“I will introduce you to the lab staff and let you get started. I will then go and see how the opening of the clinic is progressing. Zara and Roji are to come in for his checkup.”
Laurel hadn’t even thought to ask about Roji this morning. “If you don’t mind, I would like to examine him as well.”
Nasser already had her door open. As she slid out and stood Tariq stated, “You must remember he is a little boy, not some test subject.”
Laurel was caught off guard by how much Tariq’s remark hurt. “Has anything I’ve done indicated that I would treat him like one?”
CHAPTER FIVE
TARIQ COULD NOT believe that not once but twice Laurel had put him in his place. First about their kiss and now about her handling of Roji. He did not like it, and more than that he did not appreciate her being right. Which she was. “No.”
“Thank you. Just so you know, I’ve no intention of starting to now.”
“I didn’t think you would.”
“That’s not what you implied.” Laurel walked ahead of him into the building.
He went after her, touching her elbow to get her attention and then letting his hand fall away. She was rightly angry with him. “We will go to Security first and get your badge so you can open the doors.”
Minutes later they were on their way to the lab and Laurel’s card was in her hand. Over the next hour he introduced her to all six of the lab techs. They each congratulated Laurel and Tariq on their marriage. He placed a reassuring hand at her waist but she said all the right words, keeping the conversations short, before she asked them about their work. With that done, he escorted her to the clinic.
Laurel stepped to the window of the reception area. “Wow, look at all these people. I can’t believe it.”
It always amazed him as well. From old thin men who could hardly walk to infants in their mother’s arms they were lined up out the clinic door. It was already hot outside and they would wait all day to see a doctor. “Now you can see why we need a clinic so desperately. What we have been doing in the past has not been enough.”
“You have done a good thing here.” She gave him an admiring look.
Tariq did not think himself overly proud but Laurel’s affirmation of his work made him hold his head higher. It shocked him that her positive appraisal mattered as much as it did. He had never felt the need for a woman’s support. They had always just been a pleasurable pastime.
Laurel walked toward the door and looked down the awning-covered walk where people sat, stood and leaned in a ragged line. “Will it be like this every day?”
Tariq stepped beside her. “I hope it will ease with time. That people will learn they can come when they first need to and not wait until the problem is bad. Our country has too few doctors and clinics. I am working to change that. In the past we have not had a central facility in the city so now all of the doctors and people are coming here. We are also in the process of building satellite clinics throughout the country. I travel regularly to check on those. Until recently we have been very backward in some ways. The King and I are trying hard to change that. This clinic and its satellites is the first big step.”
Laurel said with what sounded like conviction, “I’m sure it will be a success.”
Her words of confidence bolstered him. “Many of our citizens are not comfortable with Western medicine. We must change that for the health of the country. Today, unfortunately, I cannot lend my medical services to the clinic because I have other state obligations that will not wait.”
Laurel looked out the window once more then back at the waiting room, where people filled the chairs and the floor. “Then I will take your place.”
Tariq studied her in disbelief. “Why? I know you are anxious to get to your research.”
“Because I can’t imagine what it must be like to wait so long for your sick baby or elderly mother to be seen by a doctor. I’ll help get this under control then I can work in my lab tonight.”
“I understood you do not like to do clinical work.” He did not understand this woman.
“I don’t, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know how. Now introduce me to the director so I can get started.”
Tariq located the director and made the introductions.
As Laurel shook hands with the man she said, “I see you are busy today. How can I help?”
The director looked like he might fall at her feet with appreciation. “Your Highness, I will be delighted to see that you have an exam room.” With a nod to Tariq he said, “When you are ready.”
“I’m ready,” Laurel assured him. “Please, call me Laurel. You may send me the first patient now.”
The man pointed to a room on the left and walked away with a smile on his face.
Tariq watched in amazement. This was yet another facet of Laurel he had not anticipated. “Thank you for this. I know it is not what we agreed on.”
“No, but my parents taught me to do what has to be done.” She entered the room and looked around.
He followed her. “I would like to meet them one day.”
“I’m sure they would like to meet you as well,” she said off-handedly, frowning. “Excuse me, I must borrow a stethoscope.” She started to leave.
He stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Laurel, do you know how to get to your lab from here?”
“Yes. Thanks for asking but this building is not quite as intimidating as the palace.”
“You will learn your way around there soon, I’m sure.”
“Maybe, if I’m here long enough.”
He wanted her to stop saying that. Again her focus was not on him. He watched her stop at the reception desk and start talking to one of the employees. Thankfully it was someone who spoke English.
Thirty minutes later he left Laurel busy seeing patients and oblivious to his presence. Was this the same doctor who had stated so emphatically she wasn’t coming to Zentar and she didn’t see patients? Zentar needed Laurel and, for some unknown reason, he believed Laurel might need Zentar. Or was it just him wishing she needed him?
* * *
Laurel had little time to think about Tariq during the day. It seemed like the patients would never stop coming. She only had one brief break when someone brought her bread, fruit and cheese for a very late lunch. As she ate, she pondered the personal burden Tariq carried for his family and the even heavier one he had voluntarily assumed for his country. Clearly there was more to His Highness then the regal manner, domineering ways and sexy exterior.
Her unexpected husband was revealing charms she wasn’t immune to and that frightened her. She tried to resist him but the longer she was around Tariq, the more she liked him. He loved his family deeply, had a heart for his people, took pride in being honorable and more than once had honestly apologized to her when he had been in the wrong.
The more she learned about him the more difficult it was to believe Tariq was anything like Larry. That Tariq was someone who would, if given half a chance, callously use and discard her, not caring one bit for her fate once he was done with her. Did she dare let her guard down?
What confounded her even more was what to do about her physical reaction to Tariq. The best solution she could come up with was staying out of his way. The other was to find funding as soon as possible and return to America. She wasn’t sure being thousands of miles away would dampen her wayward feelings for the Prince, but it would eliminate the temptation to act on them. Larry had traumatically taught her the difference between sexual attraction and love. She was too practical to waste time dreaming that anything other than lust could develop from her sham marriage to Tariq.
Not long after she’d finished her meal one of the nurses stuck her head into her exam room and said that Princess Zara and Prince Roji had arrived and were asking for her.
“Please send them in next.” Laurel returned to caring for t
he patient she was seeing.
A few minutes later the same nurse escorted Zara and Roji into the room. Zara looked as elegant as ever with her dark hair flowing around her shoulders and her vivid yellow dress. Roji was bright-eyed and looked the picture of health.
“Hello, there,” she said to Roji. “How are you doing after your tumble?”
Zara, with a hand to his back, nudged him toward Laurel. She bent to the boy’s level. He watched her closely. “How’re you feeling, Roji?”
He shrugged his shoulders.
“He is acting normally,” Zara offered.
“Do you hurt anywhere?” Laurel asked the boy.
He shook his head.
“Can you do this?” Laurel rolled her shoulders.
Roji did the same.
“That’s good. Now, can you do this?” She turned her head to one side and then the other.
This time he did it with a smile on his face.
Laurel stood. “Good. Now, can I look in your eyes and ears? And listen to you?”
Roji said, “Yes.”
Zara joined them. “Come on, Roji. I will help you up onto the table.”
The boy lifted his arms and his mother sat him on the examination table.
“He seems to have recovered nicely.” Laurel smiled at Zara.
“Thanks to you.” Zara held Roji in place as the boy squirmed.
Laurel prepared to look into Roji’s ears. “I didn’t do much.”
“When you are a mother, anyone who helps your child has done a lot.”
“I was glad I could.” Laurel’s attention went back to Roji. “Now it’s time for a tickle.” She checked his ears, eyes and throat. “Can you hold the stethoscope for me while I give you a listen?”
Roji put his hand on the bell.
Laurel moved it over his heart. “Right here is where it goes. You sound perfect to me.” She tickled him and he giggled. Laurel helped him off the table. She spoke to Zara. “He looks fine to me. It’s good to see you both again.”
“I’m sure we will see each other often.” Zara took Roji’s hand, stopping him from jumping up and down. “I am glad you are here. I know Tariq is glad to have you to help him. He admires you. Admiration is not something he gives lightly.”
“Thank you.” Was Zara trying to tell her something?
“This is the first time I’ve been in the clinic. It is very nice.” Zara looked around the room. “I know Tariq takes great pride in it.”
“He should. He did an excellent job in putting together an up-to-date facility.” Laurel hadn’t found any fault in it. In fact, she wished there were more clinics like it in the US.
“He is passionate about many things. Not just his work and the clinic.”
Laurel was super-conscious of the woman’s intense gaze. What was Zara not saying?
As if changing the subject, Zara commented, “I understand from Tariq that you would like to study our family medical history.”
“He told you that?” Laurel couldn’t conceal her surprise. Yesterday afternoon he had made it sound like she would have to fight him tooth and nail to get him to agree for her to study his family.
“He did when I spoke to him a little while ago.”
Excitement filled Laurel. So Tariq had arranged it. “Yes, I would. All that’s involved is you answering a few questions and having some blood drawn.”
“That will not be a problem.” Zara started for the door.
“Tariq doesn’t like the idea of me studying the family.”
“He is very protective of us. I think more than he should be. Still, it is nice to have someone to care about you, is it not?”
It was, if the person really cared and wasn’t just after a fling. Laurel forced a smile.
Roji pulled on his mother’s hand. “Ice cream.”
Zara laughed. “I know. I promised, did I not? Laurel, we must be going now. Let me know when you are ready to do your study work.”
“If you have time, maybe you could have the blood drawn today. It would just be a matter of going down the hall for a minute.”
“That would be fine.”
“Then I’ll write the order.” Laurel hurriedly wrote on a pad. Tearing the sheet off, she handed it to Zara. “If there is a problem with Roji, send for me. I will come do the draw.”
“That I promise.” Zara walked Roji out.
“Thank you for being willing to help me.”
“You are welcome. Tariq will come around as well, I am sure.”
Laurel wasn’t as confident. “You know him far better than I do.”
Zara turned and gave her a piercing look. “He admires you. Likes you. He knows he can trust you. That says much about your character.”
“Thank you for saying so.” This conversation had taken a turn into an area Laurel wasn’t sure she understood or was prepared for.
Zara left, smiling at her serenely.
Laurel was also smiling. She had made a friend. It was a nice feeling.
* * *
By the time the director closed the door for the day, Laurel’s back and feet hurt. Not since her fellowship had she spent such long hours on her feet. Yet the day had been rewarding. More so than she had imagined. For years she had avoided patient contact and today she had discovered she rather enjoyed it. Other than asking for the next patient to be sent in, she had given few orders. The nurses knew what they needed to do almost before she asked.
Exhausted, Laurel still had work to do in her lab. She needed to set up some tests so she could get an early start in the morning. The staff she passed on her way out smiled broadly at her. She’d worked alone for so long she’d forgotten what being a member of a team was like.
* * *
Laurel had no idea how long she had been in her lab when the phone rang. She jumped when the sound shattered her concentration. Grabbing the receiver, she took a deep breath in order to say in a calm voice, “Dr. Martin.”
“It is Nasser.”
“Is there something wrong?” Had something happened to Roji? Tariq?
“No, ma’am. I am here to drive you to the palace.”
“Now?” She hadn’t called him.
“The Prince said to come and get you at midnight if you had not called.”
“It’s midnight?” She had been so adsorbed in her work she’d no idea it was so late.
“Yes. The Prince says I must stay here until you are ready to go.”
Laurel had no doubt the loyal man wouldn’t move until she came out. After all, the Prince had given his orders. “I will be there in a moment.”
How had Tariq known she was still at the lab at this hour? Did he have a spy checking on her? She quickly removed her sterile covering, scrubbed and went out to meet Nasser. She fully expected to see Tariq sitting in the back seat of the car but was disappointed.
“Nasser,” she said as they rode, “I’m sorry. I had no idea that it was so late. You must want to get home to your wife and family.”
“No wife and family.”
“Still, I kept you out late.”
“I was on the way home from taking the Prince to the airport.”
Tariq wasn’t at the palace. Why did that disturb her so? Panic started to fill her but she tamped it down. She was being silly. “Where did he go?”
“To the other side of the country for meetings.”
“Oh. So, how did you know I was at the lab?”
“The Prince said you would still be there.”
So the man thought he knew her that well. She tightened her lips. Maybe he did. She had been right where he’d told Nasser she’d be.
Laurel tried not to ask the question but she had to know. “Will the Prince be gone long?”
“A week or more.”
Laurel’s chest fell. So long? Tariq hadn’t
said anything about leaving or even goodbye. But why should he? There was nothing between them.
Except that kiss.
* * *
Tariq took another strong stroke in the palace pool. With gratifying fluidity of motion he put one arm over his head and then the other with hardly a ripple as he pulled through the water. Swimming was his way of unwinding. Tonight, however, it was not working as well as he wished.
He had been gone for over a week. The issues at the two new clinics had taken him away longer than he had planned. He always disliked being away from his family, but this time he had wanted to come home almost the moment he had left. He had never been so anxious to return to the palace. He had tried to convince himself he should be home overseeing the main clinic, be on hand in case he was needed.
But the truth, he had finally realized, was that he did not like being away from Laurel. The easy justification was that he feared she would leave if he was not close. The honest fact was that he was attracted to her. Wanted to get to know her better. They had only known each other for a few days yet they shared something. It sparked between them anytime they were together.
Tomorrow he planned to check in at the clinic and see how things were progressing. There would also be a stop in the lab to see Laurel. He missed their sparring. She made him laugh and there was not enough of that in his life. Laurel spoke her mind. And there was that kiss. Heat flared in him whenever he thought of kissing her again. He was losing his mind where Laurel was concerned.
Maybe it was good he had been gone so long. If he had stayed near her, he might have done something he would regret. Her reaction to his kiss had been unsure and untutored, almost fearful. He had scared her with his ardor, and that was the last effect he wanted to have on her. Why was she so skittish? Surely someone her age had had relationships. Or had she always hidden herself behind a glass window?
To appease his guilt at having left without telling her, which he had done only because of Laurel’s insistence they were merely business associates and he did not owe her an account of his movements, he had sent her a gift of a new stethoscope. He’d had Nasser see to the purchase and delivery, but Tariq had taken the time to write her a note before he’d left. He had labored to keep it as impersonal as possible.
The Sheikh Doc's Marriage Bargain Page 8