Wild Desert Princess by Debbie Deering Read Free Book Online Page B

David dared to ask.
    “I will do nothing, but thank the heavens for my good fortune on having a healthy child and a beautiful wife,” he growled.
    “Is there a chance she might lose the child?”
    “If she isn’t left alone to heal, yes she could lose the baby.”
    “Hence the marriage by proxy.  I’m assuming your presence upsets her.”
    “Yes,” Jahan bleakly answered.
    “Jahan, stop.  Once you are wed, you can make it up to her.  Show her how you truly feel about her,” David softly suggested.
    Jahan’s brows rose. “And how is it you know how I feel?”
    “Please, everyone has known how you felt about a certain auburn-haired hellion for years.”
    “Be careful, David.  That’s my future wife you’re talking about.”
    “Okay, okay.  I’ll make the arrangements for you to be wed tomorrow morning.  I’ll stand in for you and Ms. Phillips can stand in for Chiandra.”
    “Thank you, David.” Sighing, Jahan stood and moved towards the foyer, where Malek was waiting somewhat impatiently.
    Jahan glanced down at his watch, noticing an hour had gone by. “I’m not late, am I?”
    “No, no.  I’m just anxious to get down there and see how she’s feeling.” Worry clouded his face and he looked every year of his age. 
    Malek drove quickly, but efficiently through the busy streets to the hospital.  A new facility, one of Jahan’s many improvements for his country, it was state of the art.
    They found a parking space in the garage and hurried inside.  The woman recognized both Malek and Jahan and gave them the room number with a smile, room 314.  In moments they stepped off the elevator and found Amanda sitting in the luxurious waiting area, the whole third floor was nothing but private rooms.  Amanda took a step towards Malek, relief lifting her face before she closed herself off from him.  She needed his support desperately, but after the night in his arms when he forced her response, she had to decide if that was the way she wanted to live for the rest of her life.
    Jahan watched the by-play between them and realized he had caused a rift between two of his dearest friends. “Please Amanda, how is Chia?  What has the doctor said?” Jahan raked his hand through his long hair, his feeling of helplessness not one he was familiar with.
    “I haven’t seen Dr. Kahn since they admitted Chia.  She started cramping in the ambulance and there was some blood.  He was afraid she might miscarry and gave her a shot to help calm her down.” Tears slid down Amanda’s pale face as Malek pulled her close, his arms holding her tightly to his heart.  As she tried to pull away, he whispered, “Not now love, fight with me later, after we get through this.
    Nodding, she allowed her tense body to relax against him, pulling from his great strength.
    Jahan stumbled to a chair and collapsed. “My god what have I done?  I never dreamed she could lose the baby.”
    Amanda watched the pain and remorse settle on Jahan’s face and prayed it would be enough to change the way he treated Chia. “I’m afraid she inherited the problems I had with her.  I had a very difficult pregnancy and almost lost her once.  I could not have another child.  Now you see why she’s so incredibly dear to us.”
    “Yes, I wish I’d known.  I shouldn’t have chased her.  That lump on the head and nearly drowning, surely hasn’t made her condition any better.” Jahan refused to think about the possibility that he might lose both Chiandra and his child.  He couldn’t bear the thought.
    He spun around when he heard Dr. Kahn’s voice at the nurses’ station, spying Jahan and Chia’s parents, he strode towards them, his dark face grim. “She’s fine for the moment.  The cramping has stopped.  Thankfully, there was only a bit of spotting.  She’s resting quietly now, her blood pressure has leveled out.”
    The tension suddenly drained from Jahan and tears sparkled in his obsidian eyes. “Thank God.”
    “We still