Chapter Five
Rockville, Indiana was a small town nestled outside Indianapolis. It was one of the towns you could drive through on your way to something greater, the place you may stop for the gas station but not much else. That was unless you were coming specifically for the Dyers Racing Shop. Danica’s mechanic shop brought in business to the town when, otherwise, there would have been none, which was specifically why she chose the location. It was far enough away from the main city to be peaceful, yet close enough that she was easily found by the racers and car enthusiasts. It made for the perfect location for Mr. Link to stop by on his way to the big city to check out his newest car for his collection.
“You get faster and faster every time, Dani Banani,” Mr. Link gushed, smiling wide at the now complete Roadrunner. “I swear you’ve got some sort of magic.” He tapped his knuckles on the metal fender of the car and smiled. “And she purrs real pretty.”
Moments before, Danica had started up the car and let Mr. Link hear the rumble. He hadn’t taken her for a test drive yet, but he always saved the speed test until after he paid. He knew the car would be fast and drive smooth, just as they always did. Danica was proud of her work and would never send out a car less than perfect.
Smiling at the older man, Danica bumped her shoulder against his gently. Many of her clients became friends and Mr. Link was no exception. He’d been coming to her shop for years, was friends with her father since she was a kid. He’d been in her life for so long, she didn’t know what it would be like without him.
“I figure it’s about time I pay you, isn’t it?” Mr. Link reached into his back pocket and pulled out a money bag, passing it over to Danica.
She opened it and frowned at the stack of cash, counting out the groupings from the bank. “There’s too much money in here. You getting too old to count, old man?” Danica teased, attempting to hand the bag back to him.
“Nope. There’s precisely the amount I intend to pay you in there. You finished this car in forty-eight hours, Dani. That’s a feat worthy of a bonus.”
“But this is far more than what you owe me. I can put it towards your next project—”
“You’ll do no such thing,” Mr. Link grunted. “I know it’s more, but I heard about the orphanage.”
“Link—”
“Don’t you dare. I want to help. My kids are grown, and the missus, she’s been feeling the burden of being empty nesters lately. We applied to adopt a few of the kids, but the red tape is heavy even after I tried to throw money at the organization. I’m trying my hardest—”
Danica’s eyes watered against her will and she quickly tried to dash them away before Link could see. “Anything helps. I can’t believe you did that.”
Link shook his head and jerked her into a bear hug that nearly stole her breath. “I’ve watched you try to save those kids for years. You know I’m always at the head of the line to help any fundraiser you put on. If your daddy was still here, he’d approve of what you’re trying to do.” His eyes glinted, both in sadness and recognizing an opportunity. “You know, if you picked up racing again, that kind of money would come quicker.” Link had been trying to convince her for years to get back into the circuit, even going so far as to offer to sponsor her, but the flashbacks kept her from even looking at the Indy cars, let alone racing them.
“But that would still take time with the season already well underway. You know that. Besides, I don’t race. Not anymore.”
“Your daddy wouldn’t want you wasting away here, Dani Banani,” he said sadly, his large hand squeezing her shoulder. “I know he wouldn’t. You’ve built a big name for yourself here, and I’m so proud of you. You’re talented. Nothing I say negates that. But you should race again. You belong on a racetrack. If you don’t do it for yourself, maybe it’ll help save those kids. A lot of big names like having a charity to give to if there’s someone asking for it.”
Dani was silent for a moment before she met his eyes. The words circled around her mind, repeating. “Even if I could get behind the steering wheel again, it’s too late in the season for that. I could announce my intention to race next season, but no one would put merit behind me until they saw me in an actual race. They wouldn’t feel as charitable.”
Link studied her, and she knew he was mulling over her words. He believed in her, always had, but this was a situation they weren’t prepared for. “I’m sorry, Dani. I wish I could help more. But not even I have that kind of money sitting around. It’s all tied up in assets.”
“You’re doing so much already,” Dani said, shaking her head. “We’ll do everything we can. At least we can say we did that.” She glanced down at the money bag in her hand. “Thank you, Link. You believed in me even before anyone knew I was a capable mechanic.”
“I watched you wipe grease off your face as a youngin,” he said with a small smile. “I knew you would be great in the industry long before I saw you win your first race. It made me sad something fierce when you hung up your helmet, but I get it. I miss him, too.” Link ran his hand along the smooth paint of the Roadrunner. “I’ll have someone come pick her up in the morning, if that’s okay.”
“Of course.” Dani accepted the hug Link gave freely. “Tell Delilah I’ll be by Saturday.”
“Lasagna night?”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Dani promised, smiling. “I’ll see you Saturday.”
She watched as Link stepped out the door, waving goodbye to the guys in the shop who had insisted on coming back into work despite her offering the day off again. She turned toward her next job and grabbed a wrench.
Before long, she was lost in the engine parts, happy to think about nothing else except for putting together the puzzle she loved the most.
* * *