The Sheik's Ruby (21 page)

Shelby hadn’t thought about the danger Hakim had been in when he was in Colorado. “And undercover.” Hakim’s smile meant her words had their desired result. She was glad they were at a point where they could joke about it.

“Now, Shelby Jo, if you will please follow me, I have one more surprise.”

“Better than a date to the Kentucky Derby?” She hoped she sounded excited instead of nervous at the thought of leaving the safety of the palace.

“You must judge for yourself.”

They walked back outside to another door in the other side of the building.

“This is where our riding horses are kept.”

A young boy, no older than twelve, approached and bowed. Hakim spoke a few words.

The boy hurried into the stable. He returned leading the beautiful white mare Shelby had seen earlier.

She was a stunning Arabian, evidenced by her concave profile, arched neck, and the proud way she carried her tail. From the moment she looked into the mare’s large brown eyes, Shelby was in love. She reached out, and the mare nuzzled her hand.

Hakim brushed his hand on the horse’s neck. “This mare is named
Al-qamar.
When she was a foal, the Bedouin tribe who owned her claimed she brought them good luck. A mare such as this cannot be bought or sold. She may only be given as a gift. Usman brought her today from his tribe as a show of support for our kingdom.”

“She is gorgeous.” Shelby stroked the mare’s velvety nose.

“She is for you.”

Shelby gasped and jerked her head around to face him. “What? Hakim, you can’t just give someone a horse.”

“I believe I just did.”

“But I can’t accept a gift like this.” The unease she’d felt the day before returned full force and heat flamed in her face.

He raised his shoulders and squinted his eyes. “I do not understand. Why?”

“Because, I could never repay you.” Shelby stared at her hands.

“I do not give you this gift to obligate you.” Hakim curled his finger beneath her chin, lifting her gaze to his.

His closeness stole her breath. “I know. I worry that you’ve done so much for me, and I have no way to do anything remotely as nice in return.”

“Shelby, you coming to Khali-dar was the most wonderful gift you could have given me.” He dropped his arm to hold her hand. “However, we are wasting time which would be much better spent riding, do you not agree?”

She answered him with a small smile she hoped he understood to mean the conversation was not over.

Hakim spoke to the boy who waited nearby.

He hurried off and returned, carrying an ornate saddle.

“I hope this is suitable. I thought you would prefer a western saddle to an English one.” Hakim waved a hand toward the saddle.

“Do you ride those little English saddles?” Shelby winced. “You better hope Chet doesn’t see you on one of those.” She sighed and rolled her eyes. “I guess I have my work cut out if I’m to make a cowboy out of you.”

Hakim laughed. “Given the chance, I could probably convert Chet to a smaller, sleeker saddle.”

The boy laid a colorful, tassel-lined blanket over
Al-qamar’s
back and bent to pick up the saddle.

Shelby placed her hand on his arm to stop him.

The boy looked up, his eyes wide in question.

“
Maa ‘ismuka
?” Shelby asked his name.

“Kadir.”

“Al-salaam alaykum
, Kadir.”

“
Wa
alaykum e-salaam
.” He bowed.

“Hakim, would you please tell Kadir thank you, but I can saddle
Al-qamar
myself?”

Hakim spoke to the boy.

Kadir bowed again and stepped aside.

Shelby swung the saddle onto
Al-qamar’s
back. She reached underneath the mare and grabbed the girth straps, pushing her knee into the horse’s side, to force out the air and tightening the cinch. She took the bridle Kadir offered, and she took a minute to figure out the elaborate gold piece that fit across
Al-qamar’s
forehead and the tassels hanging down the sides. After Shelby pushed the bit into the horse’s mouth, she fastened the buckle and tightened the leather straps on the side of the mare’s head.

Once she was finished, Shelby admired the saddle. The leather work was beautiful and intricate. Sparkling silver and gold metal decorated the area under the seat and glittered its way down toward the stirrups. She had never seen anything like it. She’d always used Chet’s old saddle. And even that had been purchased secondhand. Shelby murmured to the animal just like her father always did as she led
Al-qamar
away from the shade of the stables into the bright sunlight where a stable worker waited, holding the reins to a black stallion.

When it saw Hakim, the stallion nickered.

The prince stroked his neck. “This is
Khafif.
” He stepped into the stirrup and, in one quick move, was atop the horse.

Shelby adjusted the stirrup straps and mounted
Al-qamar
in a smooth motion. From her new vantage point, she glanced around, noticing the Sheik and his guards. She tightened her hands on the reins.

He sat under an awning on the far side of the stables.

Hadn’t he said he was going back to the palace? Was he keeping an eye on her? She wondered if Hakim had seen him, but decided not to mention it.

They rode around the track a few times in order for Shelby and
Al-qamar
to get used to each other
.
The horse was well-trained and eager to please, and Shelby was a good rider.

“This is my favorite trail,” Hakim told her. The horses ambled side by side up a slight incline until they reached the top of the hill.

Shelby admired the view. Behind them, she could see the palace, and in the distance, the skyscrapers of the city. In front of them, the path followed the lawn and then wound through trees until it disappeared from sight. Although she knew they were inside high walls, she couldn’t see them. She felt exposed, nervous that the terrorists might see them in such an open space. “How big is this property?”

“Nearly five miles across,” Hakim said. “This is the edge of the tended gardens. Ahead is a sort of wilderness, though it has been somewhat tamed. The gardeners water the trees and keep the paths clear.”

“Are wild animals in there?” Shelby asked.

“Yes, but nothing larger than a hare. My father and I often bring birds here to hunt.”

“Let’s check it out then.” Shelby urged her horse down the path, breaking into a gallop.

Hakim chuckled as he followed her down the hill, passing her easily. When they reached the trees, the horses slowed and Hakim led the way. “Was that another race?” He turned in his saddle to show an exaggerated innocent expression. “Because I think this time I was definitely the winner.”

The teasing in his voice made Shelby’s heart feel light. She loved seeing him happy instead of worried. “It wouldn’t be good manners for me to beat you on your home turf.” She shrugged.

They rode beneath the trees. The horses’ footsteps were muted as they walked through the forest.

After the heat of the desert sun, Shelby was grateful for the coolness of the shade, and she imagined the animals must enjoy it too.

“Shelby, there is something I wish to ask you.” He halted his horse.

“Go ahead.” Shelby reined in next to him.

“Tomorrow, my father is holding a reception for some…people. Guests of the kingdom. I would be very happy if you would accompany me.”

“What kind of people?” Shelby tried to keep the nervousness out of her tone.

“Various heads of state and ambassadors of countries who have pledged their support to our government.”

“Okay, so it’s like a meeting?”

“The meetings will be in the day. The reception is in the evening. That is when the leaders bring their spouses or companions to the palace for dinner and entertainment. The event will also be an opportunity for you to meet some of Khali-dar’s influential families.”

Shelby felt her stomach tighten. Heads of State? Dinner? Reception? The last thing she wanted was to say or do something that would embarrass herself or Hakim again. And she couldn’t imagine the Sheik would be pleased to have her at an event so important.

He watched her with his head tipped to the side.

She ran the reins through her fingers. “Does your father know you’re asking me?”

Hakim gazed over her shoulder and took a deep breath. “He knows.”

“But he doesn’t want me to come, right?”

“I will bring a companion of my choice tomorrow.” He locked his gaze onto Shelby’s and leaned toward her. “
You
are my choice. Will you please come?”

The Sheik apparently doesn’t buy into the whole “guests are gifts from Allah” idea.
“Of course, I would love to come.” She smiled but knew it didn’t appear convincing. She hated feeling like she was the source of their discord.

“You are nervous. Please do not feel uncomfortable.”

“I’m worried I’ll say or do something stupid.” She winced. “I’m not exactly a refined debutante who knows how to act in formal situations. I don’t want to embarrass you, Hakim.”

“I do not want you to be a refined debutante. I have spent enough time with those people to know they are not what I want.” Hakim maneuvered his horse until he faced Shelby and their legs were nearly touching. He leaned closer, his gaze earnest. “What I want is you, Shelby Jo.” He cupped her cheek in his hand.

Shelby felt her heart flutter and her nerve endings tingle as she lost herself in the deep brown pools of his eyes.

His thumb stroked her skin, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. He slid his hand into her hair and drew her closer, his lips covering hers.

When she drew away, Shelby inhaled deeply and grinned. “Hearing you put it that way, how could I possibly refuse?”

Chapter Fifteen

Early the next morning, Shelby hurried out to the stables. This was the first time she’d left her room without anyone stopping her to see if they could help. She guessed the household was busy preparing for the big event that evening. Either that, or they figured she knew her way around by now. Choosing how she’d spend her day without advice or a companion by her side was a relief. She saw guards outside the stables and worried they might stop her.

But they remained on the racehorse side and gave her no trouble.

She walked toward the section where the riding horses were kept. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Kadir. “
Al-salaam alaykum
, Kadir,” she said in greeting.

“
Wa
alaykum e-salaam.”
Kadir bowed.

“I came to see
Al-qamar
.”

Kadir indicated she should follow him back into the building to the white mare’s stall. He hurried to the wall and picked up the saddle.

Shelby shook her head. “Nope, I just came to visit this morning.” She spoke in a low voice to the horse, stroking her velvety nose and neck. She found a halter hanging on the wall and led
Al-qamar
out into the sunshine. The horse bobbed her head and pranced. She obviously loved being outside and obediently followed Shelby around the track.

Shelby loved being with the mare. In the world where she still didn’t know how to fit in, being with the horse was one place she felt completely comfortable. Working with the animal made her feel like she had a purpose. When Shelby returned from their walk, she motioned to Kadir that she wanted to comb
Al-qamar
’s mane.

Understanding dawned in his eyes, and he ran to fetch a small box with various sizes of brushes and combs. “
Shukran
,” Shelby thanked him.

Kadir bowed his head and went about doing his regular jobs.

Shelby spent the next half hour combing, brushing, feeding, watering, and talking to the mare. She had never spent much time around an Arabian and was amazed by how much
Al-qamar
liked people. The familiarity of the tasks was comforting and lessened her homesickness. She smiled as she noticed Kadir continued his duties, but he stayed close enough to be available if Shelby should need him. She was reminded of her ranch chores as she watched him feed and water the animals and heard his voice while he spoke to them.

After Shelby put away the tools, she let herself out of the low stall door and into the main area of the stable.

Kadir swept the walkway near the entrance. “Cowboy?” He pointed to her red boots.

Shelby pulled up the leg of her jeans a little. “Yep, they’re cowboy boots.”

The boy grinned.

“
‘Ilaa al-ghad
, Kadir.” She made a mental note to bring the boy a treat.

“
‘Ilaa al-ghad
, Miss Walker.” He bowed again.

Shelby felt lighter than she had since she arrived. Tending to
Al-qamar
made her feel like herself again. She returned to her room smelling like horses.

Shanayze was waiting.

“Miss Walker, there is much to do to prepare you for the reception this evening.” Shanayze folded her arms across her chest and nodded her head once. “But first, you should eat some breakfast.” She gestured to a tray on the table behind her.

“Thank you.” If Shanayze wondered where Shelby had been, she hid it well. Shelby helped herself to a slice of sweet bread and butter. The food tasted delicious, and she hadn’t realized how hungry she was. “What do I need to do?”

“First of all, there is the matter of your dress. You must choose a gown as soon as possible in order to give the seamstress time for alteration. Then, you will need your hair styled, and your nails polished.”

Shelby thought Shanayze always spoke as if she held a clipboard in her hand. “What time’s the reception?”

“You must be at Prince Hakim’s side to greet the guests at seven o’clock.”

Greet the guests?
Shelby felt her stomach flop. She’d assumed she could find a chair in a corner somewhere and blend in while Hakim did all of the mingling. She set down the bread, no longer hungry. “Is it okay if I take a shower before trying on dresses?”

“Of course. I will have Aaliya bring up the gowns. We will be ready when you are done.”

Shelby showered. She pulled back her wet hair into a ponytail, put on clean underwear and a robe, and opened the bathroom door. A large three-paned mirror surrounding a round, carpeted stair stood in the middle of her room. Two rolling racks full of gowns were on either side of the mirror with boxes of shoes, hosiery, jewelry, and hair accessories taking up another side of the room. Shelby’s eyes widened, and she breathed in quickly.