It was a risk, yes. But one Raheem was willing to take. His instincts told him Laura was the perfect one to help him reach his country’s goals and unlike her, he put much stock in such things as intuition and fate. He liked to imagine his father was looking down upon him now from heaven, blessing this transaction. For Raheem, for the family, for Djeva.
His poor deceased father might never have been suited to rule, but he’d loved his country all the same. Raheem would do this for his family, for their legacy. And he would have Laura by his side through it all, one way or another.
“Sheikh Raheem, sir,” the host said, coming up to them. “We must get started.”
“Your answer?” Raheem said to Laura. “Time is up.”
She exhaled slowly then looked up at him, strength and determination in her emerald eyes. “I accept.”
6
That afternoon, Laura couldn’t have said what Raheem had talked about during his speech or even the names of the people she’d met after the breakfast. All she could think was that she’d agreed to take on Raheem’s assignment and that she was leaving the safety of the production company and Ben’s selfish behavior behind. It was both thrilling and terrifying.
She strolled down the hallway lined with windows and out into the sunny courtyard gardens she’d spied earlier that morning. Nature always helped ground her and clear her head and the exercise would do her good too, after sitting in that long breakfast this morning listening to one dignitary after another.
As she stepped off the flagstone deck and down onto a yellow stone path leading deeper into the gardens, the sun warmed her skin and she slipped the scarf off her head. A slight breeze stirred, carrying with it the smell of jasmine and soil. She’d given her word to Raheem to help him with his tourism project and her pride wouldn’t let her back out now, even if that would be the wise choice. After all, she was a location scout, not a PR expert. The only real skill she had was knowing what would make a pretty picture.
Laura rounded a large potted palm then stopped short at the sound of voices ahead, though she couldn’t see anyone. A man and a woman, both sounding familiar. Raheem and Jess.
Not one to spy on others, Laura considered turning back, but she was so enjoying her time outside and it wasn’t like she’d purposely snuck over here to listen to their conversation. Besides, she probably wouldn’t even know what they were talking about, since she’d only known them briefly. Then she heard her name mentioned and curiosity got the better of her. Laura inched nearer to the palm and listened intently.
“I just don’t think this is a good idea,” Jess said, her tone tight.
“Why?” Raheem said. “What’s the worst that could possibly happen? Laura fails to help with my project and I’m forced to hire someone else. That is hardly catastrophic.”
“So you’re on a first name basis with her now too?” A hint of accusation leaked into Jess’s question. “Are you sleeping with her?”
“That’s none of your business, sister.” Raheem sounded affronted enough for both of them. “And if I were I wouldn’t tell you. How dare you question my judgment.”
“Oh, please. I’m your elder sister and our mother’s proxy. It’s my responsibility to take care of you and guide you in making the right decisions.”
Raheem snorted. “Since when? Last time I checked, Jess, your track record in the love department isn’t exactly praiseworthy. I think I’ll trust my own instincts here and tell you to go away.”
“I live here too. I’m not going anywhere. Besides, it’s always easier to handle someone else’s romantic problems than your own. So there.” The sound of her heels clacking against the stone walkway moved closer and Laura squeezed herself behind the potted palm for cover. There was a flapping of wings as a turtledove took off from the top of the tree and must have dive-bombed right over the hedge behind Laura, if Jess’s startled shriek was an indication. This was followed in short order by a gasp then a low curse. “Oh no!” Jess said. “Is it dead?”
Raheem sighed. “No, just stunned, I think. You didn’t have to swat it with that big handbag of yours.”
“It flew at my head.”
“It was frightened and trying to get away. Something near its roost must’ve scared it.”
Laura’s eyes widened and she held her breath. If they came around the corner to look, she’d be found out. And wouldn’t that just be a wonderful way to start her new job. Bad enough she still had to contend with quitting the production company and listening to her boss’s tirade about her inconveniencing him. If Raheem discovered her lurking in his bushes, spying on his conversations, he could easily rescind his offer and then where would she be? Homeless and starving, that’s where.
Thankfully, no one came searching.
“I need to get back to my rooms and change,” Jess said, her voice growing more distant by the second. Laura hoped that meant she was walking away in the opposite direction. “I have errands to run in town this afternoon. But I’m warning you, brother. Keep an eye on Miss Bliss. She could be trouble for you, if you let her.”
Silence fell for so long that Laura wondered if Raheem had gone inside as well. Carefully and quietly, she extricated herself from behind the palm and br
ushed off her clothes before peeking slowly around the corner of the hedges. What she saw made her heart skip a beat.
Raheem was still there, crouched beside the dazed turtle dove. With extreme gentleness, he cupped the frantic and panting bird in his hands then straightened, cuddling the poor creature against his chest. For a crazy minute, Laura wished she could switch places with the dove. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had cared for her so tenderly. Raheem was cooing to the bird in soothing tones and stroking its head to calm it.
As if drawn by an invisible cord, Laura found herself walking around the hedges to stand beside Raheem. If he was surprised by her arrival, he didn’t show it. Didn’t miss a beat at all, really, just continued to pet the dove’s head, a small smile gracing his gorgeous face.
“Will it be all right?” she asked finally, her words emerging more breathlessly than she’d intended.
“I believe so, yes.” Raheem glanced up at her then, his warm golden eyes alight with a hint of amusement. “I wondered how long you were going to hide in the palm tree.”