“I’m going to say hi to Ashur,” he said, rising to his feet.
She watched him join the others. He walked in long strides, like always. Her chest tightened with emotion. Aram shook his hand as if they were best friends. Ashur passed him the ball. Everyone seemed pleased to see him. Layah couldn’t believe he’d shown up. She’d convinced herself that it was over.
Now he was here, and she didn’t know what to do. She’d have to make a decision about continuing their relationship. She couldn’t escape the future. She couldn’t escape her feelings.
Ashur kicked the ball into the trees, where it got stuck on a high branch. Her mother appeared beside her.
“Did you know he was coming?” Layah asked.
“He called to ask for our address.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“He wanted to surprise you.”
Layah was surprised, all right. “You approve of his visit? You gave him your blessing?”
“Should I have turned him away?”
Layah shook her head in confusion.
Her mother reached out to pat Layah’s shoulder. “You are my only daughter and I love you. I almost lost you. Life is too short and too precious. I do not wish to repeat the mistake I made with Khalil.”
Layah wiped the tears from her eyes. This was the first time her mother had mentioned Khalil.
“I was wrong, and I’m sorry.”
Layah hugged her tight.
“If this man loves you, he has my blessing.”
“What if he wants to take me to America?”
“Does he make you happy?”
“Yes.”
“Then go with him.”
Layah didn’t mention the obvious—that she had Ashur to consider. She’d already spoken to both her parents at length about his guardianship. They wanted the boy to stay in Verin Dvin. Layah hadn’t decided her own fate, but his was secure. He seemed to like it here with Aram and his grandparents.
William returned before Layah was ready. He said hello to her mother in Arabic, and he called Layah a treasure. Her mother beamed with approval. Layah gave her the tulips. Then she took him by the elbow and walked away for a private talk.
“You’ve been practicing Arabic.”
“I wanted to impress your mother.”
“You did.”
They fell silent, watching Aram and Ashur try to rescue the football out of the tree. “Does Ashur like it here?”
“Yes.”
“Do you?”
Her throat closed up with emotion. “It is peaceful.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“What do you want from me?”
He stuck his hands in his pockets, contemplative. Now that she’d calmed down a little, she could appreciate his appearance. He looked fantastic clean-shaven. He’d gained weight, and it favored him. His clothes fit well. He was devastatingly handsome.
While she studied him, he studied her. “You’re more beautiful than I remember.”
“I’m wearing makeup.”
“Are you expecting?”
The question robbed the breath from her lungs. “Is that what you came to discuss?”
“No. I have other topics.”
“I’m not expecting.”
“Okay,” he said, smiling.
“Are you relieved?”
He shrugged. “I could go either way.”
She kept walking toward a cobblestone path in the distance. He followed, grasping her hand. The warm contact tingled through her palm and danced across her skin. She could smell his aftershave, or some other enticing male scent. He was wonderfully tall. She felt the overwhelming urge to stand on tiptoe and kiss him.
“I can’t stop staring at you,” he said.
“How long are you here for?”
“I have three more weeks off. We can stay here, or go somewhere else.”
“Then what?”
“Then your visa will be approved.”
“My visa?”
He nodded, squeezing her hand. “I made some inquiries for you and Ashur, based on the promises made by Team Twelve to Hasan. INS was already in the process of approving visas for two of Hasan’s family members. We owe you.”
Layah couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She’d hoped there would be no criminal charges pending against her. Securing a visa was beyond her wildest dreams. It was incredibly difficult for an Iraqi national to begin the citizenship process in the US.
“There’s a catch,” he said. “I told immigration officials we were engaged.”
She clapped a hand over her mouth.
He fumbled in his pocket for a velvet box. Taking a deep breath, he got down on one knee and presented it to her.
“What are you doing?” she asked, glancing around them. They were alone.
“I’m asking you to marry me.”
She took the box and opened it. There was a diamond ring inside, sparkling like a star.
“I love you, Layah. I can’t live without you. I told you I’d do anything for you, and I will. I want you to come to California and be my wife.”
Her eyes filled with tears again. She shut the box. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes.”
“I have to talk to Ashur.”
William arched a brow. “You’re going to let him decide?”
“No. I’m going to think about it, and ask him how he feels. This is important.”
“Take all the time you need.”
She rushed away before he could draw her into his arms and make her melt. She’d been ready to throw herself at him the moment he’d appeared. She needed a minute to collect her thoughts. It was important to be calm and deliberate in her decision-making process. She returned to the picnic area and found Ashur. He walked along the path with her.
“William asked me to marry him.”
“Who’s William?”
“Hudson. William Hudson.”
“Oh.”
“How do you feel about that?”
He just shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s okay, for an American.”
“He wants us to live with him.”
Ashur’s brow furrowed. “Us?”
“He can get you a visa. You can come to America.”
“No. I like it here.”
She took a deep breath, fighting tears again. “I don’t want to leave you.”
“I never thought you would stay.”
“Why not?”
“Because of him.”
“I’m your guardian.”
“You’re not my mother. I’ll be fine without you.”
Her face crumpled with sorrow. Ashur didn’t pull any punches.
“Don’t cry,” he said, putting his arm around her. “You’re my favorite aunt.”
“I’m your only aunt.”
“I want you to be happy.”
She hugged him close, weeping on his thin shoulder. By the time she was finished, she’d made her decision. Ashur was doing well here, and he might not adjust to another move easily. He could
