“I did,” said Isaac with another quick glance at Anna. “Vince mentioned it earlier.” He hesitated. “I see you two are hitting it off.” His smile was gentle this time. “I thought you might.” Isaac locked his dirt bike in a shed trackside and joined them on the sloped pathway.
“What do you think his chances are this season?” said Catarina.
They walked toward the house and Anna looked back as Vince skidded around a distant corner of the track below, once more making dust fly.
Isaac turned, his eyes following his brother on the track. “He’s in the best shape of his life and, barring injury, I don’t think anyone can touch him.”
Injury? Anna hadn’t considered how dangerous motorcycle racing might be and added that to her list to research. Knowing a few facts and figures wouldn’t hurt. She hated the idea of anyone getting hurt.
“Last year’s rookies will be better this year, plus there’s a special rookie this year. They’re wild cards, since last seasonwasn’t really indicative of their potential. The one this year, Luka Catala, could be the real deal,” said Catarina as she slipped her arm through Anna’s, including her in the talk, even though she knew nothing about this sport yet. She added another name to her mental list. Luka Catala. She might be up half the night reading about MotoGP and its riders, but she planned to be prepared.
“I know. Plus, Yamaha improved their bikes in the off-season and Suzuki is back after a seven-year hiatus,” said Isaac, his brown eyes flashing as his words tumbled faster and faster. He ran his hands through his messy hair in an attempt to fix it.
Racing seemed to be a passion for both of her new acquaintances. That Isaac would be passionate about his chosen sport was a given. In Catarina, it was intriguing.
Anna refocused on Isaac as he continued. “They’re always a few things that make the championship hard to predict. Like a hot rookie or a rider who had bad luck the last few years, but everything comes together the following season. Other than the couple of years he lost to that arm injury, in my opinion, Vince is still the best.”
His opinion about his brother would be biased. But Anna remembered the intensity in Vince’s expression earlier. Someone with that passion could be driven to succeed at almost any cost.
“The Honda is one of the top bikes again,” said Catarina. “And Vince knows it better than anyone, even if it is a new model with all the latest upgrades and technological additions. He’ll make it soar.”
“It’ll be good to have you with us,” said Isaac with a smile, sliding briefly into Spanish, which Anna couldn’t follow as well. Something about keeping his brother dancing? Then to Anna, he said, “Catarina knows racing. Sorry if we got too excited and talked about it too much.”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind. I enjoy learning new things.” Talking like this seemed easier, side by side, instead of face to face. Not so overwhelming.
“I admit, I follow you two every year. You’re our hometown guys. We’re proud of both of you. This season could be the most fun in years.” Catarina’s broad smile included Anna and warmth filled her chest.
Isaac opened a white door on the side of the house, and they walked through the corner of a large open kitchen to a courtyard patio on the far side of the house, away from the track. Anna looked around, wishing she could see more of their beautiful home. It resembled something from a designer catalog with navy, soft brown, and sea blue accents. It had a restful feel.
“Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll be right back. I just want to wash up. Vince has ten more minutes or a perfect lap before he quits. Then he’ll join us.”
Anna and Cat sat and enjoyed the peace of the villa. Within minutes, Isaac returned with a glass pitcher filled with what looked like lemonade and ice, carrying a stack of blue plastic cups in the other hand. He’d changed his clothes and washed his neck and hands.
“Lemonade?” He placed everything on the low table in front of the seats. “I’d offer you something stronger, but we don’t keep anything alcoholic around when we’re training.”
At Anna’s nod, he filled her glass, and three more. He handed one to Catarina, took a third, and left one-half full for his brother. Isaac sat down next to Anna. She couldn’t help but be aware of him wherever he moved. She hadn’t been this interested in someone for a long time. She and Adam may have just broken up, but she couldn’t remember the last time she’d found him attractive. Maybe staying with him was another thing she’d done to play it safe. Why had they stayed together? Habit?
In the distance, the sounds of the remaining dirt bike ceased, and the evening became peaceful. In the west, the rosy glow of sunset spread across the sky while they visited.
“See,” said Isaac. “Vince is going to harass me for quitting early. No surprise that he drives himself the hardest of all.” The three of them chatted about inconsequential things, like movies and siblings, until Vince joined them fifteen minutes later. He must have had a quick shower because his dark brown curls were damp, and he’d changed.
Vince carried his phone in one hand and held it up as he said to Catarina, “Your wish is granted. She’s got the job.” He sat down on Anna’s other side, giving her a long calculating look.
“Thank you for finding me a job.” Her tongue became tied in knots. She didn’t know how to interpret his look. Was this where he’d flirt or ask for something in return?
CHAPTER 4
Isaac
She has the job. She. Anna would come on the road during the racing season. Isaac glanced from his brother’s shining eyes to Catarina’s. So pleased with themselves. His chest tightened as he glanced at Anna, who sat between himself and Vince, looking down, her hands curled around her icy glass of lemonade. Should he smile and play along or throw something in frustration? On one hand, this lovely girl with long blonde hair and quiet demeanor would travel with them, so he might get to know her better, which was something he wanted. On the other hand, Vince must have orchestrated this because of his own continued interest.
Guilt shot through Isaac because he hadn’t mentioned Anna’s words about dinner with him to his brother. Perhaps Vince thought he’d have a chance for that fling, especially now that he’d done Anna a favor and gotten her a job. Isaac’s lemonade tasted like disappointment, so he set it down.
“Well done. You two seem proud of your maneuvering.” Isaac fought to keep the bitterness from his tone. What was the point in showing his annoyance? Especially when Vince and Catarina were delighted. Now that Anna would be available at home and on the road, her dating Vince seemed inevitable. While she said she wasn’t interested in Vince, his brother had a charisma fewcould ignore. Isaac would need to push his own attraction to the side. Still, his eyes were drawn to her like magnets.
Anna twisted a ring on her right hand, some braided silver thing with an orangish-yellow stone. Amber, perhaps? She bit her lip as she looked over at Catarina, maybe looking for help. She seemed embarrassed at the attention and his heart went out to her. He didn’t want to step aside for Vince. Plus, her preference should matter, and she’d said she wasn’t interested in Vince. Hope surged through him. He could try to get to know her and see where his attraction went. There must be a story about why she was here and in need of a job—he would find the courage to ask.
“Thank you for finding me a job.” Her voice was quiet as she spoke to Vince. “I have some savings from my previous job, but mortgage payments don’t leave me much to live on.”
