As he neared the top of the hill, he saw the rocks got bigger and the trail got steeper. Shelby struggled to find flat places to set her crutches.
Hakim took the crutches and held them in one arm, sliding his other arm around her waist to support her weight.
She held onto his shoulder, hopping the last few yards to the top of the hill where the ground was flat. “Sorry,” she panted. “I didn’t think that out very well.”
“Should we rest for a moment before going farther?” Hakim was becoming more concerned that she was pushing herself too hard.
“Sure. Can you spread out the blanket?”
He opened the checkered woolen blanket and spread it over a flat piece of ground, then sat, facing her with his legs stretched out in front of him. Hakim took the water bottle Shelby offered and rested back on his elbows, careful not to bump her cast with his thigh. “This would be a perfect time to learn all about you, Shelby Jo.”
“Oh, really? You’re more of a mystery than I am.” Shelby used her hands to lift her injured leg to rest it on her other ankle.
“Ah, but you are much more compelling.” He firmed his lips into a straight line. “I want to know everything about you.”
“That’s debatable.” Shelby rolled her eyes. “I am definitely not more interesting. But it’s a good idea. You ask me a question, and then I get to ask you one.” She leaned back with her palms flat on the blanket, fanning out her fingers. “But we both have to be honest. You don’t have to say Wintersports is your favorite magazine, and I don’t have to say the beach of Khali-dar is my dream vacation. Okay?”
“Very well.” Hakim sat up, resting his arms on his bent knees. “Ladies first.”
“What’s your favorite movie?”
Hakim squinted, surprised by her question. “My favorite movie?”
She pulled up her shoulders. “I didn’t want to start out with something too personal right out of the chute.”
Hakim tapped his finger on his lips. “I am quite partial to Wild West movies—cowboys, horses, guns. Although, truthfully, I cannot say I have a favorite. Now it is my turn.”
Shelby raised her eyebrows.
“What is your favorite childhood memory?”
“You mean besides losing my pants in the bullpen while all my friends were watching?” Shelby rolled her eyes, and the corners of her lips quirked.
He smiled and twirled his finger, indicating for her to continue.
Shelby was quiet for a moment before answering. “One year, my parents took us to California. I was ten and Chet was seven. We drove straight through, so the trip took about fourteen hours, and we slept in the car. My mom woke us up in the middle of the night to see the Las Vegas strip all lit up. When we got to California, we went to Disneyland and the beach. It was great. Besides my trip last year to Canada, that’s the farthest from home I’ve ever been.” Shelby shifted on the blanket to lean on one arm. “Have you been to California?”
Hakim nodded as he tried to imagine Shelby’s family vacation. He had traveled extensively as long as he could remember. Her quaint story and the memory of the time spent with her family touched his heart. He opened his mouth to answer.
But Shelby held up her hand. “Wait, don’t answer that. I don’t want to waste my turn.”
Hakim watched her as she chewed her lip with her brows drawn together.
“What are you thinking about right now?” Shelby asked.
“Is this your official question?”
She nodded, mimicking his finger twirl.
“I was thinking I have not been on a picnic since I was a very young boy. I remember my mother had obtained a large, Bedouin-type tent. We would go inside and play games or tell stories. One day, my father joined us. We had a picnic dinner, and the two of them told me stories until I fell asleep.” As Hakim remembered, he softened his voice. “This is one of the few memories of both of my parents together with me. My father was very busy and seldom had time for play. My mother died when I was five years old.”
“I’m so sorry, Hakim. I can’t even imagine how hard that must have been.”
“It was very difficult.” He took a deep breath. “But pain lessens over time. Until I observed your family and the Bartons, I had almost forgotten how much I miss my mother. I must confess I feel envious.”
“You still have your dad, right?” Shelby asked.
“Yes. And my father cares for me very much, but he is extremely busy.”
“I’m sorry, Hakim.” Shelby reached for his hand. “Sounds like you’ve been very lonely.”
He rubbed his thumb on her palm, noticing how small and soft her hands were. “I do not feel lonely, now. I adore being with you, Shelby Jo.” His heart skipped a beat when her gaze met his.
Shelby’s cheeks turned pink. She squinted and tipped her head to the side. “Really?”
“Is it so difficult for you to believe?”
Lowering her gaze, she started picking at the hem on the blanket. “You’re a distinguished businessman who’s traveled around the world, and I’m a cowgirl from a small town. What about me could possibly be interesting to someone like you?”
She didn’t give herself enough credit. Shelby fascinated him every moment since he’d met her. Hakim lifted her chin with his bent finger and tilted his head to catch her gaze. “I could ask you the same thing. I fear if you knew the real me, you would feel differently.”
“As long as the real you isn’t a better skier than me. That would definitely change my feelings.”
He could tell she was trying to lighten the mood.
“I’m sorry.” Shelby lowered her gaze. “I didn’t mean to go on a self-pity trip. Sometimes I just get kind of insecure when I’m in a new relationship.”
Hakim smiled and gave her chin a gentle squeeze. “Is that what this is? A new relationship?”
“I’m not answering that. I lost track of whose turn it is, anyway.” She tugged on his hand. “Come on. Help me up.”
Hakim stood and pulled her to her feet, handing her the crutches and putting on the backpack.
“Let’s just leave the blanket here. I want to show you something,” she said.
They hiked another fifty yards until they came to the crest of a canyon.
Hakim couldn’t believe the view. Inside the opposite wall was a network of caves. Ancient dwellings.
Shelby removed a small pair of binoculars from the backpack and offered them.
He peered through them and found he could see the living spaces in amazing detail. The canyon lip protected the small community from rain and invaders.
Shelby waved her hand toward the canyon floor. “The only access to the caves was with ladders which could be pulled up at night, or if danger arose. Pretty ingenious, right? And terrifying. I imagine the mothers must have kept a close eye on their children.”
He nodded and tried to picture ancient people living in a canyon wall, so high above the ground. “No matter where in the world one lives, protection is a basic instinct.” He thought of the high walls around the palace and the guards that insured his family’s safety. Especially now…
They sat on a rock overlooking the ravine, and Shelby handed him a sandwich. “See those rocks?” She pointed to a hill off to their right. Large black boulders spotted the entire hillside. “Petroglyphs are up there. Should we go check them out?”
“Are you sure you are not getting too tired?” Hakim indicated her leg.
“It’s not much farther, and then we can go back.”
Closer to the rocks, Shelby pointed out the ones with the ancient pictures. “You have to climb a bit, but they’re worth it. Some were carved eight hundred years ago.” She sat on a rock to wait.
Hakim climbed up for a closer look. “It’s fascinating,” he said when he returned, impressed at the differences and similarities between the ancient American carvings and the primitive artwork in his country.
“I know. Chet and I love to explore up here. We’ve found really cool old c
arvings. And some that aren’t so old. We even found where my great-great-grandpa carved his name in the 1800s,” Shelby said. “Ready to head back?” She stood slowly and sucked in a sharp breath when she put weight on her leg.
“Shelby Jo, I think you have overdone it today.”
“I’m just a little stiff. Once I get moving…”
Before her sentence was finished, Hakim had lifted her, crutches and all off the ground.
“Really, I can walk.”
He ignored her protests and held her tighter.
She shifted so her crutches were both in the same hand, and her other arm circled around his neck.
Shelby was not heavy, and Hakim was in good shape, but one hundred yards over uneven rocks was a long way to carry anyone. He worried when he felt his arms tire, but when he felt Shelby’s head drop onto his chest, his strength revived.
“I’m sorry, Hakim,” Shelby said as he set her on the blanket. “That was a long way.”
Instead of answering, Hakim sat next to Shelby and put his arm around her. Placing her head onto his shoulder, he lay back, pulling her down to lie next to him, resting his free hand behind his head. “Just rest for a few minutes, Shelby Jo.”
She didn’t argue and instead, rolled on her side, nestling closer.
He held her tighter, feeling the heat from her body where she pressed against him. Hakim listened to Shelby’s breathing slow and deepen as she fell asleep. As he kissed the top of her head, he breathed in the fresh smell of her hair.
Hakim had never had this kind of closeness with a woman. He had never spoken with anyone about his mother or the pain he still felt over her loss. Soon after her death, he had tried to talk to his father, but it was not long before he learned men in his family were expected to cope with their feelings silently.
When he thought about leaving Shelby, he felt an emptiness in his heart. He knew their separation was unavoidable, but seeing her again made it so much harder to imagine being without her. Could the two of them ever have a future together? He didn’t know how such an eventuality was possible, but he held on to the hope that he would figure out a way to keep from losing her. It would obviously mean telling her the truth, but he was sure he would find a way to do it, and she would forgive him for keeping his identity hidden.
Eventually, he would need to make some decisions, but for now, he was content to just hold Shelby and feel her soft body melt into his and hope that somehow their relationship would last.
Shelby woke and lifted her head. “Hakim.” She turned to face him and blinked. “How long did I sleep?”
“Perhaps an hour. I did not keep track of the time.”
“I am so sorry. How embarrassing. I…”
Hakim brushed his thumb across her lips. “Please do not apologize. I cannot remember ever spending an afternoon in a more pleasant manner.” Rolling onto his side, he caressed her cheek with his fingers. He stroked her hair, studying her face before he pulled her closer, kissing her forehead, her nose, and finally her lips.
Shelby tickled the back of his neck, sending shivers down his spine. The kiss deepened, and Shelby’s hand tightened on his back. Hakim kissed her cheek and felt her tremble when his lips touched her earlobe.
She laid her head back onto his arm, her hair splaying around her head.
“What are you thinking about right now?” he whispered, nuzzling her ear.
Her face reddened. “Do we still have to be honest?”
Hakim ran his fingers over her collarbone. His mind briefly acknowledged the lack of restrictions in America, and how welcome they were. He would never be permitted to take such liberties with a woman in his country. “Definitely.”
Shelby licked her bottom lip. “I was thinking your lips are really soft, for a guy, and your whiskers are tickling my face.” She traced the hair around his lips with her fingers.
Hakim chuckled as he bent to kiss her again, relishing the sensation of warmth that spread throughout his body.
The afternoon air grew cool. Hakim gave Shelby a piggy-back ride down to the ATV, and they drove back to the ranch. They approached the house and saw a black car parked in the driveway.
“That is Nasir.” Hakim drew his brows together. “I wonder what…”
“Go ahead and talk to him, I’ll take in this stuff.” She indicated the backpack. “Nasir is welcome to stay for dinner.” Shelby waved to Nasir, and turned to go into the house.
Hakim caught her arm and turned her toward him. He brushed a kiss on her lips and then strode toward the car.
Nasir stepped out of the driver’s seat
Hakim’s chest tightened. Nasir was not supposed to be here. His bodyguard would only have changed the plan and acted against the prince’s wishes if something were wrong. Five minutes later, Hakim walked up the wooden steps of the front porch.
Nasir followed. “I must insist again that we depart immediately, Your Highness.”
Hakim turned, holding onto the wooden railing with one hand. Anger and fear battled inside him, making his stomach quiver. “I will not leave Shelby without an explanation, and again, I wish to speak with her alone.”
“I acknowledge your demand, Your Highness, but after what has happened, I will not allow you from my sight.”
Hakim turned and ascended the last steps. He remembered how nervous he had been the first time he had stood at this door. That paled in comparison to the stomach-twisting fear he felt now. The front door stood slightly ajar, and Hakim knocked before pushing it open.
Debbie glanced up from where she sat on the couch, folding clothes. “Are you feeling okay, dear? You look a little pale.”
“Yes, thank you. I am just a bit tired.”
“I’m sure Shelby won’t mind changing plans if you aren’t feeling well.”
“Hey, Hakim.” Chet didn’t look up from where he was sprawled next to his mom scrolling through the channels.
“Hello, Chet.”
Nasir stepped into the doorway, moving behind Hakim.
Debbie widened her eyes.
“Debbie, this is my friend, Nasir.” Hakim swept his hand toward the man behind him. He tapped his fingers against his jeans as he looked past her, wondering where Shelby had gone.
“Hello, Nasir.” Debbie looked back to Chet. She edged away from the door and toward her son when she saw the large man in her house.
Seeing her nervous behavior, Hakim turned to Nasir and in Arabic asked him to wait outside.
Nasir folded his arms across his chest and shook his head.
Debbie widened her eyes and lifted a hand to the base of her neck as she heard the men arguing.
Hakim said as much to Nasir.
“It does not concern me, Your Highness. I am here to protect you, not the feelings of others.”
Shelby entered the room from the kitchen.
Hakim felt a small relief at seeing her, but his anxiety returned when he thought of what he must do.
“Hi, Nasir. My dad’s about ready to fire up the grill, then I thought we could check out his Western DVD collection.” Shelby saw Hakim’s expression and her smile faded. “You okay?”
“Yes,” he said. “Shelby, I—” His cell phone rang, interrupting him. “Excuse me.”
“Sure.”
Hakim stepped back onto the porch. He spoke quickly into the phone, knowing Shelby and her family waited. He finished talking and walked back into the living room.
Nasir closed the door behind them and leaned against it.
Hakim noticed Burke was in the room now, pretending to watch TV with Chet and Debbie, but Hakim knew he was there for his wife and children’s protection because of the two foreign strangers in the house. Hakim turned his head until his gaze found Shelby. She had come to rest her hip against the arm of the couch while he was on the phone. He took a few steps closer.
“Is everything okay?” She linked her fingers into his.
He squeezed her hand. “No, Shelby, there is something I need to speak with you about. Can we
talk privately?”
The next moment, Chet shouted and pointed toward the television.
Hakim jumped and whipped his gaze around to Nasir. He knew the big man was on edge, and he needed to stop him before he overzealously tried to protect Hakim from Chet.
But Nasir wasn’t looking at Chet. He was frozen, staring at the television.
Chet turned up the volume, and they all watched as Hakim’s picture flashed on the screen. The anchor was finishing the story, “…his only son and heir, Hakim Abdal-Salam bin Rashid Al Khalid, is expected to take his place as the ruling monarch. Again, authorities have not been able to identify the source of the explosion, though it’s widely believed the Nahl group is behind the attack. Sheik Rashid’s condition has been upgraded from critical to stable. We will keep you updated as details of this story become available.”
An icy feeling filled Hakim’s chest.
Chapter Nine
Shelby froze, her mind reeling in confusion. Thoughts flew through her head, and she didn’t know which ones to grab onto.
“Shelby,” Hakim squeezed her hand.
Chet clicked off the TV, and he and his parents turned to stare at Hakim across the back of the couch. Chet was, for once, completely speechless.
“Shelby,” Hakim said again. “Can we talk?”
Nasir spoke in a clipped tone. He grabbed Hakim’s arm, pulling him toward the door.
Shaking his head, Hakim said something in an angry voice.
Nasir dropped his hand and stood next to the door, glowering.
Shelby’s family gaped through the entire interaction.
Unable to form a coherent thought, Shelby just stared at Hakim. She’d never heard an angry tone from him…and directed at Nasir? She started to understand the dynamic between the two. Do I even know this man?
He reached for her elbow.
Shelby’s stomach was in a knot. She folded her arms and raised her eyebrows, waiting for an explanation.
“Good luck, dude,” Chet muttered.
“Shelby”—Hakim’s voice wavered—“I am so sorry. I—”
“So, it’s true?” With a shaky hand, she pointed toward the TV. “That news story was really about you?”
The Sheik's Ruby Page 10