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He glanced at her, and Amalia quickly turned back to the map, trying to quell her rapid heart rate. Surely he could hear her blood pounding through her veins? Better if he thought she was suffering from fright than the true nature of her feelings. She was too much attracted to the man!
“Any questions?” he asked.
“How did you get involved in this?” she asked, daring to look at him again.
“This race or hot air ballooning?” he asked, standing and doing a 360-degree scan.
“I know how you got into this race, I meant the entire sport.”
“It was something new to try and I liked it once I did.”
“Flying airplanes and scuba diving isn’t enough?” she asked.
He raised one eyebrow in silent question.
She refused to admit she’d been interested enough in him to look him up and find out about him before the race.
“I like challenging myself,” he said at last. “And exploring unusual things. I’m thinking of taking part in an archaeological dig in the Holy Land next spring.”
“At least that would be safer than depending on hot air to keep you above ground,” she said. “Doesn’t your family worry about your recklessness?”
He laughed. “No one worries about me,” he said. “And I’m not sure they’d consider what I do reckless, anyway. I’m not, you know.”
“Now, how would I know that? I scarcely know you.”
“I’ve been doing business for Vicente since before you were hired.”
“Maybe, maybe not. I’ve worked for the firm for more than seven years. It’s only the last three I’ve been Stefano’s PA.”
“And before that?”
“I worked for another company. It didn’t offer the chances for advancement that I needed. I do have my brother to care for, remember.”
He nodded, his expression becoming thoughtful.
“What?” she asked as he kept quiet.
“I was wondering if my brother would have put his life on hold to watch out for me if we had been in your situation.”
“Why wouldn’t he?” she asked. “It’s what families do.”
“Not all families. Some families don’t stick together.”
“I know your parents are divorced,” she said. “Your father’s mentioned enough in the papers.”
Rafael laughed. “And you don’t approve.” He knew that for a fact from her tone of voice. Her expression supported it, as well.
“His life has no bearing on mine. But don’t you think it’s not in good form for him to be dating women younger than you are?”
“As long as we don’t get our wires crossed and date the same woman, then, no, I don’t care.”
“I would. Parents are supposed to be a good example to their children.”
“I’m hardly a child,” he said.
“You were at some point.”
Not liking the trend of the conversation, Rafael rose and looked over the side of the basket. They were gradually losing altitude. Vicente’s balloon was farther to the west, and it was difficult to gauge if he was ahead or behind, since Rafael had lost track of where they were by talking to Amalia.
“Bring the map and let’s figure out where we are,” he said, opening the burners and heating the air above them.
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 on-board 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.
