“I will see if she is able t
o talk. Hold on.” Talib re-entered the tent to see Erin sitting slightly propped up and sipping from a bottle of water while tears coursed down her cheeks.
Squatting down next to her as Brock moved back, he handed her a rag before saying, “The Sheikh would like to speak to you.”
Erin eagerly nodded, desperately needing to hear Kamal’s voice. Taking the phone, she placed it at her ear, “Kamal?”
“Habibiti, it is so good to hear your voice. I thought I had lost you.”
“Never! I knew you would send someone to come get me.” Erin tried to stop her tears, but they just kept coming.
“Talib tells me you are not feeling well?”
“Kam, what if…?”
“We will not go there until you have seen the doctor. Whatever happens, know that you are my heart.”
Erin felt her heart melt as Kamal continued to talk to her in his native tongue. She didn’t understand the words, but the emotion behind them left her speechless. She closed her eyes, relaxing for the first time in almost twenty-four hours, and allowed his voice to lull her into a light slumber.
Talib watched Erin’s eyes close, and when her hand went lax and the phone slipped from her fingers, he retrieved the phone, “Your Majesty, she has drifted off to sleep. I must say that whatever you were telling her relaxed her. Brock, the American medic, is giving me a thumbs up sign. I assume that sleep is one of the best medicines for her right now.”
Kamal let out a breath of relief, “Bring her home, Talib!”
“Yes, Your Majesty! I hear the helicopter landing now.” He disconnected the call and looked up to see PJ standing in the corner of the small tent watching him.
“You really care for them both, don’t you?”
Talib nodded, “They are both easy to care about.”
PJ smiled at him softly, adding another mark on the positive side for Talib’s character. He was such a big, strong man, in charge of ensuring the security of royalty, yet he could be soft and tender when the situation called for it. He was a man of many facets and she couldn’t wait to learn more about him.
Looking out the tent door, she turned back saying, “The chopper’s here. They’re bringing in the basket now.”
Talib nodded and then gently shook Erin awake. She opened her eyes, disoriented, but once Talib explained what was happening, she allowed him to help her board the chopper, refusing to be strapped down in the basket and carried like an invalid. Talib asked her about the cramping, pleased when she informed him quietly that they seemed to have lessened in both number and severity. Maybe she won’t lose the baby afterall! That would be something worth celebrating!
Talib climbed aboard the chopper, telling PJ that he would send someone back to retrieve the camel and supplies. The American’s assured him they would take care of getting everything ready to go – including the body of the kidnapper.
He pulled PJ to the side, knowing he only had a few seconds to spare, “I have to go with Miss Malone and report in to the Sheikh.”
“I know. It’s your job. It’s perfectly fine.” PJ gave him a smile.
Talib placed a gentle hand beneath her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze, “I will be waiting for you when you arrive back at the palace.” He watched her eyes open as his meaning sunk in and then dipped his head, stealing a too-quick kiss. Looking at the chopper, he told her, “I have to go.”
PJ nodded, still reeling from the tenderness of his kiss and the promise of what awaited her once she returned back to the palace. The mission was accomplished. Now to explore the chemistry between her and Talib!
PJ watched the chopper take off, starting when Slade spoke next to her, “Talib’s a great guy.”
PJ glanced at her boss and friend, “Yeah?”
“Yeah! I’ve a feeling this two month assignment might be taking on a life of its own. You interested in hanging around Jawhara a little longer? Maybe get better acquainted with their security protocols? Or should I say, security personnel?”
PJ made a face at him, “Spit it out. You saw Talib kiss me, huh?”
“We all did. I’ve known Talib since he and Khalil were stateside attending college. He’s one of the good ones.” PJ nodded while he continued, “I know the last few years have been hard for you. I have to confess I was really glad when you kicked Greg to the curb. You deserve someone who will make you the center of their universe. Someone who puts your needs and desires above their own. Someone who understands you and shares your likes and dislikes.”
PJ listened as Slade continued to tell her the type of man she deserved to find, and each point seemed to direct her right back to Talib. At least, the parts of him she had gotten to know in such a short amount of time. It never ceased to amaze her how close two people could become when they were working together during a crisis.
“…someone who you look forward to seeing each morning when you wake up, and someone you can’t wait to see at the end of the day.”