A Christmas Bride (25 page)

“You do not have that much power. Nadine is next. I believe she will dance. That will be enjoyable to watch.”

Sure enough, Nadine and several of her classmates danced to music from
The Nutcracker.
Kayleen willed her to hold her positions exactly long enough and exhaled when the music ended and the girls were still.

“You will wear yourself out,” As’ad told her.

“I can’t help it. I love them.”

He looked into her eyes. “Do you?”

“Of course. How could I not?”

Something flashed through his eyes—something she couldn’t read. “I was most fortunate to find you. Not that I can take total credit.” He smiled. “We must send Tahir, the desert chieftain, a gift of thanks.”

“Maybe a fruit basket.”

“I was thinking more of a camel.”

“That can be tricky,” she told him. “Don’t you hate it when all you get in a year is camels?”

“You mock me.”

“Mostly I’m mocking the camel.”

Another class took the stage, then Dana’s group appeared. Once again Kayleen held her breath, willing the preteen to get through all the lines without messing up.

Partway through the performance, As’ad took her hand in his. “You may squeeze my fingers, if that helps.”

She did and felt a little better. When Dana finally left the stage, Kayleen slumped back in exhaustion.

“I’m glad we only have to do that a few times a year,” she said. “I couldn’t stand it.”

“You will grow more used to this as the girls are in more performances.”

“I don’t want to think about it. I’m not sure my heart could take it.”

“Then brace yourself. There is one more surprise yet to come.”

She turned to him. “What are you talking about?”

“You’ll see. All will be revealed when we leave here.”

Kayleen really wanted to whine that she wanted to know
now,
but managed to keep quiet. She fidgeted until the last song ended, then followed As’ad out of the auditorium. Only to step into an impossible-to-imagine scene of snow.

It fell from the sky, cold and wet and delightful. The children were already outside, running and screaming. Kayleen held out her hands, then laughed as the snow landed on her palms.

“It’s real,” she said.

As’ad shrugged. “Dana mentioned missing snow, as did the other girls. I thought they would enjoy this.”

It was only then that Kayleen noticed the roar of the large snow-making machine off to the side of the parking lot.

“You arranged it?” she asked, stunned by the thoughtful gift.

“Neil arranged it. I simply gave the order.”

It wasn’t just simple, she thought. As’ad had thought about the girls, about how this time of year would be difficult for them, and he’d done his best to make it better.

Dana came running up to them. “It’s snowing! I can’t believe it.”

She flung herself at As’ad, who caught her and held her. Then Nadine was there and Pepper and he was holding all of them.

Kayleen watched them, her eyes filling with happy tears. It was a perfect moment, she thought.

Her chest ached, but not in a scary way. Instead it seemed that her heart had grown too big to hold all her emotions. Light filled her until she was sure it poured from her body.

The world around them shrank until there was only As’ad and the children he held. She wanted to hold that moment forever, to never forget the image or the feelings.

The director of the school came up to greet them and the spell was broken. Dana crossed to Kayleen and hugged her.

“Isn’t this the best?”

“It’s wonderful,” Kayleen told her. “All of it. You did really well. I was scared, but you didn’t seem nervous at all.”

“It was fun,” Dana said. “I’ve never been in a play before. I like it. I think I want to go into drama next year.” She raised her face to the snow. “Can you believe this?”

Kayleen looked at the tall, handsome prince who had asked her to marry him. The man who spoke of their life together, of children and who made it snow in the desert because it brought a smile to a child’s face.

“No, I can’t,” she admitted, even as she realized she now knew exactly what it felt like to be in love.

* * *

AS’AD WATCHED THE children play in the snow and was pleased with his gift. All was going well. Lina had told him to pay attention to the females in his life—that for a small amount of effort, he would receive much in return. She had been right.

He heard Kayleen’s laughter and found her in the crowd. With her hair like fire and her hazel eyes, she was a brightly colored flamingo in a flock of crows. He was proud to have her as his bride. She would provide him with strong, healthy sons and serve the people of his country well. She would keep him satisfied at night and, if the emotions he’d seen in her eyes earlier told the truth, love him.

He knew it was important for a woman to love her husband. That life was much easier for them both when her heart was engaged. He had hoped Kayleen would come around and she had. She would be content in their marriage, as would he. He could not ask for more.

* * *

“I’M EXHAUSTED,” KAYLEEN said as she slumped in the back of the limo. “All that worrying, then the snowball fight. If this keeps up much more, I’m going to have to start working out.”

“I do not wish you to change anything about yourself,” As’ad told her.

Words to make her heart beat faster, she thought as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

At the first brush of his mouth, her entire body stirred in anticipation. She was eager to taste him, touch him, be with him. Unfortunately the trip back to the palace was only a few minutes.

“Perhaps later,” he murmured, kissing her mouth, her cheeks, her jaw.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I am very available.”

“An excellent quality.”

Far too soon, they arrived at the palace. A royal guard opened the passenger door and As’ad stepped out. He held out his hand to her. As she took it, she saw King Mukhtar in the courtyard. He seemed very pleased with himself as he spoke with a woman Kayleen had never seen before.

“Who is that?” she asked.

“I do not know.”

The woman was of average height, with platinum-blond hair teased and sprayed into a curly mass. Heavy makeup covered her face, almost blurring her features. She wore a too-tight sweater and jeans tucked into high-heeled boots. Inappropriate clothing for someone visiting a palace.

Kayleen had never seen her before but as she walked toward the king and his guest, she got an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.

King Mukhtar saw her and beamed. “My dear, you are back. Excellent. I have a surprise.” He put his hand on his companion’s back and urged her forward. “Do you remember when we were walking in the garden shortly after you arrived? You mentioned your family. Specifically how you did not remember your mother and did not know her whereabouts.”

Kayleen jerked her attention back to the badly dressed woman and wanted to be anywhere but here. It wasn’t possible. Nothing that horrible could really be happening.

“I have found her,” the king said proudly. “Here she is. Kayleen, this is your mother. Darlene Dubois.”

The woman smiled broadly. “Hi, baby. Why, Kayleen, you’re just so pretty. I knew you would be. Let me look at you. You’re all grown up. How old are you now? Nineteen? Twenty?”

“Twenty-five.”

“Oh, my. Well, don’t go telling people that. They’ll think I’m getting old. Although I was only sixteen when you were born.” She held out her arms. “Come on, now. I’ve missed you so much! Give your mama a hug.”

Trapped by the manners instilled in her by caring nuns, Kayleen moved forward reluctantly and found herself hugged and patted by the stranger.

Could this woman really be her mother? If so, shouldn’t she feel a connection or be excited? Why was her only emotion dread?

“Isn’t this fabulous?” Darlene asked as she stepped back, then linked arms with Kayleen. “After all these years. You won’t believe how shocked I was when that nice man on the king’s staff called and invited me to El Deharia. I confess I had to look it up on a map.” She smiled at the king. “I had to leave high school when I got pregnant. Since then, I’ve been pursuing a career in show business. It hasn’t left much time for higher education.”

Or contact with her family, Kayleen thought bitterly, remembering standing alone on the steps of the orphanage while her grandmother told her that no one wanted her and that she would have to stay with the nuns.

“But what about my mommy?” Kayleen had cried.

“You think she cares? She dumped you with me when you were a baby. You’re just lucky I put up with you all these years. I’ve done my duty. Now you’re on your own. You’ll grow up right with those nuns looking after you. Now stop your crying. And don’t try to find me or your mama again. You hear?”

The memory was so clear, Kayleen could feel the rain hitting her cheeks. She knew it was rain because it was cold, unlike the tears that burned their way down her skin.

“Kayleen, would you like to show your mother to her rooms?” the king asked. “She is on the same floor as you and the girls. The suite next to yours. I knew you would want to be close.”

Kayleen was happy that one of them was sure of something. She felt sick to her stomach and caught by circumstances. She looked at As’ad, who watched her carefully.

“What girls?” Darlene asked. “Do you have
babies of your own?”

Darlene sounded delighted, but for some reason Kayleen didn’t believe her. The other woman didn’t seem the type to be excited about being a grandmother.

“They’re adopted,” As’ad told her. “My children.”

Kayleen introduced them, using the chance to disentangle herself from her mother.

“A prince?” Darlene cooed. “My baby marrying a prince. Does that just beat all.” She smiled at the king. “You have very handsome sons, sir. They take after you.”

Mukhtar smiled. “I like to think so.”

Kayleen couldn’t believe this was happening. It didn’t feel real. She looked at As’ad and found him watching her. There was something quizzical in his expression, as if he’d never seen her before.

What was he thinking? Was he looking at her mother and searching for similarities? Was he uncomfortable with the living reminder that she didn’t come from a socially connected family? That she would be of no use to him that way?

“Your mother must be tired from her journey,” the king said. “Let us keep you no longer.”

“I’ll arrange to have your luggage sent up,” As’ad told the other woman. “Kayleen, I’ll see you later.”

She nodded because she had no idea what to say. Both the king and As’ad left, abandoning Kayleen to a stranger with greedy eyes.

“Well, look at you,” Darlene drawled when they were alone. “Who would have thought my baby girl would grow up and land herself a prince. I’m so happy for you, honey.” She grabbed a strand of Kayleen’s hair and rubbed it between her fingers. “God, I hate that color. Mine’s exactly the same. It costs a fortune to keep it bleached, but it’s worth every penny. Men prefer blondes. Although you’re carrying the color off great and the prince obviously likes it.” She looked Kayleen up and down. “You could pass for Vivian’s twin.”

“Who’s Vivian?”

“My sister. Your aunt. You had to have met her before, when you were living with my mama.” She looked around at the vast entrance hall. “Did you get lucky or what? I couldn’t believe it when that guy who works for the king called and asked if you were my daughter. After all this time, I had no idea what had happened to you.” She smiled. “Imagine my surprise to see what you’ve become. My little girl. Come on. Show me what life is like in the palace.”

Kayleen led her down the hallway. Her head hurt. This couldn’t be happening. Not after all these years. Not
now,
when she was engaged to As’ad.

Then she scolded herself for not being happier to see her mother. The woman had given birth to her, after all. Then abandoned her. But shouldn’t she be able to forgive that?

Rather than try to decide now, Kayleen talked about the history of the palace. She took Darlene to the room next to hers and walked inside.

The other woman followed, then breathed a sigh of sheer pleasure as she took in the view of the Arabian Sea and the elegant furnishings filling the large space.

“Oh, I like living like this,” Darlene said. “How did you get from that convent to here?”

Kayleen looked at her, trying not to notice that under the layers of makeup, they had the same eyes. “You knew about that? Where they sent me?”

“Sure. Mama kept complaining about how much trouble you were. I got tired of hearing it and told her to take you there. I knew, ah, you’d be cared for real well. So how’d you get here?”

“I took a teaching job at the convent school here. I’m a teacher.”

Darlene looked amused. “Seriously? You teach children? Interesting.”

Kayleen watched her move around the room. “Your last name is Dubois?”

Darlene nodded without looking at her. She lifted up a small Waterford clock, as if checking the weight and the value.

“Is that my last name?”