Davey pulled into the pits after kicking ass in the qualifying run at Talladega. He parked, hopped out of his Ford, and was tugged into a hug by Cruz.

“Nice going,” Cruz said. “You’ve got the pole unless Ted beats your time.”

Feeling his oats, Davey snickered. “That’s not likely.”

“Nope.” Cruz grinned as the rest of Davey’s crew gathered around him with congratulations and high-fives.

They all made their way toward the garage together. Davey’s team had been amazing over the last week. Their dedication and support meant the world to him, especially given the chaos associated with Team Johnson. They had no major sponsor and the media was still going crazy with articles about him. Some of the press had been positive, some negative. But every article he had skimmed had speculated on how long they could make it without a major sponsor.

In spite of the media craze and the uncertainty over sponsorship, he was confident in the decision he had made. He knew in his heart that picking Ben over Outdoor America had been the right choice. Even so, he worried about his team. They were hard-working, talented people who didn’t deserve the media shit-storm or the uncertainty over their future.

He fretted for them, but it seemed to be for naught. Every team member had rallied around him. They’d applauded him for putting his family first. Wade had assured him that he could find new sponsors. At least half of Davey’s team had told him they could go without pay for a period of time. Something he had no intention of doing, even though he appreciated the sentiment. None of his crew had blinked an eye when he’d had his Ford repainted to cover the Outdoor America logo. The front hood was now a naked brown with a large white 36 in the center.

In the garage, Wade patted him on the back. “You got the pole.” His manager gave him a big grin. “Keep racing like that and we’ll have a new sponsor in no time.”

“Congrats,” Billy said. “Way to flip the haters the bird.”

Davey laughed. His team was the best. “I hope you guys know how much I appreciate you.”

They all gathered for their normal pre-race meeting. As Cruz and Billy reviewed plans for the car in tomorrow’s race, Davey did his mental pre-race preparation. After, he glanced around the garage. It was familiar, yet there had been some changes too. He used to have a banner reminding him to stay focused, the motto his dad had drummed into him. Last month, he had gotten rid of it. While staying focused on the track was a no brainer, using that philosophy to govern his life no longer served him.

He had learned that he could have it all. He just needed to balance his priorities and make the right choices, like putting his son first and finding sponsors that aligned with his values.

His cell rang just as the meeting ended. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and glanced at caller ID. Nora. His mood lifted at the sight of her name and he shuffled into the corner for privacy. “Hey, Nora.” He was thrilled that she had reached out to him. His day was getting better and better.

It took a long moment before she spoke. When he heard a loud sniffle, his heart jumped into his throat. “Nora, what’s wrong?”

“It’s Ben,” she said, in between sobs.

His chest stuttered and his gaze lifted in search of Cruz. He must have looked as panicked as he felt because as soon as he caught Cruz’s attention, his friend hustled over.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice hitching as Cruz approached.

“Ben…hit in head…” He could only make out every few words because Nora was sobbing. “Baseball…hospital.”

Fear clawed up his spine. What the hell was going on? He put the phone on speaker so Cruz could listen in. “Is Ben okay?”

There was a shuffling, a quiet exchange, then his mother’s voice. “Hi, Davey.”

“What happened?” Fear twisted in his gut as a feeling of total helplessness engulfed him. It was like driving through a ten-car pileup with no spotter. “Is Ben okay?”

“He got hit in the head by a line drive at his baseball game,” she said. “He’s in the hospital.”

“Oh my God.” Davey pressed a hand to his thumping heart.

Cruz squeezed Davey’s shoulder. “Hi, honey,” he said into the phone. “How’s Ben now?”

“He’s conscious and hanging in there,” she said. Relief washed through Davey. Conscious was good. “Give me a minute.” She spoke quietly with someone else and then returned. “They think he has a concussion, but they’re running tests.” Davey exchanged a worried look with Cruz. “Nora and I have been trying to keep him awake.”

“I’m on my way.” Davey looked heavenward. “Tell Nora I’m coming, okay?”

After they hung up, he turned to Cruz. “We can probably rent a car and drive home quicker than we can fly.” He rolled his shoulders. “I can’t come back for tomorrow’s race. I need to be at home with Ben.”

“Give AJ a call,” Cruz suggested. “You can put him in the 36 tomorrow.” Davey brightened a little. That was a damn good idea. “I’ll find us a car,” Cruz said. “I’m sure Billy or Wade will lend us wheels so we don’t have to waste time renting.”

Cruz stepped away, then turned back to Davey. “You’re doing the right thing. I’m proud of you.”

Nora made her way to the cafeteria to get some much needed black tea. She had left Steph with Ben to keep him awake. They’d been taking turns throughout the afternoon and it hadn’t been an easy task considering Ben was dead tired.

In the cafeteria, she fixed her tea, paid, and headed out clutching the Styrofoam cup like a prized jewel. She desperately needed the pick me up, not surprising given her stress over Ben’s condition.

She looked at the clock on the wall. Ben had gotten hit in the head at two o’clock and it was five now. Davey and Cruz had left Talladega at three. Since it was a five-hour drive, they wouldn’t arrive for another few hours.

She’d been shocked when Steph had told her that Davey was coming. He continued to surprise and impress her at every turn, choosing Ben over his sponsors and now, choosing him over a race. Davey had also surprised her by continuing to pursue her. He had been calling and texting her every day and sending flowers and care packages. The last shipment had been filled with organic large animal treats. She smiled into her cup. He sure knew the way to her heart.

She missed him like crazy and wished they could get back together. But he still had sponsor issues and would continue to have them as long as she was in his life. She would always be a detriment to his career because she wasn’t like the race fans who hunted, fished, and ate meat.

She took a couple of gulps of her hot drink, grateful for the energy boost. As she made her way around the corner, a familiar voice called out. “Cupcake, over here.”

Spinning around, her tea almost toppled. She caught it just in time, then raced over to her grandfather.

“Pap!” She dropped her cup on a nearby table and threw her arms around his neck. “I’m so happy to see you.”

He took her hand, picked up the cup, and led her to a table in the back corner. “I’m happy to see you too.” He held out a chair for her.

After they were both settled, he caught her gaze. “How are you holding up?”

“Oh, Pap, I’m a mess.” Tears trembled on her eyelids. “I’m so worried about Ben.”

He slid his chair close to hers and put an arm around her shoulder. “Ben’s going to be just fine.”

A couple of tears rolled down her cheek as she exhaled a huge sigh of relief.

Pap pushed aside his ever-present gold pocket watch, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a handkerchief. “Now, let’s talk about you and Davey.” He dabbed her eyes with the white hankie.

“I miss him,” she admitted as another tear slipped down her cheek. “But it’s not going to work. He lost his primary sponsors because of me.”

Pap gave her a sympathetic smile. “Davey would have given those sponsors up anyway because they no longer align with who he is.” He gently patted her hand. “You helped speed it along.”

“But my intuition….”

Her grandfather shook his head. “You think your intuition told you not to get involved with Davey, but that was fear, not intuition.”

Nora blew out her cheeks, then released them. “How do I know the difference?”

“It’s easy.” He took her hand. “Close your eyes, quiet your mind, and look within. Ask yourself what you want and allow your feelings to guide you.” He squeezed her hand. “Go ahead and try it now.”

She blinked her eyes closed and attempted to quiet her mind. Eventually, her thoughts slowed and she asked herself the question. What do I want?

The answer came in the form of an image. Davey. Because she wanted to be sure, she asked again and got the same response. This time she received a series of impressions, almost like a slide show. There were pictures of Davey with her, with Ben, with Cruz and his mom. Next, there were pictures of her and Davey on the farm with Concordia, Chance, and the pigs.

Blinking her eyes open, she laughed. “Okay, I got it.”

“Don’t worry about the details, they’ll work themselves out.” He winked at her. “All of them.”

Hope swelled in her heart as she extended her pinky. “Pinky-promise?”

Her grandfather hooked his finger with hers and they shook on it.

Afterward, she kissed his cheek. “When will I see you again?”

He pulled her into a long hug. “This is it, Cupcake.”

“Oh, no. I don’t want you to go.” Sadness closed in on her. “I’ll miss you so much.”

“I’ll miss you too.” He drew back and caught her gaze. “But I can’t keep using Scott’s body and I only have one visit left.”

“So I’ll get to see you one more time?” she asked hopefully.

Pap shook his head. “You don’t need me anymore, sweetie. You’re on the right path.”

Nora’s heart squeezed. While he’d told her from the beginning that he could only visit for a brief time, she wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

He took her hand and turned her palm up and down. The familiar routine soothed her. “You’re gonna be just fine, Cupcake. You have a new, exciting chapter of life ahead of you.” He kissed the top of her head. “Now I can go knowing that Davey will be there for you.” He put his hands on her arms. “Know that I watch over you. If you need me, give a shout and I can visit in energy form.” He hugged her one last time, then stuffed his hands in his pockets and disappeared down the hall whistling the theme song from The Andy Griffith Show.

Nora eased onto a chair, taking a few moments to appreciate the time she’d had with her beloved grandfather, both as a child and over the last six months. Thank you, Pap, for everything. She sipped the rest of her tea, conscious of the warm liquid moving through her system, comforting and invigorating.

A short while later, she returned to Ben’s room and found her little guy asleep.

Before she could ask, Steph gave her a smile. “The doc said that he could sleep for a while. They’ll come in every couple of hours to check on him.”

Relief washed through Nora like a cleansing summer rain. Dr. Cheney must have thought Ben was well enough to allow him to rest.

“Why don’t you go take care of the animals?” Steph suggested. “I’ll take a nap here with Ben.”

Nora hesitated. She didn’t want to leave Ben, but she hadn’t been to Davey’s today. She had planned to stop by to take care of the animals after Ben’s game. Now it was late and the animals needed to be fed. If she left now, she could be back before Davey arrived.

She stopped by her place, picked up Cosmo and drove to Davey’s. After feeding the dogs, she headed to the barn. Concordia greeted her when she made her way inside.

She put her hands around Concordia’s neck and touched her head to the cow’s. For a long moment, she soaked in peace and comfort from the gentle creature. “It’s been quite the day,” she murmured.

The cow gently rubbed her soft head against Nora’s forehead.

“Ben got hit in the head pretty hard.” She drew in a long breath and let it out slowly. “The doctor thinks he’ll be okay, but it’s still scary.” She drew back and gazed into Concordia’s dark soulful eyes. “I had to say good-bye to Pap. I’m grateful for the extra time I had with him, but it was hard.” She pressed a kiss to Concordia’s head. “Then there’s Davey. I screwed up big time.” She had finally realized that she was in love with him. She hadn’t thought she had it in her, yet her feelings for him were so powerful she could no longer deny it.

An image of her vision board appeared in her head. Her mind’s eye focused on the picture of the couple, an attractive blond who looked a lot like Davey gazing starry-eyed at his woman. Was it another sign that she and Davey were meant to be together?

Concordia let out a happy noise, a half-moo, half-snort, making her laugh. “You and Pap,” she said, laughing again. Her mind shifted to the next picture on her board—a mom, dad, and three kids—probably another sign. Sighing dreamily, she kissed Concordia’s nose. “I guess I really did want those things.”

When Concordia nuzzled her soft head along Nora’s side, she thought about the farm pictures on her vision board. Taking in her surroundings, a hand flew to her chest. She had created a mini version of that farm right here at Davey’s.

But there’s more to do, Concordia said telepathically. To use your compassion for a broader good.

Warm tingles washed over Nora, skittering from her head to her toes. Closing her eyes, she envisioned herself as a mother bird, flapping her wings and gliding blissfully through a sun-streaked sky. Gazing down at Mother Earth, she sent vibrations of love and compassion to the animals who roamed fields of wildflowers and hills of rolling green. Her vision ended when she blinked her eyes open, but the light, blissful feeling remained in her heart.

She wanted to help all animals live wild, free, and happy. She had always wanted that.

It’s been in your subconscious since you were a child, Concordia said.

She had dreamed of saving animals for as long as she could remember. With Davey’s help, they had saved Concordia, Chance and the pigs. But she didn’t know how to make her broader vision come to life. That had always been the problem. She tipped her head toward her sweet cow. “But how?”

Opportunities will present themselves. Concordia let out a soft moo. I’ll be at your side to help.

“Oh my God, Cruz,” Davey said, his voice tight. “Can’t you drive any faster?”

“I’m doing eighty-five, son.” Cruz slanted him a look. “I’ll get you to the hospital as fast as Billy’s car will take us. But I’m gonna get you there in one piece.”

Davey bounced his legs together. “I’m just worried about Ben.”

“I get it.” Cruz reached over and patted his knee. “But you heard your mom. He’s sleeping. The doctors wouldn’t let him sleep if they had major concerns.”

“I guess.” Davey jiggled his foot. “But it’s not just today. I missed the first ten years of Ben’s life.” Guilt kicked at his chest like an unruly donkey.

“You didn’t know about Ben then,” Cruz said quietly.

That was true, but his guilt was probably more associated with the present. Ben was a part of his life now, yet he was still missing out. “Damn it, I’m missing all of his big moments.” As guilt squeezed his lungs so tight he could barely breathe, Davey glanced at Cruz. “I wish I could retire too.”

Cruz turned his head and raised a brow. “What’s stopping you?”

Davey opened his mouth to blurt out the reasons—money, prestige, the race for the Cup—then snapped it shut. Those were all excuses. He could retire if he wanted to.

But what would happen to his team?

“You need to think long and hard and be sure,” Cruz said.

“I’m pretty sure.” The acknowledgment slipped out quickly and confidently. “Screw racing.”

“That’s a different tune from the little boy who wanted one thing and one thing only—to win the Cup.”

“Ben’s more important,” Davey said.

Cruz nodded. “I can’t argue with you there. But you need to think through all of the implications.”

Davey leaned back in his seat. Was he really ready to end his racing career? He waited for panic and disappointment, but neither came. Instead, he was filled with relief and liberation as recognition dawned. The race for the Cup had been his father’s dream, not his. Sure, he liked fast cars and he enjoyed the racing world. But as a kid he’d have been just as happy—maybe even happier—building engines with Cruz.

“I’m not sure that was my dream.” He glanced over, expecting to see a shocked expression. Instead, Cruz’s lips had curved into a smile.

Davey gaped at him. “Aren’t you surprised?”

“Nope. I knew that.” Cruz’s smile expanded. “I’ve been waiting for you to catch up to it.”

Well, damn. Davey laughed. “Can I work for you?”

“Nope.” Cruz shook his head.

Disappointment sliced through Davey. Working on engines with Cruz was his real dream job.

“But you can be my partner,” Cruz said.

A giddy joy swept through Davey as he choked out a laugh. “You had me worried.”

“I could use the help.” Cruz extended his fist and bumped it with Davey’s. “I have a couple of clients lined up already. I need to find a garage and get started asap.”

Davey grinned at the thought of working in a garage with Cruz, like in the good old days. When his thoughts shifted to his team, his grin faded. “What about the guys?”

“If you can find a new sponsor you could keep the team and make AJ your driver,” Cruz suggested.

That was a great idea. As an owner who wasn’t driving, he would spend a hell of a lot more time at home.

Cruz’s grin turned mischievous. “And it would make you AJ’s boss.”

Davey laughed. “I could have some fun with that.”

Approaching Chattanooga, Cruz merged onto I-24. “It might help you with Nora as well.”

That thought had crossed Davey’s mind too. With AJ in the spotlight instead of him, maybe Nora would reconsider their relationship.

His cell phone rang. He didn’t recognize the name, but feeling a sense of lightness, he answered anyway.

“Is this Davey Johnson?” an unfamiliar male voice asked.

“The one and only,” he said. “Who’s this?”

“Alex Winston, founder of Eat Vegan.”

Davey couldn’t have been more surprised. He wondered why Eat Vegan’s owner was calling him.

“I’m sorry that your girlfriend’s support of Eat Vegan has caused you such grief.” Alex let out a dry laugh. “But it’s done wonders for our cause. Our web hits and donations have gone through the roof since your story broke.”

Davey let out a half-laugh, half-groan. “I’m glad it helped someone.”

“I’d like to make it up to you,” Alex said. “My team has completed the due diligence and we’d like to talk with you about taking over as your primary sponsor.”

Davey’s jaw dropped in surprise. Alex’s offer was generous, but he wasn’t sure that Eat Vegan was large enough that they could afford a sponsorship, especially a primary sponsorship. Even so, a sense of relief and cautious optimism filled him, similar to what he’d felt last week in Richmond when the race had been red-flagged just as Ted had been about to pass him.

“That’s very generous, but are you sure?” He hated to ask, but he had to. “Sponsorships are expensive.”

“My organization’s a lot bigger than you may think,” Alex said. “Regardless, most of the funds would come from me personally and I have plenty. I’ve been blessed with abundance that has allowed me to carry out my life’s mission to be a voice for animals.” A cautious hope unfurled inside Davey. Nora would be ecstatic if he secured a sponsorship with an organization like Eat Vegan. “My accountants have looked into sponsorships and we believe there’s a big opportunity to share our message in the NASCAR market.” He let out a low laugh. “As evidenced by the huge following that we picked up after the interview with Nora.”

“Great!” Hope slid from Davey’s head into his chest, where it illuminated his spirts like the sun breaking through the clouds and brightening a gloomy day. “I’d love to talk with you, but I need you to know that I’m making some changes to my team.” Now that he’d said it out loud, it felt real. And it felt right. “I’m moving into an owner role and putting AJ Ryan in as the driver for Team Johnson. I’ve known AJ for years. He’s an accomplished racer and I know he’ll finish well this season.”

“I’ll have my team check him out, but I’m not particularly concerned over who’s driving. We’re interested in the publicity,” Alex said. “But I’d really like to have your lovely lady involved, maybe as an ambassador. Do you think she’d be interested?”

“I can’t speak for her, but she doesn’t enjoy being in the spotlight.” Then again, Nora loved animals and she loved Alex’s company. “For you, she might. She’d do anything for animals. She’s had the desire to rescue farm animals ever since she was a kid.”

“Very interesting. Does she really communicate with animals?”

“She does,” Davey said, pride swelling in his chest over Nora’s amazing gift. “I’ve seen it in action. She can sense their emotions, sometimes through images, sometimes through words.”

“An animal empath,” Alex said. “That’s rare. I can’t wait to meet her.”

She sure as hell was special. Davey couldn’t wait to introduce Nora to Alex. She had mentioned that Alex was one of her idols so she would be super excited.

“Is she rescuing animals now?” Alex asked.

“She has some cows and pigs on my farm, but she’d like to do more and I’d like to help her.” Davey had been tossing around some ideas that he wanted to share with her. “She’s passionate about showing others what she sees in animals.”

“Hmm. Maybe I can help on that front,” Alex said. “I’ll have my assistant set up some time for us to meet in the next couple of days to firm up the sponsorship. That will give me time to think about Nora’s endeavor too.”

Davey hung up with a huge sense of relief and satisfaction. This was everything he needed to convince Nora that she wasn’t holding him back and that they were meant to be together. His new sponsorship and his new role in racing would allow him to be in Serenity to be a real father, and hopefully a real husband too. He couldn’t wait to get home to Ben, to Nora, to the animals and to start his new life.