A Christmas Bride

“I heard all the pets got adopted,” Cameron said as he approached. “Congratulations.”

“You had a big part in that,” she said, hoping she was looking friendly rather than desperately in love. “Thank you for your help.”

“It’s the least I could do.” He raised his chin slightly. “I like your shirt.”

She glanced down at the Adopt a Pet graphic. “I thought they were festive. It made the volunteers feel special and—”

As she’d been speaking, Cameron and Kaitlyn had started removing their coats. Now she saw they wore similar shirts, only the phrase was a little different. Cameron’s T-shirt said Adopt a Vet and Kaitlyn’s read Adopt a Vet’s Daughter. Instead of a drawing of a cat and dog, there was a picture of the three of them, taken at the end of the summer festival earlier that year.

Hope blossomed. Fragile, brave hope that grew inside her. “I don’t understand,” she whispered.

Cameron stepped toward her. “Rina, I’m sorry. I was blind and stupid and afraid. I wasn’t looking to fall in love, so I didn’t recognize it when it happened. I couldn’t see the beautiful, special, wonderful woman standing right in front of me.”

She drew in a breath. “It happens,” she

managed.

He took another step and reached for her hands, taking them in his. His steady gaze was full of promise.

“When I kissed you that night, I felt all the possibilities and they terrified me. I was afraid loving meant losing and I couldn’t bear to lose you. You are strong and kind and the most giving person I know. I trust you with my heart. More important, I trust you with my daughter.”

Rina glanced at the girl, who was practically dancing in place. She’d obviously promised to be quiet, but was having trouble keeping her promise. As Rina smiled at her, Kaitlyn slapped a hand over her mouth and spun in a circle.

“I’m sorry I didn’t accept what you offered,” he continued, drawing her attention back to him. “I’m sorry I couldn’t see what you did for us. But I do know, and I hope you’ll give me a chance to prove myself. Kaitlyn and I love you.” He smiled at his daughter. “We want to marry you and be a family together.”

“Like we are now!” The words burst from Kaitlyn, who rushed toward them.

Then the three of them were holding on as if they would never let go. Rina felt the pain draining away, replaced by the knowledge that dreams really do come true. Loving Cameron and his daughter had been the best part of her. It would continue to be so...forever.

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHRISTMAS MORNING CAME early. Rina found herself being gently shaken a little before six. She opened her eyes and saw Kaitlyn staring down at her.

“You were awake, right?” the girl asked anxiously. “Daddy said I wasn’t to wake you.”

Rina laughed. “I was awake enough.”

“Good. There are presents and it’s snowing! I know it won’t stick, but there’s snow on Christmas! Come on. Get up!”

Rina sat up and stretched. She was wearing red and white candy-cane pajamas, just like the ones Kaitlyn had on. Somewhere in the house, Cameron had on a pair, too. An early Christmas present from her fiancé.

As she got out of bed, her diamond engagement ring caught the light and sparkled. Another early Christmas present that Cameron had given her last night. And after Kaitlyn had gone to bed, things had gotten even better.

Usually she went home after dinner. They had agreed it would be better for her not to spend the night until after they were married in a couple of weeks. Then Kaitlyn had begged for Rina to sleep over on Christmas Eve and sometime around two in the morning, Rina had reluctantly left Cameron’s bed to spend the rest of the night in the guest room.

Noah trotted into the room, her nails clicking on the hardwood floor. Cameron followed, looking both handsome and silly in his Christmas pajamas.

“Merry Christmas,” he told her. “I have coffee brewing.”

“And hot chocolate for me,” Kaitlyn said. “And she was already awake. Sort of.”

“Give me five minutes,” Rina said, smiling at them both. “Then I’ll be right out.”

She used the bathroom and brushed her teeth, then stepped into slippers and joined Cameron and Kaitlyn in the kitchen. Outside, snow fell. A light dusting covered the deck and backyard. Only Noah’s pawprints disturbed the pristine beauty.

Before handing Rina her coffee, Cameron pulled her close and kissed her. Then he held out his arm so Kaitlyn was included.

“Group hug,” the girl said with a contented sigh. “Daddy, I’m really glad there are presents, but this is the best one.”

“For me, too,” Rina said.

“For all of us,” Cameron agreed.

Kaitlyn looked up at them and smiled. “See. I told you. We had to give Rina something so she knows we love her. And we gave her us.”

* * * * *

The Sheik and the Christmas Bride

Contents

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

PROLOGUE

“THIS IS AN impossible situation,” King Mukhtar of El Deharia announced as he paced the width of his private chambers.

Princess Lina watched her brother, thinking it would be impossible for him to pace the length of his chambers—the room was so big, she would probably lose sight of him. Ah, the trials of being king.

Mukhtar spun back unexpectedly, then stalked toward her. “You smile. Do you find this amusing? I have three sons of marriageable age. Three! And has even one of them shown interest in choosing a bride and producing heirs? No. They are too busy with their work. How did I produce such industrious sons? Why aren’t they out chasing women and getting girls pregnant? At least then we could force a marriage.”

Lina laughed. “You’re complaining that your sons are too hardworking and that they’re not playboys? What else is wrong, my brother? Too much money in the treasury? Do the people love you too much? Is the royal crown too heavy?”

“You mock me,” he complained.

“As your sister, it is not just my privilege, it’s my duty. Someone needs to mock you.”

He glared at her, but she was unimpressed. They had grown up together. It was hard to find awe in the man when one had seen the boy with chicken pox.

“This is serious,” he told her sternly. “What am I to do? I must have heirs. I should have dozens of grandchildren by now and I have not a single one. Qadir spends his time representing our country to the world. As’ad deals with domestic issues so our people have a thriving economy. Kateb lives his life in the desert, celebrating the old ways.” Mukhtar grimaced. “The old ways? What is he thinking?”

“Kateb has always been a bit of a black sheep,” Lina reminded the king.

Her brother glared at her. “No son of mine is a sheep. He is powerful and cunning like a lion of the desert or a jackal.”

“So he is the black jackal of the family.”

“Woman, you will not act this way,” Mukhtar roared in a fair imitation of a lion.

Lina remained unimpressed. “Do you see me cowering, brother? Have you ever seen me cowering?”

“No, and you are poorer for it.”

She covered her mouth as she pretended to yawn.

His gaze narrowed. “You are intent only on your own amusement? You have no advice for me?”

“I do have advice, but I don’t know if you’ll like it.”

He folded his arms across his chest. “I’m listening.”

Not according to his body language, Lina thought humorously. But she was used to her brother being imperious. Having him ask for her advice was a big step for him. She should go with it.

“I have been in communication with King Hassan of Bahania,” she said.

“Why?”

She sighed. “This will go much faster if you don’t interrupt me every thirty seconds.”

Mukhtar raised his eyebrows but didn’t speak.

She recognized the slightly stubborn expression. He thought he was being protective and concerned, making sure she was kept safe from the evilness of the world. Right. Because the very handsome king of Bahania was so likely to swoop down and ravish her forty-three-year-old self.

Not that she would say no to a little ravishing, she thought wistfully. Her marriage had ended years before when her beloved husband had died unexpectedly. She’d always meant to remarry and have a family, but somehow that had never happened. She’d been busy being an aunt to Mukhtar’s six boys. There had been much to do in the palace. Somehow she’d never found the time...or a man who interested her.

Until Hassan. The widower king was older, but vital and charming. Not to mention, he was the first man who had caught her attention in years. But was he intrigued by her? She just couldn’t tell.

“Lina,” her brother said impatiently, “how do you know Hassan?”

“What? Oh. He and I spent time together a couple of years ago at a symposium on education.” She’d met the king formally at state events dozens of times, but that had been the first occasion she’d had to speak with him for more than five minutes. “He also has sons and he has been very successful in getting them all married.”

That got her brother’s interest. “What did he do?”

“He meddled.”

Mukhtar stared at her. “You’re saying...”

“He got involved in their personal lives. He created circumstances that brought his sons together with women he had picked. Sometimes he set up roadblocks, sometimes he facilitated the relationship. It all went well.”

Mukhtar lowered his arms to his sides. “I am the king of El Deharia.”

“I know that.”

“It would be inappropriate for me to behave in such a manner.”

Lina held in a smile—she already knew what was coming. “Of course it would.”

“However, you do not have my restrictions of rank and power.”

“Isn’t that amazing.”

“You could get involved. You know my sons very well.” His gaze narrowed. “You’ve been thinking about this for some time, haven’t you?”

“I’ve made a few notes about a couple of women I think would be really interesting for my nephews to get to know.”

He smiled slowly. “Tell me everything.”

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