“I’ll find something else to take its place.”
“I’ll do it.” It was a bold move, snatching his phone out of his hand, but she did it anyway. “This is my afternoon to plan, understood?” She made her way out of the office with a big smile on her face. Kyril raised his eyebrows, but he didn’t stop her.
Until it was time to get in the Jeep.
“This isn’t something you should be doing,” he said, eyeing the vehicle with a skeptical expression. “Your condition—”
“My condition is really my body, Kyril, and riding in a Jeep is going to be fine.”
“I don’t like it.” He shook his head. “Come on, Hannah. I’ll pay the driver and we can find something to do in the city.”
“No.” Hannah didn’t hesitate. She slid into the backseat of the Jeep and motioned to the driver, who had been standing a short distance away so Kyril could have a discussion with his wife. “I’m going.” She looked determinedly up toward the hills and the rocky path they’d drive. “You can come with me, or you can stay behind, but Kyril?”
He raised his chin, acknowledging her silently.
“You can’t sto
p me.”
He stared at her, eyes narrowed, and then climbed in beside her. “You’re not going alone, then.”
They spent the rest of the afternoon rattling through the Roman hills, looking out over history. At the end of the tour, Kyril hopped out of the Jeep and offered Hannah his hand.
“What’s that I see on your face?” she said. “Are you smiling?”
He shrugged. “It was an extraordinary tour.”
Hannah wrapped an arm around his waist as they walked back toward the city. “See? I know what I’m doing.”
* * *
The yacht whisked Hannah and Kyril back to Al-Dashalid, and Hannah soaked up every moment of the travel. She was sun-tired and satisfied, and for once she didn’t mind curling up on the sofa.
“You look so comfortable,” Kyril said, taking a seat near her feet.
“I am comfortable. This getaway has been wonderful.” Hannah let the memories play out before her eyes.
“I have something for you,” Kyril said with a grin, and handed her a business card.
It had a woman’s name on it, and a telephone number. The card was expensive card stock and the printing was elegant, but otherwise, it gave no indication of who she was.
“What’s this?”
“Your personal travel agent.” Kyril rubbed his palms together. “She’s waiting for your call to plan next month’s getaway.”
Hannah stared down at the card.
“I want you to have time to relax,” Kyril continued. “The agent has a list of approved activities and destinations, all according to my specifications. I’ve spoken to her about the wine tasting, and she assured me that she will take exquisite care to accommodate your pregnancy and your safety.”
She was speechless. That didn’t stop Kyril.
“You’ll still be able to travel, but without the stress of planning and safety considerations. And I know you’ll be safe, even if you choose to travel without me.” Kyril’s eyes twinkled. “I don’t foresee that, but you might want a girls’ weekend with Adira, or—”
Hannah couldn’t breathe.
She felt like a rat in a maze. There might be a treat at the end, but someone else determined where she could go, what she could do. It was worse than not being able to travel at all—she couldn’t even choose her own destinations.
“This—” She managed the single word.