Hearts Racing (17 page)

Chapter 27

Plumes of red, white, and green smoke trailed behind the Mexican fighter jets as they drew a gigantic flag in the sky over the city. The sound was deafening and thrilling, like the jets were riding a wave of thunder. Faith felt like a kid, looking into the blue sky and saying “Wow!”

Lemond, Michael, and Buck all looked up at the sky, of which the rooftop deck provided a great view.

The sun warmed her face as they waited for the parade. If she leaned toward the railing, a few of the Miami riders could be picked out below on the street, slapping each other on the back and jostling for position along the parade route. Now and then, she thought she heard faint a “Vamonos!” float up.

Michael sipped a beer. In typical Michael style, those had been his first words upon his official release. Not hello. Not thank you. Not Viva Mexico, but “I want a beer.” Maybe he was just too full of emotions to process his ordeal any other way. Faith didn’t care. He was out. They were here, back in New Lyon or Atlanta or whatever it was going to be called next, on a sun-warmed deck, waiting for a parade to pass by.

“Wow?” Buck asked. “After all we’ve been through, that’s what you say? Wow?”

Faith made a motion to elbow him in the ribs, but remembered in time that he had a broken one. He put his hands out to defend himself, though, saying “Ribs! Ribs! Ribs!” anyway.

“Watch your mouth then,” she said, a smile make its way onto her face. She couldn’t help smiling at him.

“Jesus, would you stop smiling at one another?” Michael said. “It’s gross.”

“Hey, at least this is only now getting on your nerves,” LeMond said. “I’ve been watching these two giggle at each other like high schoolers for weeks.”

“Oh you have not,” Faith said.

“Yeah, we are the very picture of discretion,” Buck said.

“Blegh. I’m trying to enjoy my freedom here. You two can be all lovey on your own time,” Michael said.

Oh, we will, Faith thought. She slipped a hand under the table and squeezed Buck’s thigh, and he put an arm around her shoulders. She put her face against him, her nose grazing his neck, and gave him a good sniff, filling her lungs with his intoxicating smell.

“Oh, we will,” Buck said with a grin.

“Agh! Gross! Sister!” Michael protested, and they all laughed, the sounds of their enjoyment mingling with the cheers and applause as the parade drew near. The band ended a song, and a quiet fell, but seconds later they began another. Faith recognized the tune: La Cucaracha.

The horns and laughs washed over her, and maybe the beers did, too. But there was something else. Feeling Buck’s arm around her shoulders and the sun on her face made her feel lucky, hopeful for the future. The tension and terror of the last few months was all gone.

Her pulse quickened with thoughts of where it all might lead her. The feeling was delicious, so she savored it. She just sat there, smiling at her brother, smiling at Buck, enjoying the parade and her freedom, as she felt her heart racing.