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“It’s not you. It’s our...history. Never easy to talk about, or think about.”
I reached across the table and took her hand in mine. “Meri, I’m always here to listen, but I understand if it is too painful to discuss.”
She looked me in the eye for what seemed like an eternity. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking. Was my holding her hand bothering her? I went to release it, but she started to hold mine in return.
This was nice. I could sit here all evening staring into her glorious brown eyes. I could forget everything. Where we were, why we were there, and that I was leaving in a week. This was nice. We didn’t need to talk or eat at all. But she decided to tell me.
“Women didn’t want anyone to know they were having a baby in case it was a girl. It meant the family had to live in fear that one day once their daughter turned eighteen, she might be taken away from them and sold to the highest bidder. So as a nurse, there was also an oath of secrecy,” she explained.
“That was a horrible way to live. But I thought those days were over,” I said, going by what Bennett and Reesa had told me.
“They are, or should I say, we hope they are. With Mombo back, it could open old wounds. I know it has for me. I barely slept at all after leaving your room last night.”
I wished it was because she couldn’t stop thinking about me, but I knew that wasn’t the case. “I’m sorry, Meri. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”
“I’m afraid that the evil that once plagued us is trying to return. Tabiq won’t survive going through that again. I know I couldn’t,” she said.
I knew she was fighting back tears. Bringing her hand up to my chest, I held it there. “Meri, I promise you, me and my brother are going to do everything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“Thank you, Ryker. I don’t know why you care so much, but I’m glad you do,” she said softly.
“I care more than you know.”More than I thought I was capable of.
She was so close that kissing her would be so easy. Bennett's warning echoed in my mind. I needed to tread carefully. I leaned over and kissed her on her cheek. Even that probably wasn’t wise. Yet she didn’t pull away. There was no slap across my face. Maybe it was welcomed.
I really hoped so. Just looking into her eyes, I knew she needed someone that she could talk to. I wanted to be that person for her.
The woman came back into the room carrying a tray filled with food. Instantly, Meri snatched her hand away from me, and the moment we shared was over.
“Thank you so much. It all looks delicious,” Meri said.
“You are welcome.” She turned to me and said, “I hope you enjoy your food. It is not like what they cook for you at the resort. This is Tabiqian cooking. Nothing else like it. The best in the world.”
It smelled good, and she stood there waiting for me to take a bite. I still had no idea what it was. I could see different vegetables and some kind of meat. Asking would be an insult, so I picked up my spoon and took a good-sized bite. Instantly I realized it was spicy as hell. I swallowed and forced a smile up at her.
“Very good. Thank you,” I said, trying not to cough. Surprised that I still had vocal cords. Damn, it was hot. I’d had spicy food in the past, or so I thought. Hell, growing up, me and my brothers used to dare each other to eat crazy hot peppers. But this was beyond anything I could imagine.
Her aunt was pleased that I appeared to be enjoying the food. Without another word, she turned and left the room joyfully humming to herself.
Meri said in a low voice, “You don’t like it.”
“I didn’t say that,” I replied, not wanting to offend Meri either.
“You don’t have to. I can tell,” she said.
Barely a whisper I asked, “Do you think your aunt knows?”
“Absolutely not. I haven’t seen her so happy in a long time.”
“Then would you do me a favor and eat mine too?” I pleaded with her.
Meri shook her head. “No way.”
“Why not? Too much food?” I asked.
“No. I don’t eat anything this spicy. My aunt is the sweetest woman ever, but she forgets that I like my food more on the mild side. So, I guess you’ll have to eat mine for me,” she grinned.
“Me?”
