Two of a Kind (Fool's Gold #11)(39)

Ford followed, looking just as pleased with the attention. At least until he noticed his mother pointing at him while she spoke to a woman in her twenties. Only Justice seemed the least bit chagrined.

One of the upstairs windows in a building across the street opened and loud music poured out. The throbbing beat set the women to cheering even louder.

“This isn’t what I expected,” Felicia admitted.

The mayor gave her a weary smile. “You get used to it,” she said. “Some days it’s even endearing. Of course, the other days, it’s just plain embarrassing.”

* * *

IF IT WASN’T so damned early, Gideon was pretty sure he would be enjoying himself. The morning was clear and crisp, the sky a deep black-turning-blue with only the slightest hint of light at the top of the mountains. He was in the company of a beautiful woman he very much wanted to sleep with. The fact that it was 4:30 and he’d been up since the previous morning was about the only downside. That and the other five thousand or so people, which meant the odds of him having his way with Felicia were slim to none.

Around them, with the mountains to the east and the vineyards to the west, were close to a dozen hot air balloons. Their brilliant colors weren’t yet visible. Right now they were more shape than substance.

He stood off to the side of the crowd, where Felicia had left him. She’d gone off with Pia to discuss festival details. Gideon shoved his hands into his jeans pockets and wished he hadn’t gulped his coffee so quickly. He could sure use it now.

“Morning.”

Gideon turned and saw Justice and Patience approaching. The other man had a sleepy girl in his arms. Patience carried an open bottle of champagne and a stack of glasses.

“Morning,” he said. “You’re up early.”

“This is when the balloons take off,” Patience said with a smile. “Isn’t it lovely? I felt guilty, taking a morning off work, but I had to see this. Lillie wanted to see it, too, but she seems to be lacking enthusiasm at this point.”

Her daughter stirred sleepily but didn’t speak.

“She’ll wake up when they take off,” Justice said, his hands holding the child protectively.

Gideon accepted the glass of champagne Patience offered and wished it were coffee.

More people crowded around them. He heard snatches of conversation, saw couples standing close together. There seemed to be lots of hand-holding and plenty of snuggling. It was the hour, he thought. Or maybe the sight of the huge balloons slowly filling with hot air as the sun began to climb the mountains.

“Is there coffee?”

The question came from behind him. He turned and saw Ford, Angel and Consuelo approaching.

“Champagne,” he said, holding up his glass.

Angel grimaced.

“It’s a tradition,” Ford said, accepting a glass from Patience. “We toast them taking off.”

“I’d rather be in bed,” Consuelo grumbled, but also took a glass.

“Dollface, just say the word.”

Angel had barely finished speaking when Consuelo thrust her glass at Ford, twisted slightly, kicked out her leg and dropped Angel onto his back. The entire move took about three-tenths of a second.

She pressed her booted foot against his neck and smiled.

“Really?” she asked.

He swallowed, then held out both hands, palms up. “Sorry. Reflex. It won’t happen again.”

“I didn’t think so.” She removed her foot and retrieved her champagne. “When do the balloons take off?”

“Five minutes before sunrise,” Felicia said, walking up to them. She had a tablet in her hands and looked a little frazzled. “They’ll head south, following the mountains. Air flow over the peaks will push them steadily west until they land close to Stockton. There are maps if you want to follow the projected route. I anticipate a seventy-two percent chance of them landing as planned.”

She looked at Angel, who was still brushing himself off. “Whatever you said, you know better.”

“It was an accident.”

Felicia wiped off several leaves. “You know an accident like that can get you killed.” She turned to Gideon. “Is this nice? Are you enjoying yourself?”

Hanging out with this many people before seven in the morning was his idea of hell. But her expression was slightly frantic, and he had the feeling she was just as uncomfortable as he was—if for different reasons.

“It’s great,” he said.

She looked at him. “I want to believe you,” she said.

“Then you should.”

She nodded. “The event is relatively easy. No booths or parades. Just the balloons launching this morning, followed by balloon rides for the public this weekend. Assuming the weather cooperates. I created my own computer program to collect the most current weather data.”

“Because you can’t trust one of the online sites?” he asked, trying not to smile.

“I like to confirm the data.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I should get back to Pia. She’s giving me lots of information about the other festivals. If I don’t see you before you leave, I’ll see you for the luau?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

She paused, then raised herself up on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his cheek. The soft kiss was over nearly before it began, and then she was gone.