Page 4 of High Velocity

The horrible sound of screeching tires and crunching metal, followed by screams from the crowd, had Charli’s gaze flying to the racetrack.She frantically searched for her father’s car, looking for the number twenty-one on the roof of his orange vehicle.

“No, no, no,” she whimpered as she gained her feet.She hadn’t realized she’d begun charging down the stands until arms banded around her middle.

“Charli!Wait!”

“Let me go!”

She watched as vehicles piled up, and her dad’s car flipped end over end, landing on its top.Sirens sounded off as the Safety Safari vehicles were already in motion.But she remained immobile, locked in place by Roark.

“Dad!”

Suddenly the car burst into flames, and she fought against Roark’s hold, wanting to get to her father.Already knowing it was too late.

Chapter Two

Charli—Southern Idaho—presentday

“Well, go’damn, are my eyes deceiving me?”

“Hi, Harv.”Charli smiled at the weathered face of Harvey Whitman, owner of the autobody shop simply named, Harvey’s Shop, and her dad’s former mechanic.

“I ain’t seen you since Hector was a pup, and that hound is pretty long in the tooth ‘bout now.”

Charli laughed, remembering Harvey’s twang and funny sayings.He sounded like a good ol’ country boy transplanted into Idaho desert country.Harvey was a born and bred Idahoan and damn proud of it.His shop reflected that with old metal signs, flags, and framed magazine and newspaper clippings scattered throughout the space depicting the life and times of years gone by in the Gem State.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”Charli said.“How ya doing, Harv?”

“Well, I’m right as rain now that I see your lovely face.Come here.”

He rounded the counter, holding out his arms, and Charli eagerly fell into them.The burly man smelled like coffee and cologne and a hint of grease.She breathed in deeply, letting the moment take her back to a time she wished she could return to.

“Good to see you, Charli,” he murmured into her hair before pulling back.His gaze roamed her face before staring into her eyes.“How ya been, darlin’?”He gave her shoulders a squeeze before dropping his arms.

She smiled.“Perfect, now that I got my daily hug from you.”

He laughed.“Oh, I’m just getting started.Stick around, and you’ll get more than you bargained for.”