Soaring Hearts

By AL Boyd

Will hearts soar when pigs fly?

Alex’s job working for his family-owned radio station once took him all over the city reporting on major events—until the accident. His scars, both physical and emotional, cause him to withdraw into a self-imposed, semi-reclusive lifestyle. When his dad requests that he go to the world’s largest hot air balloon festival, he has to find the courage to break his isolation. Now he needs to find the courage to trust and love again.

Jeff had already been planning a move to Albuquerque when he lost his home, parents, and dog to a wildfire in California. To begin his new life, he agrees to help his sister and brother-in-law with their balloon at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Now he’s seen pigs fly and bees kissing, but will he find the love he’s been searching for?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna Larson
• Release date: Sep 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311853981

AL Boyd

A cartographer by day, A. L. Boyd spends most of her free time with her horses, gardening, or reading. She never intended to be a writer, but stories like this one sometimes just pop into her head. The writing came about as a way to get the stories out.

Book preview

Soaring Hearts

By A.L. Boyd

This story contains sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers.

This story is a work of fiction. Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Park is a real location, but names, characters, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved worldwide.

This eBook may not be sold, manipulated or reproduced in any format without the express written permission of the author.

Soaring Hearts, Copyright © 2016 A.L. Boyd

Smashwords Edition

ISBN- 9781311853981 ISBN-

Edited by Brad Vance Editing

Cover Design by Bree Archer

Table of Contents

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Epilogue

AUTHOR BIO

Dedication:

To JET. Thanks for everything!

Chapter 1

Saturday Morning

Jeff woke up in the dark, his toes like little ice cubes. The squeal of hinges that needed oiling, the rumble of cars and trucks warming up, and people scurrying about weren’t the familiar sounds of his home in California. Rubbing a hand across his face, he tried to remember where he was, not sure what had woken him from his dreams. Perhaps it had been the chilly night air, but the tapping on his camper door reminded him.

The knock was followed by a voice.

Hey, big brother. When he didn’t respond, his sister called out again, Jeff, you awake yet? We need to get the balloon ready for Dawn Patrol.

He groaned as he climbed out of bed and grabbed a hoodie. He pulled it on and opened the camper door. Cindy stepped in carrying two large, steaming, cups.

Please tell me that’s coffee, he growled as he reached for one.

Hot and black, just the way you like it. She handed him the cup. Hurry up and get ready, it’s four thirty now, and we need to check the weather forecasts to see if we can fly this morning.

Jeez. Calm down. It only takes you like fifteen minutes to get that balloon inflated.

Yes, but you’ve never seen the crowds here before. Spaces are already filling up. And it’s a bit breezy right now. She glanced out the door at the sky. I hope we get to fly today. We’ll go out to the field and get ready to go as soon as they put up the green flag.

I could still be sleeping, you know. At least another half an hour. He yawned wide and took a sip of his coffee.

He ran his hand through the mop of hair on his head. How she looked so good this early in the morning, Jeff would never understand. He and Cindy had always been mistaken for twins, even though she was three years younger. Her chestnut brown hair was thick and wavy like his, though she pulled it back in a tight braid—one of the few ways to tame it. He’d also had to braid his when he’d worn it long. But he’d had it cut in a high and tight last month before his job interview, and at the moment, his was growing out into an untamable curly mess. The good thing was he probably didn’t need to comb it before he stepped out the door.

She laughed. After we lift off, you can go back to bed or do whatever else you have in mind.

Gee, thanks, Cindy. I’ll be right out. He glared at her over the rim of his cup. Just let me get some more clothes on. I might have to see if the heater in this thing works at all. He shivered a little in the cool morning air. I didn’t think New Mexico would be this cold. I’ll bet it’s almost twenty degrees warmer in San Diego right now.

It’s at least sixty out there this morning, you big baby. She took a sip of her coffee and looked around. Besides, you didn’t have to bring this trailer. Danny would have gotten you a motel room if you’d wanted. I don’t know why you towed this thing all the way out here.

Crap, might as well tell her now.

With their parents gone, she was the only living flesh and blood he had, and he was not returning to California. She had ties there, not him. Her husband and his large family all owned houses and businesses.

But he couldn’t stay there anymore. Not after the fire. He shivered once again, but this time it wasn’t because of the cold. He didn’t want to think about all that the fire had taken from him—from them both.

I was going to save this until the end, but I’m not going back home. I’ve got a job offer here in Albuquerque, and I’m staying after the end of the Fiesta. I brought the trailer so I’d have a place to live until the insurance money comes in.

What! Cindy’s voice rose. And you’re just telling me now? You’re just going to run off and leave us?

Tears welled in her eyes, and she turned away from him. He should have told her earlier. She’d become more emotional than usual since she’d gotten pregnant, and he hated to upset her so soon after the death of their parents. He hadn’t been able to break the news after all that had happened.

I’ll always be there for you, but you know there isn’t much left for me in California. You know the memories are all too painful. You have Danny, and soon you’ll have the baby, too. I need this. I need the change. Jeff tried to comfort his sister, but she pushed him away.

Tears rolled down her face. You could stay with us. We have the room even with the baby coming. You should be there when he’s born. He needs to know his uncle. She wiped her face. Please come home with us.

He reached out to her again, but she backed away. Cindy, calm down. I can always come back for a visit. It’s only a short flight away. I know it’s hard. I don’t want to leave you alone after all that’s happened, but I’ve already found a job here. I start as soon as the Fiesta is over.

She hesitated before stepping out the door. I’m sorry, Jeffy. I’ve just been more emotional lately with the pregnancy, especially after losing Mom and Dad. I don’t want to lose you too. She gave him a shaky smile. Mom told me about your job interview before the fire. I already knew you were thinking about moving out here. I was hoping you hadn’t found a job already. So there’s no chance I could change your mind?

No, Cindy. Not right now. Let me finish getting dressed, and we can talk while we get the balloon ready.

He closed the door and searched for his only pair of jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. He’d need to buy warmer clothes. What he had left of his southern California clothing wasn’t going to work in the high desert of New Mexico. He hoped the insurance money would come soon, so he could replace his wardrobe. At least he had the brand new work boots and good wool socks that Cindy’s husband Danny had paid for. He put them on before stepping out into the cold predawn air.

He’d agreed to help his sister and Danny with their hot air balloon, because he’d already planned on moving here. Losing his home and business due to the summer fires had forced him into a decision: rebuild his company or do something different. He wanted a fresh start and a new state, to put distance between himself and the devastation that was his old life.

As they set out the ground tarps and laid out the balloon, Jeff asked, What’s so great about Dawn Patrol?

Flying in the dark takes special skills, Danny responded, adjusting some of the fabric. When he was satisfied with the way it rested on the tarp, he went on. I love the challenges it presents and the rewards. You can’t see the ground clearly, and you can’t see what’s around you too well either, but it’s worth it. Watching the sun rise from way up there is the most amazing thing. Danny pointed up to the sky.

If you just went out about an hour or so later with the rest of the group, we could all sleep in a while longer and wouldn’t have to do this by flashlight. Jeff grumbled.

Danny’s laugh rang out in the clear morning air. God, you really aren’t a morning person are you? Cindy’s told me all the stories, but seeing it first hand is hilarious.

Jeff didn’t bother responding. He was functioning on only one cup of coffee, after all. It wouldn’t do to piss off his brother-in-law on his first day.

Cindy came up. The ascension has been delayed due to the weather conditions, and we can’t lift off until after seven thirty. She looked at Jeff. You can crash in the truck. I know you want to. I’ll come get you when the green flag is hoisted.

Jeff wasn’t sure how long he’d been asleep when Cindy opened the door. Come on, bro. It’s time.

He grumbled as he helped with the final preparations, but just before they lifted off, Cindy pointed to the truck.

There’s a thermos of coffee under the passenger’s seat. I know you’re gonna need it.

Once Cindy and Danny were in the air, he carefully drove the vehicle through the crowded field and out to their designated parking area. While he waited for their return, he set up a couple of camp chairs and a small folding table so he could enjoy his coffee and take in the rest of the show.

He’d missed the dawn and the morning glow when he was sleeping, but now he could see the surrounding mountains, and he enjoyed the beauty around him. The sun was still low in the eastern sky, shadowing most of the East Mountains, but the clouds above were awash with brilliant yellows, oranges, and deep purple. The ground was buzzing with activity as the balloons launched, while multi-colored clouds danced above his head and drifted with the winds.

Chapter 2

Alex had arrived at Balloon Fiesta Park early, and stopped by the food truck owned by his best friend, Ruben, who was well-known locally for his New Mexican cooking. The line at the truck was long, and Alex didn’t think he’d ever get to the front to place an order, but he stood there anyway.

Alex almost zoned out, just watching the crowd and the balloons glowing in the distance, when Ruben appeared in front of him with a foil-wrapped burrito in his hand.

Breakfast is served, and Jack’s working the grill for me, so I have a few minutes to chat.

The odor of green chile and bacon snapped him out of his reverie. Thanks, Taz. Alex took the burrito and laughed at Ruben’s grimace. Alex had started calling him Taz in college because Ruben had reminded him so much of the cartoon Tasmanian Devil—short, stout, and a whirlwind of activity.

Alex! Come on, babe, let’s find a place to sit. Alex rolled his eyes. Ruben called every one babe, or sweetie, or whatever other term of endearment popped out of his mouth. It used to annoy him, but telling Ruben to stop had only encouraged him. Now, Alex enjoyed hearing the endearments even if they only came from his friend.

I’m just here to cover the event for the station, you know. Maybe I’ll interview you for a spot on the radio, Alex responded. But Dad would kill me for taking the easy way out.

Oh, hun. I’d love to, but you know me. You’d be editing out all my cuss words and sexual jokes. Unless you think that’ll help me find a boyfriend? He winked at Alex. "Besides, Pops wouldn’t do that to you. He just wants