Page 71 of Her Tempting Protector

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She watched as the tiny family gathered around in Shada’s curtained off recovery area. Leila and Aamira sat on chairs next to their mother’s bed, both of them kicking their little legs as they ate chocolate that Cullen had procured for them. Shada’s Great-Uncle Pashat from Egypt, held Farida, and Shada had Adam cuddled up beside her. It was darn near the first time Carys had seen that baby out of Cullen’s arms in the last twenty-four hours.

She looked over at Cullen. His expression was hard to read. Funny, since she had thought that he would be satisfied, maybe even happy, over this turn of events. He looked up and caught her eye. Had he felt her looking at him? He gave her a slow smile. She felt her insides heating up. He moved away from the curtain that separated Shada’s bed from the others in the ward and came over to her and slid his arm around her waist. It felt right. She wasn’t dressed as a doctor—today she was in her travel clothes since she was going to be flying home.

“Doctor Adams,” Shada’s voice was hoarse. “Will we ever see you again?”

She didn’t know how to answer. She hadn’t been expecting the question, and she should have. She was definitely out of practice.

“Shada, Doctor Adams is going to start practicing medicine in America. It is possible she might not return to Africa. It is both our hopes that you will send us letters when you settle in Egypt. I will provide you with my information so that you can reach her.”

“And you, sir. We want to write to you too,” Shada smiled shyly. “You saved my son.” Her voice broke.

“He gave us candy, Mama.” Leila chimed in. “I will draw him pictures of our new home. Can you send us candy when we live with our Uncle?”

The old man beamed at Leila. “I will have much good food for you to eat, my girl.”

“I can send you treats from America,” Cullen smiled. “If everyone approves.”

How come Carys had a feeling Cullen sent more than a few care packages around the world? This man was not who she had originally thought he was. He was so much more.

Carys bit her lip when she thought again about how special he was, and what he really deserved out of life.

Aamira got down off her chair and came up to Carys. “Are you going to stay until my Mama is all better?”

Once again, Carys found herself at a loss for words.

Cullen crouched down so he could talk eye-to-eye to the pretty little girl. “Honey, your Mama is going to be out of here in no time. Doctor Adams did a wonderful job making sure of that. Now she has to go home.” He winked at the girl and she giggled.

Carys appreciated him talking for her. Normally that kind of thing was not the case, but she was still reeling from the deaths of all her associates. Then there was the fact that her good friend Joyce had been killed while under custody of the Rapid Support Forces. All of it just made her want to leave Khartoum as soon as possible. It was all too much.

Shada held out her hand. “Doctor?”

Carys walked over and took the woman’s hand. “Yes?”

“I will always remember you. I will tell my son many stories of you. Thank you for saving both of us. I wish that you will always walk under a thousand stars and know the kiss of the sun for your kindness is unequaled in all the universe.”

Carys felt sandpaper scrape the backs of her eyes. “You astound me, Shada,” she gulped. “Hold your children close. I hope that I do see you again one day.” She squeezed the young mother’s hand, then waved to the girls, and let Cullen lead her out of the hospital ward.

* * *

Cullen got to the airport in time to see her in the big holding area with the other evacuees. His last swing through the city looking for other Americans to evacuate had cost him valuable time to get to her.

She had her backpack hanging from one shoulder. She’d arrived with more, but in the mass confusion of the uprising, she’d lost her things. As she said to him, a hell of a lot more than things had been lost. Cullen sighed, remembering she’d said heck.

This take-no-prisoners woman looked lost as she stood with other evacuees at the Khartoum airport. He wanted to tell her not to go, to stay with him. But hell, he was here for probably another week on clean-up duty, then he was on his way home. How could she stay? She couldn’t. All civilians were supposed to leave as soon as they were located.

Hell, he wanted her out of the country where it was safe. But damn, he wanted her beside him.

“Carys?” His voice was a whisper, but she heard him.

She looked up at him, her green eyes bewildered. She’d been like that since yesterday. Shellshocked.

Goddammit, she needed him. If not him, somebody.

“Honey, where are you going when you get home?” He asked her as she tried to get close to the barrier that separated them.

“I left my things in storage in Eugene, Oregon.”