Reid looked out the window shield at the long, long road ahead though the dessert on their way to Santa Fe. What was the Willie Nelson song, “On the Road Again?” Something about going down the road like a band of gypsies. Reid understood what the old song meant after driving only the first two legs of the race itinerary. They didn’t look like gypsies yet, but he could see that happening by the time the race was over.
He’d pulled into a fast-food place for breakfast hours earlier and then they were back on the interstate again. Emily wanted to waste no time. She’d had little to say to him outside of letting him know she planned to work on the basket as soon as they arrived at the hotel. He’d done all the driving while Billy slept. Reid preferred it that way.
Pulling into a café outside of Albuquerque, Reid watched as Emily woke in the back seat. Groggily she asked, “Where’re we? Why’re we stopping?”
Looking at her through the rearview mirror, he couldn’t help the humor that twisted his lips. She looked like Medusa. Her wild curly hair went every direction. She’d removed the band that normally confined her hair. It took on a mind of its own as it went loose around her face and shoulders. She ran her fingers through the mass to gather it up and placed the band around it. He wanted to touch the fiery bulk. It begged for a man’s fingers. His grin grew. Maybe he’d ask if he could. Yeah, and get his head snapped off.
“What’re you smiling about?” Emily looked directly at him.
He was grateful Billy chose that moment to rouse himself.
“What’re we doing here?” Billy looked out the window at the small Mexican Café.
“Eating and stretching our legs.” Reid moved to open his door. “I’m hungry. We need a break. So I made an executive decision and decided to stop.”
He stepped out of the SUV and looked over the top of the seat at Emily. She cringed.
“Problem with that?” Reid asked.
“Not this time but I do wish you’d ask me in the future.”
“We’re making good time. I’ll have us in Santa Fe before midnight.” Reid put his hands above his head stretching.
“Ah, Emily. Come on. Let’s eat,” Billy pulled on his shoes.
“I’ll get us a table,” Reid said. Emily still had a frown on her face. Why was she always so serious about everything? Especially, when it came to him making simple decisions.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” she called.
Kill her with kindness was his plan. Somehow, he would get past the thick shell she’d built around her. Something told him it would be worth his trouble.
The small cinderblock building housing the café looked like it would be a great place to get an authentic Mexican meal. It had yellow stucco walls. The small wood tables with bright thickly woven cloths covering them sat under a porch. By appearance, it screamed good food here.
“Hola,” a round middle-aged man greeted as Reid entered.
“Hola,” Reid returned. “There are three of us.”
The man spoke in accented English as he directed Reid toward a table against the wall. His host wore a wide friendly smile that showed white teeth made brighter by the darkness of his skin. Billy and Emily joined Reid. The man stood back allowing them to sit.
Emily still had that dazed appearance of just being awakened. For once she looked approachable and adorable. He wondered if she looked like that after… Whoa, boy, you’ve a lot of days left in this trip to be thinking like that. Anyway, she barely tolerates you. He was glad to see the café man handing out the menus because it shifted his mind away from the woman across the table.
He and Billy ordered tamales and Emily had a taco plate. She talked little as they ate, not taking part in the conversation unless directly asked. Something was bothering her. When would she blow?
As they finished the meal Billy left them to go to the restroom. Emily watched him cross the room. Putting her fork down, she folded her elbows on the table, and fixed Reid with a look. She wasn’t happy.
He sat back in his chair, crossed his arms over his chest and lifted a brow. Okay, this was it.
“Reid.” Her tone made Iceland sound warm.
He said nothing.
Emily tightened her lips then continued, “I don’t want Billy to know there’s a problem between us. He likes you and I don’t want him to have to pick sides. So I waited until he left to bring this up. Zip it about the judgments about stopping, where we stay. You,” she pointed her index finger, “are just along for the –”
She took a breath making her chest rise. His gaze dropped. He snapped it back to meet hers. This wasn’t the time for ogling. Emily was angry enough.
Reid sat forward and held his hand up to end her tirade. “Em… Emily you’re starting to sound like a broken record. I didn’t think pulling over because I was hungry constitutes me usurping your power. We must spend at least two more weeks together. Couldn’t we try to get along?”
“Usurping my power? I wasn’t saying that.”
He leaned back in his chair and again crossed his arms over his chest. “That’s what it sounds like to me.’
She bent forward. “I have to win this race. I’m not along for the fun of it.”
“Fun? Are we going to have some fun?” Billy pulled out his chair.
Reid sat up and pushed his chair away from the table. “Not tonight, man.” Reid quipped. “We’ve got road to put under us. ATA,” Reid glanced at his watch, “midnight or a little later. I’ll get the check and meet you at the truck.”
Billy headed toward the door, but Emily hung back. Reid paid the check and returned to leave a nice tip for the man. She followed him out the door. “Reid, I was not—”
He stopped and she did too. They faced each other.
“Look, Em, we’re both tired. We’ve a long drive ahead of us. Let’s talk about this tomorrow, or never again would suit me. I get what you’re saying. I’ll try to do better. Run all decisions through you. But you could loosen up a little. Be less of a shrew.”
“But…”
He looked at her for another moment before he continued toward the SUV.
Ooo…that man. Emily clinched her hands then headed after him. He made what she thought and said sound petty. Made her feel like she was being childish.
Billy had taken the back seat, leaving her no choice but to sit up front with Reid. Reluctantly she climbed into the passenger side seat.
“Ready?” Reid all but growled.
She nodded.
He glanced at her, and then put the truck into gear. “I just wanted to ask. I wouldn’t want to do anything you didn’t agree with.”
Emily’s lips tightened and she stared out the window. She watched the sun lower in the sky but didn’t enjoy the view with her anger crowding it out. The car lights coming toward them grew brighter as the sun disappeared. There were hours left to travel. Her eyelids grew heavy.
She woke with a jerk when her head lolled then closed her eyes again. Hardly registering a strong arm around her shoulders tugging her downward, she found a comfortable spot for her head. Shifting, she settled into a deep sleep.
Emily woke to darkness. Only the lights from the dash glowed. What was under her head? Oh, no. She lay on Reid. Her hand rested between his thigh and her cheek. Unable to help herself, she moved her fingers slightly. The firmness of his muscles sent a tingle through her.
How’d she gotten here? If she remained still, maybe he wouldn’t notice. Yeah, right.
A large hand cupped her shoulder and shook. “Em.” The hand nudged her again. “Em.”
“Mmm?” She pushed against Reid’s thigh and shot up. Rubbing her eyes, she hoped she had him thinking she’d just awakened.
“We’re a few miles outside of Santa Fe. Where’re we supposed to stay tonight?”
Emily picked up the bag at her feet searching until she located her pad. Finding the screen with her notes on it she located the hotel address on it.
The touch of Reid’s finger moving across her cheek snatched her attention away from what she’d been doing. A ripple of awareness fluttered in her belly. It spread out to the tips of her fingers and toes. Lifting her head, she met his gaze. His eyes twinkled even in the dim light.
“There’s a mark on your face where it rubbed against my jeans. That material is too rough for such fair skin. It deserves something finer.”
Now both her cheeks were red for a completely different reason. She was angry at him, she had to remember that, but he had her thinking of other things. Or maybe not thinking at all.
His finger drifted down her cheek again. “Fur would be just right.” His voice had turned husky. “Yeah, fur.”
Billy moaned from the back.
Reid mumbled something under his breath she couldn’t quite understand. “Come on, give me the address and let’s get some rest. I’m beat.”
She shook her head. “I need to work on the gondola.”
“Not this late. Rest. Billy and I’ll help you first thing in the morning. Anyway, you said you needed to buy more glue. We’ll be there when the store opens.”
“Don’t tell me—”
“Emily, you know I’m making sense. You’d even have a hard time finding a place with enough light to work. Wait ‘til morning.”
He made sense. It grated on her nerves to admit it especially after demanding she’d make all the decisions. She reluctantly nodded her agreement.
The next morning a knock on her door brought her out of the bathroom. She pulled her T-shirt over her head and settled it in place. “Who is it?”
“Reid. Open up.”
She unlocked the door and pulled it to her. Reid stood there balancing two plates of pastries and fruit. He wore a T-shirt with a baseball logo on the front and well-worn jeans. Tennis shoes covered his feet. His wavy hair was tousled as if he’d run his hand though it that morning and nothing more.
Her body warmed in his presence. Just as it had when her head had been in his lap. Why such a reaction to a man she wasn’t sure she even liked? Until a few days ago she would have professed she hated him for what he’d done to her father. Taking one of the plates, she turned around to avoid staring at him. She placed it on the small round table in front of the window.
He eased the door closed. “I thought you might enjoy breakfast before we look at the basket. You have any coffee?”
Awareness zipped through her when he stepped behind her. His heat warmed her all the way up and down her spine. Reaching passed her, he put his plate on the table. The intake of her breath filled the air surrounding them as his hands went to her waist. He turned her to face him.
“Wha—”
Slipping one hand around to the small of her back, Reid pulled her closer. His eyes darkened, his gaze swept her face and settled on her lips. His mouth lowered and found hers but made no demands. As swiftly as he had taken her in his arms, he released her.
Emily rocked back stunned and grabbed the edge of the table. Falling to the floor became a real possibility. The gentle brush of Reid’s lips to hers had undone her. Still, she wouldn’t be played with. They were there for the race. It was her number one priority. Starting some on-the-road affair would take her focus off what she had to do. She opened her mouth to speak but he stopped her.
“Don’t chew me out. I couldn’t help it. You looked so cute with morning hair and shining eyes. I just had to steal a kiss.”
“Don’t do that again. Ours is a business arrangement. I’m not your vacation entertainment.”
“I never thought you were.” The corner of his mouth made a quick lift. “Come on, I’m starving. I bet I can eat three Danish to one of yours.”
Emily went to the in-room coffee pot and turned it on. She resisted the urge to touch her still tingling lips. If the man had the nerve to act like nothing had happened, then so did she.
Two cups of coffee finished and three Danish eaten, Reid leaned back in his chair. “So what’s the game plan?”
“Look at the basket again. Then go to the store and buy the glue I need. Then fix the gondola and put in an appearance at the arts and crafts show this afternoon. That should give the glue time to dry before we must be at the glow this evening. We’ll have to be out at the field around seven.”
“Sounds like a full day. Why don’t you have enough glue with you? I thought of all people you’d come prepared.”
She pursed her lips. How dare he question her planning. “I brought some but not enough.”
“Okay, I’ll roust Billy out of bed. We’ll unload the gondola while you finish getting ready.” When she started to speak, he said, “I know, I know. Don’t tell you what to do.” He met her look. “Does that sound okay to you?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Keep in mind old habits die hard.”
That’s what she feared among other things.
Emily had spent the morning directing Reid and Billy on what needed fixing on the gondola. Billy had just left to go to his room to shower and change.
“You’re certainly good at this.” Reid worked to peel glue from his fingers.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve had to repair a gondola. Just not on this scale. We’ll head over to the arts and craft festival while the glue dries.” Emily replaced the top of the glue can.
“In a few hours no one will ever know it had been damaged. I’m impressed. As for the arts and craft show I’m not much on that sort of stuff but I’ll make an exception for you.” He winked.
Her traitorous heart picked up speed. Since their brief and unsatisfying kiss, at least as far as she was concerned, Reid had made no more advances. They seemed to have developed a teammates’ camaraderie which suited her much better.
Yet Reid’s apparent admiration of her abilities gave her confidence. He treated her as an equal which was a balm to her bruised ego. Unlike what Brian would have done. Not once had Reid tried to take over the repair job. Instead he taken direction and been good help. He anticipated what she needed before she asked. Little by little he had worked his way into being indispensable. If she wasn’t careful, she’d fall completely under his spell. But she had no interest in being anyone’s three-week fling. She’d been used before. What she wanted was to win the race. Anything and everything else could wait.
“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to,” she assured him.
“I’m kidding. I’m going. Maybe we can see the history museum on the square after you make your appearance. I was looking at a brochure in the room and they have an old horse drawn hearse. I’d like to see it. We’ll do your thing. Then maybe you’d like to go there with me. We could have a nice early dinner. Santa Fe is known for its food.”
“I don’t know.” She placed her hand on the gondola. “I’ll really need to check on this.”
“Come on, Emily. Every time I ask you to do something ‘you don’t know.’ But you always seem to enjoy it when you do. We’ll take Billy with us if you’re worried about being alone with me.”
Emily glared. She wasn’t some giddy schoolgirl all agog over him. Then why was she acting like one? “Alright, I’ll go. But I’m still not committing to dinner. The museum sounds interesting.”
Reid helped her clean up then glanced at his watch. “See you in thirty. I’ll round up Billy. He’s probably taking a nap. For someone his size and age he sure can make the walls move with his snoring. We might have to start sharing a room.” He wiggled his brows.
Reid laughed at what could only be her dismayed look before he left.
Thirty minutes later there was a knock at her door. Emily opened it. A twinge of disappointment rippled through her to find Billy there instead of Reid. She had to stop reacting that way. It was becoming a major distraction. One that could damage her chances of winning the race. Reid had managed to get under her skin enough he affected her even when he wasn’t around.
“Ready?” Billy rocked back on his heels
“Yeah. Where’s Reid?” She picked up her purse and pulled the strip over her shoulder.
“On the phone.” Billy started toward the SUV. “He sent me to get you. He’ll meet us at the Suburban.”
She and Billy put the envelope box in the back of the SUV and chained the basket to one of the poles holding up the porch running the length of the hotel.
Reid half-jogged toward them as they finished. “Sorry. I was talking to Roger. I didn’t think it would take so long.”
“A problem?” Emily asked.
“Nope, things are fine.”
She looked at him from under the bill of her cap. “I’d understand if you needed to go home.”
He leaned down so his gaze met hers. “You’re trying to get rid of me? You know you’d miss me.”
She said nothing, afraid he might be right.
Reid straightened. “Billy, are you looking forward to a little culture?”
At Billy’s grunt Reid chuckled. Emily liked the pleasant sound. “Guys, you don’t have to go. It’s just the pilots. PR stuff. Go do whatever you like. I’ll be fine by myself.”
“No way. We made a deal. I do this with you, and you’ll go with me,” Reid stated.
“Go where?” Billy asked.
Reid explained his plans.
Billy started the vehicle. “I’ll go but then I’m coming back and spending some time at the pool. Maybe find a chick to rub suntan lotion on.”
“That can be fun.” Reid gave Emily a side long look. Her fair skin had to be betraying her. Her cheeks felt warm but not because of the noon time temperature.
Art in the Park was in full swing when they arrived. There were over a hundred vendors and concessioners set up for the event. Emily didn’t often attend this type of affair, but she was looking forward to this one. Some of the best artists in the world lived in and around Santa Fe. With it being a Mecca for artists, she hoped to find a piece she could take home.
They strolled in and out of booths. Reid stayed next to her, often putting a hand on her back to help maneuver her past someone or touching her elbow to get her attention. It made her feel important to him. A sense of safety she rather liked. To her surprise, she and Reid had similar taste in art. More than once he listened when she voiced her opinion. Which came as a refreshing change from the other men she’d known, particularly her most recent relationship.
Billy was like having a child along. He would dart off to see something then find them again. He always seemed to have something to eat in his hands when he returned. She had no idea where he put all the food.
She and Reid agreed to split a funnel cake with Billy.
“Mmm… these are my favorite.” Emily murmured around a mouth full.
“It shows,” Reid said.
She looked down to find the white powdered sugar had fallen over her breasts like snow. She brushed at it.
Reid leaned close and offered her a napkin. “Can I help?” His eyes held a wicked gleam.
“No,” she said a little too loud and sharp.
He chuckled. “Maybe another time.”
“Come on, let’s finish this so I can get to the bathing beauties.” Billy walked ahead of them his impatience clear in the way he kept turning around to look at them.
Emily was thankful for the interruption. The heat between her and Reid had almost become tangible. She couldn’t let it, whatever it was, get out of hand. She wouldn’t let him into her world. He’d made her father suffer. No matter what he said she couldn’t forgive that.
They looked through a few more exhibits most of them showcasing western art. Inside one Emily filed through a stack of unframed prints. “Oh.”
“What?” Reid stepped closer and looked over her shoulder.
She held a painting of a balloon soaring through the sky. A red mesa stood in the background. The picture had been done in bright colors and captured the movement of the balloon and the freedom it represented. She held it up. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Yes it is. Why don’t you get it?”
Emily turned it over. Finding the price tag, it took her breath. She could never afford it. She shook her head. “I don’t think so. I really don’t have anywhere to hang it.” She refused to let him know that if she didn’t win this race, she’d be destitute.
“You sure? You seemed to really like it.”
“I’m positive.” She flipped the other picture back removing it from sight.
They moved on down the lane between the booths.
“Emily?”
She turned at the sound of her name. “John. How are you?”
“Fine. Are you enjoying yourself?” the tall silver haired man asked.
“Yes. John, this is Reid Martin. He’s a member of my crew and my sponsor. Reid, this is John Jones, one of the members of the race committee.”
The two men shook hands.
John turned back to Emily. “I appreciate you agreeing to come to this. It’s important we be seen and out where people can ask us questions. We’re trying to promote ballooning with this race, you know.”
“I do.”
Billy hurried to a stop beside them. “Emily, I’m going to hitch a ride back to the hotel with one of the other crew members who’re staying there. I’ll see you for the glow.”
“Okay.” On her agreement, Billy left with a bounce in his step.
“Hey, Billy wait up a minute,” Reid called. He said to Emily and John, “If you’ll excuse me, I need to speak to Billy a sec.” He headed after Billy.
The young man pulled up short ten yards from where they had left Emily. “Yeah, man?”
“Can you get the guy to wait on you? I need a favor.”
“Yeah, sure, he’ll wait.” Billy nodded.
“Great.” Reid dug in his pocket for money. “Would you go back to the booth three down on the right and buy the painting of the balloon with the red mesa in the background. I’d like to get it for Emily, but I want it to be a surprise.”
“Sure, man.”
“Here, this should be enough.” He handed Billy some bills.
Billy looked at the amount of money in his hand then gave Reid a pointed look. A huge grin covered his face. “You must have some kind of thing for her to spend this kind of money.”
“No, she liked it and I thought it’d be nice for her to have it.” Not even the sound of his own voice convinced him. She wasn’t his type. He needed someone less serious and more agreeable.
“Whatever you say,” Billy turned to leave with a silly grin on his face as he waved the money.
Reid glanced over his shoulder. “Thanks for your help. Remember this is between you and me.”
“You got it.”
Billy moved off to circle around so Emily wouldn’t see him going back the direction they’d come. Reid returned to where Emily still stood talking to John. She broke off the conversation as he approached.
“See you later this evening,” she said to John.
“What were you talking to Billy about?” she asked when Reid reached her.
“Aw nothing really. I wanted to let him know we were going to dinner.”
She gave him a sideways look. “Didn’t he already know that?”
Lying wasn’t Reid’s strong suit apparently. Guilt tugged at him. He’d have to work on his poker face if he didn’t want to come clean about the balloon fabric. It was too important to the company, his father son relationship, and Reid’s financial bottom-line. At first it didn’t matter but the more time he spent with Emily the more difficult it became to deceive her about his real motive for being there. Still, he couldn’t take the chance on telling her, not with how she’d react. Absolute secrecy remained paramount to getting that government contract.
“Come on.” He grabbed her hand. “Let’s see how the cowboys lived.”
Emily let Reid hold her hand as they made their way to where the Suburban had been parked only because she wanted to make sure they didn’t get separated from each other. To her surprise their hands fit nicely together.
Reid’s palm was tough like a person who worked with his hands for a living. She appreciated the strength found in them. They were sturdy hands of someone who could protect what he valued.
The history museum was in the city square. The old building that housed it had been built in the typical western style of a one level adobe.
“I love the look of these western buildings. I read somewhere that Santa Fe has a building code that allows new buildings to only be so tall and they have to blend in with the others.” Reid stepped out of the Suburban.
“I like them too.”
“See, I knew we could agree on more than art.”
Emily laughed. He did make her do that. It felt good. When had she stopped laughing? Brian had spent the time they were together either focused on himself or putting her down. Never laughing. Why hadn’t she seen it sooner or worse not gotten out of the relationship faster? Had she been that desperate for someone to be interested in her?
“Come on, let’s see what they have.” Reid headed for the entrance, extending his hand for her to put hers in it. When she didn’t, he continued as if it didn’t matter.
Inside they walked through the small, thick-walled rooms and looked at the glass covered displays. Emily appreciated Reid’s intelligence and knowledge of history. His interest in the past made hers pale in comparison. “Where or when did you learn so much history?”
“I used to be a history major, before I was a math major, before I was a P.E. major.” Reid gave a dry laugh.
She smiled.
“My father finally put a halt to the endless tuition bills. I ended up with an engineering degree. But I had to pay for it myself.”
Emily looked at the tall self-assured man. “I bet he was proud of you when you finished.”
“Not as much as you’d think.” Reid’s words had a sad ring to them.
“Why not?”
“Instead of using it, like coming to work for him, I moved to Utah and became a river rafting guide.” She waited while Reid got lost in his own thoughts for a minute. “I finally came home and worked for Dad,” he looked at her, “that’s when I had to fire your father. My father and I disagreed over the direction the company was headed and I quit, took a job upstate. Dad had a heart attack six months ago and had to slow down. To say he has had a difficult time letting his ne’re-do-well son take over the company he’d built would be an understatement.”
She touched his arm. “I’m sure you’ve done a good job.”
Reid gave her a blistering smile. “Why, Em, that’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me.”
She laughed. “I’ll try not to let it happen again.”
He pulled her to him and gave her a peck on the lips. Releasing her, wearing a big boyish grin on his lips. “Maybe if I work hard, you’ll slip up and say something really nice.”
“Mmm…” That kiss had her turning red hot. For another, she might say a lot of things. She stumbled and caught herself. She had better be on guard or Reid would charm her into things she would regret.
“Come on, let’s go out to the courtyard and look at the stagecoaches and buggies, see where that hearse is.”
Reid left Emily at her hotel door by mid-afternoon. He’d talked her into eating an early dinner at a place the hotel clerk had suggested had good local food. Billy joined them.
Emily had dressed in her usual uniform of jeans, T-shirt with the addition of her new fleece jacket and logo ballcap. He’d love to see her in something more feminine. With Emily’s height, he’d bet her legs were long and sleek.
She looked at him. Was she wearing makeup? She turned away. Had she put it on for him? He liked the idea that she might have.
Their meal was excellent. So much so that they laughed until their sides hurt over each ones’ reaction to the hot sauce included. Reid’s face broke out into a full sweat on his face, as Billy gulped water, and Emily took pains not to eat anything that might be too hot despite Reid’s goading. It was one of the most enjoyable meals Reid had ever had. He had a feeling of belonging that he’d not experienced in a long time. His family meals had always had one person missing: his father. With their meal eaten they rode out to the balloon field.
“What’s this balloon glow all about?” Reid drove and made a left turn.
“We’ll blow up the balloon and people will come and look at it,” Billy said from the back seat.
“It’s inflating the balloon, Billy.” Emily’s terse tone implied she’d corrected him several times. “And there’s more to it than that. It’s our opportunity as balloonist to show off our balloons. The community is invited to help us get the balloons inflated.” She glanced back at Billy.
In the rearview mirror, Reid saw Billy grin as if he knew Emily would go off into a dissertation on the subject.
“As the sun sets, each balloon blower is lit, making the balloon glow in the dark. It’s a beautiful sight.”
“Do you fly?” Reid asked.
“No. That’s better done in the daylight.” Emily climbed out of the Suburban as soon as Reid pulled into their spot in the field.
They unloaded. As they did people gathered to watch them work.
Emily labored to get things ready in the basket. It had dried nicely and looked as if there had never been any damage. Reid helped Billy pull the envelope out. Soft giggles caught Reid’s attention. He looked around to see three young women in short shorts and halter tops standing just out of the way. He pulled the envelope toward them.
“Well, hi ladies.” He flashed them a smile.
Each one of them showed the perfect white teeth their parents had bought. “Hi,” they said in unison then giggled.
Reid smiled. “Would you ladies like to help?”
“Sure,” a dark-haired girl was quick to volunteer but the others hesitated before nodding agreement.
He showed them each what to do, sending two around to help Billy who stammered and sputtered, and turned red. By the time the job had been finished Billy had made plans to meet them that evening at a dance club.
Reid joined Emily. “Anything I can do to help?”
She swung her head away from him, making her ponytail fly. “I’m fine.”
“You sure?” What was her problem now?
“Sure. I was worried you might need my help a while ago. I was afraid a fight might break out over you for a minute there.”
Reid didn’t miss the sarcasm in her voice. “Why Em, I do believe you’re jealous.”
She turned the corner of her lip up in a sneer.
He chuckled. “And I like it.”
No way could she be jealous. She couldn’t be. You had to care about someone to feel jealousy. As they finished setting the blower and inflating the envelope, Emily’s mind kept returning to what Reid had said. Had she actually been jealous?
The type of smiles he’d given those girls were like the ones he gave her. For some reason she wanted to believe they were reserved for her alone. When had she let Reid work his way under her defenses? How had he managed to do it? He had charm, she’d give him that. She squared her shoulders. She needed to remember theirs was a business agreement.
With the balloon up, Emily waited on dark and the signal to start the glow. Billy headed off to buy them all a drink.
When a young couple with two preschoolers approached the basket Reid smiled at the oldest child. “Would you like to get in?”
The little girl nodded.
Emily, already in the basket, moved the stool so the child could stand on it while she was inside and be able to see over the rim.
Reid glanced at the man who nodded his agreement. Reid lifted the tow-headed child up and over the gondola edge. “My name is Reid and this is Emily.”
The little girl gave him a bright smile.
For heaven’s sake, Reid had an effect on females no matter their age. At this rate he could give an old lady a heart attack.
Emily took the girl from him and settled her on the stool. The child grinned at her parents. She had a tooth missing, making her extra cute. The mother took a picture of her daughter and Emily. She barely made out the announcement that the glow would begin over the noise from all the burners.
“Honey, you’re going to have to get out now. I don’t want you to get hurt.” Emily lifted the child, placing her back into Reid’s capable hands. The girl wrapped her arms around his neck and placed a wet kiss on his cheek. Reid’s eyes twinkled as he looked over the child’s head and grinned at Emily.
His gaze never left Emily’s as he said, “Thank you, honey. I wished more females would offer me a kiss.” Reid chuckled and put the child on her feet.
He had to see the red covering her face even in the dim light. Emily turned away and pretended to set the gas value. Reid made her feel things she didn’t want to.
“Hey, Em. You have to look at me sometime.”
She called over her shoulder. “I have no trouble looking at you.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
His nonsense was infectious. She groaned. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Then why don’t you look at me?”
She wheeled around and glared at him. “I’m looking at you.”
At grin that gave him a boyish look rested on his lips. “Yes, you are. What do I need to do to help with this glow thing?”
Emily sighed. “Just be here if I need you for something.’
“Can do.”
Reid had to agree the glow was amazing. He’d never seen anything like it. The colorful balloons lit from the inside made them luminaries. He watched in wonder as each swayed in the darken sky.
In the basket, Emily would give the balloon a burst of gas throwing a stream of blue and yellow flame into the envelope. The light created a caressing reflection across her fair skin. The sight mesmerized him. He would love to pull her hair out from under that ever-present cap and run his hand through the mass of curls. Her hair almost glowed against the light of the flame.
A group of people walking to the balloon brought him out of his musings for which he was thankful. His thoughts drifted to Emily far too often these days. He needed to keep his mind on what he should be doing. Skytech and saving his father’s company.
Reid looked at the envelope. So far it had performed as he’d expected. He could be more pleased with Skytech. He had been talking to Roger daily, giving him a report. The flight in Palm Springs had been extremely helpful. The desert heat and sand had given him a real idea of how the material would stand up to Middle Eastern environments. He hoped he got as much information with the next flight.
When he had helped pack Skytech, he’d examined the seams and pulled on the material as much as possible without being too obvious. Creasing, or not creasing was important. So far, so good. The only shadow over the entire plan was Emily not knowing what he was doing. The better he got to know her the more difficult it had become not to tell her.
An hour later she called, “Reid. Let’s go. We’ve an early morning,”
“We’re done here?”
Emily climbed out of the basket. “Yeah. Glows don’t tend to last long. Especially if we have a flight in the morning. We have to be up early.”
He and Billy worked at bringing down and folding the envelope.
“You ready to load that?” Emily walked toward them.
“I’m finishing up now.” Reid latched the box and Billy helped him place it on the SUV. In the Suburban headed back to the hotel, Reid had to admit he had been fascinated with the entire event. It had been a real community affair. He’d never gone to something so family oriented. His father had been so focused on his work his family had never done an event like that.
“So, did you think it a dull evening?” As Emily drove, she glanced over at Billy.
“If I’d known it was such a great way to pick up girls, I’d have been hanging around with you more often.” Billy sat in the front passenger seat.
Emily gave a snort.
“Yeah, there were some hot chicks there tonight.” Reid remarked from behind them.
Emily grunted. “Is that all you two think about is girls?”
“What else is there?” Billy quipped.
“I’m more interested in a woman,” Reid remarked in a sexy deep voice.
Despite her best effort Emily’s look met his in the rearview mirror before she quickly glanced away. She murmured in a disgusted voice, “Males.”
Reid chuckled. He’d not had this much fun in a long time.