“Stay and help the children adjust,” he suggested. “If you’re serious about their needing help in the transition. It will also give you time to see more of my country. You would not have total care of them; we have Annis. But you could help them adjust.”
Melissa tried to think. It was mid-January. She had a few weeks before she was due in Boston. She could stay until then. How long would it take for the children to feel more at home? Could they find another English-speaking woman to help with the transition?
What would Max say? She’d committed to working with him until it was time to leave for America. It had been a fill-in job, she knew, but she’d made a commitment.
“Melissa, are we going to be sent away?” Alaya asked.
“No,” Melissa said, one look at the children and her mind instantly made up. This was more important. Max would understand—she hoped.
She looked at Surim. “I’ll stay.”
CHAPTER FOUR
MELISSA couldn’t believe she’d just committed to staying in Qu’ Arim. She was scheduled to return to London in the morning with Max. She still had all her packing to do for her move to America. She’d never in her wildest imagination thought about remaining in Qu’ Arim for another two or three weeks.
Max was another problem. She would be leaving him in the lurch if she didn’t return. But her mind was made up. Second thoughts weren’t going to change it. She couldn’t let these sweet children be shuffled off to a boarding school.
“After the children are settled in bed, join me in the study. We’ll discuss your stay, and then return to the reception,” Surim said formally. With a slight bow, he left.
Alaya watched until he’d gone, then flung her arms around Melissa’s neck. “Thank you! We’d love to have you look after us!”
“You’re going to be our new mummy?” Hamid asked.
“No, darling, just a temporary visitor.” For right now, it looked as if she was staying.
“Let’s get some warmed milk with cinnamon and after you drink that you’ll be ready to go back to bed with no more nightmares,” she said to Hamid.
“Really?” The little boy’s lower lip wobbled. “I get so scared. I think a truck is going to crash into me.”
“It won’t happen, sweetie. The milk will chase away the nightmares and you’ll sleep as good as Nadia,” Melissa said, hoping he wouldn’t have another this night.
Half an hour later Melissa went back downstairs. The noise level from the voices and the quartet playing in the background rose as she came closer to the ground floor. She looked around, trying to figure out where Surim’s study would be located. She knew little about the house except for the third floor and the living room and dining room.
There was an open door down the hall from the reception room, a light shining out. She went toward it.
“Hold a moment, please,” a voice called behind her.
Melissa turned. It was Delleah. The woman seemed to glide along as she walked. Her dress was lovely, but her expression was definitely not.
“I’m looking for His Excellency. He asked me to join him in his study,” Melissa said. Surely Delleah would know the layout of the house.
“For what purpose?” Delleah asked.
Melissa raised her eyebrows in surprise. “I think that is between us.”
Delleah glanced up the stairs. “About those children?”
“It’s a private matter,” Melissa said, getting annoyed with the woman. If she were so close to Surim, let him answer her questions.
“Private? I thought you just met His Excellency.”
“We met on Sunday when Max Valentine and I arrived. If you’ll excuse me.” Melissa tried to break away without appearing too rude.
“The sooner he gets rid of those children, the better it will be. He is too busy to be encumbered with orphans,” Delleah said.
That struck Melissa’s hot button. “Their being alone in the world is all the more reason he should pay them attention,” she said, quietly but fiercely. “They have recently lost their mother and father. He is their cousin and a link to their parents and he should lavish attention on them until they’ve recovered from the initial devastation of all they’ve been through.”
Delleah waved a dismissive hand. “A suitable school will do wonders.”
“Were you sent away to school?” Melissa asked. What was it with these people that they were so quick to send away the children?
“I was not so fortunate. But many of our children are sent to fine schools. It is not a horrible choice, but enriching,” Delleah said. “I plan to send my children to France for schooling. They will get a more cosmopolitan education there then here.”
“At age five and two children don’t need to be cosmopolitan. Excuse me, I need to find Surim.”
“Surim? You know him so well you call him by name?” Delleah clearly didn’t like the situation.
Melissa wished she could take back the words. He’d asked her to call him by his name as a friend of Max’s. Maybe in public he would wish for more formality. Something she should check on.
“I’ll show you the study,” Delleah said, walking past Melissa and heading down the hall toward the open door.
Melissa followed her, wondering what the woman was up to. She didn’t seem the friendliest person she’d met. And she definitely wasn’t Melissa’s idea of a good mother. What would her children be like? If she had them with Surim, they’d be gorgeous, Melissa knew that much. But out of sight most of the time?
“Surim, we miss you,” Delleah said when she stopped in the doorway. “When your business is finished with the Englishwoman, do rejoin us.”
Surim rose from behind a desk, his expression neutral, and crossed to the door. “I would not neglect my guests except for matters of utmost importance. I’ll be there shortly. Melissa, please come in. Delleah, if you’ll excuse us.”
He shut the door behind Melissa, almost in Delleah’s face.
“Come and sit,” Surim invited, motioning to the comfortable chairs near the windows. The faint illumination from the gardens cast a warm light on the shrubs and flowers visible through the tall windows.
Melissa sat and waited, her nerves on edge.
“I will speak to Max, if you like,” Surim offered, sitting in the chair near hers.
“I’ll tell him. As soon as we finalize arrangements. I can still do the translations from here, if he wishes, and if you will permit. I hate to leave a job in the middle of it,” she said, hoping it would be agreeable with both men. Even if she had to do it after the children were in bed at night, she’d be able to keep up. Most of the plans had been finalized this week, so Melissa didn’t expect a lot of translations in the next few weeks.
“I have committed to a new post in mid-February, however,” she said.
“Cancel it,” Surim ordered.
Melissa blinked. “No, I am quite looking forward to it. Besides, that gives me almost a month to get the children settled.”
He leaned back and steepled his hands, resting his chin on his fingertips. “Annis was the children’s mother’s nurse. She’s a generation removed now, but longs to raise these children. I hope working together you two can make a difference with the children.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“And if they are not settled by the time your next commitment comes?”
“I’m sure you could find someone. Who wouldn’t wish to work here? The accommodations are lovely. I think women will be falling all over themselves for the assignment.”
“Yet you are not,” he commented.
“I have a position lined up.” For a second Melissa wondered if she should reconsider. Granted, she’d told the McDonalds she’d be there when their current nanny married, but Qu’ Arim was nothing like Boston. If she extended her stay, she’d have the tropical setting to enjoy all year instead of living in months of winter each year. She already knew these children. She remembered the McDonald children; they’d stayed for two weeks. But they did
n’t need her as much as the three upstairs did.
Not that Surim had offered her the nanny’s position. That stayed with Annis. She would stay to help out Max’s friend, then head for Boston.
He studied her for a moment. Melissa pushed away her doubts. She could help for a short time. Though she knew if she wanted a shot at getting any concessions, now was the time, before he took her for granted.
“There are a couple of conditions to my staying,” she said slowly, testing his reaction.
Surim continued to stare at her. She wished she knew what he was thinking.
Lowering his hands, he inclined his head slightly. “And those are?” No telling his thoughts from his voice.
“More involvement from you, for starters,” she said audaciously. It was so important for him to spend time getting to know these children. Nannies were employees after all. And she was a stranger. Much as she loved working with children, they weren’t her family or Annis’s. These children were Surim’s now.
That seemed to surprise him. “I lead a very busy life.”
She nodded. “I’m sure, but you are in charge of that life. Carve out some time to spend with your children.”
“They are not—”
Melissa raised a hand, knowing if she survived this interview, it would be a miracle. But she didn’t care. She was fighting for those precious children upstairs.
“They are not your biological children, granted, but they are now your kids. You are their guardian, which makes you their parental figure. You’ll have more influence on their lives than anyone else. I think it’s important you get to know them, and let them get to know you.”
“They are afraid of me,” he said slowly.
“They don’t know you. I think they’re shy, scared and unhappy. And your announcement tonight about sending them away didn’t help.”
“It was not my announcement,” he retorted.
Melissa waved her hand as if brushing the comment away.
“And your other demands?”
“They don’t get on well with Annis. Something should be worked out to make sure they can get along better before the children become too resentful. I think Annis is a bit over-whelmed—sad herself over the death of their mother. But they need to work together.”
“Agreed. Suggestions?” he asked.
“I thought she could start teaching them Arabic. And have them teach her more English. Give them both a place, and help bridge the differences.”
“Easily handled. Is that it?” he asked.
“One more thing. I think it’s very important that they eat with you as family at least once or twice a week. Which will foster company manners, and get them used to their position in their society when they are older.”
“A two-year-old at dinner? Will she dress?” The sarcasm was unmistakable.
Melissa held her ground. “I’ll see about that. Maybe she should start at age three or four. But Hamid and Alaya are old enough. This is their culture, their history, their family. They will get their family values and traditions from you. It’s important”
Surim nodded.
“And you would join us. Perhaps even get Annis to teach you some Arabic.”
“I would like to, though I won’t be here long enough to learn much. Still, it’s a good idea; I can learn with them.”
“Any other conditions?” he asked.
“No. Shall I get a uniform?”
He looked startled. “You are not an employee; you would remain my guest while you are here. I hope you’ll have time to see more of Qu’ Arim and enjoy yourself as well as help me out with the children.”
“Oh.” She hadn’t expected that. She’d thought she’d be a sub-nanny or something. This changed things. For a moment the warmth of his kiss flashed through her mind. She was to remain a guest!
“Would that be a hardship?”
She smiled and shook her head. “Of course not; I had thought it a job.”
“No. So, when I’m home, I will hope you will join me for meals. You can give me an update on their progress. And be the buffer between us on the nights they dine with us.”
Melissa felt a surge of excitement. She would make the most of her weeks as a guest and see as much of the country as she could. Maybe Surim would take her—
He rose. “If that is all, I should return to my guests.”
Melissa stood as well. She was a foolish woman if she thought this busy man would take time to show her the countryside. She admonished herself not to let her daydreams carry her away.
“I’ll find Max and let him know I’m not returning home with him in the morning,” she said, wondering if he would advise against her staying.
The sheikh escorted her back to the reception room. Delleah stood near the doorway, talking with friends and keeping her eyes on the door.
Melissa scarcely noticed as she entered and began to search for Max. She saw him near the opened French doors, in deep discussion with several men. Feeling a bit self-conscious, Melissa walked to the group, hoping to catch Max’s eye and get him alone for a moment or two. She felt as if she were on a tilt-a-wheel: one moment she was a translator preparing to leave, now she was a guest of the sheikh’s, staying for several weeks.
Max noticed her and excused himself from the group to join Melissa. “Something up?” he asked.
“Change in plans. The sheikh asked me to stay a little longer, to help with getting the children used to living here.”
“What do you mean?”
She explained. Ending with, “Do you think I’m doing the right thing? And what about your translations? Could I do them from here and fax you the English?”
Max thought carefully before answering. “Melissa, you’re the only one who can decide if it’s the right thing. But you’ll have a chance to see more of the country, unless I miss my guess. Surim’s a wonderful host. But will you spend too much time with the children to do translations?”
“I don’t think so. It’s not as if I’m in charge of them. I’ll do whatever is needed from here and fax you the results. That way there won’t be any delays. It’s been working that you got the faxed documents and I translated. Now, I’ll just translate first. It’s only for a few weeks. You know I start my new job in America in mid-February.”
“Does Surim know?”
“I told him. If it looks as if the children aren’t getting settled, he’ll have plenty of time to find another qualified woman to help. It beats his other idea of shipping them off to some boarding school. Nadia is only two!”
“Well, if you’re sure,” Max said, concern creasing his forehead.
Melissa was anything but sure she was making a good decision. But the thought of the children wiped all doubts from her mind. She knew she could help get them acclimated to their new circumstances.
The party lost some of its luster for her as she began to catalog all the things she needed to do. Not sure she’d see Max in the morning before she left, she asked him to reassure her mother. She’d contact her in the morning. She found Asid ibn Tarvor to thank him for his courtesies and then left the reception to return to her room. It was late and she had things to think about. But her last thoughts, just before she drifted off to sleep, were of Surim.
Melissa awoke early the next morning, and quickly donned a skirt and blouse. She’d have to call her mother today to tell her the change in plans and to ask her to send some clothes. The outfits she’d brought were much more suitable to an office than spending time with children.
Once dressed, she quickly went upstairs. Hamid and Nadia were quietly playing in the nursery. The table was set for breakfast, but the food hadn’t arrived. Nadia saw her first.
“Melissa!” She jumped up and ran to her. “Are you going to eat with us?”
Hamid rose and came over. “Are you really staying like you said last night?”
“I am to both. We’ll have breakfast first, then plan our week. Where’s Alaya?”
“She’s still sleeping,” Ham
id said. “Shall I go and wake her up?”
Annis came into the room and looked surprised to see Melissa. “Did you come to see the children?” She looked around, noticing Alaya was absent.
“Actually, I came to have breakfast with them,” Melissa said. Had no one told her of the change in plans?
“I will see the kitchen sends up more food,” Annis said, clearly puzzled. “I hope we will not delay your departure.”
“I think His Excellency needs to discuss things with you,” Melissa said carefully, not wanting to offend Annis. “I’m staying for a few weeks to help with the children. I hope that together we can make the transition easier for them. It’s hard losing their parents and then their home, and it will take a while before this feels like home for them.”
“Are you really staying?” Alaya asked from the doorway. She was already dressed in shorts and a top and wore sandals. She smiled hopefully at Melissa.
“Just for a little while. I have to leave for America in February.”
“We want you to stay forever,” Hamid said enthusiastically.
Melissa smiled and tousled his hair. “I’ll be here for a long visit. I shall love spending time with all three of you. You’ll have to tell me all you know about Qu’ Arim. Maybe we can go exploring.” She loved seeing the children’s delighted faces. “First, though, let’s eat and then we’ll make plans.”
It was the middle of the school year at home, and Melissa suspected the children had had little schooling since their arrival. Not that she would have expected them to work over the Christmas holidays, but it was January, time to get back into a routine. She’d ask Annis what provisions had been made for their education. Nadia was far too young for lessons, except the fun kind that would teach her colors, shapes and numbers. Would the sheikh hire a governess or tutor? Once they knew enough Arabic, they could attend the local schools.
The three children were delighted with Melissa’s company. Breakfast was enjoyable, and each ate everything on their plate. Annis did not remain, but left as soon as the meal had been served from the kitchen. Melissa hoped her feelings weren’t hurt. She had to get her involved as she would be the one with them after Melissa left.
The Nanny and the Sheikh Page 6