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Kale was horrified, “Why so long? Do the doctors in America not care that their patients may be suffering needlessly?”
Shira chuckled, “I can see that things are quite different in Jawhara. Kale, not everyone has access to medical care back in America. Medical care is very expensive, and some people just can’t afford it – so, they don’t go.”
“That is horrible.” Kale had heard that there was a medical care crisis in America, but had not really understood the impact upon its citizens until know. “Does your cousin have access to good medical care?”
“Oh, yes. She has an excellent insurance plan and wonderful doctors. Don’t worry about her, she’ll be fine. I’ll check in on her in a couple of days.”
Kale nodded his head, glad that Kamal’s Erin had someone to help look after her. He had been angry at her refusal of a doctor, and had been further enraged when she had hung up on him. Shira would look after her cousin,
and if need be, Kale would let Kamal know he needed to intervene.
“I need to discuss some future plans with you. I spoke with Rick earlier today.”
Shira looked surprised, “You did? But, I spoke with him around 3 o’clock and he didn’t say anything to me about having spoken to you.”
“That is because I asked him not to. The field office is set up?” When Shira nodded, he continued, “You are happy with the people you have employed?” When she nodded again and opened her mouth to speak, he cut her off quickly, “Hold on. Rick would like you to stay on and run the Jawharan office – permanently.”
Shira’s mouth dropped open at the implications and she closed it while she tried to think of something to say. She had been dreading leaving Jawhara because of Kale. She was also growing to love the people and their culture and thoughts of returning to the states had saddened her. She never dreamt that she might actually be asked to stay here! Her bosses and Kale had mentioned something to that affect when she first arrived, but she figured that staying for two weeks had been long-term in their books. The original delegation was only to be in Jawhara for six nights.
“Before you say anything else, I want you to know what else is being offered.”
“There’s more?” Shira asked, still trying to come to terms with a possible future in Jawhara.
“Habibiti, these last two weeks have been nothing short of perfect. You fill a spot in my life that I always knew was missing, but had never found an answer to.”
Shira’s eyes burned with unshed tears at his tender words, and when he took her hand and knelt before her on one knee, they ran unchecked down her cheeks.
“Shira, I understand this is how they do things in your country. Would you do me the honor of becoming my bride and spending the rest of your life with me?”
Shira didn’t even have to think twice, but eagerly nodded her head when he produced a stunning ring of sapphires and diamonds. Placing it upon her finger, he then kissed the back of her hand and then her palm.
Standing, he gathered her to himself, wiping her tears with his thumbs. “Why do you cry?”
“Because I’m so happy!” Shira said through her tears. Swallowing, she asked, “If you were following your country’s customs, how would you have asked for my hand?”
Kale got that look in his eyes she was coming to know well and she bit her lip as she waited for his reply. “Asking is not really in our nature. I would have simply carried you off on a camel, into the desert. A tent would have been waiting for us and we would have spent several days there. When we returned, we would have been considered legally wed according to our customs.”
Shira looked at him aghast, “But that’s barbaric. What if the young lady being carried off doesn’t want to marry her kidnapper?”
Kale looked confused by the question, “All young ladies wish to be married. It is their duty and honor to marry and have children.”
Shira shook her head at him, “That is so backwards. Don’t your women want to get an education, and do something with their lives besides bear children?”
Kale nodded, “Yes. And many of them do just that. But the majority of our women are content to become wives and raise children. We are a country steeped in tradition, speaking of which, there is one catch I must tell you about.”
“Catch?”
“Well, according to custom, Kamal must marry first. But don’t worry. I do believe your cousin is pushing him beyond his abilities to continue watching over her from afar. I would not be surprised to see her visiting Jawhara in the next several weeks.”
Shira smiled, “She never said, but I knew something happened between the two of them that night. She was mopey and depressed for days after he left. That whole incident with the bodyguard was over the top as well.”
“Enough about my brother and his love life. I believe I have a fiancé I haven’t properly kissed all day. Come here.”
Several hours later, Kale lay in his large bed, arms wrapped around Shira, thinking of the future they would have together. Shira had expressed a desire to return to the states and pack some of her belongings and Kale had promised to make the arrangements the next day.
Khalil had spoken to Kam just before lunch regarding his proposal to Shira and received his brother and his ruler’s blessing. Now, if only Kam could obtain a bride, his life would be perfect.
Chapter 12
