Vince waved off the thanks as he stood up. He rarely sat for long, preferring to be active. “I’m putting steaks on the grill. You two will join us for dinner?” His confident tone left little room for debate.
“We couldn’t,” said Catarina, but she made no move to leave.
“Just steaks and salad. Nothing fancy. We’re in training.” Vince winked at Catarina. “How about if I let you make the salad? Otherwise, it might be just steaks and lettuce.”
Catarina laughed. “Anna?” She waited, probably for her new friend’s approval, before answering.
Isaac’s hope surged once more when Anna shot a furtive glance at him and nodded. Catarina jumped up, following Vince toward the kitchen, leaving Isaac and Anna on the patio alone.
“Mortgage payments in America?” He couldn’t keep himself from asking as he double-checked her ring finger. Bare. Not married.
“It’s complicated. I left my job and everything else earlier this week.” A single tear escaped and trickled unnoticed down her cheek. Did everything include a boyfriend?
Isaac wanted to put an arm around Anna to reassure her that everything would work out, but she seemed guarded, and self-contained. Without more information, he couldn’t help any other way. Maybe one day she would explain what had made her leave her old life to come here.
“What kind of work did you do?” He couldn’t imagine what would make someone leave everything behind to move to a foreign country in a matter of days. He’d bet she was educated and been a professional in an office before coming here. An umbrella girl job would be very different. Was she on the run from someone or something? Maybe she was in trouble.
Her cheeks flamed, and he backpedaled.
“I’m sorry. You don’t want to talk about it. I understand. I didn’t mean to upset you.
“You didn’t upset me. What happened did. I’m not ready to talk about it yet.” Her eyes pleaded with him to change the topic. “While I’m here, I plan to be a writer.”
She shifted in her seat and stared down toward the dirt track below. He could have kicked himself for making her uncomfortable. He wouldn’t press her, but he could ensure she had a friend. They had one common interest he’d learned so far.
“Maybe we can find a book to read together. It’s been a long time since I read anything in English, and I could use the practice.” He smiled to encourage her, hoping she’d accept. He hadn’t read in English for pleasure since high school, but he’d made the suggestion without thinking too hard.
He often read thirty to forty books a year, mostly biographies and mysteries, but in Spanish. English was only for work. It was the second, third, or fourth language of most of the racers. That and racing were their common languages.
“Why would you do that?” Her yellow-brown gaze was so direct that it was impossible to look away.
“I can’t usually find anyone to discuss books with. Everyone I know discusses racing twenty-four-seven.” Isaac’s heart pounded as if he had just ridden full-throttle down the home-finish straight, not asked a pretty girl to spend time with him.
Vince wandered over from the grill, spatula in hand, and shot a pointed look in Isaac’s direction as if to remind him he’d called dibs. This was none of Vince’s damn business.
“That’s a great idea.” The spots of color on Anna’s cheeks deepened, and a dimple appeared on one side when she smiled. “Like a two-person book club.”
Isaac’s body reacted, and he shifted in his seat. He swallowed and nodded, ignoring his brother for a heartbeat, then turned to Vince. Dealing with a more mundane question gave him a moment of distraction. “You get two umbrella girls this year? Or have you promoted Cat to your personal assistant?”
“Anna’s joining your team,” said Vince, his dark eyes looking thoughtful.
Isaac felt his eyebrow shoot upward. That was outstanding.
“Catarina has her job lined up already, but assistant is a great idea.” Vince called inside to Catarina. “Hey, Cat, would you like to shadow my assistant with a view to the job for next year? If not with me, with someone who could use your keen racing insight and superior organizational skills?”
Catarina appeared in the doorway with a radiant smile. She came out and peppered Vince with questions about the possibility while he stood at the grill.
Isaac blocked out their playful banter and instead asked about Cervera and what Anna had seen this afternoon with Catarina. He soaked up every word, even though he didn’t understand everything she said. He was just happy to hang out with Anna.
...
Thursday morning arrived and Isaac and Vince departed for the start of the MotoGP racing season. They arrived at the airport early, leaving them time to spend with Catarina and Anna. Isaac spent most of the time walking with and chatting with Anna as they gathered snacks and wandered the shops. She seemed excited about traveling, having never been anywhere except North America and now Spain.
In the bookstore, they selected three titles. Unfortunately, they didn’t have seats together on the plane. He took a seat with Vince in business class and shifted uncomfortably when Catarina and Anna walked past to take their seats in coach. It seemed unfair, but that was how the team had booked the flight.
The six-hour flight from Barcelona to Doha, Qatar, was uneventful, but when he landed, he looked out at the darkened expanse of sand and his pulse quickened.
The beginning of the season always put a spring in his step, the excitement and possibility of a new season. It was always unpredictable and never went according to script. Isaac planned to soak it up this year as it might be the last. He frowned. His racing bucket list still had one unfulfilled item. He wouldn’t win a championship, but it would be fabulous to win a race. Just once to be a MotoGP race winner. He shook off the unrealistic idea. That might not be in the cards this year, not with Vince still racing.
