For Better or Worse Read Online Free PDF Page B

peeked and noticed her eyebrows furrowed into a line. “I don’t see a hiking trail or anything like that.”
    “I never said we were going hiking.” He pointed toward the mammoth structure in front of them.
    “The Dover International Speedway?” Kelly looked at Harold. “We’ve been together a year, and I never knew you liked to watch NASCAR.”
    Harold shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t watch NASCAR.”
    Her frown deepened. “But?”
    Harold grinned. “We’re not watching. We’re driving.”

    Overwhelmed, Kelly followed Harold toward the Dover International Speedway, known as the “Monster Mile.” She’d never been to a racetrack before and as they approached the main entrance the humongous monster statue mesmerized her. “Wow.” She peered at the structure. The monster was a huge, gray, stonelike creature that burst through the top of a circular structure containing plaques of two hundred Dover Speedway winners. With his left hand gripping the top of the structure, the monster’s right hand held a red and white racecar high into the air.
    “It’s something else, isn’t it?” Harold pointed at its face. “His red eyes glow at night, making him even more fierce looking.”
    Kelly giggled. “His teeth kinda remind me of the abominable snowman in
Rudolph
.”
    Harold laughed. “Yeah. I can see that, but I don’t think that’s what they were going for.” He grabbed her hand then pointed at the car in the monster’s grip. “Come on. I can’t wait to take a spin in one of those babies.”
    Kelly experienced a rush of stimulation overload. The place was huge, holding well over 100,000 spectators and the track itself was a mile long. Everywhere she turned she saw massive metal and concrete structuring and fences that seemed forever tall around the track. The bright-colored signs displaying various products were splattered all over the walls. Not to mention all the men and women clad in red shirts or a blue bodysuit of sorts.
    While Harold took care of getting them set up, Kelly drank in the families who were taking pictures beside and inside the various cars. A person had to be eighteen to drive, but there were still plenty of young boys and girls rooting on their older siblings, parents, and even some grandparents.
    Before Kelly knew it, she and Harold were in a “special van orientation” driving around the racetrack. She listened intently and thrilled when the time came for her final instructions with an in-car driving counselor. She was about to “ride and meet the Monster.”
    “So, do you think you’ll like it?” Harold asked as he slipped one foot into the protective suit.
    “Truthfully”—Kelly picked up her silver helmet with the yellow and red M ONSTER R ACING logo on the front—“I can’t remember the last time I’ve had such an adrenaline rush. I can’t wait.”
    Harold grabbed her close and planted a quick but firm kiss on her lips. “That’s what I wanted to hear.”
    Kelly peered up at her man. The blue bodysuit mixed with the late morning sun gave his oceanlike eyes a brilliant glow. She touched his clean-shaven face. “You know, I’ve snagged myself quite a good-looking man.”
    “You don’t look so bad yourself, Ms. Coyle, in that protective body gear. In fact, I’d say you look pretty enough to kiss again.”
    Kelly smiled as she allowed him one more kiss. Within moments, she slipped into the car. She rode as a passenger for four laps, studying how the instructor drove the vehicle as well as the course. Soon it was her turn to drive herself.
    Trepidation raced through her as she considered driving the mammoth track in a speeding car … all by herself. She looked at her driving instructor. “How many laps do I drive by myself?”
    “Ten.”
    Kelly’s heart thrummed in time with the engines. “Okay.” “You’re going to do fine. Remember, you don’t have to go super fast. Just go at a pace you feel comfortable.”
    Kelly looked at the bright yellow