With Love, from Cappadocia ❤️

Chapter 11 - Head in the Clouds

Bea

"I hate you. I don't even know you, but I hate you." Bea squeezed her eyes closed as the instructor droned on about safety protocols, the loud sound of the burners filling the balloons and excited passengers surrounded her.

Peter chuckled beside her. "You seemed to enjoy the tour through the caves. Now that was dark and oppressive. Plus too many distracting people. This at least is open. They said these things are fairly safe. And you get to see something most don't ever get to experience."

"Uh, nope. I could YouTube it, or look on Instagram. I'm sure plenty of people have posted something about this. You really weren't that fond of our 'tour buddy', were you?"

"I'd like him better if he hadn't steered us away from the group and got us lost." Peter mumbled a few extra words, that suspiciously sounded like 'hands off'.

"I tripped. He was trying to help. I'm pretty sure he didn't mean to grab there. Better to be lost in history, and on the safe ground. This is death in a basket."

Peter put a hand on Bea's shoulder. "Firstly, he's an idiot. Secondly, you don't have to do this. I mean we did pay quite a lot for it. But, no one is making you, or telling you to do this. This choice is all yours."

Bea looked up at Peter. The fading sun lit up his face, highlighting his concern. She reached up and gave Peter a quick hug. His arms wrapped about Bea. His woody and slight citrusy scent settled her nerves.

Bea straightened, and grabbed Peter's hand. "Okay, onward to our doom."

Bea shook as she waited for Peter to get in the basket after he had helped her in. The heat from the burner and chill in the air felt strange. Bea jumped as she felt a thud behind her.

"Hey, it's alright. No doom or gloom yet. Come here." Peter tucked Bea into his side, the sounds of the other passengers started to settle as the basket lifted off the ground.

Bea held onto Peter and the closest railing as the balloon slowly began it's journey up.

Okay...not too bad. It's like floating. Better than that ride at the fair. Except it's a lot higher. At least I'm not alone.

The sun continued its nightly transformation. Orange shone brightly as the sun dipped low behind hills and mountain peaks. The balloon rose higher into an ever shifting sky. Orange melted into a soft cream, which faded into blue. The sky filled with balloons.

Each balloon moved so slowly, they looked as if they were frozen. A sense of calm settled over Bea.

"It's beautiful. Thank you for doing this with me."

"No need to thank me. I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be."

Bea's eyes locked with Peter's. Her breath hitched, as Peter brought his face closer to hers.

Is he going to...?

Peter pulled her closer-

Flash! Flash!

Peter squinted and covered his face from the flashing cameras.

Dang it!

Bea turned quickly, face red. "The selfies have begun."

"Well, we might not have this opportunity again. Want to take one with me?"

"Um, okay. Be careful. Don't want to drop that. Insurance probably doesn't cover hot air balloons."

Peter and Bea turned with their backs to the sky, and leaned close. "Smile." Peter held out his phone and took the picture. He held it out to her. "Here, why don't you send it to yourself?"

Bea deftly sent the photo, then handed the phone back.

For the next hour, as the sun disappeared, Bea and Peter stayed close. The occasional picture taken of the amazing scenery below, the only break in their calming journey.

Like two lonely travelers from another world, they watched the world go by.

A/N: couldn't resist sharing some of these amazing pictures:

Photo credit: Unsplash