The Sheik's Ruby (32 page)

“Your Highness, I couldn’t help overhearing what Miss Walker said to you.”

“She must have been confused.
Al-Khalija
? The Bay? There is no bay in Khali-dar.”

“Perhaps
Al-Khalija
was a mispronunciation.” Nasir spoke in a slow voice. “When I was young, I often spent the summers helping my uncle on his farm in the northernmost region of Khali-dar. There is a section of the mountains the locals refer to as ‘
Al-Khaliya.
’”

“The Beehive,” Hakim said.

“Yes, it is apparently riddled with tunnels. Isolated, unexplored. Strategically, the location is a perfect one to headquarter a terrorist movement.”

“Nasir, I trust your intuition. This must be investigated immediately.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Shelby woke to the beeps of a heart rate monitor. When she opened her eyes, she saw the blinking lights of the machine and an IV bag dangling above her. Feeling an uneasy sense of
déjà vu
, she lifted her head and looked around.

Hakim sat in a chair next to her bed. His hand covered hers, and he was fast asleep.

At the sight of him, she felt her pulse race. Allowing her gaze to travel around, she realized the room was nothing like any hospital she had ever seen. The floor was carpeted for one thing, and beautiful drapes hung at the windows. A sofa sat against a wall across from the foot of her bed beneath a beautiful painting. Although she still lay in a hospital bed, the bedding was tasteful and comfortable.

She returned her gaze to Hakim and felt her heart swell. She had been sure she would never see him again. The last few days had taken a toll on him. His beard, un-trimmed, looked scruffy, and his clothes were rumpled. His face appeared thinner, and drawn. She squeezed his hand.

Hakim jerked up his head and opened his eyes.

“Hey,” she whispered.

His features relaxed and he bent forward, cupping her cheek. “How do you feel, Shelby Jo?”

“Awesome. But that probably has something to do with the painkillers.”

He smiled and rubbed his eyes with his other hand.

“I missed you,” she whispered.

“Shelby Jo, when I found out you had been taken, I…” He swallowed and leaned forward to lay his head on her shoulder.

Shelby inhaled his familiar smell as she wrapped her arm around him and stroked his hair. “Everything is okay, now. I knew you would find me.”

Hakim lifted his head and smiled. “It was Kadir who found you.”

“Kadir?”
Kadir found me?

“He saw a woman wearing your boots and followed her from the market. He was able to lead us to you.”

“Man, I love that kid.”

“As do I.” He rested his head back on her shoulder, and she continued to run her fingers through his hair until she fell back asleep.

****

Three days later, Shelby sat up in bed, eating a meal that was the polar opposite of hospital food.

Aaliya sat on the chair next to her.

“Mmmm.” Shelby spread more hummus on her flatbread. “This is just what the doctor ordered.” She took a bite and chewed. “So, how much longer do you think I have to stay here? I feel pretty good. Just sore.” She had seen the doctor a few times when he had come to check on her, but he hadn’t given her any information, preferring to speak directly to Hakim.

“I don’t know, but I’m sure Prince Hakim will not take any chances with your health. He will keep you here until he is satisfied that you are completely healed. Persuading him to leave your side for a few hours so I could help you shower and change your clothing was difficult.”

Shelby kept eating. She hated being cooped up in a hospital bed, but treasured the alone time she had spent with Hakim.

He had told her about the raid on the northern border and how the information she’d overheard led to the discovery of the
Nahl
headquarters. Numerous weapons and explosives had been recovered, and a terrorist attack planned for a local shopping mall was prevented, saving an untold number of innocent lives. Unfortunately, Usman the Bedouin, and mastermind behind
Nahl,
had
escaped
.
From what Hakim told her, Elder Malik was furious and horrified that one of his trusted people had led the rebellion. He pledged his tribe’s full cooperation as the manhunt continued.

At the sound of a knock, Aaliya rose and opened it, admitting Hakim.

Shelby grinned when she saw him, but her smile faded when she saw his face. Hakim’s brows were drawn and his expression serious. He rubbed the back of his neck in a gesture that Shelby recognized as him being nervous.

Hakim glanced at Aaliya and then down at the paper he held in his hand.

“Is everything okay?” Shelby asked.

“Yes. Shelby Jo, I have something to talk with you about.”

Aaliya excused herself with a bow and closed the door behind her.

Hakim sat in the chair next to the bed and took Shelby’s hand. “Shelby Jo, before…when I asked you…” He darted his gaze to hers and returned it to their joined hands. “When I asked you to marry me…”

His voice was low so Shelby squeezed his hand for encouragement.

He let out a breath. “You told me you did not feel as though you could remain here in Khali-dar, without contributing, that you needed a role, or you would not feel as though you were being true to yourself.” Again, he lifted his gaze.

Shelby saw the vulnerability had returned to his face. His lips were tight and there were lines around his eyes. She nodded. “I remember.”

“I have made a proposal to my father which he has accepted. We would like to offer you a position as one of the Sheik’s advisors.”

Shelby grabbed a handful of blankets. “You can’t be serious. What use would I be as a Sheik’s advisor?”

“Shelby Jo, my father and I agree you would be very valuable. You are loyal to Khali-dar. You have shown us there are people in the kingdom who deserve to be heard, and we would like you to be their voice.” His voice grew stronger as he spoke. “We need a person with vision and passion to organize and manage the building, staffing, and running of a women’s university.” He handed her the paper and held his breath.

Heart pounding, she looked from him down to the document in her hand. The letter was typed in English, and below in the swirling script of the Arabic language. Shelby raised her gaze to Hakim’s. She did not know how to answer. She was flattered and stunned and extremely nervous. A lump grew in her throat as she thought about Hakim speaking to his father. His words demonstrated such confidence in her abilities, and the faith he showed was overwhelming.

He leaned forward and pointed to the bottom lines. “Here, next to my father’s signature is the Minister of Education’s name as well. We know you can do this, Shelby Jo.”

She opened her mouth to reply.

Shaking his head, Hakim held up a hand. “Do not answer now. I will give you time to consider.” He stood and began to walk to the door, but stopped and turned. The lines around his eyes deepened. “And while you are considering… Shelby Jo, I love you. I would do everything in my power to make you happy.”

“I know.” The ache in his expression tore at her. She blinked at the moisture in her eyes.

Shelby sat back against her pillows and looked at the paper again. An advisor to the Sheik.

Could Hakim’s father have actually agreed to this? The entire situation seemed unreal, but the alternative was painful. Could she really leave Khali-dar? Leave Hakim? Remaining in Khali-dar would be difficult. She would have to sacrifice so much. Besides missing her family and friends, she would also give up her security and much of her freedom.

But, she realized, she wasn’t the only who would have to make sacrifices. Why hadn’t she seen how hard this situation would be for Hakim? He would be forced to give up some of the peace in his country, traditions, and the respect of many of his people who were against the idea of an American woman being their queen. His marriage proposal demonstrated he had been willing to sacrifice all of this.

When she thought of her future, she knew without Hakim, it would never be complete.

Shelby shifted on the bed, wincing at a stab of pain. She put her feet on the floor, and Aaliya helped her stand and get into the bathroom. Shelby insisted she would be fine taking a shower by herself, but Aaliya remained close in case Shelby should need her.

Shelby was all right as long as she kept one arm pressed against her side. Washing her hair one handed was a little tricky, but she managed. When she came out of the bathroom, she saw Aaliya’s eyebrows knitted together.

“What’s up?” Shelby asked.

“Sheik Rashid will be here to meet with you in half an hour.”

“With Hakim?”

“No, apparently the Sheik has business he would like to discuss with you alone.” Aaliya shrugged. “That is all I know.”

Aaliya helped Shelby into clean pajamas and a robe and then combed and blow-dried her hair.

A knock came at the door and Aaliya answered it, bowing when the Sheik entered. She stepped out into the hall, giving Shelby an encouraging smile before closing the door behind her.

“Your Majesty.” Shelby stood and gave an awkward and painful bow to the Sheik. “Please come in.” She chewed her lip, unsure of what to say. “Um…would you like to sit down?”

“No, thank you, Shelby.”

She gave a little start. His voice almost sounded kind, and this was the first time he’d called her by her first name.

“However, I insist
you
sit down.” The Sheik gently held her elbow and escorted her to the couch.

Shelby was speechless. The Sheik had never shown her any kind of consideration before. What was going on?

For a long moment, Sheik Rashid was silent, his gaze traveling around the hospital room.

Shelby wondered what he was thinking about. Was he here to rescind the offer Hakim had undoubtedly convinced him to agree to? She shifted uncomfortably.

“I have not been in this room for many years,” he said in a soft voice. He walked closer to the bed and stood silently for a moment. He stepped back and moved away from the bed, and began to pace, using his cane. “It will come as no surprise to you that I was very much against my son’s relationship with you.”

Ouch
.

“I assumed his infatuation was temporary, and he would tire of you quickly. As a father and a Sheik, I felt becoming involved with an American woman was unwise. The first night I met you, I was appalled by your boldness and self-importance.” The Sheik stopped pacing and stood in front of Shelby.

Hearing his statement made her wince, and she felt like shrinking under his intimidating gaze.

“However, Shelby Walker”—he paused—“my opinion has since changed.”

Shelby gasped and looked up, not believing what she was hearing.

“What I had mistaken for Western arrogance was in reality, confidence, and what I had assumed to be smugness was actually dignity.” The Sheik’s expression softened. “As I have observed you for the past weeks, I have seen you show the same kindness to everyone from stable boys to heads of state. You have not put on airs in an attempt to impress. Allah has blessed you with a gift. The ability to relate to all people.”

Stunned, Shelby stared with her mouth open. He was complimenting her?

“I hope to add my plea to my son’s and ask you to become an advisor to the kingdom.”

“Are you offering me a job because I’m your son’s girlfriend? Did Hakim talk you into this?” She wouldn’t have the Sheik or anyone give her something she didn’t deserve.

“I put Hakim in the difficult position of choosing between his heart and his duty. Between you and Khali-dar. I am afraid my prejudices run deep. I did not give you a chance.” The Sheik paused and regarded her before he continued pacing. “I was wrong to think that by choosing you he would betray his country. Hakim’s heart and duty should not conflict. I believe you are what our country needs, Shelby Walker.”

After studying her expression, he joined her on the sofa. “Shelby, I sat in this same room twenty years ago, helpless, as my wife’s broken body finally failed. This past week, I have seen the same pain I suffered on my only son’s face.” The Sheik rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. “He told me you were leaving. That you had refused to marry him, and he told me why. I wanted to ensure you considered all of your options before making a decision. I will tell you truthfully the position will not be easy. Many of the people of my country are as prejudiced as I have been. But I believe you are the right person to help break down these barriers.”

“Your Majesty,” Shelby began, unsure of what to say. She knew how hard this must be for the Sheik. “I don’t want you to bribe me to keep me here. I don’t want a job that I didn’t earn.”

“Shelby, do you think I earned my job?” The Sheik turned his body toward her and lifted his chin.

Shelby blinked. She hadn’t expected the question and had no idea how to answer him.

“I was born into my job. I am the Sheik because my father was the Sheik and his father before him. Hakim will one day replace me. Did he earn this? Do we deserve this job?”

Considering her answer, Shelby pulled her brows together. “Before I came here, I would have said no.” She tipped her head to catch the Sheik’s gaze. “But I have seen how much you and Hakim work and sacrifice and care for Khali-dar.”

He nodded, the corners of his mouth turned down. “Yes, Shelby. My position has taken me a lifetime to earn. I believe you have also earned your place in our kingdom, and when it comes to work and sacrifice, I would expect no less of you.”

****

The next day, Shelby dressed, and in spite of Aaliya’s protests, left the hospital room for the first time in nearly a week. She walked through the gardens toward the stables, hoping she would find Hakim. He hadn’t come to see her the night before, wanting to give her time to think. Shelby knew her family would be landing in Khali-dar within the hour and she wanted to speak to Hakim before they arrived.

She turned down the path that led toward the stables, but the sight of a person on another path startled her. She let out a relieved breath when she recognized Nasir.

He stood with his arms folded but raised a brow and motioned with his head, indicating the pathway behind him.