Forever Betrayed: Forever Bluegrass #3 (25 page)

“What did we miss?” Pam asked in all her pressed perfection.

“John said Mila was shot and Zain knocked out King Omar,” Miss Lily said as she shuffled over on John’s arm, followed by her sisters and their husbands.

Mila saw Ahmed and Nabi pull Omar up from the ground and secure his hands with zip ties. She wondered what would happen to him. Whatever it was, he’d no longer be king, and he’d no longer be a threat to her or Zain.

“What happened to the protesters?” Abby asked after the group had been filled in on what happened at the farm.

“Pam took care of them,” Addison told them. “It was rather funny. Dad let loose with his pick-up lines and scared some of the women away. Anton got the others sidetracked with pastries, but when they tried to push past us, Pam put her hands on her hips and gave the best mom lecture I have ever heard. Sorry, Mom,” she said to Neely Grace.

“It’s okay. It really was spectacular,” Neely Grace said, picking up the story. “It was all about how much time, worry, and love mothers put into keeping their children safe and giving them a good education. Then she pushed them to tell her what was wrong with nanotechnology and then decimated every single argument. She ended up guilt-tripping them for letting down their mothers by not researching the debate enough. They all left with their heads hanging and half of them were on the phones with their mothers telling them they loved them.”

Mila hissed in pain as Dr. Emma cleaned her wound, but it was hard not to smile through the pain. Pam blushed as everyone cheered for her. Emergency vehicles had been called to take Mila and Abby to the ER while Zain cleaned up.

“We’ll have you back home tonight,” Dr. Emma said as Mila and Abby were reluctantly loaded into the back of the ambulance.

Zain stood holding her hand, his face washed of blood and the cut above his eye glued closed. “I’m coming with you.”

Mila shook her head. “No. Do not let this momentum get sidetracked in your absence. Please, stay here.”

Zain looked at her and then at the house. “Fine, but I’m taking care of you tonight.”

“Deal. I’ll see you then.”

Zain leaned over the gurney and kissed her, the intimate gesture filled with the desperation she was feeling. It was all over—the threat against them, the summit . . . everything. It was over and she would be returning home tomorrow.

“I love you,” Zain whispered against her lips.

“I love you, too.” Mila bit her lower lip as she watched him walk away. She didn’t know how she was going to stand watching him walk away from her the next day, possibly for the last time. But that was what was going to happen. Now that the threat was gone and the summit was over, Zain would see that his infatuation was just caused by the heat of the moment. Did he love her? Yes, he did. But would he still love her when everything returned to normal and she was back home? Because for all the people around her saying that Keeneston was home, Keeneston was not
her
home. Even though it did already feel like it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Zain was drawn into discussion the second he entered the conference room. Piper sent him a warm smile as he settled in and answered questions. Piper supplied the science and Zain supplied the logistics. The day flew by. In the end, all parties, sans Tahjad, had agreed not only to work together on global tensions arising from disease outbreaks and cybercrimes, but also signed the multinational agreement promising support for the Rahmi International Nanotechnology Laboratory. His summit was a success, but the one person he wanted to celebrate with wasn’t by his side.

Zain stood with Jamal at the bottom of the front steps, shaking hands with the delegates as they made their way to their cars and headed home. His father came to stand with them and whispered in his ear, “Remember, I want to see you before you leave.” He then looked up and smiled at Suri. “Ah, Suri,” Mo said in his normal silken tone.

Zain bowed deeply to her to show his respect. Suri smiled and Zain thought he saw a glistening in her eyes. “Cousins, I thank you for your hospitality and your friendship.”

“We are family,” Zain reminded her.

“And I hope to be invited to more family functions, say . . . weddings.” Suri smiled.

“Let’s start with a family reunion of sorts,” Mo said as he stepped away from Zain to stand in front of Suri. “I have told my brother all that you have done to help Rahmi. He wants you to fly to Rahmi with Jamal to work together with the head of the rebel party, the Dragoons, in Tahjad to bring stability to our land. If you want to, that is.”

Suri bowed her head graciously. “I would like that. The Dragoon leader is an educated man, wanting the best for his country. He was the one I was going to support if they ever led an uprising. I’d be pleased to attend.”

Jamal held out his arm for Suri. “Then shall we?” Suri slipped her arm through his and smiled at the young prince who was finally coming into his own. “Uncle, Zain, thank you.”

Zain watched Jamal and Suri walk to the limousine. Jamal had apologized to Abby and even to Veronica and Ahmed. The future of Rahmi was secure, his cousin was growing up, and, for once, a woman he loved was waiting for him. Zain nearly forgot his promise to meet with his father as he started to go find Mila.

Zain stopped, turned, and found his father had gone. He was probably waiting for him in his office. As he walked down the hallway, he heard the chatter of his mother and her friends, helping to set up a dinner party for that night. His mother had invited everyone from the town to enjoy a large celebratory dinner as thanks for their help with the summit. Zain knocked on his father’s door and waited for permission to enter. When he heard Mo’s voice, he opened the door to find the video screen on and waiting to transmit.

“Are we calling Uncle Dirar?” Zain asked.

“No. There’s something I want to give you.” Zain watched his father move to the hidden safe and open it. “You know I fell in love with your mother the moment I saw her sitting on Kenna and Will’s back porch. What you don’t know is that as a young man, I was given a ring as an heir to the Rahmi crown to give to my fiancée. When I thought about giving it to your mother, I just knew it wasn’t meant for her. I believe I was saving it for you.”

Mo turned around and held a small gold box with an engraving of the
oryx on the lid. “Love changed my world in an instant. I shouldn’t have been surprised when it did the same for you. I should have seen the look on your face when you looked at Mila. It is the same look I have on mine everyday when I see your mother.”

Zain took the box from his father and opened it slowly. Love, happiness, and a bright future. Those feelings warmed his heart and he knew his father had been right. “It’s perfect.”

“If you press this tablet screen, you’ll find Mila’s parents waiting to talk to you. I assumed after today you wouldn’t want to be waiting to ask her to become part of our family.”

Zain hugged his father. “Thank you, Dad,” Zain whispered.

“I figured we had to keep the tradition alive. My father disliked your mother briefly, and then loved her as a daughter until he passed away. Speaking of traditions, it may be an old, outdated one, but I hope you choose to do it. Just press the button and gather your nerve, son. I’m sorry I ever doubted your judgment. Mila is a wonderful young lady who I will be proud to call my daughter. And the mother of my grandchildren.”

Zain groaned. “At least let me get married before you join Mom in your quest for grandchildren.”

His father just smiled and slapped his back before walking out the door with energy in his step and a vision of grandbabies in his head.

Zain took a deep breath. He knew with every fiber of his body that Mila was the one. Zain hit the button and the screen turned to a desk overlooking lamp-lit small streets and old buildings in Bern, Switzerland. Suddenly a cheerful-looking man sat down in the chair as a prim and polished woman came to stand behind him.

“Mr. Thiessen, Mrs. Thiessen, I’m Zain Ali Rahman. It’s nice to meet you,” Zain said more nervous than he had ever been before.

“
Guten Abend
, Prince Ali Rahman,” Mr. Thiessen said respectfully.

“Good evening to you, too. Thank you for taking my phone call in the middle of the night. And please, call me Zain.”

Zain noticed Mila’s mother didn’t approve. But from what Mila told him about her, she was stuck in tradition. Propriety and decorum said you never addressed a prince so informally.

“Well then,
Zain
. What can we do for you? I assume you’re wanting to talk to your sister?” Mr. Thiessen motioned with his hand and Ariana hurried over to stand next to Mrs. Thiessen.

“Zain! Is everything okay? What happened?” Ariana quickly questioned.

Zain smiled at his sister. She was seven years younger than he and he’d always seen her as a little girl. Even now when she was almost twenty-two. And he had indulged her and always would. “It’s all taken care of, Ariana. As if you didn’t know from the town texts,” he teased.

“Hush, I’m trying to show the Thiessens what an awesome brother I have,” she playfully whispered. Mr. Thiessen laughed a big booming laugh and even Mrs. Thiessen’s hard exterior cracked with a little smile of indulgence for his sister.

“Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Thiessen, for taking care of my very exuberant sister and her friends. I will never be able to repay my gratitude.”

“It’s been a pleasure, young man. She’s brought a spark of life into this old embassy,” Mr. Thiessen smiled and looked up quickly at Ariana.

“So, get to it, Zain,” Ariana prompted. Zain felt himself blush. He was never going to indulge his sister again because he was going to kill her for putting him on the spot.

“Was there something else you require of us—” Mrs. Thiessen took a deep breath—“Zain?”

Zain gripped the gold box tightly in his hand and nodded. “This may seem sudden, but I’ve fallen madly in love with your daughter, and I would like your permission to ask her to marry me.” Belatedly, Zain held up the box and opened it so they could see the ring.

“Yes!” Ariana shouted suddenly as Mrs. Thiessen blatantly stared at the ring.

“Ari, I wasn’t asking your permission,” Zain said through gritted teeth.

Mr. Thiessen didn’t look at the ring. He kept his eyes on Zain. He leaned forward until his face filled the camera. “Does Mila love you?”

“Yes, sir,” Zain said as he fought the urge to shift nervously on his feet. “We love each other very much. I will do everything in my power to make her happy.”

“And the wild streak of hers that her mother is so disapproving of?”

Zain kept his eyes on her father’s. “No disrespect to your wife, but I’ll do everything I can to encourage that streak. When Mila is just Mila, she’s radiant.”

Mr. Thiessen’s smile covered his entire face. “She gets that from me. As much as my wife says she detests it, she loves it most about me. Isn’t that right, dear?”

Mr. Thiessen moved back and his wife swatted him playfully. “You have my permission,” Mr. Thiessen said happily as he wiped a tear from his face and turned to face his wife. “
Unser baby
is getting married.”

Mrs. Thiessen ducked her head and dabbed at her eyes before turning back to the camera. “Then we’d better book the first flight to Keeneston.”

*     *     *

Dylan and Jackson hadn’t left the hospital since Mila and Abby had gotten there. About thirty minutes after they arrived, the entire town of Keeneston had also shown up. Mila was gifted a quilt, five pies, and thirteen casseroles. Abby had X-rays, and while she was bruised, luckily nothing was broken. Mila had her arm cleaned and stitched and then received a monstrous tetanus shot. When the two women were discharged, the town went back to the farm. Dylan took Abby home and Jackson brought Mila to the bed and breakfast.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to wait for Zain to get here?” Jackson asked for the third time. He stood looking a little lost in the middle of her room. “I feel bad leaving you up in the tower by yourself.”

Mila smiled at him. He was a very nice man, but there was only one man she wanted in her room right now. And it wasn’t Jackson. “I’m sure. I want to rest before Zain gets here. I’m a little tired after today.”

“Only if you’re sure. You have my number, though, right?” When Mila shook her head, he had asked her to hand him her phone just like his sister had. “Here’s my number, my brother’s number, my sister’s number. Oh, and my parents. Aunt Annie and Uncle Cade. You may want Ahmed and Bridget, too. Do you want my grandparents’ number? You never know when an apple pie might be needed.”

Mila laughed and shook her head. “Are you entering the whole town?”

“Well, yeah. You’re our friend and you never know when you might need someone shot or a homemade dessert.” Mila watched as Jackson typed away on her phone for five minutes before handing it back to her. “There. You’re official now.”

“Thank you. And thank you for making me feel so welcome here. I hate that I have to leave tomorrow. I’m going to miss all of you very much.”

Jackson winked. “That’s not what John Wolfe told me at the hospital.”

“What?”

“John. He knows everything, and he says you’re not leaving tomorrow. I’ll see you later.”

As Jackson smiled that smile of his that would make women tear off their clothes, a thought stuck Mila. “Are you the cause of the town panty dropper?” Mila asked.

Jackson just shook his head and chuckled as he climbed down the stairs and slid the door closed. Ha, this phone thing would come in handy. Mila scrolled through all the new contacts on her phone. “Poppy, hi, it’s Mila. Can I put ten dollars on Jackson being behind the panties being left all around town?”

Mila hung up with a content smile on her face. In less than a week, she had more roots and friends in this tiny town than she’d had in any city before. Her smile slipped as she thought of leaving the next day. She folded all of the clothes Sydney had given her and placed them in the plastic bags. Even her luggage knew they didn’t belong in Keeneston.

Mila took off her clothes from the day and tossed the blouse in the trash. She found the outfit she had arrived in and put it on. She sat down on the bed, and before long, her eyes were drifting shut. That was until she heard the scraping sound coming from the side of the house.

Her heart kicked up as a dark form filled her window. Mila screamed and threw the lamp when the figure tried to climb in the window.

“Not again.”

“Zain?”

“Who else would be climbing in your window at night?” Zain fell to the floor, smiling, and stood up in jeans and a black shirt that showed off all his muscles.

“Why on earth didn’t you just use the door?”

“I thought this would be more romantic,” Zain said with a knowing grin. He pulled her to her feet and ran his hands through her hair before bringing his lips slowly to hers. “I’ve missed you.”

“You saw me this morning.”

“I know. It’s been too long.”

Mila giggled and then ran her hand down his chest to the button of his jeans. “You’re right. It has been too long.”

“Mmm. Before we start this, there is something I need to talk to you about,” Zain said in between kissing her.

“What’s that?”

“You leaving tomorrow. I’m afraid I can’t allow it.”

Mila stiffened. “Allow it?”

Zain’s lips twitched as he fought smiling. “That’s right. You’re going to be far too busy with me to go home.”

“What are you talking about?” Mila asked as she stared at him.

“I’m talking about me loving you too much to let you go.” Zain kissed her cheek. “I can’t go that long without kissing you.” He kissed her lips quick and hard before dropping to his knee.

Mila looked down at him stunned. Was he—?

“Mila Thiessen, I love you with all my heart and I want to spend every day tempting your wild side. I fell in love with you the first time I saw you standing on the sidewalk accusing Sydney of trying to give you stolen goods. I want to share our lives together. Have children. Make the world a better place. Then nag our children until they give us grandchildren. I want you by my side always and forever as my wife. I will love you and cherish you every day. Mila—”