Crashing Into Jake

by Sara Blackard

  She glared at him like he would debate her. Normally he would, but her tone bound the words in his throat. Why would she care if the Army could use him or not?

  “If you want to stay in the Army, they shouldn’t make you get out.” She motioned her hand up and down his body. “You saved me without a bit of hesitation.”

  “Catching pixies as they fall is different from battle.” He grinned at her, the push of his cheeks feeling foreign.

  When had he flirted last? Not that he’d flirted with her. At least, he shouldn’t, but she surprised him with her defense of him.

  She shrugged and gazed out the front window. “You seem strong enough to me.”

  He balled his fist on his thigh so he wouldn’t rub his injured leg that itched from her off-handed compliment. Jake didn’t know what to do with her. Most people had a moment of pity before they did their best to ignore the obvious, pretend it didn’t exist. It hadn’t even fazed Chloe. She seemed mad someone would think badly of him.

  “I have some plans for this week before the concert. We’ll have fun while we’re here.” Chloe rubbed her hands in a gleeful motion.

  He peeked over at her. Were her compliments just a ploy to soften him up and get him to do what she wanted? He shook his head and turned his focus back out the windshield. She didn’t seem like the type. Then again, he didn’t know her at all.

  “That depends.” He glared forward.

  “Nope. We can be smart about it, but I’m not living under a rock because of some jerk.”

  “A jerk that carries a gun.” Thankfully, he’d brought enough of June’s Supersuits for the four of them, but it wasn’t foolproof.

  “That part is unfortunate.” She tapped her finger to her cheek. “I already have something booked tomorrow, but I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”

  He rolled the tension from his shoulders and tried not to sound irritated. “What’s that?”

  She turned to him with pure joy filling her face. “I’ve booked us hot-air balloon rides.”

  “What?”

  “This company does hot-air balloon rides through the valley. I’ve always wanted to go up in one but never have. I saw the advertisement in the visitor magazine back at the house. I couldn’t believe they were available for tomorrow.”

  “You realize it will be freezing, right?”

  She waved his complaint off. “We packed winter gear. Besides, the cold will be worth it to experience something like that.”

  He thought about the logistics of an outing like that, and his shoulders relaxed. It shouldn’t be hard to keep her safe. Most of the time would be up in the air, far from reach. Too bad they couldn’t stay in a balloon all week. If she picked activities like this, having outings shouldn’t be too hard.

  “The day after tomorrow, we have lunch with the event director at a sponsor restaurant, and then I wanted to surprise a board member’s daughter with a visit. She’s the one who got me the gig. She also has celiacs and has to be homeschooled because her reaction is severe like mine.”

  “Any chance we could change the lunch to our place? Maybe have the kid come out too?” Jake hadn’t even stopped speaking before her head shook.

  “This is a publicity event, a chance to show I’m excited to be here for this show. I have to do what I can to schmooze these guys. It’s amazing how connected this business is. If I rub one person the wrong way, my career stays in the dive bars, making nothing.” She crossed her arms and glared at him. “I can’t risk that.”

  “Why don’t you just start your own label? From what Rafe said, you could afford to. Why go through all of this?” Jake turned into the driveway, rolling down his window to punch in the code to close the gate behind them.

  When he pulled his head back into the car, she pounced. “Haven’t you ever wanted to feel like you earned something? That you deserve your success because you worked for it and could be proud of that? I don’t want to buy my way into this business. That’s cheating.”

  “I get that.” He glanced at her as he pulled up to their new place. “But there are many people who produce their own music, that whole indie movement and all. Just because you can afford to pay for things others may not, doesn’t mean its cheating. People still have to buy your music.”

  “I just don’t want the reason I make it to be because of my daddy’s money.”

  “I don’t doubt you’ll make it, one way or another. You have the spunk.” He put the car in drive and turned to her. “But think about this for a second. What if your daddy’s money could not only help you, but help others as well? I can imagine it’s a fierce battle getting discovered in the music business. But if you could record on your own without a label and make it, couldn’t you then help other artists do the same?”

  She stared at him a moment, and he shifted under the scrutiny. Why in the world was he talking so much? He didn’t care what she did with her career. She pulled one side of her bottom lip between her teeth as she thought. He broke out into a sweat. He needed to remember, in the future, that talking to the clients just caused issues.

  She tempted him to do things he shouldn’t, like wondering how she’d react if he leaned over and kissed her. If his progress with his PTSD kept plugging at the speed he currently went, years would pass before he felt in control enough that something wouldn’t trigger a reaction out of him. He couldn’t ask a wife to go through the nights with him. He’d heard enough horror stories around the base to not take his condition lightly. The possibility that he’d thrash in the night and hurt his wife or worse, wake up with his hands around her throat, scared him to celibacy. Until an outgoing pixie, that is. Now it seemed his mind’s opposition wavered, thinking kissing said pixie might be a new venture worth exploring.

  “You know, that’s a thought with merit.” She patted his arm. “Thanks, Jake.”

  He knew it was and glanced at her lips. Wait, what was she talking about? Oh, yeah, her music. “I’m here to help.”

  He pushed open the driver’s door before he did anything that got his mind thinking crazy thoughts. This week could prove too much for him. They might need to call in back-up. He looked at the petite woman as she attempted to yank her hundred pound suitcase from the trunk. Then again, if he called more guys in for a job so small, he’d never hear the end of it. He’d just have to rein those errant thoughts in and remember why he couldn’t subject a woman to his problems.

  Seven

  Chloe bounced on her toes as she stepped out of the vehicle and watched the hot-air balloon company set up for their rides. With it only being seven in the morning, the sun hadn’t risen above the mountains high enough to warm everything up. She’d have to remember to thank Jake for the thin suit he’d made both her and Piper put on under their clothes. He claimed it was some kind of armor, which seemed ridiculous with how thin it was. The fabric, tight against her skin, helped keep her warm, so at least it did something.

  The frosty air bit at her cheeks and made her nose run. She sniffed and smiled at Jake as he stepped up next to her. His face turned down into the frown she had become accustomed to. She rolled her eyes and squeezed her arms close to her body, adjusting her camera she’d hung from her neck and taking a drink from the steaming matcha tea latte they’d gotten on the way.

  Piper rounded the back of the vehicle with her face scrunched up. Chloe hoped her cousin wouldn’t kill her when she found out what she had done. If she played it right, no one would pick up on her ploy.

  Piper pointed with her coffee cup between the two balloons. “Looks like someone else is going up too.”

  Here goes nothing. “Well, actually, that one is ours as well.”

  All three of them turned to her with different expressions of confusion. She cringed, hoping to give off a genuine I-messed-up look. A bird twittered in the brush and cheered her on.

  “Actually, I booked both of them.” She pretended to be embarrassed by motioning with her chin to the closest balloon. “I didn’t realize the baskets were that big
.”

  Piper’s head whipped back to the balloons, glancing between the two of them. Rafe smirked and shook his head, taking a deep drink from his coffee as he scanned the surrounding field.

  “We’ll cancel one of them.” Jake’s deep voice pulled her attention to him.

  Don’t ruin this, Mr. Grumpy. “That would be silly. They’re already paid for. Besides, it would be rude to cancel now after they’ve already set up.”

  “I don’t like it.” Jake secured his hands on his hips in a typical take-charge stance.

  “What’s not to like?” Chloe hugged her arms to her body and took another sip. “There’s two of you, two of us, and two balloons. No one will be left alone, and no one can snatch me up there.”

  Jake crossed his arms and turned in a circle, looking at the landscape. “It’s too exposed. Anyone could watch you.”

  “Today is the perfect day for this.” She took a step closer when he scowled. “Think about it. My stalker probably doesn’t know where we’ve moved to yet. Probably has no clue we’re even here at the butt crack of dawn. And even if he saw us up there once we’ve taken off, how would he ever know it’s us?”

  Jake shook his head and looked up to the sky. If Chloe didn’t act fast, she’d lose the fight. She had to give Piper this chance alone with Rafe. After the concert finished, Piper might not see Rafe for another five years.

  Chloe stepped closer and leaned up against the only hitch in her plan. “Please go on a balloon ride with me.” She batted her eyes for extra measure, hoping her silliness won him over.

  He peered down at her. His light blue eyes matched the early morning sky. Dang, her flirting was affecting her more than it seemed to affect him. Her arm tingled where it leaned up against him. Something about the way he stared into her eyes anchored her to him and faded all silliness away.

  He swallowed and tore his gaze away, breaking whatever trance he’d just put her in. “Fine. But from here on out, we set up outings together.”

  He stepped away from her to grab something out of the vehicle. Chloe let the air that had bottled up in her lungs out in a whoosh. She shook her head. Keep your wits, Chlo, before you make an even bigger fool of yourself.

  She stepped up next to Piper, whose face seemed paler than normal. She jumped when Chloe bumped her shoulder against her cousin’s. Chloe smiled and wrapped her arm around Piper’s waist.

  “Come on. Let’s get closer and watch them air up the balloons. It might be warmer.” Chloe pulled Piper’s arm, but she didn’t move.

  Piper’s coffee cup trembled in her hands. She couldn’t be afraid. This was the woman who dragged Chloe on ride after ride when the carnival came through every year. Chloe frowned and laid her head on Piper’s shoulder.

  “Pip, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” Piper forced a fake smile.

  “Piper.”

  “I don’t know, okay? Something about all of this …” She motioned toward the balloons. “Gives me the heebie-jeebies.”

  “This scares you, yet you’ll go on thirty-year-old carnie rides that probably have more rust than metal?”

  “They aren’t that bad.” Piper huffed and set her coffee on the bumper. “Think about it. We get up there, and the only thing between us and a million-foot drop is a thin piece of fabric. What if a bird flies into it and rips it?”

  “Exaggerating a bit?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Okay. Why don’t we go talk to those guys setting up about it, maybe get a closer look at the balloon?” She hugged Piper’s shoulder. “I think you’d be upset with yourself if you didn’t go, though.”

  Piper heaved a heavy sigh. “Yeah, you’re right.”

  Chloe placed her cup next to Piper’s, grabbed her hand, and pulled her toward the loud fan that blew into the closest balloon. It billowed the balloon wide open, allowing the scorching air from the gadget to blow in. The fire burned loud like a thousand blowtorches, and her toes danced in her boots with excitement. She skipped a couple of steps, then turned to walk backward so she could face Piper.

  “Besides, why pass up this opportunity to be alone with Rafe?” Chloe wiggled her eyebrows.

  “Shh.” Piper grabbed Chloe’s arm and pulled her close, pushing a laugh out of Chloe’s chest. “Are you crazy? He’ll hear you.”

  “So?”

  “So, the only way Rafe Malone has ever seen me is as Davis’s baby sister.”

  “Trust me, he’s not thinking you’re a baby anymore.” Chloe wrapped her arm around Piper’s waist so she couldn’t bolt and continued walking toward the balloon. “A babe, yes. A baby, definitely not.”

  They both turned their heads to where Rafe talked with Jake. When he smiled and nodded at Piper, she snapped her head back forward. Chloe squished her lips together to keep her smile contained.

  “I am not allowing you to get my hopes up here,” Piper hissed.

  “It’s just a little balloon ride, Pip. Don’t think too much about it.”

  Chloe pulled Piper to the good-looking man helping set the balloon up and asked how tough the balloon was. The question seemed silly to her, because a bird wouldn’t possibly fly into something so big. After she got the ball rolling, Piper quickly took over, asking a million questions Chloe had never even thought about.

  The man laughed and put his hand out to Piper. “Come here, and I’ll show you.”

  She tentatively placed her hand in his, and he pulled her towards the balloon. Chloe gave her a thumbs up and waved her on when Piper turned around with a shocked look on her face. Piper couldn’t even blame this special attention the man showered on her on the new wardrobe since it was hiding under her snow gear. Chloe would have to point out later that the man’s attention had everything to do with Piper’s beauty.

  “What’s he doing?” Rafe’s voice caused her to jump.

  His rough tone had her peeking up at him. He’d crossed his arms over his chest and a scowl she’d never seen before wrinkled his face. Chloe almost danced at Rafe’s obvious jealousy. This might work out better than she hoped.

  “Piper’s a little nervous about going up, so that nice-looking guy is showing her around the balloon to ease her mind.” Chloe kept her gaze trained forward so she didn’t blow it.

  “He’s not so nice looking.” Rafe smoothed his hand over his hair, and Chloe almost hooted in triumph.

  Now to go in for the kill. “Listen, Rafe, Piper’s pretty scared about this.”

  “Pipster? She loves rides.” A line of concern formed between his eyebrows.

  “Yeah, I know. Surprised me, too. Do you think you can keep an eye on her while you’re up there? I don’t want her to pass out or anything.”

  He nodded and rubbed his hands together. “Yeah, I’ll keep a real close eye on her.”

  Chloe let her smile free. “Thanks, Rafe.” Her mood turned serious. “I’m glad you’re here. Piper takes on so much. It’ll be good for her to have a little Rafe magic around.”

  Rafe rubbed his chest and nodded. The balloon filled with more hot air, drawing her attention. She watched in awe as the furnaces on both balloons fired in a long steady rush and expanded the colorful fabric into the air. Chloe couldn’t contain her excitement and cheered as the beautiful rainbow spheres filled completely. Piper made her way back to where Chloe stood with Jake and Rafe, talking lively with the worker.

  When Piper stepped up next to them, Rafe put his arm over her shoulder and looked down at her. “You okay?”

  Piper ducked her head and shrugged. “I am now.”

  “All right, I think we’re ready to go. You two will be in the far balloon.” He pointed to Piper and Rafe. “I’ll be your pilot.”

  “Great,” Rafe muttered next to Chloe.

  “You two will be with Ted in this baby.” He motioned to Jake and Chloe, then at the basket right behind him.

  He droned on for about five minutes on safety and balloon mechanics, which Chloe tuned out. The sun had finally peeked over the mountains, and she wante
d to fly with it. When the man finally said to load up, she practically ran to the basket before her.

  She stepped up onto the stool and tried to swing her leg over. Four more inches on her five-foot frame and she could do it, but genetics hadn’t blessed her with height. Hadn’t blessed her with much, period. She scanned the basket for something to leverage her foot on when large hands wrapped around her waist.

  “Here, let me help you.” Jake’s breath blew across her neck as he stepped close.

  Warmth spread from her waist to her neck. If the heat that rushed to her cheeks was any indication, crimson probably covered her pale face in a blush. She squeaked when he lifted her with ease, laughing as she ungracefully tumbled into the basket. He glanced into the basket, his eyebrows raised in question.

  “I’m okay.” Chloe’s answer came out more laugh than words as the pilot, Ted, helped her up.

  Jake climbed into the basket with the grace of a panther and stalked toward her. “I’m sorry, Chloe. I didn’t mean to toss you in like that.”

  He touched her arm, and heat spread from the contact. The man must be made of lava for how every touch raised her temperature faster than the giant furnace blowing above her. She smiled and placed her hand over his.

  “No worries.”

  He glanced at her hand over his. She snatched it away and pretended to be very interested in the furnace firing above them. The basket lurched, sending her stomach into her throat. She couldn’t wait to scratch this off her bucket list when they got back to the house.

  She rushed to the side and leaned over the woven wall to look down as the balloon took off. Jake stepped up beside her, scanning the area. The whooshing feeling the ascent put in her stomach made her laugh. She tried to take everything in: the creek where it meandered past the field where they’d parked the vehicle, the bright white of the morning sun reflecting off of the snow, and the deep shadows still lingering in the bushes.

  The darkness beneath a bush shifted, and her body froze. Had her stalker found them? Her heart pounded in her throat as she stared into the shadows, trying to discern what the movement belonged to. Jake peeked at her, then followed her gaze, stepping closer to her so their shoulders touched. A rabbit bounded out of the bush. She gasped, then dissolved into giggles. She needed to just relax. This whole stalker thing had her paranoid.