AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Soon Aliya and Curt knew everything about Hattie almost dying in a paraglider, Franz and his weird demands, and some of Hattie’s intriguing travel stories. Whenever Hattie tried to turn the conversation back on Aliya and Curt, which she attempted often, Aliya would give a brief answer and then exclaim, “No, ma’am. Don’t try to be a good conversationalist. We arenottalking about us boring old married folk. We want to hear all about you!”
Steffan agreed. He didn’t know if he’d ever hear enough about Hattie or tire of being around her. She couldn’t really leave him once they dealt with Franz. Could she?
That was the only thing Aliya could not understand—why Hattie would have to leave the country. When Hattie told her it was a story she couldn’t share, Aliya took that in stride and moved on. His vivacious sister-in-law finally told Hattie about the ‘terrifying but romantic tale’ of how she and Curt met, then she surprised Steffan by confiding in Hattie all about their nation’s ‘curse’ and how she and Curt searched often for the elusive and fabled cure, both hoping it wasn’t a far-fetched tale.
Curt did give Steffan a look when Hattie refused to share about why she had to leave the country, but Steffan couldn’t share Hattie’s secrets. If only he could prove that Treven had killed Jane in cold blood and Hattie was being framed. Maybe he and Jensen could. What good was being royalty if you couldn’t keep your dream woman in your country?
They went on another walk after dinner, a slow meander along some trails. Steffan enjoyed being outside in the cool mountain air, holding Hattie’s hand, and listening to the two women talk and talk and talk. They flowed from one subject to another so quickly it was almost comical, and then one of them would say, ‘Oh, and I had another thought on …’ and they’d return to that topic or story or discussion. It made him laugh, and he could see Curt was enjoying it as well. They both tried to include him and Curt in the conversation, but neither of the brothers minded listening. With only one sister, Steffan had never really glimpsed this kind of female interaction.
He wouldn’t mind getting Hattie alone again, but she and Aliya becoming ‘faster friends than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking competition’ made him as happy as Aliya’s strange sayings that rarely made sense.
He was only slightly concerned about how everyone was doing at the hospital, which shocked him. Normally on a day away, he’d call to check in several times. He didn’t have service on his phone, but he could use Curt’s satellite phone. He easily pushed that idea away. Tomorrow would be soon enough to check in, and the staff was more than competent. He and his brothers liked to tease Ray that ‘the wheels of Augustine don’t rotate without the General’s permission,’ but he understood Ray’s obsession with protecting everyone as it was similar to his obsession to make certain his hospital offered the best healthcare available.
Tonight, he could take a break and be here for Hattie. Barring a national crisis or fast-spreading pandemic, he wouldn’t let himself get distracted. He only had so many hours to focus on Hattie, and they were winding down faster than Aliya’s quick tongue.
It was nine o’clock, the sun barely setting, when they made it back to the cabin after their leisurely walk. Aliya looked at Curt and gave him an obvious wink. Curt grinned at his wife. What was that all about?
“Well, I think y’all need to get some rest,” Aliya decreed in her bossy but somehow delightful way.
“I don’t know that I could sleep,” Hattie said, glancing at Steffan. Did her look say she didn’t want to sleep away the few hours left to them?
“I find it’s much more restful to sleep in Curt’s arms,” Aliya said. “So here’s what I propose. Y’all go lie down in the front guest room. It’s the farthest one away from our master, so we won’t bother you. You snuggle up like a couple of possums and I’ll bet you’ll sleep right fine. Steffan can set an alarm on his phone so you don’t miss your rendezvous with that snake Franz.”
Steffan had liked Aliya from the first moment he met her, and he thought she and Curt were a great match. He’d pushed Curt to chase her to America. Right now, he adored his sister-in-law and would sing her praises forever. Would Hattie go for snuggling or sleeping in his arms? He didn’t dare look at her and see what she was thinking or feeling. Curt was grinning hugely.
Uncharacteristically, Hattie said nothing, and that got him sweating. Did she not want to snuggle with him?
“All right, you two.” Aliya shoved them toward the stairs. “Up you go.”
Steffan and Hattie fell into step in front of her, neither of them saying anything. Aliya followed them up the stairs and to the front bedroom. Steffan opened the door. If Hattie was in agreement that they should snuggle like ‘a couple of possums,’ he doubted he’d get any rest tonight. He really didn’t want to sleep and miss one minute of holding Hattie close. Anticipation of that event had his body on high alert and far too warm.
He and Hattie walked in and then both turned back to look at Aliya standing in the door frame. Beaming, she clapped her hands together and said, “There are fresh toothbrushes and paste in the bathroom and any other toiletries you might appreciate. Y’all need anything else?”
“N-no, thank you,” Hattie managed.
“We’ll be fine,” Steffan said in a low voice he hardly recognized. Was Aliya pushing too hard? Did Hattie know he was an honorable man and would never take advantage of being alone in a bedroom like this?
“All right.” Aliya hurried across the space, hugged Hattie tight, and said, “I feel like we’re soul sisters. Sure love ya. I’ll be praying for God’s blessings and your angel mama and daddy up in heaven to watch over you tonight and always. When you resolve whatever situation is keepin’ ya from staying in the most beautiful and perfect country on earth, we’ll welcome you back with open arms. If I left my family and the great people of Georgia for Curt, you can leave your traveling lifestyle for Steffan.”
She pulled back, hurried out the door, and shut it behind her.
“Thank you,” Hattie called to her back.
Steffan chuckled, hoping Hattie didn’t take offense to anything Aliya said. He reached for the stethoscope around his neck and rubbed at his neck when he realized it wasn’t there. “Sorry. She’s a talker.”
“She’s amazing. I love her.” Hattie didn’t look at him as she said, “I have so many friends around the world, but Sadie has been the only one I really trust to love me for me. But meeting Aliya and y—” She broke off and said quickly, “I need to use the bathroom.”
Hurrying away from him, she was gone before he could ask if she was going to say ‘you’ … him. She should trust him and know he loved her for her. Did he actually love her? He couldn’t love her. He hadn’t been around her long enough to love her. But he loved everything he knew about her. He felt like her wandering lifestyle wasn’t letting her live up to her potential and face the death that had hurt her. He wanted to help and love her.
Except she had to leave him in the morning.
Steffan’s jaw tightened in determination. He would make the most of each moment tonight—holding her, talking to her, savoring everything about her. Then, after they resolved the situation with Franz, if Jensen and Hattie both believed she had to go, he’d let her. Somehow he’d figure out how to clear her name and then he’d go find her, bring her back home, and date her. He was more than prepared to show her how a gentleman and a prince dated the woman he was captivated with. He’d leave the hospital early every evening to spend time with Hattie. Nobody but his staff knew what a sacrifice that would be. He’d willingly make it. If she could be with him in Augustine.
Kneeling next to the bed, he spoke with his Father in Heaven, thanked Him for bringing Hattie into his life, prayed to know how to help her best, and asked for strength to keep things pure between them tonight, and as they dated in the future. The very near future?
Was he being idealistic? Could they really do something as simple as date when Jensen felt she was at risk even being in Augustine?
He pushed that worry away. Hattie was enthralling. Jensen was brilliant. It would work out. It couldn’t not work out. Steffan had to figure out how to keep this gift who’d dropped into his country, into his life, thanks to a crazy fluke. Because she wasn’t leaving his heart.
