by Leslie North
“It seems that everyone loves Christmas around here except you,” Kashif murmured with a lifted eyebrow.
“I like Christmas,” she said defensively. “I just haven’t really gone all out. Besides, this is the first time that Arella is likely to even remember it.”
“Any Christmas traditions you plan to start this year? Like maybe visiting family?”
Kristy gave him a sharp look. “I’m Arella’s family,” she said stonily. “And that’s all that she needs.”
When he didn’t say anything, she realized how harsh it must sound. Sighing, she tucked her hair behind her ear and leaned back in the booth. “What about you? Any Christmas traditions at the palace?”
“We used to celebrate Christmas,” he admitted softly. “My mother grew up in the Netherlands and adored everything about Christmas. She and the servants would go all out with the decorations, and we’d plan a big Christmas feast. My brothers and I used to fight over who got to put the topper on the tree. I normally won,” he said with a grin.
“Naturally,” she murmured with a rueful shake of her head.
“But that was twenty years ago. After her death, it was hard on my father. We never celebrated again after that.”
“Kash, I’m sorry,” she said as she automatically reached across the table for his hand. He opened his palm immediately and intertwined his fingers with hers.
“It was a long time ago,” he said roughly. “I don’t think about it much anymore.”
They stared at each other over the flickering of the candle light, and her heart started to beat a little faster. She couldn’t help but think about the last time the two of them have been in the restaurant together. They’d sat on the same side of the table, and they were always touching each other. Either his arm was around her or her hand was on his thigh. It had been a perfect night, and she’d had no idea about what was going to happen next.
He’d left her. Even though there seemed to be two sides to the story, she couldn’t get those few weeks out of her head.
Just then, Dana, Al’s cute, blonde daughter, swayed up to the table and smiled seductively at Kashif. “Everybody ready here?”
Kristy pulled her hand away from his and cleared her throat. “Hi, Dana. I think we may need another minute.”
“Sure thing,” she cooed without ever taking her eyes off him. It was a small town, and Dana was a beautiful woman who enjoyed a good time. She looked at him like she was starving, and he was going to be her next meal.
“Wow,” Kashif said with a laugh when she walked away. “Is she always like that?”
“She is. Just ignore her. Or don’t. Whatever you want to do,” Kristy muttered as she opened the menu. She knew what Al had to offer by heart, but it gave her a chance to get her bearings.
“If I got to do whatever I want, we would never have left the lodge,” he said seductively. “Kristy, I know what you’re thinking. What happened the last time I was here was unfortunate, but you can’t blame me for it.”
“Why are you even still here?” she said as she slapped the menu on the table. “We both know that the race is going to be canceled. There’s no reason for you to be here!”
“Is that really how you feel?” he asked as he searched her face.
Dana showed back up again and saved Kristy from an answer. “Lasagna,” Kristy muttered. “And a glass of your house merlot.”
“I’ll have the chicken alfredo. And you may as well make that a bottle,” Kashif ordered without ever taking his eyes off Kristy. The waitress took their menus and practically stomped away, clearly upset that she wasn’t able to capture the Sheikh’s attention.
“I’ve been here a week now, Kristy, and things have been good. Why are you so quick to get rid of me?”
“It doesn’t matter whether you leave tomorrow or next month. The fact of the matter is that you’re still leaving. You have responsibilities at home, Kash. You can’t run from that, and I’m not going to let you use me as an excuse,” she finally explained. It almost hurt to breathe, but the truth was out there on the table.
“So, let’s just enjoy the time that we have,” he said as he reached across the table for her hand. She closed her eyes briefly before relenting.
“How will the farm fare without the race?”
“It’s just one year,” she said cautiously. “Besides, it’s not our only income source, but it was the best. I’m sure next year will be better especially if I end up adding other activities.”
“And if it’s not?”
She didn’t have to say it out loud. He was a clever enough businessman to know that the farm wouldn’t survive another year like this one. The tours to the hot springs was one thing, but it wouldn’t save them. Kristy wasn’t even sure how on board she was.
“You need to make a change,” Kashif said sternly. “If you’d let me help…”
“No,” she said sharply. “We’ve already had this discussion. The answer is no. I will do what I can to keep it running. End of discussion.”
“You have to take some risks.” Disapproval was written all over his face. “Nothing is going to change if you don’t.”
He was right and Kristy knew that but there was much more at stake than he knew. Maybe now. Now, she could tell him everything.
Just then, Al’s loud cursing echoed throughout the restaurant. Curious, Kristy let go of Kashif and leaned around the booth to see what was going on. The rotund man was slumped across the counter with his head in his hands. “Not another one,” the man cried.
“Al, what’s wrong?”
“I had one carry-out order for tonight. Just one. I normally have so many that I’m frantic to keep up, but not tonight. And now the customer just called and told me that they couldn’t make it. They wanted to know if I could deliver. Deliver! As if I could pay the insurance to cover a delivery business!”
A thought formed in her head, and Kristy smiled. “Actually, that might not be such a bad idea. Maybe instead of cars delivering, you could have a few dogs deliver.”
Al lifted his head sharply and stared at her. “What do you mean?”
“Business has been slow for me too, and the dogs are practically going crazy with boredom. Henry has to look after them anyway. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind delivering a few orders for you. In exchange for some tips, of course.”
“How much would you charge?” Al asked with narrowed eyes.
“I tell you what, let’s give it a few days and see if the idea is popular, or even serviceable. If it takes off, then I’m sure that we can come to some sort of arrangement.”
“Yes! I like it! Oh Kristy, I could kiss you. A dog sledding delivery service. The town is going to love it! Dinner is on me tonight.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Kristy said as she shot Kashif a wicked grin. “The Sheikh is paying for dinner tonight.”
“I am?” Kashif asked, amused.
“You are, as a way to apologize to me. I don’t need to change the farm or take risks to make it work. I’m perfectly capable of making things work with what I have.”
“You do know how to work what you’ve got,” Kashif agreed in a low voice.
Kristy snorted and shook her head. The business plan gave her a new sense of energy and purpose.
Everything was going to be just fine.
16
There wasn’t even a discussion about it. Kristy had joined him in his bed for the past three nights. At this point, they were both running on adrenaline and desire, but he knew that the smile on her face was mirrored only by his own. There had been no more talking about him leaving, and although they hadn’t mentioned the future, he no longer saw the ghosts of the past haunting her.
Whistling to himself, he checked in on Arella that afternoon. Kristy and Julia were out shopping for Christmas presents, and Henry was supposed to be watching her, but an unexpected guest showed up to talk about the dogs. Kashif leaned against the wall and watched Arella play.
Tripod had once again managed to sne
ak into her pen, and he and the two dogs jumped around her, making the little girl laugh with glee. Both the goat and the dogs were careful not to hurt her, but she tried several times to jump with them only to land on her butt.
Children were tough, and she’d get back up and try all over again. Kashif felt an odd sense of pride.
The phone rang, jarring him from his thoughts. Knowing that no one else was around to answer it, he shrugged and picked it up. “Mistywood Farms.”
“Is Kristy there?”
Kashif recognized Al’s voice and grinned. “Hey Al, it’s Kashif.”
“Ah, the Sheikh! How are you, my friend?”
“I’m good. Kristy went out shopping for a few hours. Can I give her a message?”
“Shopping?” Kashif could hear the disappointment in the old man’s voice. “I just got an order for a pizza, and I thought I’d test out that dog sledding idea of yours. It’s just up the road from me. Do you think you could deliver it?”
Kashif brightened. “Of course! I’ll need to hook up the dogs, and I’ll be right down. Say, twenty minutes?”
“That is perfect! I’ll see you then, my friend.”
Kashif hung up and turned to Arella. “We have our first delivery for your mom’s new business. What do you say to that?”
Although Arella had no idea what he was talking about, she caught on to his enthusiasm. “Yay!” she said with a grin.
“Yay, indeed. Let me go talk to Henry, and I’ll be back.”
Thrilled at the prospect of testing out his new idea, Kashif searched for Henry but couldn’t the find the man or the guest anywhere.
Now what? He couldn’t leave Arella alone while he delivered for Al. Seeing no other alternative, Kashif figured he’d have to take the toddler with him.
Kristy would freak out when she found out, but he couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
Fifteen minutes later, he had Arella strapped to his chest as they moved slowly down the street. The dogs seemed to understand the need to be cautious and moved slower than usual, and it took much longer to get to the Italian restaurant then Kashif had intended.
“Sorry,” he apologized. “I ended up having to bring Arella with me. Do you think that you could watch her while I make the delivery?”
“Sure, sure,” Al nodded his head. “Maybe we’ll make a little pizza for her, eh? Now, you’ll want to go straight down the main street and take a left at Sycamore. Dane lives just down that street at 2246. You got that?”
“Sure, easy enough.” Kashif bent down and gave Arella a hug. “You be good for Al, okay?”
“I want to go,” she frowned and stomped her feet.
Allah save him from children’s temper tantrums. “You can’t. Your mother is already not going to be happy, so you need to stay here. You’ll ride with me when we head home, okay?”
That seemed to appease her. Al took her hand and led her back into the kitchen. Kashif had no doubt that soon she’d be very distracted.
The pizza was in a heavily insulated bag to protect it from the chill. Kashif strapped it to the back and prayed that it would hold. Now that he was alone, he’d get to pick up some speed.
The delivery went smoothly. There were no cars on the road, and the customer was thrilled with the dogs. His kids came out and patted them on the head and fed them treats, and Kashif knew that it was going to be a success.
After giving Al the good news, he strapped Arella to his chest again and hopped back on the sled. She screamed with happiness when they started up, and the sound vibrated in his ears. Wincing, he looked around and realized that they were going too fast. Slowing down the dogs, they rounded the corner, and he didn’t see the rock until it was too late.
The third dog stumbled over it and tripped, and it was enough to bring down half the team. When the sled hit it, it came to a halt, and both Arella and Kashif went flying.
Gritting his teeth, he tried to flip them at the last minute. Rather than falling on her face, they hit the ground on their side, and Arella’s cry of pain wailed through the air.
“Arella,” he called out as he tried to straighten. Pain lanced through his side and leg, but he ignored it. Pushing himself up, he lifted his hand and saw in horror the blood on it.
Instantly, he knew that it wasn’t his.
17
Hospitals always made him feel uncomfortable, but it was nothing compared to how he felt as he waited for the doctor. Arella continued to hold her arm like she was in pain, but the scrapes on her arm were minor.
Had she broken her arm? He couldn’t stand the thought that he was somehow responsible for the little girl’s pain.
Finally, after what felt like forever, the curtain separating the rooms pulled back, and the doctor came in. “Hello. I’m Dr. Orion—like the constellation. I see we had an accident of some sort?” The doctor frowned as he looked over the chart. “A dog sledding accident? Were you practicing for the race?”
“Not exactly,” Kashif muttered anxiously. “She keeps complaining of her arm, and I’m concerned that she may have broken it.”
“Well, let’s see what we have now. What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“Arella,” the girl said through her tears.
“What a pretty name! Do you like dog sledding?”
She nodded bravely. “Puppies,” she said as she smiled.
“Yeah, I like puppies too. I have two black labs at home. They like to hog all the bed space.” The doctor smiled gently while he carefully pushed on her arm. Slowly, pulling it out, he rotated it and nodded.
“I don’t feel any broken bones. Arella, can you point to where it hurts?” The toddler pointed to her two cuts. “Yeah, those are some not fun scrapes that you have there. How about I get one of my nurses in here to clean it out and bandage it for you? I think I’ve got some SpongeBob stickers. Would you like one?”
Arella nodded, and Dr. Orion stood. “All right, you sit tight, and she’ll be in here shortly.”
“So she’s fine?” Kashif asked as he balled his hand in a fist.
Dr. Orion nodded. “Your daughter will probably have some bruises in the morning, and she might be sore. Some baby aspirin could take care of that. Right now, we need to clean out those scrapes, but they’re not deep enough for stitches. She was very lucky. Did you fall as well?”
“I’m fine,” Kashif answered quickly, as he rubbed his side. “Just a few cuts. She’s actually not my daughter. Her mother should be here shortly.”
The doctor looked from Kashif to Arella. “Really? You seem very…” Doctor Orion’s voice trailed off and he seemed lost in thought. Shaking his head, he looked at Kashif. “Have the nurse page me when she gets here and I’ll come back to give her some peace of mind. In the meantime, the nurse will be here shortly.”
Kashif couldn’t figure out what the doctor meant, as he looked at Arella. All he saw was a little girl in pain because of him.
For the first time ever, Kashif realized how important Kristy and her daughter were to him. The race be damned. He loved Arella, and in time, he would view her as his own.
And he loved Kristy. Loved her so much that sometimes, when he thought of her, he forgot to breathe. There wasn’t a chance in hell that he was going to walk away from her a second time. And he’d stay to convince her of that no matter how long it took.
He wouldn’t lose her again.
He heard Kristy’s panicked voice filter around the corner, and his whole world turned upside down.
“I’m here to see my daughter, Arella? She’s three. She was in a sledding accident. Please, can you tell me if she’s okay? She’s blood type O. I can’t donate, but her father is here if she needs a transfusion.”
Kashif froze when he heard her. Did Arella’s father work in the hospital?
“Calm down. Your daughter is fine. She has some cuts and bruises, but it’s nothing serious. You can go see her.”
Kashif braced himself as Kristy came running around the corner but stopped short. A multitude o
f emotions flickered across her face—guilt, remorse, fear—when she saw him.
“Kashif,” she whispered. She seemed about to say something else before she blurted out, “I need to see Arella.”
Suddenly, he knew that Arella’s father didn’t work at the hospital. He automatically stepped out of the way to let Kristy pass. Emotions swirled inside him, as the pieces started falling into place. The way she kept pushing him away. Her insistence that he stay away from his daughter. He should have known. It should have been so obvious with those dark blue eyes. He saw those eyes every time he looked in a mirror.
Kristy had lied to him.
He was a father.
The two thoughts warred inside him, and he couldn’t seem to hold on to either of them. Anger. Betrayal. Shock. They whirled around inside him, and he sagged against the wall.
It seemed like hours when Kristy finally joined him in the hall. Before she could say anything, he grabbed her arm and pulled her down the corridor. “Kashif, what are you doing?” she gasped.
“I’m going somewhere where my daughter can’t hear me,” he said through clenched teeth. “You told me she was two.”
“She told you that she was two,” Kristy snapped back. “Any adult looking at her knows that she’s not two.”
“For three years you hid my daughter from me,” he whispered. “I don’t even know what kind of person would do that.”
“Are you kidding me?” she hissed. “I sent you letters. I made phone calls. I got on a damn plane to see you, remember? I told your bodyguard that I was pregnant, and I got a check for two-hundred-thousand dollars to keep my mouth shut. I ripped that up by the way. So don’t you dare tell me that I hid your daughter from you!”
“I told you a week ago that I had no idea. A week! You didn’t think you could find a way to tell me that Arella was mine? Instead, you told me to stay away from her! Even after we rekindled our relationship, you still lied to me!”
“Relationship?” she scoffed. “You can’t have a relationship in a week, Kashif. Yes, I tried to open up and let you in. I wanted to believe that what happened four years ago wasn’t your fault, but I’m not stupid. For all I knew, you were going to take Arella away from me, too!”