Flash Fiction #4: Love Above Red Rocks

Adrianne cautiously stepped into the hot air balloon basket for her first, and hopefully only, flight over the red rocks of Sedona. When her foot settled on the basket floor, she realized she was holding her breath. She exhaled as she looked up into the warm eyes of the man holding the basket door open for her. He closed the basket door behind her.

He introduced himself as Tom. “Is it just you this morning? I thought the booking was for two passengers.” He adjusted the ropes and prepared for liftoff.

“My sister was supposed to be on this flight with me,” Adrianne replied. “But she had to stay home. She got food poisoning.” It was only partially true. Adrianne was supposed to be on this hot air balloon ride with her husband, but he’d passed last year. Her sister had filled in for so many of the adventures that Adrianne should have been sharing with him.

Adrianne watched Tom closely as he altered the burner settings and again worked the ropes. “Here we go,” he said with a nod. He was a handsome silver fox with broad shoulders and a chiseled profile. His blue jeans fit snuggly on his waist, accentuating his strong thighs.

She felt the lift and suddenly they were off the ground. Adrianne’s heart pounded in her chest. “Have you always been a pilot?” she blurted, attempting to distract herself. She clutched the side of the basket.

“Pretty much,” Tom said. “When I was eight years old, my uncle took me up in his Cessna. That’s when I knew I would become a pilot. A few years later, my family moved to Sedona, and I saw the balloons flying tours in the mornings. I just knew that was my calling. I love being up high and letting the wind take us with her.”

“I guess that makes us different,” Adrianne said. “If my sister hadn’t had her heart set on this trip, I wouldn’t have booked it,” she frowned at her own predicament.

“Flying isn’t really your thing?” He smiled sympathetically. “It’s okay. I promise I’ll get you down safely.”

She shivered, and Tom noticed. “I can’t have a beautiful lady get cold on my flight.” He took off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. She loosened her grip on the basket just long enough to slide her hands into the sleeves.

“I’m a little afraid of heights,” Adrianne told him. “I’m not sure if I’m shivering more out of cold or because I’m afraid.” She again tightened her grip on the edge of the basket.

“How about I distract you with some stories?” Tom responded.

“Yes, anything. I’d love to hear about how you learned to fly and about your work.”

The basket climbed higher in the cloudless sky, and the red rocks, bathed in the early morning sun, spread out endlessly around them. Tom told her stories of the first balloonists in the area and of his first flights as a student pilot. Listening to Tom’s deep, calm voice settled Adrianne’s nerves and her fears lessened.

She’d never met a man quite like Tom. He wasn’t at all like the stuffy businessmen she’d dated in the years before she’d met her husband. Tom’s easygoing nature and rugged, handsome appeal were comforting and sexy at the same time. He continued to tell fascinating and beautiful Sedona flying stories as the red rocks landscape stretched out for miles in every direction.

She rarely looked away from his warm brown eyes, captivated by the enthusiasm he shared. She wondered if she’d be the type of woman he’d consider dating.

An hour later, they started their descent. “Thank you for the wonderful stories, Tom. You did a great job distracting me. I completely forgot about being afraid.”

He smiled. “A pretty lady shouldn’t have to be afraid, especially on my flight. This tour has a champagne breakfast included to cap off the morning,” Tom said. “My crew will meet us with the company truck after we land. I happen to know there are some delicious pastries waiting for you.”

“Mmm, sounds lovely. Will you be having breakfast with me?”

Tom fixed his gaze on Adrianne. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Adrianne felt a rush of excitement through her body, and the side of her mouth turned up into a smile.

Tom adjusted the burners again and the ground got closer. “Maybe after breakfast—after the crew and I pack up the balloon—you and I can follow up with coffee back in town? I know a cafe that makes a top-notch brew.”

“I’d like that, Tom.” Adrianne nodded at the handsome pilot. “I’d like that very much.”

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