“Our room is across the hall,” the older girl said. “Hamid couldn’t hear the story from his room.”
“Then tonight why don’t we have all three of you sleep together, and then everyone can hear at once?”
“I wuv stories,” the littlest one said.
“They speak English,” Melissa said, looking at Surim.
“Their parents lived in England. They were all three born there,” he replied.
“Ah, I’m from England, too,” she told the children. “Let me tell you about the weather when I left, cold and rainy. They even thought there might be snow in the north before the end of the week. It’s much nicer here.”
Surim watched as the Englishwoman seemed to effortlessly gather the children to her and head them to the girls’ room. In a moment all he heard was her soft murmur.
“I’m sorry they disturbed you, Your Excellency. The boy had a nightmare and the girls awoke to come to his aid,” Annis said in Arabic.
Surim sighed. This was the fifth or sixth time since they’d arrived it had happened. When would it stop?
“It is to be expected, I suppose. We will discuss the situation in the morning,” he said.
The older woman scurried away. Surim wished she’d shown a little of the backbone Melissa Fox had when she’d taken him to task. Annis had come highly recommended, but Surim didn’t think much of her abilities with these children. Unlike Melissa Fox, who had miraculously charmed them all.
Himself included?
Report him, indeed.
He crossed the hall and paused near the opened door. The three children were snuggled together in the large bed. Melissa sat in a chair near the head, reading a story. Already little Nadia had her eyes closed. Hamid was fighting sleep.
Surim watched as Melissa seemed to calm them all, and bring much-needed rest.
He waited until she checked the children, gently closed the book, and turned off the light. She made it seem easy. Yet he had no idea of what to talk about to a child.
When she stepped into the hallway, she was surprised to see him.
“Thank you for getting them to sleep,” he said formally. He was embarrassed a guest in his home had had to involve herself with his responsibilities. But the quiet was much appreciated. He hoped they slept through the night this time.
“I apologize for speaking to you as I did earlier. It was not my place,” she said, equally formally, looking just beyond his left ear.
It was a perfect apology, but he didn’t believe she really meant it. From the stiff way she held herself, he had an idea she’d like to tear into him and berate him for not being a better guardian for the children.
“I hope they will not interrupt your visit a second time,” he said politely.
She flashed him an annoyed look and turned to walk down the hall. “Children don’t annoy me.”
Lucky her, that children didn’t annoy her. Or baffle her as they did him. He expected them to do as they were told, but had found in the three weeks they’d been in his home that expectation was not met more times than it was.
He glanced into the darkened room once more, feeling a sharp pang at the thought of his cousin Mara’s death. She and her husband had been too young. And he had never expected to be named guardian of three children under the age of nine. He knew nothing about children. He’d have his secretary begin researching boarding schools in the morning. There had to be some that would take children as young as two.
CHAPTER TWO
MELISSA dressed in a navy suit and sensible shoes the next morning. She and Max were meeting with the contractor at Surim’s offices. Then they would all view the site again, with the foreman explaining each stage. She would begin to earn her salary today. That was if Surim would still let her work. Melissa sighed. She really shouldn’t have threatened him last night. Would he mention the incident to Max? She needed to watch her tongue and not blurt out things before thinking.
Breakfast was served buffet-style in the dining room. Max was sitting in the spot he’d occupied last night when Melissa entered. After a quick glance around, she breathed a sigh of relief. Surim was not present.
“Good morning. I hope I’m not late,” she said to Max.
“Not at all.” He looked up from the English newspaper he was reading, hot tea steaming by his hand. “Surim left a while ago. He’ll meet us when we get to the office. Help yourself to breakfast.”
Melissa didn’t know if Surim normally ate a hearty English breakfast or had had one set out for his guests, but she gladly dove in. The amount of food out on the sideboard for two people was staggering, yet she saw no sign of the children. She wondered if they’d slept through the night without further incident.
“What do you think of Qu’ Arim so far?” Max asked when she sat opposite him. He folded his paper and laid it aside.
Melissa smiled. “About what I expected with a country that has such strong ties with Europe. The downtown buildings are taller than I expected and much more modern. Overall it looks very prosperous. And I especially love the flowers that grow in such profusion.”
“Surim’s done a terrific job. He was telling me about his plans for expanding their tourist market, which is the reason for the resort. He has an aggressive schedule devised to lure in European and American money. If anyone can pull it off, he can.”
“That’s why he wants Bella Lucia?”
“Of course. Anyone from the UK will recognize the name. As we stand for the highest quality it will be a strong draw he wants for the initial guests,” Max said.
She nodded, glancing at the doorway as she strained to hear any sounds from the children. But the house remained silent. Were they still sleeping? She’d like to spend more time with them. She hadn’t realized how much she’d miss children until she’d taken this extended break between her old job and her new. It was the longest she’d gone without interacting with small children since she’d finished her training.
“I’m ready when you are,” Max said, folding his napkin.
Melissa took a final swallow of her coffee and stood. “Let’s go.”
They had the limo at their disposal and as they were driven through the city streets Melissa felt a hint of excitement at the thought of seeing Surim again. He hadn’t paid her much attention yesterday, and she’d been rude last night. Still, there was a fascination that hadn’t been quelled yet. She’d love to talk to him about his country, about how he felt taking the reins of leadership so young. What changes had he made? What were the plans for the future?
It wasn’t his looks alone that fascinated her. He was a challenge to talk to, seemed smarter than most men she had dated, and carried himself with confidence bordering on arrogance. Yet on him it sat well. She tried to pinpoint exactly why she felt drawn to the man. He definitely didn’t have a way with children. But many men left most of the child-raising to the wife. He had lots more going for him than being father of the year.
“Max, did you know Surim has three children living with him?” she asked.
“Umm? Children? I don’t think so; he’s not married. Though I heard he’s looking.”
“Maybe because he has those three children,” Melissa said. What did that mean, looking? Could she ask without giving the impression it was important?
“What children?” he said, looking at her.
“Their parents just died. They were raised in the UK and speak English as well as you or I do.”
Max looked at