Paper Moon Read Free Page A

her r’s with a sharp purr. “Señora Mah-rrrown, por favor. ”
    â€œSeñora Mah-rrrown,” Blaine repeated. “Sorry . . . er . . . lo siento. ”
    â€œWe could switch back, if you’d rather sit with your daughter,” said a voice to his right.
    Distracted from his impromptu Spanish lesson and Karen’s not-so-empathetic grin, Blaine turned to the young woman next to him. Clad like the teens in denims and the green-and-orange shirt, she didn’t look old enough to have a daughter Annie’s age. Blaine searched his memory, wondering if Karen had mentioned in passing that Annie had a big sister.
    â€œAw,” the girls moaned in collective dismay.
    â€œNow, girls, this is a family trip.”
    No, she was a mother. Moms were masters of that steeled-velvet intonation.
    â€œThanks,” Blaine said, “but I can take a hint. This is fine.” He shoved his briefcase in the floor space in front of his seat. Once he was settled, seat belt fastened, he turned to his neighbor. “Miss . . . um . . . Señora C, I presume?”
    â€œCaroline.” She offered him a firm, friendly handshake.
    â€œCaroline Spencer.”

CHAPTER 2
    â€œCaroline it is.” It was an effort not to stare at her as if she were a project to be analyzed. “And I prefer Blaine to Señor or Mr. M.”
    Now, why hadn’t he just introduced himself as he usually did? His left brain had been in overdrive for so long that his less predictable right had obviously seen its chance to trip him up with memories of a happier time—even if he’d been more of an observer than participant. Blaine quickly switched back to his more comfortable, dominant nature, where whimsy had no place.
    â€œBlaine it is.” The copper spirals of hair, barely held in check by barrettes, bounced with her nod of agreement. “Karen has told us so much about you. It’s wonderful that you were able to juggle your schedule to make the trip. I think it meant a lot to her.”
    â€œAt least the trip part.” Juggle my schedule? Jeopardizing a contract he’d been trying to win for months, putting his secretary through the wringer to reschedule airline tickets, and handing over the follow-through to his younger brother was more than a juggle . He could almost feel his blood pressure rising, just thinking about it. “And the dad part,” Caroline insisted over the dubious note in his voice. “She’s quite proud of you.”
    â€œI am so ready for Mexico,” Karen exclaimed in front of them.
    â€œTotally,” Annie chimed in.
    A cryptic smile tugged at the corner of Blaine’s mouth. “I rest my case.”
    â€œLadies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking,” the speaker crackled. “I’d like to . . .”
    â€œHow about case adjourned till we’re up and away?”
    The stubborn purse of Caroline’s lips told Blaine she was digging in for the debate. Fortunately for him, the captain’s welcome captured her attention. As the pilot informed them that they were next in line for takeoff and that the weather conditions in Mexico City were clear skies and temperatures in the eighties, dropping to the seventies at night, Caroline’s demeanor metamorphosed from playful to strictly business.
    The plane taxied to the runway, its overhead monitors dropping down from the bulkhead to play the info video on the flight safety and emergency procedures. Around him unseasoned travelers, including Caroline Spencer, tugged the laminated information sheets from the seat pockets. She oriented herself on the map of the plane with the zeal of a commando prepping for a rescue.
    â€œFirst time flying?” he asked.
    â€œGee, ya think?” The wisecrack was more of a nervous laugh, followed promptly by a becoming color creeping to her cheeks. At the high whine of the engines revving up for takeoff, her blush drained.
    â€œHang on,