by Morey, Trish
She was becoming too involved with the man. He’d made it clear he was not interested in any relationship—short or long-term—and she’d do best to remember that.
Yet when she remembered the fun they’d had playing in the water, the drugging kisses that had her clamoring for more, it was hard to believe. Didn’t actions speak louder than words? His actions showed he liked her. She wanted to spend more time with him. It was the first time since Alexander’s death she’d had such an interest in anyone. Khalid was special. She felt stirred up every time they were together. When apart, she longed to see him again. Even if he never did more than talk about his work, she relished the moments together.
Frowning, she sat back in her chair and gazed toward the sea. She had a small glimpse of it from this place on her veranda. Normally it soothed. Today, however, she was more worried than before. She could not be falling for the man. She could list a dozen reasons why that would be such a bad idea—starting with she could get her heart broken.
Yet, testing her feelings as she might test a toothache, she had to admit there were a lot of similarities to falling in love. She wanted to be with him. Felt alive in his presence. Knew he was very special. Yet she didn’t believe he was perfect. He could be short-tempered at times. And his idea that no one would ever find him attractive because of the scar was dumb. Sure, it was disfiguring, but he was more than a swatch of skin on the right side of his face and neck.
When he spoke to her, she felt like she was the only person in the world. The flare of attraction wasn’t dying down. His kisses spiked her senses like nothing else had. And his protective view was intriguing. Her own family didn’t feel that obligation, yet he’d stepped in without being asked to try to thwart her brother’s goal.
She leaned back in the chair, trying to relax. She should just go along with things—pretend to be engaged and see what happened. Only it was hard to play that part when half the couple had vanished.
Perhaps vanished was a bit strong, she argued. He had not come to the beach last night nor stopped by today. He had no need to. Except she wanted him to.
She jumped up and cleared her dishes. After rinsing them off, she changed into a cool sundress, brushed her hair and headed for the main house.
Jalilah answered the door to her ring.
“Madame Ponti,” she said politely.
“Is His Excellency in?” Ella asked.
“No. He has flown to Egypt.”
“Egypt?” Ella hadn’t expected that. “When will he be home?”
“I cannot say. He took a large suitcase, so I suspect a few days at least.”
Ella thanked the maid and turned to return home. Walking slowly through the garden, she wondered why he hadn’t told her. She almost went back to see if he had responded to a fire. That would cause every moment to be precious as he packed and left and he might not think to let his fake fiancée know of his plans. But the maid had said he had a large suitcase and might be gone awhile. No sense of urgency in her tone. Had he just left?
Ella debated calling Bethanne to ask if she knew what Khalid was doing, but decided she would not.
Still at the front of the main house, Ella turned when a car drove down the driveway. She recognized her brother even before he got out of the vehicle.
“Ella,” he said.
“Antonio. What are you doing here?”
“I came to speak to Khalid al Harum. I’ve spoken with father and he entrusts me to handle things. Are you visiting, as well?”
“What things?” Did he not know she lived on the estate? If not, she didn’t plan to tell him. She was more interested in what her father wanted Antonio to handle.
“Marriage settlements,” Antonio said after a moment’s hesitation.
“Dowery?” she asked, walking closer to her brother.
He looked uncomfortable. “Not exactly.”
“Exactly what? I’ve moved away from home. I was married several years to another man. I can’t imagine why there would be any talk of settlements unless you plan to see if Khalid would give something to get out of the mess Giacomo caused. Which I absolutely forbid.”
“Forbid? You can’t do that—it’s between me and your future husband.”
“If you even speak to him about that, I’ll refuse to marry him,” she said recklessly. She would not put Khalid in such a situation. She was embarrassed to even think of her family asking the man for money. It would be bad enough if they were madly in love and truly engaged. But this was humiliating. She would not let Antonio do it.
He studied her for a moment. “If you don’t marry him, you can come home and marry someone else.”
“I may never marry again,” she said, stepping up to her brother and tapping his chest with her forefinger. “But I sure will never marry someone I don’t love. Giacomo got himself into this mess, let him get himself out of it. I am not a pawn to be used like in feudal days. I can’t believe even our father would consider such a thing.”
“Your family needs you,” Antonio said, capturing her hand and pushing it away. “The sheikh has more money than anyone we know. He wouldn’t miss a few thousand euros. Let him help us.”
“No! I mean it, if you talk to him about this, I’ll vanish and it’ll be years before you find me next time.”
Her brother stared at her for a long moment. “We need help, Ella,” he said softly. “Where else can we go? We cannot make it known in Italy or the business will suffer. If we don’t get an infusion of cash soon, it will come out. A company in dire straits loses business which could help it get out of trouble. Then take-overs are bandied about. The business has been in our family for generations, for centuries. Would you see all that gone?”
“No, of course not. Look for other ways. Mother’s jewelry—”
“Most already copied in paste and the originals sold.”
That surprised Ella. Things were worse than she envisioned.
“Is Giacomo still gambling?” Ella asked, horrified at the lengths her family had already gone. She felt herself softening to them. They had practically excommunicated her when she married Alexander. But they were still her family. The problem seemed larger than she’d realized from what Antonio said.
“No. But the fallout is lasting.”
“Go home, Antonio. If I can, I’ll send some money.” It was too bad her trust fund was not available until she turned thirty. Maybe she could borrow against that. Or she could see about selling some of her artwork. Madame al Harum had thought it had merit. Would others?
He looked at the house.
“Khalid is not home. He had a business trip to Egypt. I don’t know when he’ll be back.”
Antonio nodded. “Very well, then. Come visit, Ella. Your mother misses you.”
“One day.” It was hard to overlook the obstacles her parents had thrown in her way when she had married Alexander. But she knew her husband never wanted her to be parted from her family. He would not want her holding on to wrongs of the past.
She watched Antonio drive away and began to walk back to the cottage. Alexander would not have wanted her to be a widow all her life, either. He had loved life, loved her and would always want the best for her. Including another husband who could bring her happiness.
Wistfully, she wished Khalid had the same thoughts.
It was amazing the absence of one slightly standoffish man made. As the days went by, Ella gradually resumed her former routine. Working during the day, long walks after dark. Always alone. Only her enjoyment of being alone had been disturbed. She missed Khalid. Which only went to reinforce her belief she had to get on with her life and not grow attached to him.
The bright spot in the week was a visit by Bethanne. She was driving a new car Rashid had just bought for her and wanted to take Ella for a spin.
“It’s no fun to have a brand-new convertible and have no one to share it with,” she said as the two began driving away from the estate.
“And Rashid doesn’t want to go?”
&nbs
p; “He has one of his own. I’m sure he’s not as enchanted with the convertible as I am. Isn’t it great?” She drove to the coast highway and flew along the sea. Ella glanced at the speedometer once and then quickly looked away. Obviously the pilot in Bethanne had no qualms about flying low. Instead of worrying, Ella relaxed and enjoyed the ride. The blue of the Persian Gulf was on their right. The road was straight and smooth. The wind through her hair made her feel carefree and happy. With sudden insight, she realized she was happy. In this day, in this moment. Worries were gone. Plans and projects on hold. Nothing held her back. She could enjoy this time and not feel sad or guilty.
It had taken a long time, but she knew she was ready to embrace life again. To find all it had to offer and enjoy every speck of the journey—even the heartbreaks and hardships.
“You’re quiet,” Bethanne said with a smile. “What are you thinking?”
Ella told her and Bethanne nodded. “I know the feeling. But I have an excuse. I’m in love. The colors in the sea seem brighter because Rashid’s in my life. The flowers more delicate and lovely, especially when I’m in the garden with him. But I bet coming out of grieving is like falling in love with life again. I’m so sorry for your loss, but time does heal wounds. I was so devastated when I learned my dad was really dead. I grieved both before and after I found out. Then I realized he had loved life. He had done exactly as he had wanted throughout and had no regrets at the end. That’s what I want.”
“No regrets?”
“No regrets and feeling I lived life to the fullest. Which means even more than I expected before I met Rashid. He’s so fabulous.”
Ella laughed. “So says a woman in love.”
“I know, and I’m so proud of him I could burst, and happy he loves me as much.” She flicked Ella a glance. “How is Khalid these days?”
She gazed at the sea. “I wouldn’t know. He’s on a business trip.”
“Still in Egypt?” Bethanne asked.
Ella nodded. “I have no idea when he’ll be back.”
“I’ll ask Rashid if you like.”
She hesitated. She didn’t want to make demands or have him think she had any expectations. But she did want to know how he was, what he was doing, when she’d get to see him again. Ella almost groaned. She had it bad.
“Please.” Khalid need never know she’d asked after him. When he returned, she’d play it cool, not going for walks, not expecting him to spend time with her. But for now—she wanted any information she could get.
Trying to change the subject, Ella asked about how much flying Bethanne was doing these days and the subject of Khalid was dropped.
That evening Ella was summoned to the main house by the maid for a phone call. It was Bethanne.
“Rashid said Khalid is still in Egypt. He called him to see when he was coming home. Turns out he’s thinking about visiting some of the oil fields in the interior of Quishari before coming home. Stalling do you think?”
“Why would he?” Ella said, her heart dropping at the news he would be gone even longer.
“I could fly you inland, if you like,” Bethanne said.
Ella blinked.
“You know, you could get some great ideas from seeing some of the nomadic people and the colors they use in weaving cloth. And there is an austere beauty of the desert that I find enchanting at all times of the day, from cool sunrise to the spectacular sunsets.”
“It’s tempting.”
“I’ll ask my darling fiancé if we can go tomorrow. That way, when Khalid shows up, you’ll already be there.”
Ella wanted to protest, but she closed her mouth before the words would spill out. She longed to be with him again. Here was a chance to see him in the kind of environments he worked. Not in fire suppression, but as a consultant to oil fields. She’d never seen an oil pump and had only the vaguest idea of how everything worked from discovery to gasoline in her car. It would be educational.
She laughed at her foolishness. She was going to see Khalid! “You’re on. And tell Rashid thank you very much!”
The next morning Bethanne picked Ella up and drove them to the airport in her new car.
The gleaming jet sat in solitary splendor in a private section of the airport. Service personnel scrambled around, making sure the jet was ready to fly. Ella watched with fascination as Bethanne changed her personality into a competent pilot, double-checking all aspects of the plane before being satisfied. She invited Ella into the cockpit, and talked as she went through the preflight routine. In only moments they were airborne. Ella leaned forward to better see the landscape below them. The crowded developed land near the sea gradually grew less and less populated until they were flying over desert sand. In the distance, toward the west, she saw hills, valleys and mountains. The flight didn’t take long, and went even faster fascinated as she was by the sights below.
She knew Bethanne had been half joking when talking about getting new ideas, but Ella already had a bunch of them crowding in her mind. She had brought her sketchbook, but it was in her bag. Her fingers itched to get down the ideas. She would love to capture the feeling of the burning sand, the starkness of the open land. The contrast with the sea and distant mountains.
“Nice, huh?” Bethanne said.
“Beautiful. It’s so lush where I’m from in Italy. And I’ve lived in Alkaahdar since arriving. I had no idea the desert could be beautiful.”
“It’s not to all. But I love it. Rashid tells me if I wish, he will build us a villa by an oasis surrounded by endless desert. I’m still too new at everything in Quishari to wish to change a thing. But the thought tantalizes.”
“I think I should like that, as well. As long as there was enough water at the oasis.”
They circled the town of Quraim Wadi Samil on the edge of an oil field and then Bethanne landed.
Ella watched the pumps on the field with their steady rise and fall as they made their approach. She regretted losing them from view as they landed.
“That’s where Khalid will be tomorrow,” Bethanne said. “Rashid arranged for someone to pick us up and drive us to the hotel. Once I know Khalid’s arrived, I’ll return home.”
“Stranding me here?” Ella said. She hadn’t expected that.
“Hey, he’s good for helping a damsel in distress.”
Ella laughed, growing nervous. What if he was more annoyed than anxious to help? And she wasn’t exactly stranded. She’d be able to take a bus back to the capital city, or even one of the daily commercial planes.
Bethanne arranged for them to go to the hotel that Khalid would use when he arrived. She and Ella checked in and agreed to meet for lunch, then take a short tour of the town.
By dinnertime, they’d both showered, changed and were sitting in the lobby.
Bethanne watched the double doors to the street while Ella sat with her back to them.
“He just walked in,” Bethanne said, smiling. She looked at Ella. “Go say hi and ask him to join us for dinner. We’ll want to hear all about Egypt.”
Ella rose and turned, her heart kicking up a notch when she saw him. He wore a dark suit and white shirt with blue and silver tie. He looked fantastic. She took a breath and crossed the lobby, her eyes never leaving him. She saw when he turned slightly and saw her. For a moment she thought she saw welcome in his eyes. Then he closed down.
“Ella, is everything all right?” he asked, crossing the short distance to meet her.
“Everything is fine. Did you have a good trip to Egypt?”
Khalid’s eyes narrowed slightly, then he looked beyond her and saw Bethanne. She raised one hand in a short wave and grinned.
Khalid looked back at Ella. He hadn’t expected to see her. One reason he’d decided to stop off at Quraim Wadi Samil was to delay returning home. But she was standing right in front of him, her eyes dark and mysterious, shadowed with a hint of uncertainty. He clenched his fists at his sides to keep from reaching out and pulling her into a hug that he might not ever let go.
“We wondered if you’d like to join us for dinner,” she said quickly. “Tell us about your trip.”
“You didn’t come all this way to have dinner and hear about my trip,” he said.
“Actually I’m getting new ideas for more glass pieces. You should see the sketches I’ve done since I’ve arrived. I’m hoping to go to the oil fields tomorrow.” She stopped abruptly.
“With whom?” he asked, feeling a flare of jealousy that someone would show her around.
“You?” she said.
Khalid relaxed a fraction. His voluntary exile for the last week hadn’t done anything to kill his desire for this woman. Now she was right here.
“I don’t usually eat dinner in restaurants,” he said slowly.
She nodded. “I know, eating alone is awkward in public places. But you’ll have me and Bethanne so it’ll be fun.”
Fun? The stares of the other customers? The whispers that ran rampant as speculation abounded?
“I’m glad to see you again,” she was saying. “I’ve missed you at night when I walk along the beach.” Her eyes were shining with more happiness than he’d ever seen before. For another smile, he’d face the horror of others at the restaurant. He’d make sure he was seated by a wall, with the damaged side of his face away from other diners.
“I need to check in, then it will be my pleasure to escort two such lovely ladies to dinner.”
She reached out and touched his arm, pulling her hand back quickly as if unsure of a welcome.
“We’ll be waiting.” With another smile, she turned and walked back to Bethanne.
Dinner did not prove to be the ordeal Khalid had expected. As if in one agreement, the seating went as he wanted. With fewer people having to see the scar, they were more ignored than he normally experienced. For the first time in years, he enjoyed dining out. The food was excellent. The conversation lively. The more he grew to know Bethanne, the more he understood his brother’s love for the woman. Yet his eyes kept turning to Ella. She was feminine and sweet. He detected a difference but couldn’t put his finger on it. Was she more confident? Had the sadness diminished around her eyes?
