Jacqui did feel him sit back down next to her. He waited patiently as she drew, finally putting her pen down. Khizar leaned over, silently asking if he could see. She turned the paper toward him.
He studied it, and then said, “These are cakes?”
Jacqui nodded.
“I’ve always wanted to design cakes based on famous ballets.”
Khizar tapped the paper and said sincerely, “These are amazing, Jacqui. Why don’t you do more of these?”
She shrugged, pleased that he liked her design, but embarrassed that she didn’t have a better answer.
“There’s not really a market for these kinds of cakes.”
“You’re an artist, truly. I think, with the right strategy, you could find a lot of customers for these.”
The lights dimmed to indicate the start of the next act. Jacqui felt warm and cozy at Khizar’s praise, and the rest of the ballet passed in a delicious swirl of color and happiness.
Chapter 5
Khizar
The next morning, Khizar woke up late. He had stayed up far past midnight the night before, answering emails and handling business matters. He could stay in Milwaukee a little longer, but there was still work to be done.
He checked in with James to see if his investigator had learned anything else. There was no new information, so Khizar decided to move forward with his strategy.
Jacqui had mentioned that she closed the shop early one day a week, and so he had planned a full afternoon and evening of activities. All signs pointed toward her falling for him, and it was only a matter of time before he could propose and then discover what he needed to know.
The Sheikh took his time with the arrangements for their date, wanting it to be clear that he was courting her. He also started to make plans for that weekend, in the hopes that Jacqui would allow him to truly sweep her away for a magical, if brief, vacation.
He arrived at the bakery a few minutes before it closed, and spent that time enjoying the warmth of Jacqui’s little shop. Khizar was surprised at just how much he was growing to like being in the bakery; it was one of the few places he felt no pressure and no rush.
Jacqui flipped the closed sign on the door over and looked around the bakery. “I’m ready to go if you are.”
The Sheikh nodded, and Jacqui locked the door behind them before starting to walk towards Khizar’s car. He took her hand and pulled her in the other direction instead.
“I thought we’d walk,” he said, keeping her hand in his.
“I didn’t think sheikhs walked anywhere.”
Her teasing tone delighted Khizar. It meant she felt comfortable enough with him to open up.
“This one does, and it’s such a lovely day, I thought we might enjoy it at a slower pace.”
He felt Jacqui relax her hand in his, and twined their fingers together. They walked in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, until their destination became clear.
“We’re going to the park?”
“We are, indeed.”
Khizar had done his research. One of Milwaukee’s largest and prettiest parks was not too far from Jacqui’s bakery, and it was perfect for an afternoon outing with long trails, a lake, and lush green areas with willow trees and flower gardens.
They walked through the large wrought-iron arch marking the entrance of the park, their hands swinging lightly between them. Khizar steered their walk to a path on the left, around a slight bend, and then to a small pavilion. Jacqui gave him a puzzled look, but Khizar only grinned, and putting his fingers to his lips, blew a loud, sharp whistle.
From the other side of the pavilion, they heard a clop clop clop and then saw a dappled grey-and-white horse come around the corner. The horse was pulling a dark grey carriage with large red wheels. There were flowers and ribbons intertwined around every free spot on the carriage, and the horse had ribbons braided in its mane.
Khizar stepped toward the carriage as it stopped in front of them, pulling Jacqui with him.
“We’re going for a carriage ride?!” Jacqui’s voice was incredulous, but unmistakably happy.
“This sheikh has done enough walking for the day,” he said, teasing her with her words.
Jacqui laughed and Khizar felt something he hadn’t planned on. He liked making her happy. Not just spoiling her, but making her truly happy.
Khizar helped Jacqui into the carriage and then followed her, settling next to her on the seat.
Jacqui leaned into Khizar’s side, giddy with excitement as the coachman clucked to the horse and they pulled away. She narrated different parts of the park as they drove through it.
“Over there, they set up an ice skating rink every winter. But sometimes, it gets cold enough that the lake freezes, and everyone goes skating there, too.”