Page 55 of An Uncertain Road

Everyone seemed so confident that Jensen would forgive her without hesitation, but Flora wasn’t so sure. It would take more than simple words to show him how sorry she was and how much she longed to continue building the relationship they’d started on the tour.

As Isabelle joined them and they prepared to go to the Harrisons’ home, Flora considered ways to put action with her words. And she could only think of one thing that would prove Jensen was more important to her than anything else.

After years of fighting for it, Flora was ready to give up racing.

* * *

In the Harrisons’ parlor, Jensen couldn’t help remembering another dinner party in the same room, the one where he’d first met Flora. On this night, it was only Mrs. Harrison, Fred, and Beth who chatted across the room while he sat with Mr. Harrison. Before the others arrived, Jensen had requested a moment of Mr. Harrison’s time.

And that was the biggest difference between the earlier party and this one. Now, rather than fighting his passion for mechanics, Jensen was prepared to find a place doing what he loved.

Mr. Harrison sat facing him on a matching pair of sofas arranged at one end of the room, waiting expectantly. “Well, Jensen, what did you want to speak to me about?”

Letting a deep breath calm his nerves and the memory of Flora’s beautiful, smiling face strengthen his resolve, Jensen laid out his plan to win her trust. “I know Flora hasn’t answered you about driving for your racing team yet, but I hope I have a way to encourage her to accept. I’d like to join the crew as a mechanic. I know you’ve already filled most of the positions, so don’t feel it has to be anything other than a shop mechanic. But I want to be there for Flora. And I want racing to be part of my life again because it’s part of hers.”

Eyebrows raising, Mr. Harrison mirrored the surprise Jensen had felt when he realized showing Flora he wanted to be part of her racing career was not only a way to prove his love but something he wanted for himself too. The older man rubbed his chin. “A shop mechanic? I’m not able to do that, I’m afraid. Those positions are all filled, as you mentioned.”

Jensen nodded, but his stomach clenched. Now how would he convince Flora his goal in life was to give her everything she dreamed of?

But when he glanced up at Mr. Harrison again, he saw a teasing glint in the man’s eyes. The older man chuckled. “I’m not refusing you a job, Jensen. I’ve been holding the lead mechanic position, hoping you would come to this decision. You’re made to work on cars. There’s no one else I would trust with my team’s equipment. The job is yours.”

A warm energy coursed through Jensen, and he couldn’t help jumping up to shake Mr. Harrison’s hand. “Thank you, sir. I’m so relieved you still want me on your team after everything that’s happened.”

Voices at the door brought their attention to the others arriving. Jensen stood with Mr. Harrison, nervous energy causing his fingers to twitch. What would Flora say when he told her his plan for their future? Would she see his earnest love for her? Was she ready to trust him?

When she finally walked through the door after Owen and Aggie, the air disappeared from Jensen’s lungs. The lace gown she wore highlighted her graceful figure and made it impossible to take his eyes off her. His palms grew damp, and he had to clear his throat several times before he could swallow.

Not seeing her the entire week had been torture, and now that she was in front of him, Jensen’s heart swelled. He loved her so much.

If he could only make her see it without ruining things again.

Jensen followed the others to the dining room, barely able to look at Flora for fear his nervousness would be written all over his face. He’d spent the entire week thinking up and rejecting plan after plan. He’d known what he needed to do—what God had intended for him from the beginning—but he’d fought it for so long. Now it was time to see if it would be enough to win Flora back.

Everyone took their assigned places at the long table in the Harrisons’ dining room, and the servants began setting plates in front of each guest. Jensen found himself at the far end of the table from Flora, who was seated next to Mr. Harrison. It was frustrating to be in the same room with her but still so far away. He reminded himself there would be plenty of time to talk with her. The rest of their lives, if things went as he hoped. What he needed to say was much too personal for this setting, anyway.

Fred and Beth were busy filling the older Mrs. Montfort in about how Beth was feeling and her plans for their nursery once they returned home. At the head of the table, Mr. Harrison and Flora were deep in conversation, one that looked serious. Were they discussing Flora driving for the team again? If Mr. Harrison revealed Jensen’s decision to work with them, would Flora give agreement as well? Or would she refuse because of it?

The dinner courses dragged on, and Jensen grew more anxious with each one. He longed to take Flora’s hand in his, to pull her close and show her his feelings in the most undeniable way. The sentiment “absence makes the heart grow fonder” was all too true. He’d missed her. He’d thought of her every waking moment and dreamed of her at night. It had been madness.

He had also spent much time in prayer, a new habit that would lend stability to their relationship as they started fresh. If she would believe him this time. He’d prayed quite a bit that she would. And that prayer was the only thing giving him the strength to remain seated and wait until the right time to present Flora with his plan.

Finally, dessert was brought out. Once most of them had finished the final course, Mr. Harrison stood to get the attention of the group. “Most of you were a bit confused that I called this dinner a celebration, but I have several good reasons to do so. First, even if our team didn’t win the Glidden Tour, we made a strong showing for our first event. I can’t be too disappointed when the Harrison Goods team is being touted as a fine example of good sportsmanship and compassion for their fellow racers after stopping to help a team in need.”

Mr. Harrison paused to let the congratulations pass before he continued. “I know we’ve all heard the most exciting news to come out of that trip, but I’ll say it again with pride. Fred and Beth, we’re so pleased about your coming addition to the family. We pray for good health and blessings as you bring this new life into the world.”

Another round of best wishes went up, this one even more joyful. “And my final reason for celebration isn’t news to any of you, either, but it’s still something I’d like to commemorate. We’re having the first meeting of the new Harrison Goods racing team at the shop tomorrow. Flora and Jensen, I’d particularly like both of you to attend, since you were our first driver and mechanic.”

Mr. Harrison looked around the table, his eyes growing misty. “I’m so thankful to God for bringing the four of you back to us. I can already see you’ve all grown in significant ways, and I hope that will lead you forward into a joyous and fulfilling future.”

Questions swirled in Jensen’s mind as the others all returned to their conversations while rising from the table to adjourn to the parlor. Mr. Harrison said he and Flora were the team’s first driver and mechanic. Had she turned down the driving position? Was she unwilling to work with him, maybe even still unable to trust him? With no way to sort it all out, he could only look toward Flora, longing to see answers in her eyes.

Instead, he found them shining with unshed tears.

Not caring what any of the others might think, he moved to the chair next to her and took both her hands in his. The room emptied, leaving them to the moment he’d been praying over all week. “Flora, did you decline Mr. Harrison’s offer to be our driver?”

As if she couldn’t bear to speak the words, her mouth opened and then closed again. Finally, she just nodded. The pain of losing her already began to sting his heart, and he rushed to get out the statements he’d rehearsed all week. “I know you lost faith in me. But I didn’t damage the car during the tour, and I’ll work as long as it takes to prove it to you. You’re an amazing woman and the best driver I’ve ever met. I can’t apologize enough for my part in everything that happened on the tour, for keeping things from you and causing so much pain. Can you give me the chance to earn your trust again?”

She shook her head and his heart dropped. She was going to refuse to accept his apology.