Racing Royalty

Chapter 2

Raquel sat at a small table near the window in the refinished attic of her grandparent' Inn. In front of her sat an easel propped up on the table. A small 6x8 canvas leaning against it. Unopened paint tubes sat on the table next to a sketchbook where Raquel had attempted to draw the view of the lake from her window. The lines were shaky and uneven, and scribbles covered the work she had done so far. The pencil was still in her cast covered hand, gripped tightly in her fist.

She released a sigh and dropped the pencil, pushing away from the table. She rose to her feet and hobbled across the room to her bed. She plopped herself down on the mattress and laid on her back. Above her, drapes of white linen canopied from the high vaulted ceiling down and around her bed. Fairy lights were strung around the ceiling and draped along the fabric adding some extra light to the dimly lit room.

Raquel had only been in Georgia for two days now and had had much time to admire and memorize the space that her grandparents had built for her. The large plush bed with the tassel covered pillows in brown, white, and black. The three white and grey poufs across from the brown sofa. Raquel's favorite part of the room was the bohemian mural her mother had painted on the wall that bed sat against. In fact, the entire room was bohemian. Even though it wasn't Raquel's favorite style, in the short time she had been here so far, it was growing on her. The poufs were adorable and quirky, and the white fringe tassels that hung from the ceiling made her feel like a child again.

The only down side of the fabulous room was that it was on the third floor and took two flights of stairs to get to. And with her leg the way it was, it made it nearly impossible for her to come and go as she pleased. So she had spent almost all of her time so far in her room. As far as punishments go, this one might not be so bad.

No matter how hard Harvey tried to spin Raquel's new life, she couldn't see it as anything but a good chance to relax and unwind.

A knock at Raquel's door caused her to sit up and hobble across the soft rug to open it.

"Raquel, darling? Are you ready to go?" Alice, Raquel's grandmother, asked when she had opened the door for her.

"Go where? I didn't know we had plans today?"

Alice frowned and planted her hands on her hips. "I thought Edward had told you. We are going to show you around town today." This was news to Raquel.

"Oh. Okay. I just need a minute." Raquel limped to the wardrobe behind the door and, with a little difficulty, slipped on a single sock and sneaker before reaching for the crutches that leaned against the wall.

With Alice's help, she descended both flights of stairs and the back steps to her grandparent's old station wagon. From the back seat she watched as they left behind her grandparents' quaint bed and breakfast and drove through the countryside. They passed cattle farms, peach orchards, and long grassy plains before they reached the outskirts of town.

They stopped at the grocery store and Raquel trailed behind the two of them and their basket as they wound down the aisles. With her arm still in a sling, the crutches were more difficult than they should have been. Multiple times Raquel had to stop and pause. Neither of her grandparents has suggested she go outside and rest so Raquel just continued along, wincing with every step.

It wasn't until they were waiting in line to purchase their items that Raquel leaned against the cart, her breathing heavy.

"I'm so sorry dear! We should have let you wait in the car. Are you alright?" Alice asked with concern. Raquel just shook her head. If she was to heal faster, she would need to use her arm and leg more.

"It's fine. I can do this much." She said between breaths.

"No, no dear. Why don't you head outside to the car. We will be out in a couple of minutes." Edward offered his keys to Raquel and she took them gratefully.