The Paternity Proposition(32)

The stone path had been worn smooth by years of use. They stepped from bright sun into shade provided by large trees. There were several formal gardens all around them. As they turned a corner, Phoebe caught her breath. In front of them stood the famous Lucia-Serrat banyan tree.

From where they were standing, they couldn't see the center of the tree. Branches spread out in all directions, some slender, some as thick around as a man. Sturdy roots grew down from the branches, anchoring the tree to the ground in hundreds of places. The tree itself stretched out for what seemed like miles. A small sign said that the circumference of the aerial roots was nearly ten acres.

"Is it the biggest in the world?" she asked.

"No. There is a larger tree in India. There is also a large one in Hawaii, although this one is bigger."

The leaves were huge and oval, tapering on each end. She stepped forward, ducking under several branches. There were paths through the aerial root system. She could see where others had walked. Reverently she touched the surprisingly smooth bark. This tree had been alive for hundreds of years.

"It feels like it's a living part of the structure of the island," she said, glancing back at Mazin.

He shrugged. "There is strength in the tree. Once it gets established, it can survive most any kind of storm. Even if one part is destroyed, the rest survives."

"I wouldn't mind being that strong," she said as she crouched down and picked up a fallen leaf.

"Why would you think you are not?"

She glanced at him. He stood within the shade of the tree. His dark eyes were unreadable. Phoebe suddenly realized she knew nothing about this man, that she was on a strange island and for all she knew, he made a habit of abducting female tourists traveling alone. She should be cautious and wary.

Yet she didn't want to be. Whatever had drawn her to Mazin continued to pull her to him today. She was foolish to trust him, and yet trust him she did.

"Strength requires experience and knowledge," she said. "I haven't lived very much. I never made it to college." She rose to her feet, still clutching the leaf in her hand. "My aunt got sick the summer after I graduated from high school. She wanted me to go live my life, but I stayed home to take care of her." She rubbed the leaf between her fingers, then dropped it to the ground. "I'm not complaining. I don't have any regrets. I loved Ayanna and would give up everything to have her with me again. I would rather be with her now than be here or-"                       
       
           



       

Phoebe broke off when she realized what she'd said. Embarrassment gripped her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply that I wasn't enjoying your company."

Mazin dismissed her apology with a wave of his hand. "It is of no concern. I am not insulted. Your affection for your aunt does you credit."

He stared at her as if she were some strange creature he'd never seen before. Phoebe touched her cheek with the back of her hand and hoped the shadows of the tree kept him from seeing how she blushed. No doubt he found her silly and boring.

"Are you hungry?" he asked abruptly. "There is a café nearby. I thought we could have lunch."

Her heart fluttered, her embarrassment fled and it was as if the sun brightened the sky a little more than it had. Mazin held out his hand in invitation. Phoebe hesitated only a second before placing her trembling fingers in his hand.





Three

The café sat on the edge of the ocean. Phoebe felt as if she could stretch out her foot and touch the blue water. A soft breeze carried the scent of salt and island flowers, perfuming the air. The sun was hot, yet a large umbrella shielded them so that they felt only pleasantly warm.

She had the strongest urge to bounce up and down with excitement. She couldn't believe she was really here, on the island, having lunch with a very handsome man. If this was a dream, she didn't ever want to wake up.

Mazin was being so very kind. Her fingers still tingled from his touch when he'd held her hand as they'd walked to his car. She knew he hadn't intended the gesture to have meaning. There was no way he could have known how the heat from his hand had burned into her skin or made her heart race so delightfully.

"Have you decided?" he asked.

She glanced at the menu she held and realized she hadn't read it. She'd been too busy admiring the view.

"Maybe there's a local dish you would like to recommend," she said.

"The fresh fish. The chef here prides himself on his preparation. You won't be disappointed."

As she knew she wouldn't be able to taste anything, she didn't doubt that he was right. He could feed her ground-up cardboard and she would be content.

Their waiter appeared and Mazin gave him their orders. Phoebe picked up her iced tea and took a sip.

"This is such a beautiful spot," she said as she put down her glass. "I'm surprised it's not crowded for lunch."

Mazin seemed to hesitate. "Sometimes it is, but we're a little early."

Phoebe glanced at her watch. It was nearly noon, but she wasn't about to contradict her host. Besides, it might be fashionable to dine late on the island.

They sat on a patio that held about a dozen tables, all protected by umbrellas. In the distance she could see a grove of trees filled with parrots. Small lizards sunned themselves on the stone wall across from their table.

"What do you think of my island?" Mazin asked.

She smiled with contentment. "It's beautiful. Ayanna always talked about Lucia-Serrat being paradise, but I'm not sure I ever believed her. Everything is so clean. It's not just the absence of trash on the road, but the fact that plant life grows everywhere. Are there really other people on this island?"

He smiled. "I assure you, my dove, we are not alone."

Too bad, she thought wistfully.

"There has been much debate about the future of the island. We require certain resources to survive, yet we do not want to destroy the beauty that brightens our world."

"There's a lot of that kind of talk in Florida," Phoebe said, leaning forward slightly. "Developers want to build apartment buildings and hotels. They impact the infrastructure. Growth is good for the economy, but irresponsible growth can be bad for the land itself. It's a delicate balance. I worry about things like the rain forest. Part of me wants to come firmly on the side of whatever tree or animal is in need, but I know that people need to eat and heat their homes."

"I would have assumed you were a rabid conservationist," he said, his voice teasing.

She smiled. "I'm not the rabid type. I care and I do what I can. I don't think there are any easy answers."

"I agree. Here on Lucia-Serrat we seek to find a balance. We live in harmony with nature. Yes, we must dig for oil, but all precautions are taken to protect the sea and those creatures who live there. That adds to the cost. There are those who protest, who want more oil and less worry about the birds and the fish." His brows drew together. "There are those who would influence policy, but so far I have been-"

He broke off in midsentence, then shrugged. "So far I have been happy with the choices the prince has made."

Phoebe rested her elbows on the table. "Do you know the prince?"

"I am familiar with the royal family."

She turned that over in her mind. It was hard to imagine. "I've never even met the mayor where I live," she said, more to herself than to him. "Don't you like him?"

Mazin's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Why do you ask me that?"                       
       
           



       

"I don't know. The way you said you've been happy with his choices. There was something in your voice. I thought maybe you didn't like him."

"I assure you, that is not the case."

She sipped her iced tea. "Is there a parliament or something to keep the prince in line? I mean, what if he started making unfair rules? Could anyone stop him?"

"Prince Nasri is a wise and honorable ruler. To answer your questions, there is a form of parliament. They handle much of the government, but the prince is the true leader of the people."

"Is he well liked?"

"I believe so. He is considered just. Two days a month anyone may come to see him and discuss a grievance."

"What about you? What do you do?" she asked.

Mazin leaned back in his chair. "I am in the government. I coordinate oil production."

She had no idea what that might involve. If he was in the government and knew the royal family then he had to be a pretty important man. "Is it all right that you're here with me now?" she asked. "I wouldn't want you to get in trouble for taking the day off."

"Do not worry yourself," he told her with a slow smile. "I have plenty of vacation days available to me."





They walked along the beach after lunch. Mazin couldn't remember the last time he'd simply gone for a walk by the sea. Although he could see the ocean from nearly every window in his house, the view had ceased to be beautiful. He doubt he even saw it anymore.