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Amalia slowly got to her feet and stepped closer, holding it out for him.
“Can you check the terrain and see what you think?” he asked.
“No.” She thrust the map at him and reached for the controls. “You figure that out, I’ll keep us afloat.”
She didn’t trust the amusement in his eyes, but didn’t try to figure out what she’d done. Reaching for the knob, her hand brushed his and she felt the touch as if it had been a caress. Oh, oh, bad, bad, bad. She drew a deep breath and looked everywhere but at Rafael. She was not going to get some stupid crush on the playboy. That would be the dumbest thing she could do. Her immediate goal was to get back to earth in one piece and have a good night’s sleep. Maybe tomorrow something would happen to end the race and let her return home.
Rafael calculated where they were and called the chase team. When he’d notified them, he handed her the walkie-talkie. “Press this button to talk, release to listen,” he said.
“What do I have to say?”
“Anything you want, I merely want you to know how to use it.”
“Why?”
“In case something happens to me, of course.”
Amalia felt a flare of panic. “What could happen?”
“Nothing, this is just in case.”
She stared at him as she pressed the button. “This is Amalia. Will we stop near a town that has a good restaurant for dinner?” It was inane, but the only thing she came up with.
“We can hope, Amalia,” Marie responded. “And we hope for a decent hotel with hot shower and comfortable beds. Over.”
Rafael took it back. “We have air mattresses. No time to be locating five-star hotels. We have a long-distance race to win. Out.”
He heard their laughter before the radio went silent.
“We’re sleeping on the ground?” she asked.
“Not if I can help it. But it keeps them on their toes.”
She nodded. He had a good relationship with his ground crew. Did he operate his business that way? It was far different from the way Stefano ran things. He was the boss and he wanted everyone to know that.
The other balloon remained in sight all afternoon. Amalia felt more courageous and, as long as she didn’t look directly over the side, she was able to keep her fear of heights under control. She enjoyed the distant views, watched the other balloon when it would move up or down, trying to see if Stefano or Rafael’s PA was at the controls. Most likely Stefano. He didn’t like to share the spotlight and would want bragging rights if he won.
At one point Rafael peered over the edge and called the chase team. It was time to switch out the tanks again and there were several wide-open spaces he thought would work.
This time the team was waiting when the balloon settled to the earth. Once again Amalia was amazed at the precision exchange. They were airborne again within thirty minutes.
Late in the afternoon, Rafael called the ground crew.
“I see what I think is San Paolo up ahead. If so, there’s a large soccer field on the outskirts. I’ll see if we can touch down there.”
There was momentary discussion among the ground crew, then Manuel came on and confirmed Rafael’s estimation. The small resort town was in a valley between two mountain ranges. Amalia had heard about it, but never thought to visit. It looked as if Maria might get her five-star hotel after all. Surely they wouldn’t camp out if a hotel was that close?
She looked at the other balloon.
“Do you think they’ll keep going?” she asked. Already Rafael was descending.
“I have no idea, but this is the best landing area around. I for one wouldn’t take the chance on finding something else farther on before dark.”
Even as he said that, she could tell the other balloon was beginning to descend.
“I’ll be able to call my brother, right?” she asked.
“Yes. Are you worried about him? I assure you my housekeeper will take care of all his meals. Beyond that, he’s well able to look after himself.”
“I’m not worried, but I do want to check in with him. He is only seventeen. Besides, he’ll have a million questions about today. I wish he had been able to go in my place.”
“Suggest that to your boss. Do you mother Jose a lot? In another year he will be going off to university. Are you planning to accompany him?”
“Don’t be absurd. Of course not.” Intellectually she knew she had to let her brother go. He was almost a man, had his own way in life to make. But it had been just the two of them for so long. Was this how parents felt when their children left the home? “Didn’t your parents worry about you and your brother when you left home?” she asked.
“I doubt it. We were sent to a boarding school from the age of eight. Neither seemed particularly concerned.”
“I gather you aren’t close.”
He looked at her and slowly shook his head. “Not close at all. I’ve only met my mother’s current husband once. I avoid my father’s woman of the week. He changes them too frequently to keep track.”
“That’s sad,” she murmured.
“It’s reality. Not that you have such a great life in comparison. No parents, no other family apart from your brother, and you’re obviously struggling with money issues.”
“I make a good living and support us just fine. There’s money for Jose’s university fees and he can also work.” She was insulted he thought her unable to provide.
“I only meant it must have been hard when your parents died and everything fell on you.”
She hated to talk about that time. It still could cause nightmares. She’d been so scared of the future, so worried she’d not be able to take proper care of her younger brother.
“I managed,” was all she said.
CHAPTER FIVE
SAN Paolo was designed as a full-service resort catering to the wealthy from all over Europe. It was a short trip by car from Barcelona. It had taken the entire day by lighter-than-air balloon. There were spas, swimming pools, golf courses, equestrian centers, a soccer field and a plethora of fine restaurants.
The chase team was on-site waiting for the balloon when Rafael gently set it down. Moving with well-rehearsed efficiency, the team tethered the basket, and began aiding in the collapsing of the balloon. They folded it lengthwise several times then rolled it toward the basket. Throwing a tarp over it to keep off the evening dew, they were done in record time.
“Who got the short straw?” Rafael asked as he watched the activity.
“Julio,” Maria said. She was already disconnecting the onboard propane tanks, handing the empty ones to Paolo, who stored them in the back of the truck to be refilled.
“Which means?” Amalia asked.
“He’ll stay with the balloon tonight—just to keep gawkers away. We can expect a crowd in the morning to watch us lift off.”
“So he has to sleep on the ground, but we get the hotel?”
Rafael laughed. “Indeed we do—unless you want to stay out here to keep him company.”
She shook her head, to the laughter of the others.
Thirty minutes later Amalia closed the door to the suite Rafael had assigned her. It was beautiful beyond belief. The sitting room was done in lovely shades of rose and lavender. The sofa was huge and comfortable, she realized when she sat on it. Bouncing once, she jumped up and headed for the bedroom. It was complete luxury. A white-on-white monochromatic theme had gauzy curtains flanking the floor-to-ceiling windows. A mock canopy over the head of the bed with matching gauzy material gave it a fairy-tale feeling. The duvet was white with a brocade motif. There had to be a dozen large decorative pillows. It was spectacular.
She went to the bathroom and stared in amazement. It was larger than her living room. There was a spa tub and a separate shower with six shower heads at various levels. The glittering glass tiles sparkled in the light. Thick, fluffy towels filled a bin and were also stacked in rolls on the wide counter. A thick terry robe was artfully draped over the wide bench in the center of the room.
Amalia kicked off her shoes and was unbuttoning her shirt when her phone rang. There was a receiver in the bathroom. She lifted it slowly. “This is Amalia,” she said.
“I told you we wouldn’t sleep on the ground.” Rafael’s voice came through loud and clear.
“So you did.” She clutched the opened shirt together.
“Is your room okay?”
“It’s lovely, thank you.” She was glad he was footing the bill; it would have set her back two weeks’ pay to stay one night in this place.
“We’re getting together for dinner in an hour. We’ll discuss tomorrow’s ride and get an early night. Join us. Main lounge, one hour.”
“Okay,” she said. Before she could say anything else, he rang off.
An hour gave her plenty of time to shower and see what she had to wear to dinner. Nothing suitable, she was sure. She’d crammed in clothes every which way when she’d had less than five minutes to dress and pack that morning.
Entering the lobby a short time later, Amalia saw the rest of the crew assembled near the entry to one of the restaurants. She walked over, relieved to see everyone was dressed casually in clothes more suitable to outdoor activities than a luxury resort restaurant.
At least she wasn’t odd man out.
“There will be a table for us in just a few moments,” Maria said, when Amalia joined the group.
While they waited, Stefano Vicente and his crew came from the elevators. Amalia hadn’t known her boss was staying there, as well.
“Did we beat their distance?” she asked.
“Hard to say. Still, it’s close enough to make it exciting—they came down not far from us. This is the nearest place to stay,” Manuel said.
Paolo excused himself and went to talk to Stefano.
In a moment Helena left that group and walked to her boss.
“How are things going?” Rafael asked his PA after she greeted everyone.
“Fine. I think I would enjoy it more in your balloon. Stefano insists on doing everything, and he’s obsessed with winning,” Helena said.
Rafael shrugged. “So am I. He won’t, you know.”
“He thinks Amalia will hold you up.” Helena looked at Amalia. “But it doesn’t seem like you are trailing.”
Amalia frowned. “Why would I hold Rafael up?”
Helena glanced at Rafael then said in a soft voice, “Stefano’s counting on your fear of heights to delay you. In fact, he said he was surprised you hadn’t already bailed.”
Amalia felt a flare of anger at her boss. Was that the reason Stefano had proposed her—not for her lack of experience but her fear of heights? Did he expect her to refuse to fly and force a win by Rafael’s forfeiture?
A warm hand gently took her arm. Startled, she looked at Rafael.
“No need to tear his head off. The best revenge is to win and show him he misjudged you.”
“I’ve worked for him for years and I’m annoyed he’d use me like that,” she admitted.
“He wants to win.”
“Are you afraid of heights?” she asked Helena. She wasn’t sure she cared either way, the warmth of Rafael’s hand seemed to infuse her entire body. Her temper cooled and once again she felt the odd tickle of awareness.
“I jumped at the chance to go when Rafael asked me,” she replied. “It’s turning out all right. As long as I just enjoy the scenery, I’m fine. Maybe before we reach the end I’ll get to do more. Your boss strikes me as a bit of a control freak.”
“I didn’t jump at the chance,” Amalia murmured.
“But you haven’t let me down. I won’t forget that, Amalia,” Rafael said softly. It sounded almost like a promise.
Helena turned back to Rafael and said, “I checked for messages when I got to my room, which, by the way, I’m sharing with one of the chase team members. Gina said Teresa called for you and then asked for me. She seemed miffed neither of us was there to talk to her. She wants you to call her when you get the opportunity.”
“Duly noted.”
Helena grinned. “So, no return call tonight, then.”
Amalia listened, wondering if Teresa now regretted her decision to refuse to go on the week-long trip with Rafael. She also absorbed the fact that Stefano was having his crew members share quarters while she had a luxury suite all to herself. Should she be sharing with Maria? She knew if that was the way Rafael wanted it, he would have made it that way.
She was grateful for her room.
Amalia felt a bit bereft when Rafael released her arm after the maître d’ announced their table was ready. Following them into the dining room, she sat between Manuel and Maria. Paolo rejoined their group and before long meals were ordered. Conversation at the table centered on the race.
Looking around the restaurant, she wished Jose could see it. They’d never eaten in a place so elegant. Many of those present were dressed up, although of course neither their group or Stefano’s were. What would it be like to come alone with Rafael, dressed to the nines, fascinating him with her scintillating conversation? Just the two of them, maybe in that small alcove that seemed more private than the main dining area.
The dream popped when the waiter poured bubbly beverages and Rafael rose to offer a toast. “To winning the race and besting the competition—always!”
“Yea!”
They all raised their glasses and then drank. Amalia was surprised to realize it was sparkling apple cider. She blinked and took another sip.
Maria leaned closer. “We do not drink during the race. Nothing must hamper our abilities, you know.” She laughed and took a long drink from her own glass.
Amalia enjoyed the lively discussion, analyzing the day’s flight, making plans for tomorrow’s leg. All the tanks would be refilled. New weather maps would be downloaded from the Internet and topographical maps reviewed. There seem to be constant work she never knew about when thinking about hot air ballooning.
“I checked the weather before coming down,” Rafael said at one point. “We might have a problem in a day or two as there’s a storm predicted.”
“Will that hamper our flight?” she asked with concern.
“It could,” Rafael answered. “The air becomes too turbulent to safely navigate. With downdrafts that could collapse a balloon, contradicting wind directions throwing the basket every which way, it’s not safe to be airborne in a storm.”
“Not to mention if you get zapped by lightning,” Manuel murmured.
“Or getting rained on,” Maria added.
“So we put down if it appears a storm is imminent,” Rafael concluded. “Don’t worry, I promised to get you home in one piece.”
All the more reason for her not to be on this trip. Her visions of falling out and ending up a spot on the earth rose again. What if the storm came too fast, collapsed the balloon and they fell like a rock? She grew nervous just thinking about it.
“Have you called your brother yet?” Rafael asked as the meal was ending.
“I plan to do so when I get back to my room.” After this sumptuous meal, she’d have even more to tell him. She’d make the event sound adventuresome. Jose probably wouldn’t think about her fear of heights. He would be too caught up on the facts of the trip and on how far they’d come. She would have to tell him about firing the burners and could stretch reality a bit by telling him she was fine on the journey.
The group broke up once they finished eating. Most of them headed for the elevator, one or two going for a quick walk or to peruse the gift shops.
When they crossed the lobby, Amalia glanced around and stopped when she saw her boss holding court with several reporters.
Rafael stopped with her, following her line of sight.
“Couldn’t stand not to be in the limelight,” he murmured.
“You think he arranged this? We didn’t know where we would be stopping for the night,” she said, watching as her boss appeared in his element, fielding questions, giving a larger-than-life account of the day’s events.
“It was pretty easy to predict by midafternoon how far we’d get. And there aren’t a lot of places around here to stay. I think he would have traveled a lot farther this evening to have his moment in the limelight. I can’t wait to see him at the end of the last day. He won’t be so anxious to give press interviews. Did you want to join him?” Rafael asked.
“Good grief no.”
He flung an arm casually across her shoulders and turned back to the elevators. While they waited, he leaned close and said, “Be sure to get enough rest tonight. We’ll head out before dawn. Leave a wake-up call with the front desk so I don’t have to come get you.”
Like he had that morning.
Amalia nodded, feeling conflicted. She liked his arm across her shoulders. She didn’t like his autocratic orders—she almost felt as if she should salute him. He must have caught a glimmer of annoyance in her eyes, because he leaned closer and said, for her ears only, “Think of it as besting your boss. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
“It’s a toss-up. By besting him, I’m aiding you.” He was so close she was getting dizzy.
“And I’m the enemy?” His eyes sparkled with amusement.
Amalia felt herself grow deliciously warm. Her heart rate increased. This man was dangerous to be around—at least for her sanity. They were cocooned in a world of their own. His body blocked the rest of the lobby. She could only feel her heart race and the weight of his arm. He’d moved slightly so she felt sheltered in his embrace.
“Perhaps not precisely an enemy, but certainly not a friend.” She licked her lips and watched as his eyes followed the movement. He licked his lips in reflex and she could imagine feeling them pressed against her own.
“Maybe that will come. We have six more days,” he said, his gaze holding hers.
Become involved with one of the wealthiest businessmen in Barcelona? Totally unlikely, especially if he truly wanted more than just friendship. But she smiled at the odd notion. Wouldn’t that be something to tell her friends, casually mentioning Rafael Sandoval in conversation? She almost laughed aloud imagining her friends’ reactions.
The bell announcing the elevator shattered her foolish thoughts.
It was dark when the wake-up call came. Amalia struggled with the desire to go back to sleep, but knew Rafael wasn’t past demanding security open the door and admit him so he himself could drag her from bed, so she reluctantly got up and dressed as quickly as she could. Tossing everything back into her bag, she was ready five minutes ahead of time. Leaving the room, she rode an empty elevator to the lobby.
The lobby was quiet and subdued compared to last night. Even the lights were dimmed. She took her bag to the large entrance where a bellman took it and soon had it stored on the chase truck. Most of the crew was already standing by the truck talking and they greeted her cheerfully. When Rafael joined them a few seconds later, they took off for the field.
Amalia was better prepared for today’s outing, though she constantly scanned the sky to see if there was any sign of the storms they talked about. The stars shone brightly everywhere. Not a cloud in the dark expanse.
Her anxiety rose as the balloon filled. She gratefully took the mug of coffee someone handed her, sipping the hot beverage and hoping she could cope again today. She was a bit proud of herself for sticking with it yesterday. Even though fleeing to a town would have been impossible, she was glad she hadn’t tried. Even Jose had been encouraging during last night’s phone call, after asking her for every detail. Telling her how lucky she was to be able to make the long jump.
“Ready?” Rafael asked.
She glanced at him, taking in the fact he looked wide-awake and excited. Obviously waiting in the dark didn’t dampen his spirits at all.
“As I’ll ever be,” she said, holding out the cup to one of the crew as they walked by.
“I hope by the end of the trip you don’t look as if you’re going to the guillotine every time you approach the basket.”
“Maybe if you had some phobia, you’d be more sympathetic,” she replied smartly.
“Maybe my phobia is losing, something I don’t intend to explore. Let’s go. We can get an early start on Vicente today. They were still at the hotel when we left. If we ride the wind just right we can gain more ground.”
“It’s still dark,” she said, once in the basket and watching as the team released the tether lines and slowly began to grow smaller beneath them.
The jets roared. The glow in the balloon was the only light around until they rose high enough to see the streetlights and windows of the resort.
“It’ll be light soon enough. Watch the eastern horizon, you’ll see it’s lightening there now. No power lines around, nothing but clear skies and smooth sailing and, we hope, a fast wind,” he called over the sound of the burners.
Standing near the side, still an arm’s length away, Amalia didn’t feel the fear she normally did; instead she felt an odd sense of anticipation. It was odd to look out and see dark rolling hills silhouetted against a starry sky with few scattered lights on the ground below. There was no sense of height or distance in the diffused light of early dawn. She should enjoy what she could. She would never do something like this again.
Turning, she stepped next to Rafael.
“Tell me what I can do.”
“About?” he asked.
“Winning this race.”
That surprised him, she could tell.
“Interesting. Why the change of heart?”
“What, that I would want to win? I’m competitive, too.”
“What happened to your calling it a stupid race?”
“Nothing, it still amazes me that two grown men would wager an extraordinary amount of money on a hot air balloon race, but after Stefano’s comments last night, I’m definitely switching loyalties for the duration. Besides, you have a fan in my brother. He suggested I reconsider my stance and give my team my all.”
Rafael said nothing, just studied the other balloon in the distance as it began to rise. “There’s nothing to do now, but you can spell me later on the burners.”
Could he trust her? Rafael wasn’t one to give his trust easily. He’d learned as a child to guard that which was his and count on no one but himself. Still … how much damage could she do unless she deliberately sabotaged something? Which was unlikely, as afraid of falling as she was.
“Fine.” She crossed to the corner, stacked the two blankets and sat down. As long as she was below the level of the basket she wasn’t as scared, but he wished she could enjoy the ride. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, bathing the earth in pure light. It was one of the joys he found in the sport. Gliding silently above the world when the burners were off.
Amalia leaned back against the basket, confident today it wouldn’t give way and let her fall. In fact, when she thought about things this morning, she realized she hadn’t felt the body-numbing fear she had yesterday. The notion brightened her outlook. She felt almost in charity with Rafael, forgiving him for forcing her on this adventure. As Jose had said, there were lots of people who paid for balloon rides. She was getting one for free.
Once the balloon reached the height to satisfy Rafael, he shut down the burners.
“Want something to eat?”
“I thought we were skipping breakfast.”
“We picked up some croissants before we left.”
She happily unwrapped the food while Rafael poured hot coffee from a thermos. In only moments they were enjoying a high-altitude picnic. She watched as he stood and kept looking around.
“So what made you challenge Stefano to this bet?” she asked.
“For the chance to win.”
“What if you can’t?”
He laughed. “Of course I can. Today we out-distance him, and by day five he won’t even see us we’ll be so far ahead.”
“How can you be so sure?”
He studied her for a moment, then shrugged. “Stefano’s a show-off. He does spectacular stunts for notice. He’s never done a long jump before. And we’re away from crowds and media. Last night notwithstanding; those were local reporters, no one from Barcelona was there. Granted the news story would go out over the wires, but we’re not going to find a luxury hotel to stop in every night. Once there’s no one around to show off for, he’ll grow bored, and I’m hoping, sloppy in his efforts.”