By The Sheikh's Command. Debbi Rawlins

be well chosen according to Munir custom. The idea was a farce. Even as queen, his wife would have no power, or avenue to voice her opinions.

      No matter, he would have to find a wife soon before one was selected for him. His parents reminded him often he would soon be past his prime.

      Unwilling to dwell anymore on the unpleasant subject, he got up from the table and considered going for a ride to the Desert Rose. Not in the pickup truck but on one of Cord’s fine stallions. Between the Desert Rose and the Flying Ace, the quality of horses they bred would warrant many more scouting trips. Already he had purchased a small herd, but there was always room in the royal stables for another fine thoroughbred.

      More important, he would want to visit Aliah. Assure himself all was well with her husband and her new life in America. And of course he would be able to see Brianna.

      The thought startled him. Without a doubt he found her very beautiful with her long blond hair and clear blue eyes, and her reserved demeanor was most captivating. But he had not consciously been thinking about her.

      Still, she often stole into his thoughts, he realized, uneasiness crawling beneath his skin. He had to move, not sit and think. Brianna would be in her office. A trip to the Desert Rose in the moonlight would occupy him. Perhaps Mac Coleman was still in the stables so they could discuss the foal.

      Rafe changed into a pair of jeans, attire to which he had become accustomed while studying at Harvard but seldom wore now. He seemed to live in ties and suits, traveling in the family jet from one meeting to another to wherever the demand for oil led him. Staying here at the Flying Ace would do him good.

      He thought about stopping at Brianna’s office to let her know he would be out, but then thought it better she believed he was still around the Flying Ace. Instead, he headed for the stables, enjoying the last remnants of the sunset.

      He wished he could share it with Brianna.

      The unexpected and intrusive thought angered him and he pushed through the stable doors.

      What was it about the girl that she’d slipped into his thoughts so easily? Could it be he wanted more than to keep an eye on her?

      Chapter Three

      “Hey, Bri, you’re looking good this morning.”

      She spun around with her hand to her throat. “Good grief, Chuck, you scared the living daylights out of me.”

      “Sorry, darlin’, I sure didn’t mean to do that.” He gave her one of his big cocky grins and slid an arm around her shoulders. “But don’t you worry none. Not when you’ve got big strong Chuckie here to protect you.”

      Yeah, but who’d protect her from him? She ducked away, pretending to inspect the new English saddle Cord had bought her last month. “I can take care of myself. I just don’t like anyone sneaking up on me.”

      He laughed. “Now, darlin’, I didn’t do any sneaking. As a matter of fact, I do believe I was here first. Even thought you might have come out here to see me.”

      Bri gave him a bland look but then laughed at the wounded look on his face. Of course it was an act, but he had the hangdog expression down so well. “You might as well make yourself useful. Help me count these snaffle bits.”

      “What for?”

      “It’s inventory time.”

      Chuck frowned. “No kiddin’. You guys keep track of that kind of stuff?”

      “Of course. This is a business.”

      “Wow! Pretty and smart, too.” He slid an arm around her waist and urged her toward him.

      Bri gave him a none-too-gentle shove. He wasn’t usually so touchy, even though she’d heard rumors about his womanizing from Jessica Grayson and Hannah Coleman. If he thought he could take liberties because Cord was away, he had another thing coming.

      “I can handle the inventory,” she said with a warning look. “Why don’t you go back to doing whatever it was you were doing.”

      “Hell, I’m sorry, Brianna. I didn’t mean nothin’.” His blues eyes sparkling, he gave her that boyish grin again. It did make him look awfully cute. “Don’t hold my friendly country ways against me.”

      Trying not to smile, she raised her eyebrows. “I heard you were from Dallas.”

      “True enough. But when my daddy left me and my mama, we moved up to the Panhandle to be near my grandparents. Ever been up there, darlin’?”

      Bri’s heart squeezed as she shook her head. She knew more than she cared to about being abandoned.

      “Don’t guess you would’ve had reason to visit that part of the state. Ain’t nothin’ there.” He winked. “Especially since I’ve left.”

      She laughed. “You are something, that’s for sure. Now, would you leave me alone so I can finish my work?”

      His expression got serious suddenly. “Are you going to be leavin’ the Flying Ace anytime soon?”

      “Why would you say that?” she asked, knowing full well the reason.

      “Me and the boys were talkin’ and…” He shrugged. “I guess now that the boss is married, we figured you might not want to stick around.”

      “This is my home, too.” She turned away and picked up the clipboard so he couldn’t see how much the idea of leaving frightened her.

      “I know that, darlin’, it’s just, I dunno—”

      “Don’t call me darlin’.” Her hands shook, but she tried to hold the pen steady as she made a notation about the condition of the work saddles.

      “Now, no need to get all prickly. Of course, I’m hopin’ you don’t go. I imagine that house is plenty big enough for two women.”

      Bri focused on the clipboard, unsure how much her eyes would give away. “I can’t imagine that you all don’t have enough work to do that you have time to discuss my future.”

      “Whew!” Chuck removed his Stetson and wiped his forehead with the back of his sleeve. “It’s gettin’ mighty hot in here. I best wait till it cools down before I ask you what I came to ask.”

      She slanted him a sidelong glance. He was grinning like the Cheshire cat. Darn it. Now he’d stirred her curiosity.

      “What?”

      “I don’t want to ask you when you’re so steamed.”

      She sighed and lowered the clipboard. “I’m not mad. I just don’t like people speculating on my personal business.”

      “It wasn’t like that at all, darlin’. Honest.” He hunched his shoulders. “Me and the boys just don’t want to see you go. Me, especially.”

      Bri turned away again. Why hadn’t she just let the subject drop? She didn’t care what Chuck wanted to ask her anymore. She wanted him to leave. She just wanted to be alone. She faced him, ready to tell him to go.

      He twirled his Stetson in his hands and for the first time she could recall, he looked unsure. “Next week is the Bridle dance and I was wonderin’ if you’d like to go.”

      A dance? She nearly dropped the clipboard.

      “With me, of course.” He raked a hand through his sandy-colored hair. “I mean, the other guys are goin’, too, but I want you to be my date.”

      Bri cleared her throat. “I don’t think so.”

      “You already have a date?”

      “No, I won’t be going.”

      Chuck drew his head back in surprise. “Everyone’s goin’. The dance is a big deal in Bridle.”

      “I