Page 38 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

They halted and Nicole looked up into his eyes. He could tell she wanted to know more. He'd never told anyone this. So, why was he about to open up to this beautiful American woman. Someone he'd never see again after the seven days were up.

Rashid gazed out toward an open space a short distance from where they stood. "Because of what happened there."

Nicole's brows furrowed and her gaze followed his out to the garden.

"My father became ill one day, while he was out there," Rashid said pointing out at an overgrown open space near a line of trees. "He was cutting some flowers." Rashid smiled at Nicole. "That was one of the things he liked to do. Anyway, he took ill one afternoon. Right out there. And no-one was around to help him. Not until it was too late."

Nicole's eyes narrowed with sympathy and she reached out a hand, resting it on Rashid's arm. "I'm so sorry. That must have been awful for you all."

Rashid nodded. "My mother found him. It was during one of their summer trips here. By that time it was too late. He'd passed away." Rashid smiled sadly. "I've always thought he may have taken some solace in knowing he was in his beloved garden."

There was a long pause. Rashid wondered how Nicole would respond. Maybe she regretted asking. Perhaps that was just too much information.

Eventually she spoke to him: "And you can't face the prospect of keeping the garden because of that?"

"I am not my father." Rashid's jaw tightened. "This is the place which took him away from us. I've never felt comfortable here. I have no particular affection for it," he said gazing out across the garden.

"Surely someone else could have done it for you."

Rashid shook his head. "My father always insisted that no-one except him should touch it. I had to respect that. Even if it meant leaving it like this."

Nicole gazed out across the garden. Rashid loosened her hand from his arm. "Why don't we move on," he said pointing the way to the corner of the palace building. "It's rather less untidy on the north side of the palace grounds."

They walked on and turned the corner, leaving the west side of the garden behind. Here, from where they could see the mountains, the garden was less developed. It was mostly the same overgrown lawn, but there were no trees or bushes. Gravel pathways traced lines around the wide expanse that led to the wall at the rear of the grounds. The pathways converged on a circular space in which was placed a bench.

"This was modeled on an English garden," he explained. "It was designed for taking long, pleasant walks with far fewer distractions than the other parts of the garden." He looked around and nodded. "I think it's still quite pleasant."

Nicole nodded silently, but he could tell she was still thinking about what he'd told her. He wondered if she asked herself why he'd shared such a personal detail about his father.

They walked for a while, following the paths, until eventually they reached the middle of this part. Here they sat down on the low bench which faced back toward the palace.

Rashid watched Nicole as she examined the outside of the palace. From this perspective, he had to admit it looked impressive. Just showing her around had made him appreciate something he'd almost forgotten. This palace was a wondrous sight to behold. Rashid wondered how he could have taken it so much for granted; how he could have forgotten how special this place was.

Perhaps he was spending too much time alone. He glanced at Nicole. Maybe it was her coming here which had changed things for him. Solitude wasn't what he really needed. Without realizing what he had been doing, he'd brought a woman into his life, and she had ignited something in him which he hadn't felt in a very long time.

His solitude had seemed so important to him before today. He'd distracted himself with other things in an effort to keep his mind off the fact that he had retreated from life.

Nicole rested her hand on the bench and lifted her head up, taking the sun on her face for a few moments. She closed her eyes and sighed softly. He could tell she didn't want to talk. It was obvious she wanted to enjoy the sunshine, savor the peace of this place. It was the least she deserved after what she'd been through, he told himself.

Rashid gazed at Nicole. She had such a pretty profile. Her small, delicate nose contrasted so pleasantly with her high cheekbones. In the bright sunshine her skin was clear and fresh looking. He briefly savored the long line of her neck and the way her hair was tucked neatly behind her ears. There seemed to be the permanent promise of a mischievous smile at the corner of her mouth.

He could see why Hakim had been so attracted to her; could understand what had driven Hakim to take such drastic, even desperate action.

Nicole opened her eyes and turned to him. Rashid didn't turn away quickly enough and he knew she'd found out he'd been looking at her while she'd been taking the sun. But, she didn't say anything about it; didn't demand to know why he'd been looking at her.

"You haven't told me what your father does," he said, desperate to compose himself.

Nicole shrugged. "He's a businessman. He's working in the oil business while he's here."

"An oil man," Rashid said nodding slowly.

Nicole squinted at him. "He's not like a millionaire or anything. In case you thought I was the spoiled daughter of some oil man."

"I wouldn't describe you as spoiled," he said.

Nicole quirked a brow at him. "You wouldn't say that if you saw me at home," she admitted with a shake of her head.

"So, you're a troublemaker?"

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