Fast Cars (Working Title)

Chapter 9

Don watched as Maisy ran away from Jax. The game of keep-away had morphed and had kept the pair busy for most of the day. Maisy's musical laugh melded with the waves. Don glanced around, then whistled. "Time to pack it up. It'll be dark by the time we get back to the car and I didn't bring a light."

Maisy flopped down next to him on the blanket. Her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. Jax toppled over her and rolled onto his back, begging to have his stomach rubbed. When Don obliged, sand flew everywhere. Maisy squealed.

Don grinned at her. "Having fun?"

"Yeah."

"Good. We gotta get off this beach. It'll be dark soon."

Maisy sighed. "I've always wanted to see the sunset over the ocean. Don't you have your phone?"

"No. I left it in the car."

She sighed then pushed herself off the blanket. "Okay."

"We can come back tomorrow if you'd like," Don offered.

"Really?"

He pulled her close and kissed her nose. "Yeah. Let's get going."

Maisy watched him gather all the picnic supplies and start up the path.

"You coming?"

"Yeah."

Jax barked and bounded between them, rubbing against Don's legs as if he were trying to make him trip.

"Do you want dinner or just to go to the hotel?"

"Uh..."

Jax barked at a bird and jumped in the air trying to get it.

"Get out of the way, crazy."

Don deposited the load in the trunk and turned to face Maisy. Worry lines crossed her beautiful features. "Hey, what's wrong?"

She shook her head.

"If you don't tell me, I can't fix it."

"What game are you playing?"

"Game?"

"Are you trying to seduce me?"

"What?"

"Don..."

"Maisy, it's not like that. We need to get away for a few days. To unwind. I've honestly not been this relaxed for years."

"What about..." her question trailed off into silence.

Don stepped forward and brushed a thumb along her jaw. "There are two beds at the hotel. I promised." He turned and opened her door, waiting for her to climb in.

Don pulled a shirt on before he closed the trunk. "Do you want to go to a movie? Dinner? What?"

Maisy suppressed a yawn. "Uh, can we just get something fast?"

"Sure. Fast food."

An hour later, Don stretched out on his bed with the remote in hand. Maisy stepped out of the bathroom wearing one of his tshirts and a pair of baggy sweats. She sat on the bed and curled her legs under her while she brushed her hair. Jax looked up from his blanket on the floor.

Don set the remote on the bed. "Ok, pal. Your turn."

Jax jumped up and raced into the bathroom.

"Does he like baths?"

"Not so much. But it'll be over quick. Then it'll be my turn."

"The water'll be cold by then."

"Exactly," Don muttered as he closed the bathroom door. "At least I don't have to share a bed with her tonight."

Jax whined the entire time he was in the tub. Sand covered the bottom when he was done.

"All right, Jax. You're done. Get out and stay off my bed."

He opened the door for a moment and then closed it again. His heart almost stopped when he realized Maisy had been alone for at least twenty minutes. He smiled again as he heard her shriek.

"Get off, Jax! You're nasty!"

The water beat over him, hot at first then turning frigid as the boiler failed to keep up with the demand. "Such is life, I guess."

He wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped into the hotel room. Jax wagged his tail from his bed. Maisy pulled the blankets over her shoulders and turned toward the window.

Don fished in his bag for a moment before he pulled out a pair of sweats and slipped them on. He retrieved the remote and flipped through the channels for a few minutes. He got up one more time and checked the locks before laying down and putting his arm over his eyes.

The timer on the tv and run its course and Don was still awake. He glanced at the clock and sighed. It's only midnight.

Maisy shifted and whimpered in her sleep.

Jax looked up then dropped his head to his paws once more.

Maisy whimpered again.

"You okay?"

Don could hear her shake her head in the darkness.

"What's up?"

"Scared."

"Of what?"

"I don't know."

"Nothing's gonna hurt you, Maisy." The silence in the room was deafening. "Want me to teach you how to shoot?"

She sat up. "You'd do that?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"I want you to be safe."

Maisy shifted under her covers for a few minutes before her deep breathing filled the silence.