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