Not knowing quite how to break the icy atmosphere, he said, "You decided to come after all, then."
There was a confrontational set to her mouth that made him suddenly wary. He might have known he wasn't going to get off lightly.
"Before we go, I have something to say," she declared, hands on hips, for all the world like an extremely cross schoolteacher. He pitied her classes when she was in this frame of mind.
"I know who you are," she told him. "What you do for a living, I mean. I searched for you on the Internet."
He raised an enquiring eyebrow, but she carried on, unintimidated.
"I have no idea whether your stay here is connected with business or not, since you haven't chosen to share that with me. That leads me to assume you wish to be treated the same as any other guest, so let me make myself perfectly clear. The three weeks I spend out here is a favour for friends—unpaid. I see it as my duty to be pleasant with the guests and help with any reasonable requests, but that's as far as it goes. I will not be bullied into doing anything I don't want to do. Is that understood?"
She stared him down like he imagined she would an errant pupil. Daniel felt like one. He never liked to lose the higher ground, but he also knew when he'd behaved badly enough to warrant an apology. Besides, they had a whole day ahead of them, and it would be a long one if they couldn't keep the peace.
"I think it's safe to say you've made yourself clear," he said. "And I'm sorry if it came across that way. I was . . . disappointed when you backed out." He sighed. "It gets pretty wearing, doing this sort of thing on my own all the time. Your change of heart was unexpected, but I certainly didn't mean to bully you."
With the wind taken out of her sails, Laura shrugged. "I suppose I shall have to accept your apology or we'll never get to that boat on time!"
On the drive into town, Daniel couldn't help but wonder why she'd changed her mind. She'd been adamant about not coming on the trip yesterday, yet here she was. His inner cynic told him it was more than coincidence that she'd found out who he was and what his business in Portugal might be, then suddenly decided to come along after all.
He risked a glance at her. She was staring intently out of the passenger window, her shoulders stiff and her face set, and Daniel decided his inner cynic could shut up. He'd become a pretty good judge of character over the years, and he reckoned the woman sitting next to him was as straight as they came. Even if her change of mind did have something to do with her discovery, it didn't mean she was mercenary—only that she might want to keep communications smooth while her friend Paulo was away. That made her loyal and professional, not dishonest.
They arrived in Viana do Castelo without incident and joined the other passengers at the boat. Of the two men helping them on board, Laura introduced herself and Daniel to a cheerful young man he assumed to be Carlos, and they chose a seat at the back while the crew made ready to leave. When they were finally heading out into the middle of the river, she closed her eyes and tilted her face to the sun.
Daniel watched the cool breeze tease strands of hair from her customary ponytail. "You know, I think I prefer your hair loose," he said, a long tanned finger brushing a stray strand from her forehead.
Her eyes shot open. "Well, that's a pity for you, then, because I prefer it up," she said stiffly. "It's more practical that way."
Despite her hostile glare—or perhaps because of it—Daniel laughed. "Don't you ever do anything that isn't practical, Laura?"
She shook her head. "No, not if I can help it. I like to know what I'm letting myself in for."
"Is that why you looked me up on the Internet?" he asked quietly.
She squirmed under his direct gaze. "You didn't seem like the average tourist, and you deliberately avoided any mention of what you do for a living. I was curious."
Daniel shrugged sheepishly. "I didn't do the incognito bit very well, did I?" He put on an exaggerated defeated expression and was pleased when it made her lips twitch a little.
"Wearing a business suit in the middle of the day was hardly a subtle attempt at casual attire," she pointed out.
"I didn't anticipate bumping into you—or your insect friend. I'm usually quite good at the stealthy stuff, but I didn't expect to be put in a room right next to the woman who runs the show." He shrugged. "Guess I must be losing my touch."
Laura hesitated, as though deciding what to say. "It said on your Web site that you're hoping to expand into Portugal next year?"
Since his cover was blown anyway, and only too pleased they were having a normal conversation instead of an argument, Daniel nodded.
"At the moment we cover France and Spain, but Portugal is our next target. I've already sorted things out down in Lisbon and along the Lisbon coast, but I think the Costa Verde would suit our clients, too. They come to us to find them somewhere different, unique. I'd like to offer an authentic taste of northern Portugal."
"And have you found it?"
"So far I've been concentrating on the practicalities—flights, car-hire companies, hotels in and around Viana do Castelo. I need to spend time in other places
