Page 10 of The Sheikh’s Christmas Baby

Kristy’s stomach rumbled, and she remembered that she hadn’t eaten yet. “Thanks, Aunt Julia. I’m starving. I’m sure Sheikh Kashif will take his in his room. After lunch, can you see that Henry shows him the dogs? I need to finish decorating.” Whirling around, she stared. “Unless you were never interested in the race.”

“I’m staying,” he said firmly. “And I’ll eat in the kitchen.”

“Go ahead, do whatever you want. I need to check on the horses, so I’ll take mine to go.”

She watched him walk away and felt her emotions war inside her. Part of her wanted desperately to believe him, and that part immediately began to hope for a happily-ever-after ending. She’d tell him the truth, tell him that Arella was his daughter, and they’d move forward with their lives. He’d get to know his daughter, and maybe they would even give their relationship another go. They’d be a family.

But the other part of her could see the reality of the situation. Kashif would soon be the Crowned Sheikh of his country. He couldn’t stay with them, and he would have certain responsibilities and duties. His family would never let them be together, and her original fears could come to life. The Shadid family would take Arella away from her. They had the kind of sway that could easily shut Kristy out. She’d never see her daughter again.

Feeling the tightening in her stomach, she swallowed hard. Most unwed mothers feared their baby daddies wouldn’t want to claim their kids, but Kristy knew that Kashif wasn’t like that. He’d want a relationship with his daughter, and his family would make sure that he’d have one.

“God,” she whispered as she closed her eyes. After everything that he’d just told her, she felt so guilty about keeping his daughter from him. He’d be a great father, and she wanted so desperately to have everything work out.

But if it didn’t, she’d lose Arella and that was one risk she wasn’t willing to take.

7

Kashif’s head was still reeling. After all this time feeling rejected, he couldn’t believe that Kristy had tried to get in touch with him. It definitely explained how hurt she seemed. So what really happened?

He had a feeling that Melka knew. Part of him wanted to call him and demand an answer, but he suspected the bodyguard would just deny it all. Instead, he joined the older woman and the child at the lunch table. He would investigate later.

“I’m Julia,” the woman said with a warm smile. “Kristy’s aunt.”

“Kashif,” he offered, trying to avoid his titles.

“Oh, I know who you are. You’re the man who broke Kristy’s heart the first time around. I have half a mind to pull that shotgun off the wall and run you out of town.” Instead, the woman sat down with a plate with what looked like roast beef and gravy on toast.

“So I’ve heard,” he said quietly. “This whole time I thought Kristy had broken mine.”

“So, you didn’t leave because you were tired of her?”

Kashif shook his head. “My father had fallen ill, and they weren’t sure he was going to make it. I’m the oldest son, so I was obligated to be there so I could sign the paperwork to take his place should my father pass away. I thought my bodyguard had told Kristy that.”

“Well, he didn’t. You left out of duty and not out of concern for your father?”

Widening his eyes, Kashif shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Of course I care for my father. It’s just that had my bodyguards not had their orders to get me home right away, I would have been able to say goodbye. As it was, protocol dictates that I was not to speak to anyone until I’d returned to the palace.”

“I see.” Julia set half of a sandwich in front of the child with some grapes.

“The father isn’t in the picture anymore?” he asked quietly while he gazed at the little girl. She had light blonde hair and sapphire-blue eyes, much darker than her mother’s, but he could definitely see Kristy in her.

Julia made a popping sound with her mouth. “That really isn’t my story to tell,” she finally said.

“Of course. I apologize. This food is delicious, thank you.”

“I’m supposed to be retired, but I like to help out from time to time. Plus, my husband can’t seem to stay away from the farm, and it irks Kristy. They don’t get along so well, so I do my best to intervene.”

“Why don’t they get along?”

“When my brother retired, there were two cousins plus Darren who wanted to take over the farm, but Wyatt trusted Kristy—and rightfully so. Darren and I have no business running a farm at our age, but Darren loves this place. He tries to help out, but Kristy is protective over it. I think she’s worried that he’s trying to muscle her out. It’s nonsense. I’d never let anyone take anything away from her. I love that girl like she was my own.”

There was something pointed about the way that she looked at him when she said that, but he didn’t understand whatever message she was trying to convey. “I offered to help out, but she told me, no. I fell in love with this place the last time I was here, and I can’t help but notice that there are no other guests around.”

“We’re struggling, but it has nothing to do with Kristy. There’s a new fancy tourist attraction that dares to call itself a farm, closer to the city. They built a dog-racing track and luxury lodging. It’s taken most of our dog-racing clients away. These days, we mostly rely on the money the riding lessons bring in. It makes me sad, but with global warming, everything is different. We still get a few blizzards like the one we got last weekend, but the snow doesn’t stick around for long. I’m not sure the Iditarod is even going to host a race this year. There is no snow forecast for the next two weeks.”

“Damn,” Kashif whispered.

“Damn,” Arella echoed cheerfully, and he looked up at Julia in horror.

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