The Sheik's Ruby (12 page)

“Really? Because it’s so hard to believe someone like him could actually be interested in me?” Shelby choked on the words, fighting back her tears.

“Sorry, Shels, I’m just being honest. Guys don’t think the same way chicks do. Most of us are total jerks.”

“Hakim isn’t a jerk, Chet. He flew halfway around the world and spent the day in cow crud, then hung out with my friends at a tacky small-town restaurant. Does that sound like a guy with ulterior motives?” Shelby crammed one of the needles inside her cast, scratching her leg fiercely.

“Yeah, you’re right, I guess.” Chet ran his fingernails over the leather stitching on his boots.

Shelby could tell this wasn’t easy, but didn’t cut him any slack. Chet was always the one on her side
. If I can’t get my brother to see how great Hakim was, how can I ever hope to get my parents onboard?

“Ya know,” Chet said. “He could be totally on the up and up. But I want you to be careful.” He leaned forward, dangling his hands between his knees. “Do you think you might just be liking his exotic-ness? I mean, you’re always saying how you don’t want to end up like everyone else in this town—you want to do great stuff, see the world. Then a guy comes along who’s as different from Culver as turkeys are from turnips. Don’t be blinded, Shels.”

She rested back against the cushions, feeling exhausted. “You’re right. I love it here, and I love you guys, but I don’t want to end up here. I want to do something important, Chet—something nobody thinks I can do. Hakim has never questioned my desires to do something great. He wants me to be happy, and he would support me no matter what.” Shelby wished she didn’t sound so defensive, but what Chet said hit a little too close to home. She did worry about Hakim and his motives. What could someone like him see in her? And what sort of future could they ever have? Or was Chet right, and Hakim was just looking for a little fun?

“You know, Middle Eastern guys aren’t exactly known for treating women really great, right?” Chet edged closer on the sofa. He took away the knitting needle, setting it on the coffee table before enveloping her in his lanky arms. “I’ll support ya, Shels. I never said I wouldn’t. It’s just my job as your brother to worry.”

“Hakim’s been a real gentleman, Chet.” She rested her head on his shoulder, squeezing him back.

“He seems cool. Just be careful, Sis. I don’t want to see you hurt. And I don’t want to have to kick his—”

“I know, Chet. Thanks.”

Chapter Eight

Hakim called Shelby the next morning, and they made plans to see the Anasazi Indian ruins which were about a half hour away by four-wheeler from the Walker farm. The weather was perfect—cold enough that the ground was still mostly frozen, but sunny so they would be warm. She had told him she’d pack a picnic lunch.

Half an hour later, Hakim rang the bell, and Debbie answered, as was becoming routine.

“Good morning, Hakim. Shelby’s in the kitchen getting your lunch ready. Sounds like you two have a fun day planned.”

“Good morning, Debbie. Thank you.” Hakim followed the direction Debbie indicated and walked through the living room and into the kitchen.

“Morning, Cowboy. How’d ya sleep?” Shelby grinned.

“Very well, thank you.”

Shelby grabbed water bottles from the refrigerator and shook sandwiches into small plastic bags before putting them into a backpack. She wiped the crumbs off the counter with a rag.

As he observed her doing what she most likely considered mundane chores, Hakim couldn’t help being captivated. These actions that came so easily to her were completely unfamiliar. He moved his gaze to her face, and thinking about their kiss the night before, he glanced at her lips and wondered if he would have the chance again.

“So, should we get going?” Shelby asked. “Chet is letting us use his four-wheeler.” She handed Hakim a blanket, slipped her arms through the backpack straps, and grabbed her crutches.

He followed her through the back door.

“Looks like Chet left me some bungee cords.” She strapped her crutches onto the back of the ATV. “Do you wanna drive? It’s pretty much the same as a snowmobile.”

Hakim nodded.

She climbed on behind him and pointed out the accelerator and brake. After giving him a few instructions, she wrapped her arms around his waist. “Let’s go!”

Shelby pressed close, her body warmed his back. They rode down the ranch road and out into a wilderness that Shelby told him belonged to the Bureau of Land Management, and was referred to as B.L.M. land. She showed him which trails to take, but was content to let him set the pace. When they ran out of road, she pointed out the easiest route.

Hakim drove slowly, worrying about how the jostling must hurt her injured leg as he navigated through the rocky landscape. He loved the way the cold contrasted with the desert—so different than his homeland.

After a little while, Shelby indicated where to stop. She unstrapped her crutches and pulled off her backpack.

Hakim took it and slid his arms through the straps.

She flashed him a wide smile. “There’s a great picnic spot—just a short hike up that hill.” She pointed.

Shelby didn’t display any trouble walking up the trail with her crutches, but Hakim still maintained a slow pace, keeping an eye on her movements for any sign that the hike was too difficult.

A light breeze lifted her hair. “You’ll love it up here,” Shelby said.

He noticed her words sounded breathless. “This landscape is like a scene from a cowboy-western.”

Shelby turned her face toward him and flashed a smile.

His stomach did a slow roll at her expression.

A hawk wheeled overhead. The few trees around them were twisted with rough bark on their thick branches.

As he neared the top of the hill, he saw the rocks got bigger and the trail got steeper. Shelby struggled to find flat places to set her crutches.

Hakim took the crutches and held them in one arm, sliding his other arm around her waist to support her weight.

She held onto his shoulder, hopping the last few yards to the top of the hill where the ground was flat. “Sorry,” she panted. “I didn’t think that out very well.”

“Should we rest for a moment before going farther?” Hakim was becoming more concerned that she was pushing herself too hard.

“Sure. Can you spread out the blanket?”

He opened the checkered woolen blanket and spread it over a flat piece of ground, then sat, facing her with his legs stretched out in front of him. Hakim took the water bottle Shelby offered and rested back on his elbows, careful not to bump her cast with his thigh. “This would be a perfect time to learn all about you, Shelby Jo.”

“Oh, really? You’re more of a mystery than I am.” Shelby used her hands to lift her injured leg to rest it on her other ankle.

“Ah, but you are much more compelling.” He firmed his lips into a straight line. “I want to know everything about you.”

“That’s debatable.” Shelby rolled her eyes. “I am definitely
not
more interesting. But it’s a good idea. You ask me a question, and then I get to ask you one.” She leaned back with her palms flat on the blanket, fanning out her fingers. “But we both have to be honest. You don’t have to say
Wintersports
is your favorite magazine, and I don’t have to say the beach of Khali-dar is my dream vacation. Okay?”

“Very well.” Hakim sat up, resting his arms on his bent knees. “Ladies first.”

“What’s your favorite movie?”

Hakim squinted, surprised by her question. “My favorite movie?”

She pulled up her shoulders. “I didn’t want to start out with something too personal right out of the chute.”

Hakim tapped his finger on his lips. “I am quite partial to Wild West movies—cowboys, horses, guns. Although, truthfully, I cannot say I have a favorite. Now it is my turn.”

Shelby raised her eyebrows.

“What is your favorite childhood memory?”

“You mean besides losing my pants in the bullpen while all my friends were watching?” Shelby rolled her eyes, and the corners of her lips quirked.

He smiled and twirled his finger, indicating for her to continue.

Shelby was quiet for a moment before answering. “One year, my parents took us to California. I was ten and Chet was seven. We drove straight through, so the trip took about fourteen hours, and we slept in the car. My mom woke us up in the middle of the night to see the Las Vegas strip all lit up. When we got to California, we went to Disneyland and the beach. It was great. Besides my trip last year to Canada, that’s the farthest from home I’ve ever been.” Shelby shifted on the blanket to lean on one arm. “Have you been to California?”

Hakim nodded as he tried to imagine Shelby’s family vacation. He had traveled extensively as long as he could remember. Her quaint story and the memory of the time spent with her family touched his heart. He opened his mouth to answer.

But Shelby held up her hand. “Wait, don’t answer that. I don’t want to waste my turn.”

Hakim watched her as she chewed her lip with her brows drawn together.

“What are you thinking about right now?” Shelby asked.

“Is this your official question?”

She nodded, mimicking his finger twirl.

“I was thinking I have not been on a picnic since I was a very young boy. I remember my mother had obtained a large, Bedouin-type tent. We would go inside and play games or tell stories. One day, my father joined us. We had a picnic dinner, and the two of them told me stories until I fell asleep.” As Hakim remembered, he softened his voice. “This is one of the few memories of both of my parents together with me. My father was very busy and seldom had time for play. My mother died when I was five years old.”

“I’m so sorry, Hakim. I can’t even imagine how hard that must have been.”

“It was very difficult.” He took a deep breath. “But pain lessens over time. Until I observed your family and the Bartons, I had almost forgotten how much I miss my mother. I must confess I feel envious.”

“You still have your dad, right?” Shelby asked.

“Yes. And my father cares for me very much, but he is extremely busy.”

“I’m sorry, Hakim.” Shelby reached for his hand. “Sounds like you’ve been very lonely.”

He rubbed his thumb on her palm, noticing how small and soft her hands were. “I do not feel lonely, now. I adore being with you, Shelby Jo.” His heart skipped a beat when her gaze met his.

Shelby’s cheeks turned pink. She squinted and tipped her head to the side. “Really?”

“Is it so difficult for you to believe?”

Lowering her gaze, she started picking at the hem on the blanket. “You’re a distinguished businessman who’s traveled around the world, and I’m a cowgirl from a small town. What about me could possibly be interesting to someone like you?”

She didn’t give herself enough credit. Shelby fascinated him every moment since he’d met her. Hakim lifted her chin with his bent finger and tilted his head to catch her gaze. “I could ask you the same thing. I fear if you knew the real me, you would feel differently.”

“As long as the real you isn’t a better skier than me. That would definitely change my feelings.”

He could tell she was trying to lighten the mood.

“I’m sorry.” Shelby lowered her gaze. “I didn’t mean to go on a self-pity trip. Sometimes I just get kind of insecure when I’m in a new relationship.”

Hakim smiled and gave her chin a gentle squeeze. “Is that what this is? A new relationship?”

“I’m not answering that. I lost track of whose turn it is, anyway.” She tugged on his hand. “Come on. Help me up.”

Hakim stood and pulled her to her feet, handing her the crutches and putting on the backpack.

“Let’s just leave the blanket here. I want to show you something,” she said.

They hiked another fifty yards until they came to the crest of a canyon.

Hakim couldn’t believe the view. Inside the opposite wall was a network of caves. Ancient dwellings.

Shelby removed a small pair of binoculars from the backpack and offered them.

He peered through them and found he could see the living spaces in amazing detail. The canyon lip protected the small community from rain and invaders.

Shelby waved her hand toward the canyon floor. “The only access to the caves was with ladders which could be pulled up at night, or if danger arose. Pretty ingenious, right? And terrifying. I imagine the mothers must have kept a close eye on their children.”

He nodded and tried to picture ancient people living in a canyon wall, so high above the ground. “No matter where in the world one lives, protection is a basic instinct.” He thought of the high walls around the palace and the guards that insured his family’s safety.
Especially now…

They sat on a rock overlooking the ravine, and Shelby handed him a sandwich. “See those rocks?” She pointed to a hill off to their right. Large black boulders spotted the entire hillside. “Petroglyphs are up there. Should we go check them out?”

“Are you sure you are not getting too tired?” Hakim indicated her leg.

“It’s not much farther, and then we can go back.”

Closer to the rocks, Shelby pointed out the ones with the ancient pictures. “You have to climb a bit, but they’re worth it. Some were carved eight hundred years ago.” She sat on a rock to wait.

Hakim climbed up for a closer look. “It’s fascinating,” he said when he returned, impressed at the differences and similarities between the ancient American carvings and the primitive artwork in his country.

“I know. Chet and I love to explore up here. We’ve found really cool old carvings. And some that aren’t so old. We even found where my great-great-grandpa carved his name in the 1800s,” Shelby said. “Ready to head back?” She stood slowly and sucked in a sharp breath when she put weight on her leg.

“Shelby Jo, I think you have overdone it today.”

“I’m just a little stiff. Once I get moving…”

Before her sentence was finished, Hakim had lifted her, crutches and all off the ground.

“Really, I can walk.”

He ignored her protests and held her tighter.

She shifted so her crutches were both in the same hand, and her other arm circled around his neck.