Barbara Dunlop - Millions To Spare

“This way,” said Harrison, pointing to a short lineup off to one side of the security area designated for diplomats.

She felt like an imposter.

“Relax,” he murmured.

She nodded, but she could feel the sweat gathering on her palms.

They walked quickly up to the wicket, and Harrison handed the uniformed man both passports.

The guard swiped Harrison’s through a machine and pressed a button on his keyboard. He stared at the screen for a moment, pressed another button, stamped the passport and handed it back.

Then he swiped Julia’s.

His eyes narrowed, and he looked up at her.

He said something to Harrison in Arabic.

Harrison answered and produced their marriage certificate.

The man read the document. He typed something into his keyboard, and she could see the exact second he found her old identity.

He must have pressed some kind of secret alarm, because three more security guards descended on the little kiosk.

Harrison snagged her hand and squeezed. “Don’t worry,” he muttered.

She was past worrying. She’d gone straight to petrified. This was it. They were going to arrest her here and now.

The guards seemed to be arguing amongst themselves.

One of the new guards picked up a phone.

She wanted to ask Harrison what they were saying. But she was too afraid of the answer. All she could do was stand mute and watch four stern-looking Arabs decide her fate.

The guard set down the phone.

He shot a rapid-fire question at Julia.

Harrison answered.

He asked another.

Harrison’s expression and stance didn’t waver. He provided another answer.

That guard looked at Julia’s passport.

He read the marriage certificate.

Finally, scowling, he banged the stamp down on her passport and handed everything back to Harrison.

Harrison put an arm firmly around her shoulders and ushered her past the kiosk.

She didn’t say a word as they rounded the corner and moved out of sight.

“You’re through,” said Harrison with a squeeze.

Her legs were shaking, and she didn’t think she was capable of forming an actual word.

They turned down a narrow hallway and came to a podium with another guard.

“What’s this?” she asked hoarsely.

“Relax. We’re done. This is only to get into the private boarding gates. We’re taking my jet.”

“You have a jet?”

“I have a jet.” He gave his passport to the guard.

The man checked a list, smiled at Harrison, and let them through.

Julia couldn’t help looking back over her shoulder.

But nobody was coming after her.

She was out of the UAE.

She was going home.

Julia had always been intimidated by the Prestons’ sprawling brick house. But having experienced the palace at Cadair, she now realized Melanie’s mother, Jenna, had made the large house homey, even intimate with her old-world decorating touches. Where Cadair was cavernous as a museum, the Preston house was filled with cushions, pottery and horse pictures.

As they often did, some of the family members had gathered in the large room behind the west veranda. The outside lights showed a windswept, leaf-strewn deck with light rain falling. But inside it was warm, and the wide-screen television broadcasted a Formula Gold night race out of California.

Julia knew that Melanie’s grandfather, Hugh Preston, was a friend and fan of racer Demetri Lucas, so the family tried to watch Formula Gold as often as possible.

“Mom, Dad, Grandpa?” sang Melanie. “Look who’s home?”

Jenna glanced up from where she was chopping vegetables, while Thomas, Jenna’s husband, and Hugh looked up from the race.

Jenna’s smile beamed as she dried her hands on a towel and came around the breakfast bar. “So wonderful to have you home, Julia.”

She gave Julia a quick hug.

“And this is Harrison Rochester,” Melanie continued with the introductions.

Both men came to their feet to shake hands with Harrison and welcome Julia back.

At the same time, Robbie appeared and joined the conversation.

Jenna muted the race, while Thomas offered Kentucky sipping whiskey all around.

There was plenty of comfortable seating, and Julia ended up on a love seat next to Harrison.

“What’s on your hands?” asked Melanie as Thomas handed Julia a drink.

Julia momentarily froze.

“A Middle Eastern tradition,” Harrison put in smoothly. “While we were at Khandi Oasis, some of the women wanted to decorate Julia’s hands.”

“It’s henna,” Julia put in. “It’ll wear off in a couple of weeks.”

“It’s pretty,” Jenna offered.

“Thank you,” said Julia. “I like it, too.”

She caught Harrison’s gaze and had to struggle to keep her features even.

“Can you explain what happened to your horse?” asked Hugh in his usual booming voice.

Harrison set down his drink on the table beside him. “Not yet,” he admitted. “I’ll be back in Dubai in a few days, and I plan to launch an extensive investigation. But I wanted to get Julia out of the country first.”

“Any problems getting out?” asked Melanie.

“We were worried sick,” said Jenna from where she sat next to Thomas on a longer couch. “Imagine, people chasing you like that.”

They’d had to share the fact that both the police and criminals were after Julia, since it could impact on Leopold’s Legacy’s investigation.

“It went surprisingly smoothly,” said Harrison. “Any news here on Leopold’s Legacy?”

“We’re struggling with the registry records,” said Robbie. “A pivotal employee, Ross Ingliss, has suddenly quit, and that’s caused increased technical complications.”

“I assume you’ll check on other Apollo’s Ice foals?” asked Harrison.

“Just as soon as humanly possible,” put in Thomas.

“There’s the checkered flag,” called Hugh, raising his glass to the screen. “Not a win, but he’s in the top five again.”

Melanie’s oldest brother, Andrew, joined them. “Bad news,” he said, taking in the crowd of people, then he noticed Harrison.

Harrison came to his feet and held out his hand to Andrew. “Harrison Rochester.”

“Andrew Preston,” Andrew returned with a shake. “Probably a good thing you’re here.”

“What happened?” asked Hugh.

Andrew eased himself into one of the remaining seats. “We’ve been banned from racing by the International Thoroughbred Racing Federation.”

“In all countries?” asked Melanie.

“How can they do that?” Robbie demanded.

Julia’s heart sank. She knew Melanie and Robbie were counting on international races for Something to Talk About. They were planning a trip to their cousin’s stable in Australia to give the horse an opportunity to race.

Andrew looked to Harrison. “The negative publicity surrounding Leopold’s Legacy now stretches as far as Dubai.”

“They know about Millions to Spare?” asked Thomas.

“I had to disclose it,” said Andrew.

Hugh nodded his concurrence. “We have done nothing wrong,” he declared. “We will be exonerated.”

“But how long will it take?” asked Melanie.

“It will take as long as it takes,” said Jenna, her voice calm and steady. She looked to her husband. “We’ll make it through somehow.”

Thomas squeezed her hand, and a look passed between them-one that said they were two people who had weathered storms before and understood each other in a way no one else ever could.

Julia couldn’t help glancing at Harrison. They’d weathered their own storms. And there were things about their time together in Dubai that the world would never discover.

Harrison finished his drink and stood. “I should head back into the city,” he announced, causing Julia’s stomach to contract.

Was this it? Was it all over?

“How can you say that?” asked Jenna, rising from her seat. “Dinner will be ready in half an hour.”

“I don’t want to impose,” said Harrison.

Julia couldn’t take her gaze off him. Was he getting back on his plane tonight? She hadn’t thought about that. She’d promised Melanie she would stay a day or two, but she’d assumed she’d have a chance to say goodbye to Harrison in private.

If he walked out now, all she’d get was a handshake and a polite nod along with everyone else.

“It’s no imposition at all,” Jenna insisted.

“I thought I should find a hotel room before it got too late,” he continued.

“Nonsense,” said Jenna with a dismissive wave of her hand. “You can stay in one of the guest cabins.”

“Julia’s in the magnolia cabin,” said Melanie. “But there are others to choose from. They’re very comfortable.”

Harrison glanced around at the expressions of the other family members. “If you’re sure,” he said.

“Of course we’re sure,” said Hugh. “Don’t know what it’s like over there in the Middle East, but around here we’re hospitable.”

“And I thank you for that,” Harrison said to Hugh, while Julia experienced a wave of relief.

“Can I get some help setting the table?” asked Jenna. “It’s our cook and housekeeper’s night off.”

Andrew and Melanie both got to their feet.

Julia stood, as well, but Jenna waved her back down. “You’re company tonight,” said Jenna.

“I wasn’t company last time I was here.”

“You’re tired from changing time zones,” said Melanie.

That much was true. Julia was definitely feeling tired and disoriented. Maybe that’s why the thought of Harrison leaving had been so painful.

After the Preston house and the surrounding staff cabins went dark and quiet, Harrison crossed the lawn and rapped on Julia’s door.

Soft light shone through the front curtains, and he heard footsteps patter on the floor inside. She opened the door, dressed in a navy T-shirt, a pair of casual, gray sweatpants and bare feet. Her hair was loose and her face was scrubbed free of makeup. But her blue eyes shone bright and beautiful, and he knew he was in way over his head.