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“This is not how I planned our evening to go.”
Laurel gave him a wry smile. “I have to admit it has been an unusual one.”
“I will leave now so that I can return as soon as possible. I will only drive until I get phone reception.”
She nodded, but looked a little unsure. Still, she said, “I’ll be fine here.”
He cupped her cheek. “You are a special person, Laurel. I would assist in your OR anytime.”
She smiled. “Thanks. You weren’t half-bad yourself.”
Tariq returned the smile then headed toward the door, stopping just long enough to speak to the man.
* * *
Laurel had no idea how long Tariq had been gone. The old man had brought her a chair. After she had cleaned up, she sat beside Melina. The woman’s temperature remained elevated and she had become restless. Laurel continued to take her vitals every fifteen minutes. The woman should be at the hospital, receiving IV antibiotics.
Today’s adventure was just another one in the long line of reasons why she didn’t belong in Zentar. Doing primitive surgery in a hovel of a house when she didn’t speak the language was out of her comfort zone—along with living in a palace and wearing an ancient wedding dress, and the list seemed to go on. They were all reminders that this was a temporary stop on her way back to America. All she needed was for funding to come through.
The man said something and left at dusk. Laurel assumed he’d gone to see about the animals. It had turned dark and the candles were burning low by the time he returned. Still there was no Tariq.
Out of the silence came the sound of something whirling. The old man opened the door and looked out into the blackness. She joined him.
A bright light shone on the field on the other side of the trees. The noise grew and wind blew the branches. It was a helicopter. Laurel stepped out into the yard, watching as the dark machine hovered above the ground then settled.
This she hadn’t expected. She’d been listening for a vehicle. How like Tariq to show up in the most dramatic fashion. But he’d come, as he had promised. Something that she learned about him was that he could be trusted to do as he said he would. That was the type of man she wanted in her life. Even if it was only for a little while.
Seconds later a figure came running toward her. It was Tariq. She knew his figure well.
“Laurel.” He took her into a brief hug. Everything about him was warm, steady and reassuring. “How are things here?”
“Melina is still unconscious. Her vitals have been good, but she’s in pain. It seems like forever since you left.”
With his arm around her waist he led her toward the house. “I hurried as fast as I could. It occurred to me about halfway to the car that this place is so remote that a helicopter was the most efficient way to get here.”
“Do you have one of those also?”
He grinned. “No, but I know someone who does. A couple of emergency staff are behind me with a stretcher. We will get Melina on the chopper and airlifted to the hospital. I also have somebody en route to drive her husband to the city.”
Tariq spoke quickly to the old man and they entered the house. The paramedics with a stretcher in hand came in right behind them. She and Tariq stood out of the way as they worked. Soon they were carrying Melina toward the helicopter.
Tariq spoke to the husband again and they shook hands. All Laurel could do was give him her best reassuring smile. Tariq took her hand. She picked up his bag and they left. It wasn’t until then that Laurel registered that the plan was for her to ride in the helicopter as well. She balked, jerking Tariq to a stop.
“What is wrong? Did you forget something?” Concern laced his words.
Laurel shook her head. “I can’t get on a helicopter! I’ll wait and ride down with the man.”
Tariq took her by the shoulders. “Yes, you can. I will be there with you. I will not let anything happen to you.” He gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “This I promise.”
She studied him for a moment. Tariq had not let her down yet. She could trust him.
At her nod, he hurried her into the field. Tariq took his bag and stowed it before helping her into the helicopter. She took a seat in the middle, not wanting to sit beside a window or the door. Tariq moved past her and settled in the seat next to the window. He buckled her in and then himself. Melina was secured in the area behind them with the two men attending her.
“I know this is only your second flight but it is more efficient for Melina.”
“I know. But that doesn’t mean I like it.”
He gave her a reassuring smile. His arm came around her shoulders, pulling her against his firm side. He took her hand as the helicopter’s blades began to turn.
Tariq spoke directly into her ear. “Habibti, I think you are very brave. I was proud of you this evening. You are very special to me.”
If Tariq’s intent was to take her mind off what was happening, it worked. In a daze of pleasure, Laurel squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face in Tariq’s chest. They shifted to one side and then the other before the helicopter rose and moved off into the darkness. The steady thump-thump of Tariq’s heart eased her fear. Laurel clung to him like the life support he was.
Thankfully the ride was a short one. The helicopter descended and finally rocked to a stop. They had only been on the ground a few seconds before Melina was unloaded and in the hands of waiting medical staff.
Tariq unbuckled and then helped Laurel. After he climbed out, he offered her his hand. They were on a helicopter pad outside what she assumed was the hospital. Tariq put a hand on her head and ducked his as they quickly moved out from under the still-rotating blades. He then led her inside the three-story building and down a long hall.
“We need to go to Emergency to give a report.” Laurel worked to keep up with Tariq’s long strides.
“We are on our way. I also want to tell them to expect Melina’s husband. He is fearful and suspicious.”
In the emergency department they both gave an account to the attending doctor of what they had done, and he appeared both surprised and pleased to see Tariq. Laurel informed the doctor of Melina’s last vitals. Tariq then explained that the husband would be coming in and to see he had anything he needed.
He was not only generous where his family was concerned but his countrymen were as well. Why had she ever believe he was closed off emotionally?
They checked on Melina one last time. She was resting comfortably. Tariq directed Laurel toward the exit. “Nasser is waiting outside. I thought you would prefer not to ride home by helicopter.” There was a teasing note in Tariq’s voice.
She yawned. “You know me so well. I’m not sure you could convince me to get back into it.”
He took her hand and kissed the back of it.
Warmth flowed through her. “Did the old man ever realize who you are?”
“I don’t know.”
Laurel watched as they approached the lit-up palace. Zentar was a wondrous place. She had gone from little more than a hovel to a castle in less than an hour. “What do you think he’s going to think when he learns it was you?”
“He will be grateful that two doctors were driving by and his wife is alive.”
Nasser pulled into the courtyard and they were soon inside
the palace.
As they walked Tariq said, “You were great today. I am glad you were there with me.”
“I’m sure you could’ve taken care of Melina without me.”
“Maybe I could have, but it was nice to have your excellent skills as well.” They stopped at her door. “You must be exhausted.” He kissed her on the forehead. “Rest well, habibti. You have earned it.”
Laurel watched Tariq walk to the door across the hall and open it. Her breath caught. She’d been that close to him all this time. How was she supposed to sleep knowing he was so near?
CHAPTER EIGHT
ON MONDAY MORNING Tariq expected to see Laurel in the dining room. He waited half an hour at breakfast before he asked one of the staff if he had seen her.
“I believe she ordered something sent to her room a number of hours ago, Your Highness.”
“Thank you.” Tariq stood with the intention of checking on her.
Less than a minute later he knocked on her bedroom door. There was no answer. Tariq knocked again and there was still no response. Where was she? The lab. He phoned Nasser. “Did you take Princess Laurel to the clinic this morning?”
“Yes, sir. Is there a problem?”
“No. Pick me up in five minutes.”
“Yes, sir.”
Fifteen minutes later Tariq reached Laurel’s lab. There she was with her back to the door, filling a test tube. Tariq pushed the buzzer. She looked around and raised a hand.
Using the intercom, she said, “I’ll be out in a minute.”
He watched her remove her protective clothing. What he would not give to remove all her clothing. The taste he’d had of how beautiful her body was had haunted him the last two nights. He’d had big plans for the evening after their day together. They had been due to dine in the tower of the palace where the lights of the city could be seen. Then he had hoped that it might lead to her bedroom or his.
Instead, they had spent it attending to Melina. He did not regret that, was even glad they had been there, but his desire for Laurel had moved into an obsession. This morning’s drive to see her was a fine example. He should be in his office.
