The Sheikh's Bargain Bride (Desert Kings) by Fraser Diana

Author:Fraser, Diana [Fraser, Diana]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Publisher: Bay Books
Published: 2011-11-30T22:00:00+00:00

Anna paused for a few moments, struck by the image of loneliness that Zahir made, as he stood with his back to them, his white robes, rippling in the breeze, outlined vividly against the blue sky and the wide empty expanse.

He turned suddenly at the sound of Matta’s running feet and lifted him into the air before pulling him into a bear hug that brought a lump to Anna’s throat. She knew that Matta had been spending time with Zahir but hadn’t witnessed first hand their increasing closeness.

On some level, Zahir was coming to terms with being a father. And Matta certainly saw Zahir as his second father. From what Matta called him—Ab, or Father, Zahir—she knew that he saw him as such.

“Zahir?”

She tried to keep her face and voice from trembling and assumed she must have succeeded as Zahir looked not in the least disturbed.

“Anna.” He nodded in distant greeting.

“I would like to come along, if I may.”

“As you like.”

Anna could feel a knot like a sob inching its way up her chest at the icy chill of his tone.

Matta looked from one to the other and his brows were knitted but he made no comment.

Anna fell into step with Matta between them, listening to Matta’s chatter and Zahir’s indulgent comments. As they reached the falconry, Matta ran forward and turned, his face turning from excitement to concern at the sight of both of them, close yet miles apart.

“Mom, what’s the matter with Ab Zahir and you? Have you told him off?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s just that Ab Zahir looks how I feel when you tell me off. You shouldn’t tell him off. He’s the sheikh.”

Anna felt her jaw drop with the injustice of his accusation but she was unable to form any words except look at Zahir whose eyes were full of laughter.

When she turned back to Matta, he had disappeared into the depth of the falconry leaving them alone.

“What is your western expression? Out of the mouth’s of babes?”

“Comes absolute, uninformed rubbish! I should tell you off because you’re behaving badly. Yes, I probably should have told you that Matta was your child but you know what? If I had my time again I’d do exactly the same thing. He was my child, his birth father wanted nothing to do with me and his adopted father was dying and I—”

“Yes, I know—”

“I had to do…” she paused mid-sentence, dumb-founded. “You know? What are you saying?”

“Matta has talked about your life together in New York. I know a little of what you went through. He’s talked about Abduallah and he’s talked about you. He’s a bright boy.”

“Of course he is. He has my genes.”

He smiled at her. “And mine.”

“And that must be what makes him so stroppy.”

“No it’s what makes him unable to trust unless that trust is earned.”

“He trusts me.”

His eyes flickered around her face, as if searching for something.

“And I want to, too.”

“Then try to understand.”

Anna turned and walked away abruptly before the tears she could feel welling behind her eyes began to fall.

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