An Uncertain Road by Abbey Downey

Author:Abbey Downey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wild Heart Books

CHAPTER 14

For the first time in the tour, the Harrison Goods team ended the day in a higher position than they started. Flora floated around her room at the grand Mount Washington Hotel, as pleased as if they’d ended in first. The way Jensen had worked with her that day instead of against her was all she’d been dreaming of since they left Philadelphia. The rest of the tour was bound to continue improving if they kept communicating and supporting each other as they had that day.

After an early supper and a few minutes spent relaxing and freshening up, Flora met Jensen in front of the sprawling hotel, where the cars were parked in order of their finishing positions. The white building with its distinctive red roof was built into the side of a hill overlooking an expansive lawn that sloped down toward a pasture, giving it an impressive view of the mountain-ringed valley. Locals and hotel guests were everywhere, taking in the spectacle of so many automobiles in one place. Some of the drivers had already started giving people rides, evidenced by the sputter and roar of engines and the smell of gasoline in the air.

Flora found Jensen waiting with several strangers by the Decauville, which was lined up in the ninth spot. Ninth. A thrill ran through Flora as she looked ahead of them and saw only eight teams they would have to pass once they got back on the road. That delight surely came through in her smile as she approached Jensen, who stood with an older couple.

When she reached the group, Jensen stepped close to Flora and introduced her to his companions. “This is Mrs. Montfort, our driver. Flora, this is Mr. and Mrs. Grady. They’d like a ride, whenever you’re ready.”

Mr. Grady’s eyes narrowed as he took her in. “My wife told me this car was driven by a female, but you’re quite small and delicate. Are you certain you can handle this machine?”

Flora gritted her teeth, reining in her emotions before answering as kindly as she could. “I’ve driven us all the way here from Philadelphia without a bit of trouble. I’m sure you’ll find a ride with me enjoyable and safe.”

The irony of uttering Jensen’s favorite word to describe her driving was not lost on Flora, but she was no longer in any mood to laugh about it. Jensen helped the couple get situated in the Decauville while Flora started it up. They took a slow turn around the hotel grounds, then returned to their parking spot where Jensen waited.

Before the couple had even finished thanking her for the ride, a group of older men approached, one addressing Jensen with boisterous volume. “Did I see what I think I saw? You let your wife drive this contraption?”

Mr. Grady had at least tried to be decent while voicing his doubts about a female driving a car. This man didn’t even look at Flora, as if she wasn’t worth being acknowledged.

Jensen’s jaw tightened as the crowd snickered, and he shot a sideways glance at Flora before responding for her.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.