Accidentally the Sheikh's Wife (16 page)

“The plane crash and his daughter’s death caused his own heart attack and death. Khalid never made the facts known. It would do nothing for those who died. He said he’d rather have the living content with life as they knew it. What point to shatter that?”

“I’m so sorry, Rashid,” she said simply. She had no idea of the circumstances. Yet she was glad he had not known and not told her. She was glad her father had been helping someone when he died. It sounded more like him than being a thief.

“You once said truth always comes out. This is one I hope doesn’t,” he said.

“I understand. Thank you for telling me. And restoring my faith in my father. I never believed what you thought.”

“Ironic, isn’t it?” he said.

“What?”

“Hank was a loyal employee of our company and a loyal friend to my father. A man trusted to carry his most precious daughter. A man of integrity. It was a tragedy to end as it did.”

She looked around the cemetery, imprinting it on her mind. She’d remember the words on the stone. Remember he’d died trying to help a friend.

“Instead, it was my father who was less than honorable. I’m sorry, Bethanne, for doubting your father.”

“I’m ready to leave now,” she said, turning away lest he see the tears in her eyes. She’d never hug her robust father again. Never get a card or letter. Never be able to tell him how much he’d meant to her—even though they rarely saw each other. She knew he’d known, but the plans they’d made—for someday—would be carried out solo now. She had his memory and his love of flying. It would have to be enough.

“Thank you for bringing me. I will honor the secret. I would do nothing to hurt your mother,” she said as they walked slowly back through the cemetery.

“Her behavior could be better toward you.”

“She doesn’t like me. That’s okay. She doesn’t need to.” Bethanne stopped at the gate, the hired car only a few yards away.

“Truth always comes out. I’m glad you found out before I left. And told me. If I hadn’t been able to wrangle the flight to deliver the plane, I would never have gotten to know you, and that would have been my loss. I’m grateful for all you’ve done for me. I wish you the best life has to offer, Rashid.”

He studied her for a moment. This was the time for him to say something, if there was anything to say. He merely inclined his head.

“And you, Bethanne.”

Bethanne summoned a smile and turned, walking swiftly to the car. There was nothing left to say.

When the jet landed in Alkaahdar, she finalized all the details for leaving the plane near the private hangar. Taking her bag, she saw Rashid had already disembarked. She carefully withdrew the beautiful dress from her case, along with the shoes and golden necklace. Putting them on the sofa, she was sure they wouldn’t be overlooked. Glancing around once more, she smiled. This jet was the best Starcraft had to offer. She knew Rashid would get years of service from it. She’d think about him from time to time, imagining him flying high in the plane. And she’d remember the times they’d flown together.

“Bless this aircraft and all who fly it,” she murmured before leaving.

When she reached the tarmac, she looked around for a conveyance to take her to the main terminal. She had a flight to Texas to catch.

“S
O THE
deal is signed,” Khalid said.

“It is. We begin to implement next week,” Rashid returned. He looked up from his desk. “What are you doing here?”

“Came to say goodbye for a while. I’m heading inland on another consultation job for a new field opening up. I’ll be gone a few weeks, probably.”

“The Hari fields?”

Khalid nodded, walking around the office. He touched one of the statues on the bookcase, then went to the window.

“Where’s your pilot?”

“She’s not my pilot.”

Khalid turned at that. “You could have fooled me. You seemed as besotted with her as you were with Marguerite.”

“Then that should have told you something.”

“Only I don’t think Miss Bethanne Sanders is anything like Marguerite.”

“Don’t bet the oil field on it,” Rashid said.

Khalid raised an eyebrow in silent question.

Rashid hesitated, but Khalid was his twin.

“She wanted something from me after all.”

“Money?”

He shrugged. Hesitating a moment, he looked up. “She said she loved me. Once.”

Khalid stopped and stared at his twin.

“And that’s a problem because?”

“She was trying to get info on Hank.”

“That must have hit her hard, when she learned you thought he’d stolen the plane.”

Sighing at the inevitability, Rashid related the entire story to his brother.

“I wanted you to remember our father with love. How honorable was it for him to have another family?” Khalid said. “I never expected anyone from Hank’s family to show up. Was she hurt when she discovered his death?”

He shook his head. “I believe she’d known all along, just kept hoping. I’m the one in the wrong, accusing her father of theft when it was ours who acted dishonorably. Did you ever meet her? Our sister? What was she like?”

“I didn’t know about her until after her death,” Khalid said. “Father had pictures of her. He loved her mother and her. I have the photos. You can look at them if you wish.”

“So there is love in the world,” Rashid said.

“Which doesn’t always bring happiness. Do you think any of them were happy?”

“Maybe the daughter, cherished by both her parents.”

“At least he went after the love he wanted. Ever think you should have gone after Marguerite?”

Rashid shook his head. “But I’m thinking of going after Bethanne.”

“Why not?” Khalid asked.

“You’re suggesting that I should? I thought you didn’t like her.”

“I like her fine. I was worried she was after something else. But if she wanted closure about her father, that’s different.”

“She doesn’t care about me—she only wanted to find out about her father.”

“There were other ways to do that than pretend to be involved with you. To say she was in love.”

“You thought she was after something and she was.”

“Family. Not money. There’s a big difference,” Khalid said.

Rashid nodded. “She wished me a good life.” He remembered how he’d fought to resist taking her into his arms when she’d said that. He had let her go without telling her he wanted her more than anything—even his next breath.

“She’s gone?”

Rashid shook his head. “I still haven’t signed off on the new jet. She can’t leave before then. That’s as important to her as finding her father was.”

“Then I suggest you decide if you want to end up like our father, or maybe grab for the gold ring first time round,” Khalid said.

Rashid drove to the villa as soon as Khalid left. Entering, he called for Bethanne. Minnah came into the foyer.

“Excellency, she is not here. She took you to Morocco. Did she not fly you back?”

“She did, earlier this morning. She didn’t return here?”

“No. I have not seen her.”

He turned and went back to the car. Where would she be? He never knew what to expect with her. Was she still at the plane like in Marrakech? Rashid headed for the airport, feeling a sense of déjà vu.

A quick cursory inspection upon arrival showed the jet empty—except for the dress he’d bought her in Marrakech. She truly had wanted nothing from him except to find her father. A woman more unlike Marguerite he’d never find.

He pulled out his cell phone and called his office, setting every assistant he had with the task of finding Bethanne Sanders. He also instructed them to let him know the minute the Starcraft office opened in Texas. He had to find her and he was calling in all markers to do so.

Impatiently Rashid drove back to his office. He would find out more from there than running around town. Walking in, he began to fire questions at his assistant.

“Did you check the local hotels? How about car rental companies? Car hire companies. She has to be somewhere.”

The assistant nodded. “We’ve been checking every place in the capital city, Excellency.”

“I have a confirmation,” one of the clerks said, looking worried.

“And?” Rashid snapped.

“She departed the airport at eleven on a flight to Rome.”

Rashid couldn’t believe she’d left.

He went into his office and closed the door.

Bethanne watched as the smoggy air of Rome seemed to encase the airliner as it descended into Leonardo Da Vinci Airport. She had several hours to wait for a connecting flight to New York. Time enough to visit a few of the highlights of the city. She couldn’t muster much enthusiasm for that, however. Still, who knew if she’d ever be in Rome again? And it beat the other choice—sit and brood.

When they landed, she waited until more impatient passengers had deplaned, then followed. Finding a locker, she stowed her flight bag and went to find a cab to drive her around the city. Her flight did not depart until ten that evening. She had time to see some of Rome and get a fabulous dinner before heading for the United States.

Despite her best efforts, Bethanne couldn’t help comparing what she saw in the city with the buildings and architecture she’d loved in Quishari. Both countries were old, both rich in history. She was fascinated by all she saw and wished she could share it with Rashid.

How long would it be until she no longer felt his loss like a part of her had been cut out? She knew she would survive, but wasn’t sure she wanted to. She
ached
with longing to see him again. Touch him. Share a warm kiss. Go sailing or flying. Or just spend the evening on the veranda listening to the waves of the sea.

Hours later, after finishing her dinner, she took another taxi back to the airport. The city gleamed with lights, looking beautiful in the soft illumination. But Bethanne was blind to it all. It was all she could do to keep from bursting into tears.

She probably had no job. Would be hard-pressed to find another one as perfect as this one had been. She had walked away from the only man she’d ever loved, which had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. Harder than acknowledging finally that her beloved father was gone. Raw emotions had her so confused. She wanted to go home, crawl into bed and weep for a week.

Her future was uncertain, except for the ache in her heart. She pressed a hand against her chest, trying to ease the pain.

She’d found her father, but would have traded that for another few days with Rashid al Harum. Pretending they were falling in love.

Or not pretending, falling for real.

She retrieved her flight bag when she reached the airport. Shopping at one of the kiosks there, she couldn’t find any books in English. She’d do better to sleep on the flight, but was too keyed up. Finding a couple of magazines she could look at, she headed for her gate.

“Bethanne.”

Turning, she stared at Sheikh Rashid al Harum. Or a man who looked a lot like him. She shut her eyes tightly, then opened them. He still stood in front of her.

“Rashid?” she asked tentatively.

“You constantly surprise me. Makes for an interesting relationship.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m flying to the United States on a flight that leaves at ten. You?”

She licked her lips. “I’m leaving on that flight, too. Why are you going to the United States?”

“To spend time with you, of course.”

“Of course? There’s no of course. You made your feelings perfectly well known to me.”

“Perhaps we have a minor misunderstanding.”

“Rashid, what’s going on?”

“I didn’t expect you to leave like that. I guess I expected more Yankee tenacity.”

“What are you talking about? You practically ordered me to leave. I don’t understand.”

He glanced at his watch, stepped out of the way of a porter with a trolley of bags. Taking her arm, he pulled her to the side of the concourse. “It’s not often I admit to making mistakes. I try not to make them to begin with. But I made a monumental one with you.”

“Pretending to be involved?” That hurt.

“Not admitting when the pretense ended.”

“When you signed the contract in Marrakech,” she said.

“No, when it changed to love.”

Bethanne’s eyes widened. “If you’re throwing that up to me—”

“What I’m trying to say is that I love you.”

Rashid smiled at her look of astonishment, dropping his briefcase and pulling her into his embrace, kissing her on the mouth.

“Rashid!” she exclaimed when she pulled back. “This is a public place.”

“So? I want the world to know I love you. What better place to start than here?”

“Here?”

“Everyone is greeting someone or bidding them farewell. Kisses are not out of the ordinary. Though I prefer our kisses to be in private. I don’t wish to share.”

“Did you say you loved me?” she asked.

“I did. I’ll say it again. I love you, Bethanne Sanders. I fought against it. I didn’t want to fall in love—my experience with that emotion has not been good. But foolish thought, that I can control emotions. You are all I have ever sought for in a partner. Beautiful, smart, talented in ways I can’t compete, and interesting enough to keep me enthralled for decades.”

She laughed, throwing her arms around his neck. “I am so unsuitable to be the wife of Arabian royalty. I’m much too casual in dress and manner to impress your associates. I want to fly whenever I can and I really don’t think your mother is going to be at all happy with this. But I love you! I’ve been in the biggest funk ever since I left Alkaahdar. I thought I’d never see you again.”

“I couldn’t believe you left.” He hugged her tightly, as if he’d never let her go. “So does this mean you will marry me? Live with me in Quishari? Spend our nights together, maybe even have a few kids to round things out? I love you, my dearest Bethanne. Will you marry me?”

She stared at him, faces so close she could not see anything around them. Her heart pounded. He’d asked her to marry him. Dare she risk it?

Dare she refuse?

“I would be so honored, but you must know what you’re doing first.”

“Oh, I know exactly what our life will be like. We’ll live at the villa. My grandmother loved that house. We can raise our children to love the sea and the air. Will you insist on their learning to fly?”

“Perhaps not insist. But if they love it, we can’t stand in their way. Are you serious? About everything? Marriage, children? You and me?”

“I love you. Why wouldn’t I want to spend the rest of my life with you? I thought a lot about my father and his love and daughter in Quraim Wadi Samil. His happiness could not be complete because he never severed the legal bonds that kept him from staying with the woman he loved. I don’t want to be dying and regret a single moment we spent apart.”

“I never thought I’d get married. I wanted the life my father had—flying around the world. But he found his spot in Quishari. He lived there the longest of any place after he was an adult. And I know why. I love what I’ve discovered about Quishari. I think I would be happy living there. And flying wherever the mood takes us.”

“I have just the plane for that.”

The announcement for their flight was made.

He hugged her and then released her. “So, do we go on to the U.S. or back to Quishari?”

“Whichever you choose,” she said.

“Ah, the perfect answer for a perfect wife-to-be.” He dropped a quick kiss on her lips.

“This time. I’m not planning to become a yes person,” she warned, warmth in her voice.

He laughed, clasping her hand in his and retrieving his briefcase. “I never expected that. I’ll take it when I can get it. Let’s go to Texas so I can meet your parents and tell them of our plans.”

“My mother is going to be astonished.” And, she bet her mother would be thrilled to know her daughter was marrying a sheikh.

“I believe my mother will be as well,” he said wryly.

“I told you, I value truth. Your mother’s honest. Maybe she’ll come around one day, or maybe not. It will never change how I feel about you. I love you. I always will.”

“That I’ll hold you to.” He lifted her hand to kiss it. “I will always love you,” he vowed. “Come what may, we’ll always have to look for clear skies and smooth flights.”

“Always.”

The future beckoned bright with happy promise.