She glanced at Ali's father and saw the pride, the pleasure in his gaze as he looked at his wife and son, and felt a stab of pain deep in her heart.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," she said, scooting over in the booth to make room for them.
"Please, join us?" Ali stepped aside to allow his mother to slide into the booth, carefully pulling the table out for her. Tibi slid in next to Faith, glancing at her warmly. Omar slid in next to his wife, draping an arm casually, affectionately around her shoulder.
"Have you had dinner yet?" Ali slid back into the booth next to Faith, much closer now that his parents had joined them. Their hips, their legs were touching, and Faith felt the heat of him warm her, startling her. "We've just ordered, but I'll be glad to—"
"We've eaten already." Tibi smiled across the table at her son. "We had a late lunch with the Coltons while they were in town."
"And how are they?" Ali asked politely.
"Fine. We gave them your love."
Tibi turned to Faith to include her in the conversation. "We came to California a few months ago to attend the birthday party of a very old and dear friend, Joe Colton."
"Yes, I know. Ali told me."
Tibi and her husband exchanged curious glances. "Do you know the Coltons?" Tibi's glance skimmed over Faith, then beamed with approval. The young woman was lovely. Although she wasn't anything like the young women Ali usually dated, there was something refreshingly innocent about her.
Tibi was instantly curious, and if the scene they'd witnessed as they approached—her son holding the young woman's hand—was any indication, there was more here than her son had let on.
Interesting, she decided, letting her gaze go from her son back to Faith.
"No, not really." Faith hesitated. "I've never actually met them, but I know of them." She took a deep breath, then met Tibi's interested gaze.
Faith rarely talked about her childhood with anyone. It was far too painful, but it would seem rude not to explain.
"I spent some time at the Hopechest Ranch when I was growing up." Her smile was shaky. "That's how I became aware of the Coltons and their generosity."
"Ah, I see." Tibi's smile warmed and she laid a hand over Faith's, realizing there was far more to this young woman than met the eye.
From her plain clothing it was obvious she was not one of the beautiful, wealthy, infinitely boring little socialites her son seemed to prefer.
Perhaps there was hope for her son and his future after all.
"I'm on the Board of the Hopechest Ranch," Tibi said, watching Faith carefully.
"It's a wonderful place," Faith admitted. "They do some incredible things for kids." If it wasn't for the ranch, she had no idea what would have become of her.
"Yes, they do," Tibi agreed. "I'm happy to hear that your experience there was pleasant."
"Yes, it was," Faith said, making Ali wonder about Faith's childhood.
He'd been listening intently, and now he wondered why Faith had grown up on a ranch for troubled children.
Oh, he knew the Hopechest Ranch didn't just take in troublemakers, but also children who had nowhere else to go, children whose families had been broken or separated for whatever reason.
He sincerely doubted that serious, sincere Faith had ever been in trouble. No, it had to be some other reason that had sent her to the ranch.
With his brows drawn together in concentration, he wondered about Faith, realizing in all this time he had never once asked Faith about her background, her family, her childhood.
Where were her parents, he wondered, feeling a bit of anger toward them. Why had they allowed their daughter to be raised by strangers?
It didn't make sense.
He glanced at his own parents, his eyes, his heart filled with love. He knew how difficult it had been for him to come to America, to be separated from them even for a brief time, but he always knew they were there for him, always knew he was part of a loving family and had their full support.
Apparently Faith had not had the benefit of a loving, supportive family. It touched something deep inside of him, and he found himself reaching for her hand under the table. For once, she didn't resist him.
"So, Ali." Omar turned to his son. "How was your evening with Clarissa?"
"Clarissa?" Ali frowned. Who on earth was Clarissa, he wondered, frantically trying to remember.
Tibi laughed, amused. "Clarissa, dear, the niece of Senator Bigelow, the beautiful young woman you escorted to the black-tie charity gala the other night?" She exchanged glances with her husband, and one dark brow arched upward. "Apparently the evening wasn't that memorable."
Clarissa?
Obviously that was the name of his date the night he'd rescued Faith from Aaron Josslyn.
All he remembered of that night was the way Faith looked. His gaze shifted to hers now and he felt a warmth unfold inside, remembering that night and how she'd looked and felt in his arms.
"Ali?" his mother prompted, her smile still amused. "Since you're apparently not interested in Clarissa, if you're not busy tomorrow evening, your father and I met a lovely young woman this evening. She's the daughter of a very old and dear friend of your father's. We thought perhaps—"
"Mother." Ali took a deep breath, then glanced at Faith. He couldn't bear the thought of spending any more of his evenings bored to tears with empty-headed women whose only interest was his bank account. Nor did he want to hurt his parents' feelings. "There's something you should know."
The tone of his voice had Tibi and Omar exchanging concerned glances.
"What is it, son?" Omar asked quietly, drawing his wife closer to provide unspoken support. "Is something wrong? Are you ill? In trouble?" Concern etched deeply into the creases of his face.
Ali shook his head. "No, Father. I'm sorry, I did not mean to alarm you. It's nothing like that." He hesitated, then glanced at Faith, tightening his hold on her hand and hoping she would understand what he was about to do. "I have something to tell you, something I hope will please you both." And stop their infernal matchmaking. "Faith and I…are engaged to be married."
Stunned speechless by Ali's announcement, Faith felt her mouth drop open as if it had come unhinged, and she gaped at him as if he'd just announced he was about to give birth to a baboon.
Engaged?
Engaged!
Was the man insane?
What on earth was he thinking?
Furious, she tried to snatch her hand free, the better to whack him—but he held on tight, refusing to relinquish her.
"What?" Tibi's smile went from Faith, back to Ali. "But when did this happen?" Overjoyed, and slightly overwhelmed, Tibi shook her head, trying to take it all in. This was her very wish, her every dream come true. "But…why did you not tell us?" Her hand went to her happily thudding heart. "How…how…" Shaking her head, she laughed again. "I have so many questions, but I am so happy I don't think I can get them all out. When did you two meet? How did you two meet?" She laughed again, realizing the questions were pouring from her mouth.
Leaning back in the booth, Ali hung on to Faith's hand for dear life, praying she wouldn't give away his little fabrication.
"Faith and I met a while ago. And actually, it was Kadid who introduced us," Ali explained, earning a heated glare from Faith.
Was there no end to the man's lies?
While it was true that Kadid had introduced them on the day she'd stormed into Ali's office, it certainly was not the way Ali had made it seem to his parents.
"Ah, Kadid," his father said with an approving nod. "He is a most wise man and has been a loyal and valuable servant."
"But why did you not tell us?" Tibi asked, a hint of hurt in her voice.
"I apologize, Mother. It was certainly not intentional." Ali gave Faith a warm look. The look she gave him back should have had steam lifting from his skin. "But it happened very suddenly. Right, Faith dear?"
She managed to glare at him. "Yes, dear." Her teeth hurt from clenching t
hem together. "Very suddenly." She glanced at his parents, then forced herself to smile. "So suddenly it even took me by surprise."
"I apologize, Father, but I'm sure you can understand." Ali spoke slowly, carefully, not wanting to arouse his parents' suspicions. "Faith and I wanted a chance to have some privacy in order to make certain of our decision." He smiled to take any sting out of his announcement, holding on to Faith's hand tighter to get her to stop struggling to get free.
"This is, as you know, Mother, a very important decision in my life, one I do not take lightly, and we wanted to just keep it to ourselves for a brief time, to give ourselves some time to get to know each other, to—"
"I understand, Ali." His mother glanced at her husband, her eyes filled with love. "Even though our marriage was arranged by our families, when your father and I became engaged, we went off together to simply have some time to get to know each other. It was a most wonderful time."
"Yes, son." His father's smile flashed. "This is a wise and smart thing for a young couple to do. Marriage is a very serious matter and must be undertaken with great care and consideration."
"I am so glad you understand, Father," Ali said.
"But of course, son." Omar grinned broadly at him, then at his wife. "We understand perfectly."
Omar turned to Faith, his eyes soft, his smile welcoming as he touched his hand to her cheek in such a loving, unexpected gesture, he stunned her.
"Dear one, my wife and I are honored to know that you will be joining our family and look forward to getting to know you better. We will welcome you into our home and into our hearts as our daughter and hope that one day you will love us as our son does."
"Oh." Faith's free hand went to her mouth. "What a lovely, lovely thing to say." Tears burned her eyes and she had to swallow around the lump in her throat.
They simply, automatically, accepted her, welcomed her, included her as one of them. It was unbelievable, and touched her fragile heart. In her whole life she'd never felt like she belonged anywhere, but in the space of just a few moments, Ali's parents had made her feel welcome, made her feel as if she belonged. Here, with them. As part of their family.
And she realized it was a wonderful, incredible feeling.
There was unadulterated joy radiating from both of them, joy that their son had finally found a mate, so how on earth could she hurt them?
How could she tell them that their only son, their pride and joy, was a lying, conniving snake in the grass, without a shred of decency or honor? A man who thought nothing of lying to the parents who adored him?
She couldn't, she realized sadly. She simply couldn't break his parents' hearts.
No matter how angry she was at Ali, or how she felt about his ridiculous lies or actions, his parents did not deserve to be hurt. And she would not be the one to hurt them.
However, hurting their son just might be a possibility. She tried again to tug her hand free from Ali, then realized it was probably a good thing he held her hand still or she'd probably strangle him. That'd no doubt change his parents' feelings for her!
"Faith dear." Tibi's eyes gleamed with humor. "I am thrilled with the bride my son has chosen to bring into our family." Tibi laughed. "But I must warn you, you are a brave woman to take on my son."
"Brave?" Faith cast a scathing look at Ali. "I'm not sure that's the right word for me at the moment." Idiot was the word that came to mind. How on earth did she ever let him put her in this situation?
"Like his father, he can at times be…a handful." Tibi leaned over and gave her husband an affectionate peck on the cheek. "But you will find, my dear, that in the end it will be worth it." Tibi tenderly wiped her lipstick off her husband's cheek. "You will find the men of our family to be very loyal, very loving and very, very stubborn."
"Well, I guess one out of three isn't bad," Faith said glumly, giving Ali another scathing look and making his parents laugh.
"Ah, see, Omar dear, she is learning already."
As the waiter hesitated, dinner plates in hand, then approached, Omar stood up. "Ah, your dinner has arrived. We shall let you eat in peace."
"No, please," Ali said a bit desperately, not certain he wanted to be alone with Faith right now. He was no fool; he knew when he was in trouble. "Why don't you stay. Please? Have a drink with us?"
"I need to freshen up," his mother said, patting her hair as she, too, stood up. "Eat your dinner, children, and then we'll join you in the lounge for a nightcap later." Tibi smiled at Faith. "I am anxious to get to know you better, dear. We have much to discuss. Wedding plans to make."
"Now, Mother—"
"Hush, Ali, this is between Faith and me." She patted her son's cheek. "I have waited a very long time to plan the wedding of my only son and I am very much looking forward to it." She glanced at her husband. "Shall we go up to our room and freshen up?"
"Fine. Fine." He looked at Ali. "Son, we are most proud of you on this day." He glanced at Faith in approval. "Most proud. You have honored me and your mother with your choice of a bride, and we could not be happier."
Feeling a bit guilty, Ali stood up and shook his father's hand. "We shall see you in an hour, then?"
"Yes." Slipping his arm around his wife's waist, Omar glanced back at Faith. "Enjoy your dinner, our daughter. We will join you a bit later."
Ali watched his parents weave their way through the crowded restaurant, wishing he was going with them.
He glanced at Faith, saw the stubborn set of her jaw, the fire dancing in those glorious green eyes, the way her arms were crossed over her delicate breasts.
Ali sighed, feeling a tremor of trepidation. He had survived many, many things in his life, dangerous things, and feared nothing.
Except the anger of a woman.
He sighed again. He may be a sheik, but when it came to the heated emotions of a woman, Ali knew not even he was a match.
Seven
Prosperino, California
Shivering now as the night deepened, Emily swiped the back of her hand against her nose, then sniffled as she trudged along the shoulder of the highway, drawing her flimsy sweater tighter around her trembling body.
She was still in shock, her body drained from stark terror, her head pounding from crying.
Her knees ached from being crouched in the alcove for so many hours, and her empty stomach was rumbling, so she knew she'd been hiding in the alcove for a long time.
She had no idea how long, but she knew she had dozed off a few times, then awoken with a start, near panic when she realized what had happened.
It hadn't been a nightmare.
It was real.
Someone was trying to kill her.
She knew she couldn't stay in the alcove too much longer. The temperatures had started dropping at night, and she was dressed only in a pair of jean shorts, a T-shirt and a light sweater. The alcove was damp and cold, with a musty smell that made her nauseous.
In the echoing silence, pressed against the wall, she could hear the scurrying of night critters that burrowed under the sand. It only heightened her fear. Every sound seemed to echo loudly in her ears, making her nerves squeal ominously.
She couldn't stay in the alcove for much longer. And so she'd worked out a plan in her mind.
She'd wait until she was absolutely certain it was safe, then she'd make her way to the highway and hitch a ride—somewhere, anywhere. All she knew was that she couldn't stay here, not any longer.
She had to find someplace where she felt safe.
Only when she was certain it was clear had she slowly, carefully crept out of the alcove, checking in every direction to make sure the man hadn't waited, wasn't hiding or lurking about, waiting to grab her.
Now, forcing one foot in front of the other, she was drained and exhausted, and more than a little terrified. She had no idea what had happened tonight, no idea why anyone would try to harm her.
But she intended to find out.
Oncoming headlights had her scurrying deeper i
nto the shoulder, stepping behind some brush so she could see, but not be seen.
Still jumpy, she had to make sure she was safe, had to make sure the person she hitched a ride with at least looked normal.
She'd never hitched before and that, too, brought its own nervousness, but she had no choice. She had exactly one dollar and forty-seven cents in her jeans. The movie tonight and pizza afterward had wiped her out.
She shook her head as she shielded her eyes from the oncoming headlights. The movie with her friends seemed like it was another lifetime ago. In reality, it was probably just a few hours.
As the vehicle drew closer, she could tell by the set of the headlights that it was a truck and a big one. This highway snaked through the entire state and was a familiar path for truckers hauling wheat to other parts of the state.
Emily sniffled, swiped at her eyes, then ran her hands over her tear-streaked face so that she looked as normal as possible.
After saying a quick, silent prayer, she stepped back out onto the shoulder, standing as close to the highway pavement as possible.
She stuck out her thumb, squinting as the headlights drew closer. The truck's horn wailed in the night, making her jump. But the driver slowed, and then finally pulled to a stop a few feet ahead of her.
Heaving a sigh of relief, Emily sprinted toward it, grateful when the passenger door opened. She glanced up into the smiling face of an elderly man.
"Well, hello there, little lady." He grinned, lifting his cap to scratch his white hair. "What are you doing out here all alone at this time of night?" He glanced around, as if looking for a disabled vehicle.
"I'm…I'm…" Emily swallowed. "I need a ride."
He nodded, replacing his cap. "Gathered that. Where you headed?" He glanced at the road ahead, then glanced back at her, a soft smile on his face. "I'm heading up near Wyoming, got a haul of hay to deliver by morning." He watched her shiver with a worried frown.
"Wyoming?" Emily's face brightened. Her adopted father, Joe, had grown up on a ranch in Wyoming. It seemed too good to be true.
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