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“It was wrong, Elena,” said Thomas. “You could prove it and put him on the block.”

“Then what? Everyone will see me as the tattletale who turned in the famous man. No, I’m fine here at the museum. I get to teach university students, give tours on occasion, and help old friends. Speaking of which, what do these friends need help with?”

“We’re honestly not sure,” said May, “but it could be dangerous, Elena. You can say no if you want to.”

“Are you kidding me?” she laughed. “Danger is my middle name.”

They talked for a while longer, then Elena ended the call and headed to the museum. As she left her tiny apartment, she passed the storage unit that held all of her father’s belongings. They’d been there for years now. She’d hoped to be able to afford a larger place at some point, but so far, she was stuck in her one-room apartment.

The museum was busy, as always, with tourists and locals alike. The exhibit for Tutankhamun was the most visited, but other exhibits were just as spectacular.

“Dr. Fayek? There is a woman and several men here to see you,” she said.

“Of course. I’ll be right out.” She knew it was May and Thomas’s friends, but she knew nothing else about them.

As she stepped into the main lobby, her heart froze. The men were all tall, nice-looking, and the woman was beautiful. But one man stood out from the others. His green eyes stared back at her, and her body ignited.

“Hello, you must be the friends of May,” smiled the gorgeous woman, walking toward them.

“Yes,” said Ellie, standing to take her hand. “My name is Ellie Stanton, and these are my friends, Leif, Alistair, Forrest, Garr, Sebastian, Brix, and Major.” She looked at Major, giving a big smile.

“Are you in the military, Major?” she asked.

“Oh, no, ma’am. Just a family name,” he grinned, nodding at her. Good lord, thought Elena, that man might get me pregnant just by looking at me.

“How can I help you all? Would you like a private tour of the museum?” she asked.

“That would be lovely on any other day. The pieces in here are magnificent, but this is a more delicate matter.” She nodded, waving them to the back of the hall and into a private room.

“This exhibit won’t be open for another few weeks. We’ll be alone here. How can I help you?”

“Well, Dr. Fayek,” started Leif.

“Elena. Elena is my name. Please, I’m only Dr. Fayek to my students,” she smiled.

“Thank you, Elena. This is going to seem unusual, but I have a story to tell you.”

“Egyptians love stories,” she laughed. Elena did listen to the story and helped the group as much as she could.

She never expected to fall in love.

“This is the best thing, the safest thing, Elena,” said Major. “Stay with your friend until all of this blows over.”

“I will,” she nodded. “Major? I regret nothing. I loved every moment with you.”

“Me, too,” he said, pulling her in for a hug. “We’ll see one another soon. I want you to come to Louisiana and visit me, visit us.” She smiled at him and nodded again.

As she walked through security, she didn’t dare look back. Her heart was breaking, tears streaming down her face. If she turned and saw pain in his eyes, she would turn around and never leave.

CHAPTER THREE

“Darling, are you sure you’re alright?” asked Daphne. “This is the fourth morning in a row you’ve been sick. I hate to say this, but you need to take a pregnancy test.”

“No. No, it can’t be,” she said, shaking her head above the toilet.

“Elena,” she laughed, “you know very well it could be. You told me how spectacular your American hero was in bed. You very well could be with child.”

Elena finally gave in. Daphne made an appointment with her doctor and confirmed within the hour that she was indeed pregnant.

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