Page 35 of An Uncertain Road

His response wasn’t at all what she expected, though. She’d hoped for a quick, genuine denial, convincing her he would never hinder her chance at victory. Instead, his voice turned cold, and his posture went rigid. “You weren’t going to win it, anyway.”

Pain speared through her. It was true, of course. She’d been racing for second place with no way to get to the leader in time. But that didn’t stop the words from stinging her pride. “You’re right. With such an unsupportive teammate, I won’t be winning anything.”

Unable to face him after the words they’d both said, Flora walked away, forcing her spine to remain straight and strong when all she wanted was to crumble. But what good would that do anyone?

The scenery from the top of Mount Washington was awe-inspiring. But Flora couldn’t enjoy it like many of the others who’d completed the trek above the clouds. Despite the jacket she’d had the sense to put on before the race, the cold was seeping into Flora’s bones, and the impossibly strong wind was giving her a headache. She couldn’t stay up here all day. She would have to go back and face Jensen long enough to get them off the mountain and back to the hotel.

Driving back down in a cloud of shame and anger, with Jensen silent next to her, was the worst amount of time Flora had ever spent in an automobile. She couldn’t stop replaying that moment in her mind, seeing over and over the second-place car swinging out—but only slightly. There had been enough room, she was sure of it.

But what if there hadn’t been?

The reality was that the other car could have kept moving to the outside, as he’d done on every other turn. If the Decauville had been too close, he very well might have clipped the front end, sending Flora and Jensen into a spin on a dangerously narrow road with the very real possibility of falling hundreds of feet.

But Jensen hadn’t let her make that choice. He’d assumed he knew better than she did and took the chance to do something great away from her. It was too much like Clement and Henri, always making decisions for her. She’d been so sure Jensen was different, but in reality, was he?

* * *

Jensen had no idea what had caused him to grab the wheel and stop Flora from making that last pass. It hadn’t been voluntary. One minute, he’d been watching the car ahead of them, noticing signs that the driver was going to swing out in the final turn. His mind had raced through the realization that the driver was focused on looking for a way around the leader and he didn’t have anyone riding along to check behind him. He didn’t know the Decauville was approaching. The next thing Jensen knew, his hand had shot out and stopped Flora.

He snuck a glance at her face as they retraced the winding road back down, with much less intensity this time. Her jawline was tight, and she stared ahead without wavering. Even if she was aware of his scrutiny, she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of meeting his gaze.

But had there been any choice? He analyzed every memory of those brief moments—the way that car had started moving toward the outer line, narrowing the way through until he was sure the Decauvillle would be pushed off the side if they got any closer. Maintaining their third-place position was better than a fiery death at the bottom of the mountain.

Would Flora ever be able to see that? More importantly, would she forgive him?

Why did getting an answer to that question feel so vital to his very existence? Jensen couldn’t help but remember the feel of her soft skin when he’d held her hand before the race, the joyful confidence in her eyes when they’d started the race, working as a team who trusted each other. Making her happy had been a rewarding experience. Even if she might never forgive him, could he find a way to make her look that content again?

The trip down the mountain felt like forever, but finally, they came to a stop by the spectator area where Fred and Beth waited. The couple rushed over, clearly expecting excellent news. But Flora jumped out of the car and marched straight past them toward the tent, where she got a drink of water from a table set up in the shade. The extreme rise in temperature compared to the top of the mountain made Jensen wish he could join her and guzzle down a cup, too, but she clearly needed time to herself.

Stopping in his tracks in surprise over Flora’s abrupt departure, Fred turned to Jensen. “It didn’t go as well as we hoped?”

Taking off his hat to wipe the sweat from his forehead, Jensen watched Flora drink with her back toward them, spine ramrod straight. “No. And it’s my fault, so now she’s angry.”

Beth tilted her head in confusion. “How is it your fault?”

“I stopped her from making a dangerous pass at the end. She maintains there was room to get around, but I know there wasn’t. I couldn’t let her put us in danger to get one car ahead.”

Fred clapped him on the shoulder. “My friend, you might have been right up there, but it’s hard for anyone to accept that when they don’t feel supported, much less when you physically take the choice out of their hands. You ought to try giving her the benefit of the doubt more often. Maybe knowing she has your trust and confidence would allow her to work with you. The two of you would make better partners than enemies.”

Next to him, Beth grinned. “Now that’s decent advice. She’s smart and capable. Show her you know it, and I’m sure she’ll be more willing to admit when you’re right.”

Jensen shook his head but didn’t respond as the two climbed into the car and got settled in the back. He’d tried. He’d been as supportive and encouraging as he could be before and during the hill climb. And still, she’d ended up angry, accusing him of doing the very thing he was fighting so hard to keep from doing.

And what about his feelings? He could admit grabbing the wheel likely wasn’t the best reaction. He knew how smart she was and that she was an outstanding driver…when she wasn’t overcome with recklessness. But why did he always have to be the one to push aside his concerns to encourage her?

Fred and Beth could give all the advice they wanted, but they were still newlyweds who hadn’t faced much of life together. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison were the most happily married couple Jensen knew. Growing up in their home, he’d seen plenty of arguments between them over the years, and they’d always worked them out with conversation and compromise.

But now, Mr. Harrison was putting aside the business he loved and had poured his life into so he could care for his wife. Despite knowing that, soon enough, she would likely forget who he even was, he was choosing to love his wife well, in whatever way she needed him to now.

Jensen didn’t know if he loved Flora, but he cared about her and longed for her happiness. Maybe he should follow Mr. Harrison’s example and sacrifice what he preferred for her.

Now was as good as any time to try, so Jensen made his way toward the refreshment table where Flora still had her back toward him. He spoke before reaching her so she wouldn’t be startled. “Flora?”

Whirling around, she speared him with eyes that flashed in familiar angry heat. “What, have you come to humiliate me further? I shared my family’s secrets with you, I let you kiss me, and then I find out you’re no different from Clement. You don’t trust me to handle myself, and you think you should control me simply because you’re a man.”

Tears were gathering in her eyes, on top of all the flashing anger.

Moving a step closer, Jensen tried to keep his voice even. “That’s not at all true. I didn’t intend to grab the wheel from you. I should have told you what I saw instead of taking matters into my own hands. But please believe there was no thought of controlling you. It was all instinct to protect you. I saw the other driver moving over without looking, and all I could imagine was watching you get injured in a crash, bleeding and hurt, and I couldn’t stand it. I—that would be the end of me, Flora.”