Stealing Luca's Heart (8 page)

He tossed her something wrapped in foil. “You know, that’s exactly how I feel.”

“What?” she asked, both to his statement and the object that landed in her lap. Unwrapping a corner, she was pleased to see it was a ham and cheese croissant sandwich. It looked delicious.

“That’s how I feel,” Luca continued. “Sometimes not knowing what direction you’re heading. I have family responsibilities that sometimes feel like the weight of generations that came before me. My brothers and I have an obligation to our family and community to maintain and expand what’s been given us. I didn’t go to a posh university because I had to learn very early on how to calculate international currency rates and shear a sheep in the same five minutes. I have more practical business experience now than most people gain in their entire lives.”

Ally noticed Sean roll his eyes and was thankful Luca didn’t see it. “If the farm is so important, why did you get into rugby?”

“Let’s just say I had lots of energy that needed channeling when I was younger. My parents and teachers thought it would be a good outlet for me, not to mention I was damn good at it. It was that or sneaking off to go tag bridges after school or beat up on poor Sean over here. I love the farm, don’t get me wrong. But I also have other interests.”

“Like this little game you play on the weekends?” She watched Sean stand and head into the galley.

Luca’s eyes lit up. “You gotta love it. We’ll get you to a match while you’re here, and then you’ll see. It’s much manlier than American gridiron ball.”

Ally tilted her head. “Gridiron ball?”

“Oh, sorry, you call it football. Here, football is soccer.”

She chewed on a bit of her sandwich, intrigued with the way Luca lit up talking about his sport. He didn’t need to be spending the entire flight chatting with her. Perhaps the family was just being overly nice in hopes she didn’t sue them. Somehow she doubted that was the case.

Sean sat back down in his seat and twisted the top off a soda. “Sean, what did you do while you were away?”

“I was gone for a few years on a long OE. The last year or so I’ve been just getting back into the swing of things on the farm. Luca’s got a project that he’s been having me work on lately, but after that we’ll have to sort out what slice of the pie will be mine.”

There was that rivalry thing again. “What’s an OE?”

“Overseas experience. I keep forgetting you’re a Yank,” Sean said. “Kids take a year off and travel the world a bit before getting serious with university or a job. They go to London and wait tables or whatever. I went abroad, met some interesting people, and stayed longer to go to Uni in Europe. I wasn’t sure when I’d be back. But last year I knew it was time to come home.”

Luca jumped in, “He’s heading up an exciting project out in the canyon. It’ll be easier if I show it to you, rather than try to explain. Let’s just say it will change the way kiwis use energy. Actually, I was going over it with your dad about a few days ago.”

“Wow, that’s quite a tease. I’d love to see what you’re talking about,” Ally admitted. “Sean’s project sounds very mysterious. You’ll trust your secret with me?”

“Sure,” Luca said. They both watched Sean stand and move to the front of the plane and enter the cockpit. “It’s going to become public knowledge soon anyway. I never did an OE since I get to travel quite a bit by with the rugby team. I use my celebrity status when I can to get the Cook’s View Station name out there in hopes of opening some doors.” Luca glanced at his watch and then out the window. “Do you like wine?” Luca asked suddenly.

“Of course, why?”

“If you look out your window, you’ll see we have left behind the North Island, crossed Cook Strait, and are above the South Island where most of the New Zealand wines are made. We have a little boutique vineyard that just started producing wonderful sauvignon blanc. We’ve just started exporting to the States. I could include that in your tour if you like.”

Ally felt her face warm, contemplating his suggestion.

Luca chuckled and continued, “I’ll admit that I’m a bit more of a beer man myself, but even I think the stuff’s damn good.”

“That sounds nice, but I really can’t think of anything like that right now. I can’t think of this as a vacation, Luca. Maybe once I see Dad, I’ll relax a bit more. Thank you for the offer.”
Oh, that offer sounds more than nice.

After finishing her sandwich, Ally started to feel drained and in need of a shower. She leaned back and ran her hand through her hair. She noticed Luca watching her intently.

“Cal’s a lucky man to have a daughter who would fly around the world at a drop of a hat to be by his side,” he said gently.

“Well, I shouldn’t get all the accolades. My sister would be here too if she wasn’t out camper vanning somewhere with God knows who. I’m sure she’ll be here as soon as she gets my hundred or so messages.”

He smiled. “Cal’s a great guy. Can’t fish or play rugby worth a darn, but he’s a class act.”

“Yeah, that’s Dad,” she said quietly, suddenly feeling the weight of the past two days piling on top of her.

Luca must have sensed she was winding down. He opened a cabinet above her head, producing a pillow and blanket. Coming back around to her seat, he placed them on the open couch.

“We have another hour before landing in Queenstown. You might want to try and close your eyes for a bit.”

She moved over to the coach and didn’t realize how grateful she was until her head hit the pillow.

“My cousin Gabi is meeting us in Queenstown, you’ll like her.”

Ally yawned and stretched out.

Luca shook his head and walked up toward the cockpit. When he came back, he was glad to see Ally was fast asleep. Sue must have given her decaf.

Chapter 7

A cool breeze washed over Ally’s face. Feeling relaxed, she slowly pried her lids open. She was jolted fully awake when she realized where she was. She saw that the airplane door was open next to her, and Luca was sitting on the other couch reading a sports magazine. She sat up and Luca glanced over at her.

“When did we land?” she asked, stretching out her legs. She pulled off the blanket and folded it, laying it neatly next to her. She prayed she hadn’t been drooling.

“Half an hour ago,” he said, closing his magazine and setting it aside.

She looked around the empty cabin. “Is everyone gone?”

“Almost. Gabi is outside on the phone.”

She stood, stretched, and straightened her hair and clothes. What a difference a cat nap made. “How long was I asleep?”

“Couple hours. You were practically snoring, so we didn’t want to wake you.”

Her eyes popped open. “I was snoring?”

“Luca, be good for a change, will ya?” said a female voice coming from the doorway. “I thought I heard voices in here. Hey, Ally. I’m cousin Gabi.”

She couldn’t help but smile back at the perky, petite blonde woman with a long French braid who was reaching out to embrace her.

“Wish we weren’t meeting like this, but it’s great to meet you anyway. The way your dad talks about you, I feel like we’re old friends.”

Gabi wore jeans, flip-flops, and a red T-shirt that said “I Survived the River Rage”. She struck Ally as someone who might have been a gymnast in school. She thought back to what Saren had said about being treated like a long-lost relative. She’d been spot-on.

“I’m sure Ally has had enough of airplanes for a while. Let’s get out of here so you ladies can get on your way, shall we?” Luca said, standing up. He grabbed Gabi, pushing her out of the plane’s doorway, sending her into giggles as she made her way down the steps.

That was the second time he pushed someone on the steps. Ally thought,
Note to self:
Beware of Luca on stairs
. They seemed more like siblings, she noticed. She picked up her backpack and followed them out of the plane and into the small hangar.

There were two cars outside. Gabi was waiting beside her red Jeep. Ally noticed a sign on the vehicle that read RIVER RAGE. She walked over and surveyed the Jeep but didn’t see her suitcase anywhere. She was about to ask where it was when she noticed Luca heaving it into the back of his black Land Rover.

“Luca, I can take my bags to the hotel. You really don’t need to bother with that anymore,” Ally offered.

Luca slammed the back door shut and walked over to the Jeep. “Sorry, but that’s not in the plan. Since you’re our guest at the farm while you’re here, I’m taking your stuff to my parents’ house. Gabi will drive you out to our place when you’re done at the hospital.”

Gabi leaned against her Jeep, arms folded. Ally detected a smirk.

“Look,” she began. “I’m very grateful for the time, effort, and expense everyone has made here on our behalf. However, I can take it from here.” Why was Luca wearing that same smirk as his cousin? “I’ll make my hotel arrangements once I’ve seen Dad.” Ally wondered if the Tetaris were used to everyone taking their marching orders without question.

“We’re all sure you’re more than capable, Ally, but these orders came from a higher authority, and I…we,” he said, looking over at Gabi, “don’t have the ability to change the plan.” He crossed his arms, expressing that the conversation was over because that was just how things were done.

She looked over to Gabi, who shrugged her shoulders.

“Whose orders?”

“His mum’s,” Gabi offered. “She figured you had enough on your mind without worrying about where your bed would be tonight. Why don’t we head over to the hospital, and you can meet her. Just so you know, Aunt Simone’s Italian,” she warned. “She’ll feel insulted if you don’t stay at her home and let her feed you.”

Ally considered this and realized Gabi had a point. Italian or not, it would be rude to refuse. “Okay.” Maybe she had overreacted about the suitcase. She just wasn’t used to having people taking care of everything. She held out her hand like an olive branch. “Luca, thank you again for everything you did today. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.”

“Yes, you will,” Luca said, holding her hand. “Dinner at my parents’. Tonight.”

Oh, that was right. Dinner. She pulled her hand away as it started to sweat again. She nodded and turned back to the Jeep. When she climbed into her seat, she quickly realized that she had gotten in the wrong side of the car. She forgot they drove on the opposite side of the road in the opposite side of the car. She got out and in again, trying not to look directly at either one of them, knowing they were both watching her.

Luca walked over to give Gabi a kiss good-bye on the cheek and then whispered something before stepping away to his truck. He climbed in and pulled out of the hangar, giving the girls a wave as he headed down the road.

* * * *

Several miles from the airport, Luca turned onto the dirt road leading up the mountain. He settled into his seat, reflecting on a day that wasn’t as big a chore as he had anticipated. They all had to get up at the crack of bloody dawn to meet Cal’s daughter, without causing a scene with fans wanting pictures and autographs. He’d assumed Ally would be put off by a scene. Having met her now, he knew he had made the right decision, even if she didn’t like the special treatment off the 747. He usually could put up with all the attention as fans meant well; plus it was good publicity for his rugby team and the family business. There were times like today, though, when being such a public figure got in the way.

Surprisingly, Ally Edwards had him intrigued. She was obviously attractive. After all, he was a man. But there was something else. In their short time together, he deduced that she was intelligent, devoted to her family, overly polite, and treated him like a casual business associate. But he’d seen her blush while they were talking. He never took psychology, but that seemed like an invitation to him. She wouldn’t be in the country for long, he reasoned. Luca decided that he’d have to move on that invitation soon, even tonight. He punched the gas pedal down and accelerated up the dusty, mountain road.

* * * *

Gabi headed her jeep toward the hospital in Queenstown. Ally looked out her window and knew if she was here for any other reason, she would consider herself to be a very lucky girl. Here she was, in New Zealand, windows down, and enjoying the pure summer air. Not to mention the little ride down here in the private plane of a smoking hot international rugby star.

She realized she’d just acted like an idiot in front of Luca and Gabi. “I should apologize for the way I acted at the airport. I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m feeling like Alice in Wonderland at the moment. One minute I’m happily having beers in Iowa, the next I’m in New Zealand with my dad in the hospital.”

Gabi glanced quickly over to Ally, offering an empathetic look. “No worries. What you’ve been through the last couple of days is very stressful. Most of us can’t imagine. I hope those boys told you that your dad is doing better and in stable condition.”

“Luca did, thank you.”

Ally leaned back in the leather seat and blew out a breath. “It’s hard not to be impressed.”

“Yeah? With what?” Gabi waved to the driver of a passing tourist bus.

“V.I.P. treatment at airports, private planes, you know, the usual stuff.”

Gabi glanced across the seat. “There’s always some drama following Luca around.”

“Really?” Although, she wouldn’t be surprised. How many people could have pulled off that stunt at the airport?

Gabi nodded. “That’s a cool plane, though, right? You missed the landing coming in since you were sleeping, but it can be a nail-biter. The pilots need to skim just over the mountain tops and then drop right in to the airport. It gets really hairy when there’s fog.” Gabi snapped her fingers. “You know what I just thought of, speaking of the plane?”

She shook her head and was discovering that being with Gabi was lifting her spirits.

“Luca met you at the Auckland airport, right?”

Ally nodded.

“I should warn you that you could have your picture in the paper tomorrow with a headline linking the two of you together. You might be his mysterious, hot new girlfriend!” Gabi exclaimed, reaching over to slap Ally’s leg.

Gabi seemed very proud of her deduction. It had the opposite effect on Ally. “You’ve got to be kidding!” She didn’t know which part of that bothered her more: being in the national newspaper or Luca having to explain to people that she wasn’t his girlfriend.