Nightmare in Morocco by Vickie Britton, Loretta Jackson Read Free Book Online Page A

make this trip very unpleasant," Marie bristled.
    "I wish you wouldn't..."
    "And I wish you wouldn't," Cathy interrupted Noa's rebuke, then added under her breath, "old fogies."
    "At least don't be rude."
    "You're the one that wanted me along."
    The walkway twisted, grew so narrow the group walked for a while in single file . Noa, way in the back, kept her eyes far ahead, on Taber's broad shouldered back.
    Here she was . She never thought she would be able to do it! More freely now, she began to gaze around at the hanging brass, the woven blankets and rugs . Ahead of her an emancipated old man was seated on the ground, crude jewelry and trinkets spread around him . She met his dark eyes and felt a rush of pity .
    He selected a silver "Hand of Fatimah" from the necklaces with their chunky, yellowish stones and held it up to her . Noa smiled, took some coins from her purse and gave them to him . She judged from the light that came into his eyes that he was being well paid . She held the charm for a moment, then stuffed it in her pocket and rushed to catch up with the others.
    "Isn't this pattern just perfect?" Belda said to her . "Feel how thick this rug is!"
    Compliantly Noa fingered the plush weave of the green rug.
    "We'd better keep up with the others . We don't want to get lost."
    Belda looked longingly back as she followed Noa . "That's the prettiest rug I've seen yet! Most of the Moroccan rugs are red or blue . It's so hard to find a green one . Noa, do you think I should buy it?"
    "There will be others along the way."
    "But that one is almost perfect."
    "Hurry." Noa urged the old lady forward. “They’re about out of sight."
    When they turned the sharp corner which led to a wide opening, Noa was relieved to see Taber there talking with their group . "Some of you have indicated that you would like to browse . This store is the largest in the medina, one wi th reputable dealers . After I tell you a little about the crafts, I'll let you spend twenty minutes on your own."
    They entered the store through a long passageway hung with fashionable kaftans, djellab as , and other local clothing . Sunlight steamed through open sections of a make shift bamboo roof . Surprisingly the entranceway opened into a huge modern room crammed with displays and noisy with working craftsmen.
    Taber stopped beside a bearded man whose quick fingers incised and gilded decorations on leather.
    Noa stood in the doorway listening to Taber's talk . Every once in a while, his smile, gleaming white against his dark skin, would be directed very personally to her.
    Taber moved on, this time pausing beside an elderly man working with pottery . Noa glanced from him, back to Taber. The robe made his shoulders broader, lengthened and slenderized his body. The hood folded back, a perfect frame for the crisp, black hair, the strong features, now damp from the heat.
    She looked away again, scanning the room . Greg was inspecting some of the wallets, Milton Ward giving him advi c e . Moulay was listening with fascination to Taber's words; Marie and her girls with studious quietness . But where was Belda Ward?
    Noa searched the entire store for her, then with growing anxiety, headed to the entrance and looked up and down the paths of the medina . The crowd had thickened hooded figures, men in turbans carrying silver pots and goods, women in kaftans, many wearing veils . Where could she have gone?
    Noa thought about the green rug that had so attracted her . Could she have gone back for it? Noa hesitated a moment, then decided she would have no trouble locating that store and finding her way back again . She walked quickly, ignoring the calls of peddlers . Noises and smells she had not noticed earlier now enclosed her.
    At the store, she sought in vain for the lively, white haired woman . She approached and inquired of a turbaned salesman , who spoke no English . A younger salesman joined him . "Yes . Yes, she was here." He pointed to the green rug . "She was