Read Online Continental Divide by Dyanne Davis - Free Book Online Page B

I’m happy as
well.”
    For a long moment Hamid and Imran merely
stared at each other talking in the secret way of men and of
family. Hamid’s hand slid around Heaven’s waist and he pulled her
close. He placed a kiss on her forehead quieting her worries.
    “No power on earth could have kept me from
marrying Heaven. Besides, the entire family loves her now. Family
eventually comes around, Imran. They loved me and wanted me happy.
The family also loves you and wants your happiness no matter what
path that might take.”
    “You hold the position of favored son,
Hamid. Even if you disappoint that will still be your position and
you have brothers who will be able to redeem the family name. I on
the other hand have the position of only son. My father wants great
things from me. He wants me to make up for the mistakes that he
made.” Imran gave a brittle laugh.
    “If uncle truly thought that, he would not
have bought you a home and furnished it. He would not make sure
that a woman comes in to clean and cook.
    Imran shrugged again. “Those things he does
so that the community does not say his only son lives as a beggar.”
Imran grinned. “Who cares?” he rolled his eyes. “I am an adult and
I will do what pleases me. My father’s displeasure will not prevent
me from pursuing my goals. If I fail, it is still my life, my
decision. If my father wishes to disown me then he will have no son
and I will have no father. But I will still do what I want.” He
glanced away from Hamid and his gaze connected with Tanya’s. Her
soft brown eyes looked a bit misty. She was smiling softly a hint
of pity in her eyes. He’d said maybe a little too much. As he
stared, her look of pity became more pronounced.
    “Stop being so melodramatic,” Hamid spoke
up, glaring at Imran. “Uncle has no such plans and neither does any
other member of the family. You’re a writer and you’re imagining
things, trying to make a story where there is none. As for uncle
thinking you’re not a man. Please. He does that because he wants
grandsons.” He stared across the room at his son then back at
Imran. “They all want grandsons, the next generation.”
    There was nothing in Imran’s future plans
that even hinted that babies were in his near future. But he did
want them. His gaze slid over to where Tsukama slept and he
acknowledged that desire. Glancing up he found Tanya’s gaze had
remained on him. This time it made him a little uncomfortable. She
was looking at him as if ….as if she thought… He wondered if she
was thinking he really didn’t like women. He narrowed his eyes, not
like women. He’d have to stop that nonsense immediately. Hamid was
right. He’d been a little melodramatic.
    “Tanya,” he began making it clear that she
was the one he wanted to understand what he was about to say. “My
father is wrong about many things and he’s most assuredly wrong
about my not being a man who wishes to one day marry and have
beautiful babies.” When she grinned he grinned also. “I love
women,” he said in an almost whisper.
    “I know,” Tanya teased him back. “Just not
greedy Americans.”
    “I might make an exception if it were a
truly beautiful American woman,” he held her gaze.
    “I do understand about parents not
supporting your dreams, not because they don’t love you, but
because they think you’re choosing a path that will be hard.”
    Tanya tried unsuccessfully to prevent the
sigh that escaped. "My parents don’t like the idea that I’ve made a
promise to someone. They think if I have to keep that promise I
won’t have a family of my own. They don’t think I should put so
much time and money into trying to help build the community. But
they’re my dreams and I have a right to go after them, like you
have every right to go after yours. I admire you for trying no
matter what your family thinks. Dreams are what makes us who we
are, they’re important. Your dreams are important, Imran. I hope
they come true. Have you