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“What? Of course you can. Ocalla is no longer in the running.”
“I have a new opponent. One who is perfect for the job. Honest, loves Tabiq. And understands the people better than I ever have,” he said.
This was getting me upset. “Jasper, I know who you are. There is no one better to lead Tabiq than you. Why would you even suggest that there is?”
He was a fighter for the people. Had he lost his fire? Is that what my lies had done to him? Was it the final straw in a pile of others from many people?
“Alysa, trust me, I know because I hand-picked this person,” he said.
“You chose your opponent?” Nothing made sense. I must have missed a lot these past two weeks.
“Yes. And for the record, the Hendersons agree with my choice,” he stated proudly.
“Great. But now you said you might lose,” I stated.
“I know I will,” he said.
Not that I knew a lot of people in Tabiq, but I wanted to know where the hell he found someone a better fit than he was. “Who is this mysterious man?” Because once I get out of surgery, I am going to do all the research I can on the guy and chop him down to size. There was no way he could compare to the man sitting beside me.
“Woman,” he said.
“Excuse me?”
“It’s a woman. My sister Reesa, to be exact. She is more than qualified, and no one understands what Tabiq has been through more than she does. Think about how she can relate to the women of the country. A woman president in a country that had once suffered from the evils of human trafficking,” he said.
“Reesa? She’s running for president?” I was shocked. And overjoyed. What I didn’t know was why no one had told me. I had spoken to Burke, and to Ziva. Neither had said a word. And I had seen Logan every day, even flew over on the Henderson jet together and still nothing. Guess I can’t complain about people keeping secrets from me. Not after what I did.
“Jasper, I agree, she is a wonderful fit, but I thought you wanted to be president of Tabiq. What changed?” I asked.
He reached over and covered my hand with his. “I met you.”
“So you mean I ruined all your dreams?” I asked.
“No. You just changed them.”
“I don’t understand. You were so sure of what you wanted,” I stated.
“That is because all I thought of was Tabiq. Nothing more. When you came into my life, you opened my eyes and filled my heart. I still love my country, but I love you more,” he said.
My heart skipped a few beats, and whatever Logan had given me to relax was gone. He still loves me.
“Jasper, please, don’t tell me that if you’re going to walk out that door. I’d rather spend my life confined to this bed than ever go through that again. My heart can’t take it,” I said pleading with him.
No longer was I the tough Marine. Not when it came to loving Jasper. With him, I’m all woman, and totally in love.
He pulled himself up out of the chair and leaned over the bedrail. Looking directly into my eyes he said, “I love you, Alysa LaHouse. I’m going to be sitting right here in this chair when you come back from surgery. And I’m going to stay by your side the entire time you go through rehab.”
“And after that? When I can walk again? What then?” I asked.
“Then you show me this beautiful country of yours. Because if this country has you, there must be many wonderful things to see.”
“You’re staying here in the States? I thought Tabiq was your home.” I thought you hated Americans.
“Yes. That is, if you don’t mind letting me stay with you until I find a place,” he said.
“You’re looking for a place to live in the States?” I asked.
He grinned. “No. So you might be stuck with me long-term.”
