Can't Say No by Sherryl Woods

name out of it.”
    â€œAre you trying to egg me on? Do you actually care whether I win this race?”
    â€œNot for myself,” she said blithely, leaning back staring up at the inside of the huge balloon. She didn’t dare look him in the eyes. “I just want to get back on the ground.”
    He grinned at her and nodded. “I see. Very clever.” He paused, then asked, “Are you sure you’re not just the least bit concerned about my feelings?”
    â€œDon’t go getting any ideas, Marshall. I’ll admit I thought it was important to you, but obviously that’s not the case.” She allowed the charge to hang in the air, then prodded quietly, “What about John Harley and this Jenkins, though? Don’t you owe it to them to at least try?”
    â€œWhy are you so worried about them? You don’t even know Harley and Jenkins.”
    â€œThat doesn’t mean I don’t have a sense of honor. From what I gathered, John Harley has done a lot for you. He seems to think you’re pretty special. And you said Jenkins put up part of the money for your entry. Of course, if that doesn’t matter to you...”
    â€œIt matters,” he muttered, studying her curiously, as though not quite sure what to make of her change in attitude. “I don’t know, though. It’s probably too late.”
    â€œSo you’re a quitter, too?” She shrugged. “Of course, you won’t know that it’s too late until you’ve given it your best shot. I don’t want you blaming me later for breaking your winning streak.”
    His gaze roved over her thoughtfully, then he grinned and jumped to his feet. The look of the adventurer was back and something in Audrey thrilled to that look. “Okay, lady,” he said finally. “Let’s go for it.”
    Audrey moved to his side, gazing around at the other balloons in the vicinity, and watched with a sense of awe as they fell back one by one. For the first time all day, she was truly caught up in the excitement. She hardly noticed that they’d climbed higher than ever before or that the land below was passing by at a faster and faster clip. With Blake next to her, she felt astonishingly safe.
    Perhaps it was because he’d brought them through that potential crisis without a scratch. More likely it was simply because she was coming to trust him. He’d kept his word all day. he hadn’t pushed her beyond what she’d been willing to accept, though she knew the restraint had cost him, just as it had cost her.
    â€œBlake!” John’s voice crackled over the radio again. “Where are you headed? I’m losing sight of you.”
    â€œI’m going over the ridge to check out the currents over there. Don’t worry about it. I’ll maintain radio contact.”
    â€œDon’t do it.”
    â€œI have to. It may be the only way I’ll ever catch up to Hammond.”
    â€œCome on, man. It’s not worth it. You know what the roads are like. If anything happens over there, we won’t be able to get to you. We’ll have to come in on foot or call out one of the helicopters.”
    â€œNothing is going to happen,” he said, draping an arm around Audrey’s shoulders. “I’ve got my good luck charm with me.” To her amazement, she accepted the reassurance as fact. John’s fears didn’t faze her. If anything, they only added to an astonishing sense of giddiness, an exciting edge of anticipation.
    She was actually taking a daredevil’s risk and enjoying it. She’d probably come unglued later when she realized what she’d done, but right now, she only wanted Blake to have his chance at winning and she was thrilled at the prospect of being by his side when it happened.
    â€œJohn, give me a reading on Hammond’s location,” Blake said patiently. He understood the man’s hesitation, but he was determined to