Page 52 of Under the Arabian Sky

I was somewhat surprised. “Oh. Thank you.” The truth was I didn’t mind, I was glad she was looking after them. It just felt strange knowing that Andrew’s beloved plants were no longer in the same spot they’d been since he’d been gone.

I closed my eyes, and I saw the wind skimming the sand off the top of the dunes, the waves of the desert in perpetual motion.

“Arthur? Are you still there, dear?”

“Yes, I’m here. But I should go now, I’m guessing it’s late there.”

“Actually, no. Quite the opposite. I’m just making my morning cup of tea.”

“Well then, I’ll let you go enjoy it. I just wanted to make sure everything was all right.”

“Everything is ticking along without you nicely. The only thing you’ve got to worry about is those extremists. You take care, dear.”

With that, Mrs. Abbott hung up the call.

I felt farther away from England than I’d ever felt before… and oddly enough, I was okay with that.

* * *

Tariq and his father returned from the hospital in the early evening. When I peered through the window of the clinic and saw his Jeep pull up, I had to use all my restraint not to dash outside, wrap my arms around him and smother him in kisses.

But his father looked even crankier than usual, understandably so, as he hobbled toward the house with the assistance of his son and his walking stick.

I didn’t want to interrupt their return home, so I waited in the clinic until Tariq opened the door. But before I had a chance to say a word, it was he who smothered me in kisses.

“Tariq, is everything okay?”

“Just hold me,” he whispered. “I just need you to hold me, just for a few moments.”

Without a second’s hesitation I embraced him so tight I never wanted to let him go.

When I finally did, he gave a sad sigh and said, “That was a long day.”

“How’s your father doing?”

“He’s tired. And grumpy, as usual. This time it’s not just the foreigners or the politicians or the Christians he’s angry at. He’s mad at the whole world.”

“I don’t blame him. Did they run more tests?”

“I think they raneverytest they have at their disposal. They took blood, they gave him transfusions, they x-rayed him, they prodded and poked him with so many needles they practically turned him into a pin cushion.”

“I should probably avoid him like the plague.”

“Actually, my mother wants you to come to dinner.”

“Oh, I don’t think that’s a good—”

“She’s been cooking all day long. It’s how she deals with stress. Please come, she’ll be upset if you don’t. She likes you.”

“And I like her, but your father… I’m worried the mere sight of me might send him into a flying rage… or cardiac arrest. He might end up in the hospital all over again.”

“He’ll be fine. You’ll be fine. We’ll all be fine… I just want us all to be together tonight. Do it for me. Do it for my mother. Please?”

I caved. Who could resist those beautiful eyes, especially when they were pleading me to be with him. “Alright. I’ll come. For you and Zahra. But I’m bowing out at the first signs of hostility… for everyone’s sake.”

“Agreed.” He took my hand. “I missed you today. Did you miss me?”

I gave a cheeky grin. “Not one little bit,” I teased.

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