He glanced at Remy, who didn’t look concerned.That had to be good?
Toby had no way of knowing when the balloon started its descent towards a large pasture, skimming over an orchard.
“Everyone, take your seats and hold on as demonstrated by Remy.Don’t worry when the basket tips over, it’s all part of the experience.”
Down on his seat, Toby’s animal screeched,Tips over?How will we stay in the basket?Won’t we fire out?But first, won’t it have to drag along the ground if it tips?
“Dear gods, shut up,” Toby muttered and clenched his eyes closed right as he jerked hard enough that when the basket slammed into the ground, it felt as if he had wrenched his arms from their sockets.Next, they bounced—hard enough to jar bone—along the earth.
And all Toby could hope for was that he didn’t piss his pants in fright!It was a real possibility.
Chapter Four
Ernest
“Did you have any luck with the council?”
Ernest shook his head.He was out in his greenhouse, thinning out some seedling trays.It was important work, and Ernest usually felt calmed doing it.But after what felt like a fruitless two days, trying to get somebody to take his concerns about a balloon landing in his field seriously, that calm had escaped him.Rick seeking him out, he’d expected, but Ernest still didn’t know what on earth he could say.
“You’ll be pleased to know that, on the one hand, according to the F.A.A., hot air balloons can’t just land wherever the fuck they feel like, despite what Pierre was fond of saying.”
“That’s good news, then, right?”
“You’d think.”Ernest’s hand gripped the trowel he was holding tight enough to make the wood crack.“While balloons can’t land anywhere they like, they do need to ensure the safety of their passengers, and changes in weather can sometimes result in them not landing where they’d originally planned.”
Rick snorted.“Don’t talk to me about wind and weather changes.I’m not a damn weather guru.Can we stop Pierre from landing those over-sized party favors in our fields?”
“Yes.We have that right.According to the guy at the council, because I already warned Pierre from ever landing in my fields back when we broke up, that should be enough.Balloon pilots need to have permission from the landowners before they land, and that applies to chase crews as well.”
“But?You wouldn’t be stabbing that plant tray with a wrecked trowel if that’s all the council said.”
“The council guy thought it was a domestic issue.”Ernest gave up and dropped the trowel onto the large plank holding the trays.“A case of me being petty because Pierre left me.He actually said, ‘Oh, having a balloon land in your field would be so romantic.They are so beautiful, and people get so much joy from seeing them in the air.’What about my damn flowers!I told the guy I was going to raise so much shit if Pierre’s balloon landed anywhere near my land.”
“That could be what Pierre is hoping for,” Rick stated fatalistically.“While you’ve been wrestling with the council, I thought I’d do a bit of digging about Bucket List Buddies.I was looking for why Pierre would involve himself with them in the first place.”
“When you told me about this, you gave me the impression that Pierre was mate hunting.”Ernest turned around, leaning his butt against the plank.“Makes sense if you think about it.Anyone who goes on one of those trips would have to have money.A balloon trip isn’t cheap, and that’s all he cares about.”
“Oh, I think he’s mate hunting all right—not fated mates.”Rick grimaced.“That damn otter wouldn’t want to be tied down, but I think he’s set his sights on his next mark—the owner of Bucket List Buddies.”
“The guy’s rich?”
“Oh, yeah.Not the guy who runs the office in town.That’s Remy.He takes a wage just like anyone else, and according to pub gossip, he’s a really decent guy.But the man who started the business in the first place, the one with all the money, is a guy named Sven, and he is loaded.We’re talking international travel every week, multiple business interests, family money behind him, and never having to consider what anything costs.And more importantly for Pierre,” Rick pointed his finger at Ernest’s chest.“The guy is single.You can’t tell me Pierre hasn’t done his homework.”
“That’s a bit of a reach.”Ernest rubbed his chin.His jaw ache was a clear indicator of stress.“If this Sven you mention is always traveling, how is Pierre ever going to meet him?”
“By causing a scandal, a public nuisance, getting himself in the news because the owner of a flower farm wants to sue him, while all he’s doing is good deeds by helping people find their freaking mates.Do you think the owner of the Bucket List Buddies company isn’t going to hear about that, seeing as it is their logo on the promotional brochure?”
“Aargh!”Ernest scrubbed his hands over his face.“Okay, we need to make sure this can’t happen.Not that I know this Sven, and I don’t have anything against what Bucket List Buddies are doing.All I give a shit about is our flowers.”
“All right.We need a plan.The council has been alerted?”
“Yes.Pierre was told by me that he’s not allowed on my land.The council has at least taken note that no hot air balloons are to come onto my land.I even put in a call to the local police and got a trespass order taken out against Pierre.So if he comes onto my land, the police will come if called.That was another freaking embarrassment.”
“That was a good idea.”Rick clapped.“I can’t see how that was embarrassing.The breach of a trespass order is something the police have to respond to.”
“Have you ever filed a trespass notice against anyone?”Ernest shook his head, feeling his cheeks flush.“The officer who took down the details of why I wanted the order filed spent the whole time he was writing things down, muttering about how stupid it was that grown men were resorting to police orders, when I should’ve just given the upset party a blowjob, and bought him a car or something to make him feel better.I was the upset party.”Ernest slapped his chest.
“Yeah.It was a blowjob that got you into this mess in the first place,” Rick snarled.“Did you happen to mention that damn otter stole your car and still has it?Knowing you, you’re still paying insurance on the thing.”
