Everything inside Kayla groaned. In an effort to save herself, she said, “I’m attending the launch for the Hidden Secrets fragrance line tomorrow-”

“I’ve reassigned that to Caroline,” Nelson interjected, naming Kayla’s senior publicist. “She can handle your calendar until you return.”

“Caroline-or someone else on my staff-can just as easily make this trip to woo Thornton.”

Nelson shook his head. “You’re missing the point. This trip isn’t about wooing or schmoozing. It’s about gathering information-discreetly. I want to know why he’s going to Peru, of all places.”

Kayla’s curiosity was piqued in spite of herself. “You think it has something to do with his formula? That maybe there’s a secret ingredient in some plant found only in South America?”

“Maybe. If the man merely wanted a vacation, why not just go to the Caribbean or Hawaii or even Europe? Why Peru?”

“You have a point-it is a bit off the beaten track.”

“That’s what I thought. Especially since it’s obvious he’s gone to great pains to keep this trip secret.”

“How did you find out about it?”

Nelson treated her to a razor-sharp smile. “I’m not at liberty to say. Suffice it to know that my source is impeccable.”

“And how do you know that Lancôme and Estée Lauder and all our other competitors aren’t sending spies to Peru, as well?”

“I don’t, but I’d lay odds that no one else knows about Thornton’s plans. It was just by a stroke of freakish luck that I found out about them. Worst-casescenario is that the competition will be there, too, in which case, I’d need you there to run interference and represent our interests. But my gut tells me that won’t be the case and that this is the perfect opportunity for us to learn more. Not just about the formula and its properties, but the man himself. All without him realizing it’s being done, especially by someone connected to La Fleur. Which is one reason why Caroline is out-she’s met Thornton.”

“What about April or Ted?” she asked, naming two more of her staff.

“No. Ted met Thornton last week. You’re the best, and the best is what’s required for this trip.”

Part of her was flattered at Nelson’s recognition of her job skills. But another part-the part that had lately grumbled with discontent over some of the things she’d done to be the best-was less than pleased. “Thank you, but April is very competent and she’s never met Thornton.”

“She has back problems.”

Kayla frowned. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“The trip would be too vigorous for her.”

“Vigorous?” Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. “What sort of trip is this? Some kind of rafting expedition down the anaconda-filled Amazon?”

Nelson looked insulted. “Of course not. I know you don’t like snakes.”

“Amen to that.”

“Besides, you’d need yellow fever shots for the Amazon.”

She blinked. “It scares me that you even know that.”

“Not to worry. This trip is perfectly safe and doesn’t involve the Amazon at all. I know what a girly girl you are.”

“Uh-huh. And this seems like a good time to remind you that there’s nothing wrong with that. This is a cosmetics company after all-not Extreme Sports-R-Us.”

Nelson smiled. “Not to worry-”

“The fact that that’s the second time you’ve said that in the last ten seconds is not reassuring. Exactly what sort of trip is this?”

“You want the good news or the bad news first?”

“Oh, God.” She squeezed her eyes shut for several seconds, took a bracing breath, then said, “Good news. I definitely could use some good news.”

“The good news is that the hotel where you’re scheduled to stay in Aguas Calientes is incredible. Breathtaking views, gourmet food, five-star treatment all the way.”

“And the bad news?”

“It’s a four-day hike to Aguas Calientes.”

A deafening silence filled the room. When Kayla finally found her voice, she said, “Hike?”

“Hike. Aguas Calientes is the town nearest to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas in the Andes mountains. You’ll enjoy a four-day hike along the famous Inca trail to the ruins, which are reputed to be spectacular. Then, at the end of the journey, you’ll be pampered at the Sanctuary Lodge which is the height of luxury.”

“You sound like a travel agent.”

“Just trying to focus on the positives. And it’s not as grueling as it sounds.”

“That’s a relief, because I must tell you, a four-hour hike sounds grueling. A four-day hike sounds…insane.”

“You’ll have a guide and porters who carry the tents and cooking gear.”

“Tents and cooking gear are the positives?” She shook her head. “Limos and facials and sun-drenched tropical beaches are positives.”

“You’ll be fine. I recall you once mentioning you were a Girl Scout.”

“Yes. When I was ten. Nowadays, I’m afraid my idea of roughing it is staying at a Holiday Inn instead of a Hyatt.”

“You have a gym membership. You can handle this.”

“I’m not worried about my ability to hike up the mountain. But neither yoga, spinning nor Pilates prepare one for sleeping in the wild outdoors. In tents.”

“Think of this as an opportunity to do something new for a change. To step outside the box.”

Nelson’s words halted her, and she immediately recalled the article she’d read yesterday. No Change, No Gain. According to the article, if she always did what she’d always done, she’d always be where she’d always been. To get her life back in balance, she needed to challenge herself. Step outside her box. Go somewhere she’d never been, and do something she’d never done.

No doubt about it, a four-day, tent-sleeping, gear-lugging, outdoor-roughing-it hike in the Andes qualified for waaay outside her box. She’d been thinking more along the lines of a spa trip to St. Bart’s for a seaweed wrap-something she’d never done in a place she’d never been.

But even she had to admit that such pampering wouldn’t qualify as “challenging.” Was it fate that had Nelson scheduling her for this trip? Let’s hope so, her inner voice whispered. Right. As opposed to it being a bone-breaking, nightmarish, hikers-eaten-by-giant-snakes coincidence. Which probably just proved that this trip was fate. A mighty, between-the-shoulder-blades shove outside her comfort zone. One that, based on her St. Bart’s spa idea, she sure as hell wouldn’t have planned on her own. And one that was exactly what she needed.

In fact, if Dr. Brett Thornton wasn’t in the mix, everything would be perfect. Or at least as perfect as a four-day hike up a mountain could be.

The timing, however, was not great. With Meg’s wedding only a month away, her sister was bound to freak when she heard Kayla would be away for a week. Kayla took her maid-of-honor duties seriously, and she hated to leave Meg now-especially since her future in-laws were arriving this weekend from California. But unless she wanted to resign from her job here and now, she had little choice.

“Listen, Kayla, I know this is a bit outside your realm,” Nelson’s voice jerked her away from her thoughts, “but surely if Thornton, who no doubt spends all his time peering through microscopes, can make the hike, so can you.”

“So far you’ve flattered me, appealed to my vanity, and now you’re trying to rev up my competitive spirit.”

Nelson smiled. “Is it working?”

She wanted to say no. Tell him that she was tired. Physically, emotionally exhausted. And so damn weary of doing things she didn’t really want to do. Like trek to another continent to partake in what boiled down to spying on a man she had no desire to spend one minute with, let alone one week with. That between work and her crappy personal life, she was completely out of balance. But clearly Nelson wasn’t going to take no for an answer, and Thornton’s miracle product was too much of a temptation to ignore. As was the opportunity to exact some spy-filled revenge on the arrogant scientist. Yes, a bit of payback for the way he’d treated her staff and embarrassed her was exactly what he deserved.

She smiled. “Put me in, coach.”

“That’s the spirit. You’re booked to spend a day in Cusco, the city where you’ll overnight before departing on your hike to Machu Picchu. Maybe you can even strike up a conversation with Thornton during that time. According to our travel agency, your hotel is less than a quarter mile away from Thornton’s. All the information is on your itinerary.” A satisfied smile curved his lips. “The time with Thornton should give you ample opportunity to befriend him and find out what his plans are for the formula. And to make certain that La Fleur is in those plans.”

Nelson rose, indicating their meeting was concluded. “I’m out of the office for the rest of day,” he said, leading the way into the hallway, then turning toward the elevators. “I’ll want updates on your progress, although I don’t know what the cell-phone service will be like.”

Nervous jitters tingled down her spine at the thought of dead air space. Maybe this was stepping too far outside her box. But then she shook off her apprehension and mentally chanted her new mantra: No change, no gain.

They reached the bank of elevators and Nelson pushed the down button. “Bring home the goods here, Kayla, and the La Fleur world will be your oyster. We’re talking bonus, perks, another promotion.”

Only a few short months ago, she’d have been thrilled by those words. Now, for reasons she didn’t quite understand but that undoubtedly had to do with her life being out of balance, she felt a strong urge to tell Nelson that as far as she was concerned, oysters were nothing but icky bits of slime. Instead she smiled. “You can count on me.”

“I knew I could.” The elevator doors slid open and he stepped inside. “Oh, and be sure to pack some warm clothes. It’s hot during the day, but I understand it can get pretty chilly on the trail at night.”