In Pursuit of His Wife(17)

Nasira laughed. "We are from London, far across the ocean."

The child's expression brightened. "We learned about that place in  school. I'm in the second grade and I like to ride horses and... Dad!"

Clutching the rose, the boy ran straight into the arms of a man  sporting a suspicious look as he headed toward them. As soon as he  arrived, Sebastian thought it best to offer an explanation before the  presumed father jumped to the wrong conclusion. "We found your son quite  distressed and lost. It seems you've arrived just in the nick of time."

"Looks that way," the cowboy said as he eyed the flower before  regarding his child. "You know better than to run off without me, Brady.  Your mother's going to skin my hide for not watching you better."                       
       
           



       

"I didn't mean to do it," Brady said. "Angie was chasing me and I ran  too far, I guess. And then this man picked me up before I got run over  by kids and the lady gave me her flower so I could give it to Mom."

"Mom, huh?" the father asked.

Brady shrugged and muttered, "Maybe Angie," then turned his attention  back to Nasira and Sebastian. "They're from London. Do you know about  London, Dad?"

"Yep, I do," he replied. "I also know that I told you to stay away from people you don't know."

Sebastian offered his hand for a shake in an effort to reassure the man. "I'm Sebastian Edwards."

The cowboy hesitantly accepted the gesture. "I'm Gavin McNeal, former sheriff."

No wonder he had looked at Sebastian as if he were a deviant. "You're no longer in law enforcement?"

His features went from rock hard to only slightly stony. "I gave that  up to spend more time with this kiddo, and the one we have on the way.  I'm a full-time rancher now, although I do pull deputy duty now and  again if the department's shorthanded."

A clear message to Sebastian the cowboy could still hold his own around  unwelcome strangers. "I'm certain your service to the community is very  much appreciated. And to put your mind at ease, Brady did mention he  wasn't allowed to talk to strangers. Of course, I assure you our  intentions were perfectly honorable."

"Yes, they were." Nasira moved to Sebastian's side. "However, my  husband has forgotten his manners as he has failed to introduce me."

That could be a rather large strike against him. "My apologies. This is my wife, Nasira."

"I am Rafiq bin Saleed's sister," Nasira added. "You might know him."

"Only by reputation," Gavin said. "I did hear something about some  folks from England staying at the Shakirs' place, so I assume that's  you. My ranch isn't too far from there and my wife, Valerie, and Fiona  are fairly good friends."

Apparently news traveled at warp speed in this dusty Texas town. "We're  only going to be here for a few weeks. Do you have any suggestions on  sights we should see while we're here?"

"You should have dinner at the Texas Cattleman's Club," he said. "And  when you do, be sure to check out the statue of Jessamine Golden. That's  my wife's great-great-grandmother."

"I have seen the statue," Nasira said. "But I am sure my husband will find it quite interesting."

Brady began tugging on his father's hand to garner his attention. "Can we go ride the roller coaster now?"

"Sure thing, bud, as soon as I find your mama, who was hanging out near  the arts and crafts last time I looked." Gavin regarded them again.  "Nice to meet you folks, and thanks for corralling the kid. What do you  say to Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, Brady?"

"Thank you for getting me not lost and for giving me the flower."

"You are quite welcome," Sebastian said.

"Goodbye, Brady," Nasira added. "I hope you have a wonderful time this  evening, and I am certain Angie will appreciate the rose."

Gavin took Brady's hand and touched the brim of his hat. "Have a good night, folks."

Watching father and son walked away, Sebastian experienced a good deal  of regret as he remembered a time in the distant past when he'd had the  same relationship with his own father. The relationship that at one time  he'd hoped to have with his own son, until he realized the lack of  wisdom in that. He was amused as Brady started chattering about the  funny-talking man being a superhero, and did they have those in London?

The comment caused Sebastian to chuckle. "From shipping magnate to superhero. Quite a leap."

Nasira tucked her arm into his again as they started down the sidewalk.  "I would thoroughly disagree. You are a natural-born rescuer."

He frowned. "I wouldn't go that far."

She tipped her head against his shoulder. "I would. In a sense you rescued me."

He had never looked at his marriage offer in that way, but he  understood why she might. "Perhaps I saved you from a life of misery  with a forced marriage to a man chosen for you, but you would have found  a way out of the predicament without my assistance."                       
       
           



       

"I suppose that is possible," she said. "But I am glad that I met you that night at the gala."

"I'm grateful you gave me a second glance considering all those potential suitors surrounding you."

"Yes, but not one offered to whisk me away in their Bentley."

They exchanged a smile and walked on in silence, but one question  nagged at Sebastian. "Have you enjoyed our life together, Sira?"

She paused a moment before answering. "We have had wonderful adventures  and amazing travel. You have introduced me to many new experiences."

"No regrets?"

"Only one."

"What would that be?" he asked though he already knew the answer.

"We have no children."

He had strolled right into that one. "I understand you're still  mourning the loss, yet I can't understand why you would want to risk  your health after you had such a difficult pregnancy."

She stopped and faced him. "Life is not without risk, Sebastian. And at times risk comes with precious rewards."

He didn't know how to answer to satisfy her needs. He didn't know if he  would ever want to enter that territory again. "Speaking of risks,  would you care to climb on that giant Ferris wheel and take it for a  spin?"

Nasira glanced over her shoulder then regarded him with a frown. "You know I am afraid of heights."

"You have no need to be afraid while in the presence of a superhero."

She smiled. "This is true. If I agree, will you promise to hold on to me?"

"You may count on my undivided attention."

"Then yes, I will join you on that contraption, and hope I do live long enough to regret it."

Sebastian led Nasira to the line of people awaiting their turn on the  ride. When their time came, he approached the elderly gentleman in  charge of the ride and withdrew his wallet. "How much, kind sir?"

"Three tickets."

Tickets? "I wasn't aware we needed those." He pulled a twenty out of his pocket. "Will this do?"

"I don't make change, mister."

"No change necessary."

The attendant grinned, displaying a remarkable lack of teeth. "I guess it'll do at that."

"Amazing how money opens doors," Sebastian said as they climbed into the car.

Nasira grabbed the railing and sat, looking somewhat fearful. "Amazing how rickety this ride seems."

He lowered next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Just hold tight to your knight."

She surprised him with a soft kiss. "Happily, kind sir."

When the wheel began to move, sending them up toward the night sky,  Nasira closed her eyes and tensed against him. He held her tighter,  stroked her arm and rested his lips against her temple. He experienced  such a fierce need to keep her sheltered from harm, and a secret fear  that he could not be the man she would want in the future if he couldn't  give her the child she desired.

But tonight, he could give her all his consideration and forget the chasm that still existed between them.

When they reached the top, the ride jolted to a stop, causing the car  to slightly sway and his wife to clutch his thigh in a death grip.  Stifling a wince, Sebastian lifted her hand and kissed her palm. "Open  your eyes, sweetheart."

"Must I?"

"No, but you're missing an extraordinary view."

After a few seconds ticked off, she finally lifted her lids and looked  around. "I must admit, all the lights are beautiful. They remind me of  our holiday together two years ago."

While she must have been struck by sentimentality, he was hit by some  rather sexual memories. "Ah, yes. Rome. We barely left the room."