Sweet Carolina(12)

A chorus of male voices returned her greeting. Dell noted a few stepped forward to shake her hand, while the majority hung back. Dell moved to the back of the group and leaned his shoulders against the hauler, watching. Her Hawkins Racing coveralls were smeared with grease, but her small-boned hands were clean. Not a single golden strand of hair was out of place. The coveralls hid her womanly shape as his eyes traveled down the length of her legs to her feet. Red-tipped toes peeked from beneath the hem. Tiny beige straps crisscrossed her foot above her toes. He couldn't help but smile at the odd mix of class and sass.

She took a minute to recognize the newest member of the pit crew – a kid named Trent who came onboard to replace a tire carrier who did something to his ankle. Dell tuned the explanation out, content to watch her when she wasn't watching him.

As she moved from one man to the other, exchanging small talk and wishing them a safe trip and a win, Dell listened for anything that would tell him who this woman was. Was she the Caro he knew as a kid? Or was she Carolina, the princess in the ivory office?

She finally made her way to him. Dell pushed himself aside from the hauler and straightened.

“Dell,” she offered her hand.

“Caro,” he said as he folded her small hand in his bigger one. Her grip was firm and warm, not a hint of nerves, though he sensed some in her voice when she said his name.

“I hear you're driving with the crew.”

“It's not far. Besides, I want to be there early.” And he wanted to get to know them better. He'd only had a few hours with them this week. Most of his time had been spent playing the PR game – interviews, photo sessions, and making nice with his new sponsors. A good crew could make or break you, and their performance could be anywhere from lousy to outstanding, depending upon their opinion of the driver. If a few hours on the road with them could help win them over, he was willing to go along.

“I'll see you on Thursday, then.” Dell raised an eyebrow in question.

“I like to be there for practice. There isn't much time to get the car as good as it can be,” she said, as if that were her explanation. Before he could ask her what she meant, she moved to the front of the group and raised her hand above her head. All eyes turned her way and everyone grew quiet.

“Be careful,” she said. “We're fortunate to have an experienced Cup driver on our team now, so let's give him our support. I think we have a winning team. I believe in each and every one of you.” She waved her hand. “I'll see you on Thursday.”

Dell accepted a ride with the crew chief. If he remembered right, Russell was a childhood friend of Stewart Hawkins, and part of Hawkins Racing from the beginning. If anyone knew Caro, Russell did.

“What do you think of the new owner?” he asked.

Russell didn't take his eyes off the road, and for the longest time, Dell didn't think the man was going to speak at all. When he did, Dell was almost sorry he'd asked.

“She needs to get married and have a bunch of kids, and get the hell out of the garage and the business. Ain't no place for a woman.”

Dell flinched, but chided himself for his stupidity. He should have known Russell would hold the same opinion as his friend, Caro's father.

“Stewart knew what he was about. Sent the girl away.”

“She's not a girl anymore,” Dell said.

Russell shook his head. “Anyone with eyes can see that. And trust me, you ain't the first to notice.”

“I didn't think I was.”

“The only mistake Stewart ever made was leavin' the business to that slip of a girl. I'm tellin' you, she ain't got no business runnin' a race team. She's gonna to drive it into the ground, you mark my words.”

“I don't know – she seems to know what she's doing.”

“She don't know shit. She hired you, didn't she?”

Dell didn't know what to say to that, so he turned his attention to the road. He had no idea if hiring him was a good thing for Hawkins Racing. He hadn't even considered that aspect when Caro offered him the ride. All he was thinking about was himself. He lived to drive and driving kept him alive. He couldn't let anything else enter into the equation. That's not how he worked.

They rode in silence for a while before Russell spoke up. “Your daddy was a good man.” Dell held his tongue. How could he forget Russell knew his father too? “Had a good head on his shoulders. Hell of a good driver too.”

Dell had heard it all before. Most of the racing world held the same opinion, and he'd given up on trying to change it. It seemed everyone but him knew the Caudell Wayne that Russell spoke of. Personally, Dell had never met that version of his father.

“He said you'd never make a decent Cup driver, and he was right. You got off to a good start, but it musta been beginner's luck. Always thought the other drivers cut you some slack your first season, because you were Caudell's son. After that, you had to earn your spot, and you ain't done it yet.”