Backroad Fate

Chapter 17

(Madison's point of view)
I just beat Denny Hamlin at go-kart racing. Wow! I just beat a NASCAR driver, who happens to also be my brother. I really never would have imagined any of this.
"Wow! You really weren't lying! You really can race!" Denny exclaimed, laughing.
"I guess I just beat you at your own game." I said, laughing at him.
"I guess so. But, you know, since you know so much about racing, you should be my PR." Denny said as we walked up to Danny.
"You know what, I think you may have yourself a deal. Let me think about it." I replied.
"Cool." Denny said.
" I got all of that on video!" Danny said, while holding the camera and Sophia. Sophia was smiling at Denny and reaching for him. Denny took her out of Danny's arms.
Denny looked at me, " I would love for Sophia to meet my daughter sometime."
"Definitely. If I take the job, then they'll get to see each other all the time." I told Denny.
"What job?" Danny asked.
"Denny has a PR job open. I was thinking about taking it. But we would always be away, and I don't know who would take care of the house and farm." I told Danny.
"My sister actually could. She asked me this morning, on the phone, if she could move in and help us out. She got into a fight with my parents. Plus, I don't have to go to the track with you every week. So someone will always be home," Danny paused, " What about your nursing job?"
"NASCAR's always been my passion. Plus, if I don't have the PR job forever, than I always have nursing as a plan B." I paused, " I think that your sister living on the farm and helping out would work great for us. We would both get the opportunity to go to the tracks and see the races." I said, smiling. Excited about the possibilities of my new job.
"So is that a yes?" Denny asked, "You want the job?"
I looked at Danny, then back at Denny, "Yeah, definitely. "
"Great! I can't wait. We have a team PR who will help you out. His name's Boris. I'm sure you've heard of him." Denny said, looking at me.
" Yeah, I have. I follow him on Twitter." I told Denny.
"It's good that you already have a Twitter, so we don't have to make you one." Denny said.
" I can't wait." I said, smiling.
Once we left, Denny said that I would start my PR job when the new season started. He left so he could go back to work.
Danny said that he was ecstatic to get to see the races and travel as a family.

Christmas:
(Danny's point of view)
Sophia loved opening her gifts. I think she may have liked playing with the wrapping more than her new toys. Madison starts her new PR job in February. She is so excited, that it's all she talks about. I can't wait to get to see some races in person.
My sister moved in a couple of weeks ago. When her and Madison met, you would have thought that they've known each other forever.
We sold a lot of Christmas trees this year. I charged between $100 - $250 a tree. So we made a lot. I've been teaching my sister, Michelle, a lot about the farm. She really knows what she is doing. Which makes me feel good leaving the farm with her.
(Madison's point of view)
I loved watching Sophia open her gifts. She was just so adorable. She also really loves Danny's sister, Michelle. Michelle is exactly like Danny; kind, funny, thoughtful, and she loves sports.
Denny invited Danny and I to come to his house the day after Christmas. He said he was having a Christmas party.

December 26th-
We flew to Denny's house, because Danny and I weren't comfortable with driving to Charlotte, North Carolina. Denny picked us up at the airport.
"Hey." Denny said, when we walked up to him in the airport.
"Hi. I feel like it's been forever." I said, hugging him.
He smiled when he saw Sophia.
"Denny!" She yelled. Denny looked at me surprised.
"We've taught her a few names, since you last saw her." I told him, laughing.
Sophia ran to Denny and he picked her up, smiling and hugging her tightly.
"I have Taylor's car seat in the truck. Soph can go in there." He said, looking at me.
I keep thinking to myself that I can't believe I have an older brother. I have always wanted a sibling. I love when Denny calls Sophia- Soph. It's absolutely adorable.
"Thanks. You ready?" I asked.
"Of course. " Denny said, leading us to the car and holding Sophia. She had her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. Danny walked up next to me and put my hand in his.
" I love you." He said, looking at me with his beautiful blue eyes.
"I love you, too. " I said, smiling at him.
Danny was really there for me last week on the anniversary of Denny and I's parents death. It was really hard on me. It's officially been three years. Denny told me he was sad that he never got to meet them. I told him I was too.
Denny strapped Sophia in the car seat and I sat up front, Danny sat in the back with Sophia.
"Thanks for everything. " I said to Denny, while we were driving back to his house.
"For what?" He asked me.
"For the job, for being there for me." I said.
"Your my sister. I would do anything for you, and thank you for taking the job." He said.
" I would do anything for you, too. I can't wait to start the new job. It's going to be fun. I know it!"
"It'll be fun to get to work with you every week." He said.
He finally pulled into his driveway. There were a lot of cars.
"There are some drivers here. I thought I would wait to tell you." He said, smiling.
I looked at him, surprised. " Why did you wait to tell me?"
"I didn't want you to be nervous. They'll like you, don't worry." He said to me.
"They better or you owe me." I said, laughing.
Danny got Sophia out of the car seat, while I was getting our bags.
"Your house is beautiful. " I said to Denny while we were walking up the driveway.
"Thanks." He said, as he was opening the front door. I had already met Jordan, Denny's girlfriend, and Taylor, their daughter. They came for Thanksgiving at my Aunt's house. Taylor and Sophia get along so well. All they do is run around and play with each other. It's adorable.
"Hey. I've missed you guys." Jordan said, smiling and giving me a hug.
"We've missed you guys, too." Danny and I said at the same time.
"You guys are so cute. " Jordan said, laughing at us. Taylor came running at me, screaming, " Maddie! Maddie!"
I picked her up and said, " Helloe beautiful. You look very pretty today."
"Thank you." She said, waving to Sophia in Danny's arms.
" Do you girls want to play?" Danny asked.
" Please?" Taylor asked.
" Of course, sweetheart. " Danny said, putting Sophia down. Taylor grabbed her hand and they ran into the kitchen.
Denny looked at me, " Madison, I think you might want to meet someone. " He said, winking at me.
"Who?" I asked.
"Come with me." He said, leading me to the backyard.
When I stepped outside, I couldn't believe my eyes.