride too. The stakes for the race were so much more serious. She refused to look at him again as the simulated storm calmed and the ship appeared to land in a crater on the lunar surface.

The passengers began to disembark and were led through a magical tunnel to the City of the Moon by employees dressed in fantastical alien costumes. Beth took charge of leading their group around the space, exclaiming over every piece of scenery. But she drew the line when they reached a section where guests picked bits of green cheese from the walls to taste. Her nose wrinkled in disgust, and she pulled Fred away. Flora had to agree—the smell alone was enough to drive her from the room as quickly as possible.

But when she tried to turn and follow them, she found Jensen standing so close behind her that she couldn’t walk away without pushing him aside. The heat of his body reached hers, awareness of him flaring from her head to her toes.

He spoke low and close to her ear, sending a shiver skittering up her spine. “I dare you to try a piece.”

* * *