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
“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
