“You are correct. I will admit to being baffled by them. It seems effortless for you to get along with them.”
“Training, practice and a genuine liking for them makes it easy,” Melissa said, wondering how far she could go in expounding the need for more involvement with Alaya, Hamid and Nadia. “The best time to bond would be now when they are so lost from the death of their parents. And I do understand other commitments. Most of the parents for whom I watch their children are very busy. But the entire reason for having children is for family, don’t you think?”
“These children are not mine.”
“They are your family. You are talking about getting married and having a family, so this is your practice run.” Melissa almost held her breath at her boldness. Would he get angry?
“I had a tutor when I was young, before I went to school in England,” Surim said slowly.
“But you must have family memories. Special days spent with your mother and father. Holidays spent together. Birthdays.”
He shook his head. “My father was too busy dealing with the various factions in the country. It was a difficult time in our history. My mother was sickly and didn’t spend much time with me. They died together, returning from a visit to the Red Sea.”
“You spent time with Mara. That was family.” Maybe the man had no idea of how a proper family was to behave. The thought astonished her. Yet, if he’d had a lonely childhood, not been around children since, he probably didn’t have a clue. For a moment, she felt sorry for the powerful man seated near her. Her own childhood had been happy and she had wonderful memories of the many things she and her mother had done together. How deplorable of his family to not insure every child had similar memories.
“Indeed. And in her memory, I am doing what I can for her children.”
Melissa put her saucer back on the tray and rose. “Thank you for sharing the tea. I’m going to bed now.”
He rose instantly. “I’ll walk up with you. It is growing late and I have an early appointment in the morning.”
They walked up the stairs and Surim escorted her to her bedroom door.
“Good night,” she said.
“I regret I cannot fulfill your expectations as guardian for these children,” he said.
“Of course you can. If you wish to.”
“You believe that?”
“Absolutely. In no time, you’ll wonder how you ever had a life before kids.” She grinned at him.
“Sounds like a double-edged sword,” he said, studying her expression.
Melissa laughed. “It can be. Let us know which evening we can all have dinner together. And any time you can spare to spend with them will help.”
He leaned a bit closer and Melissa caught her breath. Was he going to kiss her?
“Good night, Melissa,” Surim said and covered her lips with his.
For a split second she didn’t move, then she stepped closer, reveling in the touch of his mouth against hers. When his arms enveloped her she slid her own around his powerful form, clinging as the embrace filled her with sensual delight. She had never felt so feminine and powerful as when kissing Surim.
His tongue brushed against her lips and she opened to him, letting him deepen the kiss. Conscious thought fled, right and wrong and danger disappeared. There was only this moment and this man.
A moment later he was gone, walking down the hall without a backward look.
Melissa stared after him long after he entered his bedroom and closed the door.
CHAPTER SIX
THE next afternoon Melissa sat down with the construction company’s papers while Alaya read her book and Hamid and Nadia napped. The changes were minor, but she knew Max would want to be kept current on everything. It didn’t take long to complete the translations. When she was finished, she headed downstairs to find someone to send them back to Surim’s office for facsimile transmission to England. She felt better about leaving Max, knowing she was able to continue helping from Qu’ Arim.
When the children were awake, she took them to the garden to play. She loved the beach, but wanted to make sure they had a variety of activities.
They had just finished dinner when the servant Melissa was getting used to seeing appeared in the nursery. He spoke rapidly to Annis, then turned to Melissa and spoke in French. “There is a telephone call for you. Please come with me.”
“I’ll be right back,” she told the children and rose.
He led her to the study where a phone receiver was lying on the desk. Melissa picked it up, wondering if Max had a question on her translations.
“This is Melissa,” she said.
“Hi, honey, how are you?” It was her mother.
“Mum, why are you calling? Is everything all right?”
“Fine here, dear. But I have some bad news for you. The McDonalds called here a few minutes ago to cancel your contract. They’re sending you extra money as a severance fee and hope you’ll understand. Apparently their current nanny’s plans for marriage fell through and she wants to remain with the children. And this after you gave up your job in Switzerland. What will you do?”
Melissa sat down in the chair. She’d been counting on that job.
Surim’s words echoed in her mind—he’d offered her a position of some sort. She wasn’t clear on what he expected.
She no longer had the Boston assignment; she could take one with him—if she dared. She couldn’t imagine working with Surim, getting closer to him as they integrated the children into his household. Especially when he married and brought a suitable wife into the mix.
Maybe she could stay for just a little longer. She was already quite fond of the children. It would be easier for them to make the transition to the family with a familiar face. She spoke their language, though they had all started Arabic lessons this week.
“I might have the chance to remain here,” she said slowly. This was something that would definitely take some thinking about. Right now she was a guest; if she went to work for Surim, her status would change instantly.
“A job? Or to continue the visit?”
“A job. I’ll have to consider it. So I won’t be home soon.”
“Max and Robert were talking last night at dinner about the new restaurant in Qu’ Arim. We’re planning to fly out for the opening. I would love that. Do you think you’d work for the restaurant?”
“I’m not sure. But I do plan to come see the resort when it’s completed. The setting is beautiful, and I expect the entire resort will be first class plus. Max is making sure the restaurant is perfect and it can only enhance their reputation,” said Melissa. “Anyway, that’s enough about the restaurant. How are things going?”
She and her mother chatted for another few minutes before hanging up. She sat in the chair feeling torn. She had liked the McDonalds and their children. Had looked forward to caring for an infant as well.
If only she could segregate her feelings for her new boss, she might just have the chance of a place here.
The next few days went by without Melissa or the children seeing Surim. Annis related that he had asked after the children one night after they had gone to bed.
Fortunately for the household, Hamid’s nightmares seemed a thing of the past. The little boy played hard all day, then slept soundly. Alaya was blossoming and wasn’t sad as often as she’d been at first. Melissa hoped they were starting to feel as if they belonged.
Between Melissa and Annis, the children were prompted for good manners and encouraged in proper etiquette at each meal. Annis was also teaching them all basic words in Arabic. Sometimes they tried to hold a conversation, but no one knew enough words to make complete sentences. Hamid learned quickly. Nadia didn’t even try. Alaya complained, but her accent was the best.
After breakfast on Thursday, Melissa received a summons to the study.
She entered a few moments later. Surim glanced up from a paper he was reading. “That was fast.” He rose and indicated a chair.
“We just finished breakfast. You could have joined us.”
“I shall make a note of that. This afternoon I plan to take the children to see Tante Tazil, their grandmother. I wish you to accompany us.”
“That would be great. I know they would love to see her.” She hadn’t seen him since his kiss the other evening. She longed to ask what he’d been doing. Or even why he’d kissed her. Involuntarily, her gaze was drawn to his lips.
“That remains to be seen. She is quite depressed. I do hope seeing them will cheer her up, not bring unhappy memories. I heard their laughter the other evening. They are changing.”
“You need to—”
“Spend more time with them,” he finished for her. “I know. I am arranging my schedule to accommodate that. But some things can’t be changed. Are you settling in all right?”
“Yes, thank you.”
He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. “I hear you had a phone call the other afternoon.”
“Yes, from my mother.”
“She is well, I trust.”
Melissa smiled. “Of course. And looking forward to the opening of the Bella Lucia here in Qu’ Arim. Robert has promised they will attend the event.”
“I look forward to meeting her. Was there anything else?”
“Like?” she asked warily. He knew her job had been canceled; she’d bet a bundle on it.
“Like have you given more thought to my offer of a permanent job here?”
“In light of my other one being canceled, do you mean?” she asked. Max, he had to have told Surim.
“I heard that. I am surprised you didn’t tell me sooner.”
“I’m still debating if I wish to take advantage of your offer.”
“I would raise the salary higher.”
“I don’t need it higher than the going rate,” she said. Was that the way all businessmen thought? Throw more money at a situation to solve a problem?
“Shall we discuss concessions again?” he asked.
She looked at him sharply. Was he teasing? His face looked grave, but she suspected a lurking amusement in his eyes.
“Such as?”
“I have no idea. You had a list when I asked you to stay initially.”
“And you are not fulfilling your part. What part of spending time with those children do you not get? A few hours one afternoon isn’t enough to last all week.”
“Dinner tonight.”
“What?”
“We’ll all have dinner tonight.” She saw a glint of amusement in his eyes. “That will add to my score card.”
Melissa frowned. “This isn’t a game.”
His dark eyes lost their amused expression. “No, I realize that. Shall we leave around one?”
“You realize Nadia usually naps at that time. Forgoing that could make her cranky.”
“Ah. What would be a better time?”
“Three.”
“Then I’ll see you at three.”
Melissa rose and headed for the door.
“And I hope to have your answer at that time, as well,” he said.
She paused. “Exactly what would be my duties?” she asked.
He looked thoughtful for a moment. “About what they are now?”
“Hardly worth paying me for,” she replied. “I think I had better return home soon. But I’ll stay a little longer.”
“The offer stands,” he said, once again picking up the paper and scanning the report.
Surim didn’t look up as Melissa left. He had been surprised when Max had mentioned on the phone yesterday that Melissa’s job in the United States had been canceled. She had said nothing to him. Did she not wish to continue being with the children? Now that she was settling in, he could see the difference she made. Annis still gave a lot of the daily care, and he would not let her go. But the children blossomed with Melissa.
And he found her conversation refreshing. He placed the paper on the desk and leaned back, remembering her list of demands when he had first enlisted her help. He could just imagine an additional list if she stayed full-time.
What would it be like to have her give him a report each day on how the children progressed? She’d have her own unique slant on things. She reminded him of some of the girls he’d known when he’d lived in the UK. Bold, outspoken, confident in their own self-worth. Most of the younger women of his country were shy and quiet and never voiced an opinion until they knew what was expected. Then it mostly mirrored his own.
Not that he wanted anyone to argue with him, but sometimes it was refreshing that she had no agenda. She said what she thought. Would that change if she became dependent on him for her livelihood? He hoped not.
For a moment he thought about the other evening. He’d have to hold onto his emotions and not give way to impulse as he had with that kiss. It would be totally unsuitable in an employer-employee relationship.
He needed her. He hadn’t a clue how to relate to those children. The three weeks in his care prior to Melissa’s arrival proved that.
His thoughts turned to his need for a wife. Would he find a suitable bride soon? If so, within a year he could have his own son or daughter to raise. It was hard to picture, but he knew for the stability of his small country he needed to proceed and with haste. He was already in his late thirties. He hoped to live a long life, and not die before his son was an adult and trained to take over the reins of government.
For a moment Surim remembered his resentment and anger when his father had died. He had still been in school, had planned to study medicine. His father’s brother could have assumed the leadership position, had he not been killed in one of the armed skirmishes two months prior to Surim’s father’s death.
Instead, Surim had been summoned home and plunged into politics with a vengeance. For years he’d had private tutors to educate him to college levels; all the while he’d been learning how to rule a fractious country. His ministers had helped, good strong men his father had chosen.
Surim gazed out the window, lost in thought. Some days he still wished he had become a doctor. There was a great need for medically trained people in the world, and he wanted to make a difference.
He had, but in a totally different manner than he’d dreamed of as a boy.
Ah, well, the dreams of childhood were not necessarily meant to be fulfilled. He turned back to the endless paperwork and began to review an updated report from the construction firm building the resort. This project was important. Not only to forge new ties with European countries, but to bring another source of cash to their economy. He didn’t want Qu’ Arim to be a one-industry nation. He had until three o’clock to get through some of the work that waited. Then he could take time with Melissa without guilt. He looked forward to it.
Melissa made sure the children were ready prior to three. It was a bit tight with Nadia waking only a few moments before the hour. Still, all were washed, brushed and in clean clothes at the appointed hour.
They went down the stairs, Hamid chattering a mile a minute. Such a difference from when she’d first arrived.
Melissa wore one of the suits she’d brought for her business dealings. She hoped the boxes of clothes her mother had sent would arrive soon.
The four of them arrived in the foyer just as Surim came from his office. He looked wonderful in his dark suit and pristine white shirt. Melissa had to force her attention back to Alaya as she jumped up and down with excitement. She’d much rather just eat Surim up with her eyes!
“Are we really going to see Grandmama? I haven’t seen her since the funeral; she was wearing all black and crying. I was crying, too, because I wanted my mummy and daddy. But now we’re here. It will be fun, won’t it?” she asked anxiously.
“She misses your mother, as you all do,” Melissa said gently, brushing back the hair flying around with the child’s jumping and feeling a little surprised Alaya had attended the funeral. “She’ll be happy to see you. And you’ll have happier memories after today. I know seeing he
r upset at the funeral must have upset you. Children need adults to be strong. But your mum was her only daughter and she was sad. Today she’ll be happier for seeing you and your brother and sister.” Melissa remembered Surim had mentioned the woman was suffering deep depression at the loss of her only child. She hoped the children’s visit brought her spirits up.
“She’s not going to die, is she?” Hamid asked.
Surim paused and looked at Melissa.
“Not any time soon. So tell me what you plan to say to your grandmother,” Melissa said.
The three children recited, ‘Hello, Grandmother,’ in Arabic.
“Well done,” Surim said. He looked at Melissa. “And you?”
“I’m happy to make your acquaintance,” she said in perfect Arabic.
“I’m impressed.”
“Annis is teaching us,” Melissa said, pleased at his compliment.
The drive was short, lasting less than ten minutes. The house was impressive, with ornate plaster around the windows and handsomely carved doors.
Surim had called and talked with Tante Tazil that morning. She had still sounded as if the act of talking were more than she could do, but had said she’d be happy to see the children. He hoped the visit helped all of them, and didn’t cause any problems with the children.
They were ushered into a sunroom. The sky was cloudless and the room was filled with sunshine, flowering plants and light furnishings.
Melissa held Nadia’s hand, and the other two children crowded around her, warily watching the older woman as they approached where she sat in one of the chairs.
She seemed older than Melissa had expected. Yet maybe the death of her daughter had aged her.
Surim beckoned them closer, clearly introducing Melissa. She spoke her phrase in Arabic and the older woman looked surprised. She replied rapidly and Melissa was totally lost.
Surim said something and the woman nodded, switching to French. “I thank you for taking care of my grandchildren. I am unable to manage at this time.”
“They are delightful.” Melissa urged them closer and murmured in their ears.
The Nanny and the Sheikh Page 9
