The Sheikh's Christmas Maid (Shadid Sheikhs 1)

“I can only imagine what your bodyguard is going to think when he sees you out here shoveling snow. I’m going to be fired before we even get to lunch.”

Samir grinned and crunched through the snow to grab the shovel. The snowfall was much lighter, but it still didn’t look like it was going to let up. If the groundskeeper had shoveled yesterday, it looked like another four inches had layered on top. “You seem awfully concerned about your job,” he said conversationally as he joined her.

“I need the money.”

“You know, my bodyguard mentioned that you don’t stay in one place for longer than a few months, but you’ve been here for six. What’s the draw?”

Poppy stopped shoveling and rested on the pole while she stared at him. “You said you wanted to help, so why aren’t you doing the laundry like I asked?”

Samir shrugged, although he was sure that she couldn’t see it under his jacket. The cold nipped at his ears, and he wished he had a hat. “I don’t know how to use the machine.”

Her eyes rounded in surprise. “You don’t know how to use a washing machine?”

“I grew up with servants. I’ve never done a load of laundry in my life,” he admitted. “And I figured that if I did something wrong, you’d never speak to me. How can you have so much laundry when you’re the only one who lives here?”

Gripping the shovel, Poppy went back to work. “Emine wanted all new sheets and towels put out for you. Since we didn’t know which room you’d take, I now have five sets of sheets and enough towels for three bathrooms to wash.”

“That seems like a waste.” He pushed the shovel under the snow and tossed it to the side.

“What are you doing?” Poppy cried out. “Are you trying to make more work for me?”

“What?”

“You just threw your snow on my side…” her voice trailed off as she stared at his face. “You did it on purpose.”

“Poppy, you really need to lighten up. I’m not going to fire you, but I would actually like to see you smile.”

“I’ll smile when I’m not freezing my ass off,” she snapped.

“I’d be more than happy to warm your ass for you.”

Making a sound of disgust, she shook her head. “Are you going to make passes at me like that the entire time that you’re here?”

“I’m only playing, Poppy. I tell you what. Answer one question for me, and I’ll take this snow shoveling seriously and won’t flirt anymore.”

“Fine. What’s your question?”

“Why did you tell me that it wasn’t your tree?” His voice was serious, and he watched a flash of surprise in her eyes. His suspicions were correct.

“Because it’s not my tree. It’s yours.”

“My tree?” He leaned against the shovel and narrowed his eyes. “Why would it be my tree?”

She stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “The kid had a list of things that you wanted. A list that Emine made. The tree had to be on the list. I don’t really celebrate Christmas.”

Interesting. “I guess the delivery boy got a few things mixed up. I certainly didn’t ask for a Christmas tree. Why don’t you celebrate? Different religion?”

She bit her bottom lip and pushed the shovel a couple more times before she answered. “No. We used to celebrate as a family, but things change, and I don’t really enjoy it anymore”

“Why?”

“No.” She shook her head. “You said one question, and I answered it. If you don’t want the tree, we can always drag it out. Now get to shoveling before I turn into a Popsicle.” He grinned and was about to make a comment when she held up her hand. “Don’t you dare turn that into something sexual.” Concentrating on the walkway far more than necessary, she continued to push the snow off to the side completely ignoring him.

Samir watched her for a minute before he quietly started shoveling. He had a feeling that there were several layers to Poppy Millene, and he wanted to peel them back until he discovered what made her tick.

She would take work, but for the first time in Samir’s life, he was willing to put in the effort. And he suspected she was worth it.

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