Page 15 of Under the Arabian Sky

“Then what is it?”

“It’s a falcon.”

“Why do you have a fucking falcon in your car?”

“I’ve been treating her, but now she’s ready to fly free once more. I told you, I’m a doctor.”

“When you said that I just assumed you fixed bad backs or delivered babies. I didn’t know you mended broken wings.”

“That’s what falcon doctors do. I’m a falcon doctor.”

“You’re a falcon doctor?”

“That’s what I said. Are you having trouble hearing me?”

“Yes, I am… after your bloody falcon screeched in my ear!”

“Sshhh, keep your voice down. You’re scaring her.”

“I’mscaringher? She’s not the one who needs to check her underwear.”

Tariq laughed so hard he snorted.

It was a heartfelt, infectious piggy snort… exactly like the ones Andrew used to make when he found something amusing. I couldn’t help but grin. “Laugh all you want, but that bird seriously frightened the crap out of me.”

“Well, I have good news. As soon as I find the right spot, the bird will no longer screech in your ear. I was looking for the perfect place to free her before you almost crashed into me and nearly killed us both.”

“You’re blaming me for this accident? Again?”

“My car isn’t the one that’s upside-down.” He shot me a teasing look, then put the Jeep into gear and started driving.

As we drove over dunes, the bird in the back remained peaceful and silent, as though the hood or the hum of the car was enough to keep the poor thing calm and collected.

“What happened to her, anyway? The falcon, I mean.”

“Her wing was broken. Someone found her on the side of a mountain road and called me. She was in terrible shape when I took her in. She must have been clipped by something travelling pretty fast. I’ve had her for four months, but now she’s ready to return to her world. She just wants to fly. She just wants to be free.” He glanced at me and added, “Don’t we all?”

“Free? Yes. Fly? Not so much.”

“You don’t like flying?”

“No. It’s a long story.”

“I imagine flying must be an incredible experience. Taking off, soaring over the clouds, watching the earth pass by far below. I can picture it so clearly in my mind.”

“You’ve never flown before?”

Tariq shook his head. “I’ve never left Oman. My life is here. My work is here. My family is here.”

I felt my heart sink a little. So, Tariq had a family. Instantly I had a vision of him with his wife and children at home. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy for him. But I guess my gaydar got a little ahead of itself and got my hopes up in the process.

Not that I had come to Oman looking for company. Far from it.

I suppose I was just momentarily taken aback by those eyes.

Those dimples.

That embrace when he pulled me to my feet and held me steady.

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