The Sheikh's Christmas Baby (Shadid Sheikhs 3)

7

Kashif’s head was still reeling. After all this time feeling rejected, he couldn’t believe that Kristy had tried to find 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 there was more to it. 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 shirk his titles.

“Oh, I know who you are. You’re the man that broke Kristy’s heart the first time around. I have half a mind to pull that shot gun 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’m obligated to be there to sign the paperwork should my father pass away and I need to take his place. 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, I would have been able to say goodbye. As it was, protocol dictates that I’m not to speak to anyone until I’ve 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 mothers, 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 that 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, but he didn’t get the message. “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 even sure the Iditarod is even going to host a race this year. There is no snow forecasted for the next two weeks.”

“Damn,” Kashif whispered.

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

“I am so sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Julia laughed. “She’s said much worse repeating things her momma said. Luckily, she has no idea what it means. We’re just trying to watch what we say around her. It’s hard. She’s like a little ninja. She’ll sneak up on you and spy!”

“My kind of girl,” Kashif laughed. “So, Christmas is a big deal around here? I saw Kristy putting up the decorations.”

“Unfortunately, it’s not,” Julia sighed. “Kristy’s father is spending his days in warmer climates, and Darren and I travel to Ohio of all places to visit his children. I think this is the first time Kristy has even put up decorations. She wants to start some new traditions for her daughter now that she’s old enough to remember them.”

“Why doesn’t she go to Ohio with you?”

“And leave the farm for more than a few days? Never. I tried to stay last year, but Kristy wouldn’t hear of it. I’ll try again this year, but I have a feeling that I’ll be wasting my breath. Even though the farm shuts down for two weeks to give the employees some time off, she’ll stick around to pick up the slack. I’ll offer to help her, and she’ll tell me that she enjoys the alone time. The woman is as stubborn as they come.”

Kashif contemplated that while he polished off his lunch. Full and satisfied, he leaned back in the chair. Arella had made a mess of things and was already aiming a grape at him when Julia caught her tiny fist.

“Sorry,” Julia apologized. “She’s been sick for the past couple of days, and now she’s looking to get into some trouble.”