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“She is dehydrated.” Talib paused for a heartbeat before he added, “She is also experiencing severe stomach cramping.”
For the first time, Kamal’s voice audibly shook so anyone could hear. “The baby?”
“I really can’t say, but that is a possibility.”
“Put her on the phone.”
“I will see if she is able to talk. Hold on.” Talib entered the tent to see Erin sitting propped up and sipping from a bottle of water while tears coursed down her cheeks.
Squatting down next to her as Brock moved back, he handed her a rag before saying, “The sheikh would like to speak to you.”
Erin eagerly nodded. Taking the phone, she tried to place it to her ear but couldn’t seem to hold it. Talib set it on her knee and switched it to speaker. “Kamal?”
“Habibti,it is so good to hear your voice. I thought I had lost you.”
“Never! I knew you would send someone to come get me.” Erin wiped at her tears, but they just kept coming.
“Talib tells me you are not feeling well?”
“Kam, what if…?”
“We will not consider it until you have seen the doctor. Whatever happens, know that you are my heart.”
Kamal began talking to her in soothing tones, telling her how worried he was and whispering words of endearment. Erin’s eyes closed, relaxing probably for the first time in almost twenty-four hours.
Talib watched Erin’s eyes close, and when her body went lax and the phone slipped from her knees, he retrieved it, taking it off speaker. “Your Majesty, she has drifted off to sleep. Brock, the American medic, is giving me a thumbs-up sign. I assume that sleep is one of the best medicines for her right now.”
Kamal let out a breath of relief. “Bring her home, Talib.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I hear the helicopter approaching now.” He disconnected the call and looked up to see PJ standing in the corner of the small tent watching him.
“You really care for them both, don’t you?”
Talib nodded. “They are both easy to care about.”
PJ smiled at him softly. Looking out the tent door, she turned back, saying, “The helo’s here. They’re bringing in the basket now.”
Talib nodded and then gently shook Erin awake. She opened her eyes, disoriented, but once Talib explained what was happening, she allowed him to help her board the helicopter, refusing to be strapped down in the basket and carried like an invalid. Talib asked her about the cramping and was pleased when she informed him quietly that her cramps seemed to have eased.
Maybe she won’t lose the baby after all! That would be something worth celebrating!
Talib climbed aboard the helicopter, telling PJ that he would send someone back to retrieve the camel and supplies. The Americans assured him they would take care of getting everything ready to go—including the body of the kidnapper.
He pulled PJ to the side, knowing he only had a few seconds to spare. “I have to go with Miss Malone and report to the sheikh.”
“I know. It’s your job. It’s perfectly fine.” PJ gave him a smile.
Talib placed a gentle hand beneath her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I will be waiting for you when you arrive back at the palace.” He watched her eyes open as his meaning sank in and then dipped his head, stealing a too-quick kiss. Looking at the helicopter, he told her, “I have to go.”
PJ nodded and backed away as Talib climbed aboard. He was pleased to still see her standing there watching him, an arm shielding her face from the flying sand, as they lifted off.
17
PJ
Still reeling from the tenderness of Talib’s kiss and the promise of what awaited her once she returned to the palace, PJ watched the helo take off, startling when Slade spoke next to her.
“Talib’s a great guy.”
