The Sheikh’s Christmas Baby: Shadid Sheikhs series, #3

By Leslie North

Will passion's fire melt away the pain of their past?

 

Kashif Shadid has always craved adventure. With one last chance to win the Iditarod race before assuming his duties as Sheikh, he's returned to the Alaskan wilderness to train at a legendary sled dog farm. But that means coming face to face with Kristy Cohen, the woman who captured his heart years ago. He's still enchanted by her icy beauty, but her farm is facing financial ruin.

 

Kristy works hard to keep her sled dog farm afloat, while raising her young daughter. Faced with declining revenues and a changing climate, it's a constant struggle, but she refuses to give up. When Kashif shows up out of the blue and pushes her to make changes, her response is as cold as the Alaskan snow. She fell for tall, handsome Kashif once before. She won't be making that mistake again. Despite the secret child she never told him about…

 

Kristy's guarding more than just her heart. With her farm and her child's happiness to consider, can she risk taking a chance on Kashif again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Relay Publishing
• Release date: May 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223471288

Book preview

1

The day was bitter cold, but that was nothing new. Alaskan winters were harsh, and despite the heavy bulk of her jacket, Kristy could feel the air biting at her exposed skin. It wasn’t easy living here, but she wouldn’t change it for anything.

While life wasn’t always ideal, it was certainly idyllic. The sun sparkled on the fresh coat of snow, and the spruce trees covered in the white powder looked like a postcard for a winter wonderland. When the snow melted, the farm was no less gorgeous. It was her peace and solitude.

Kristy leaned against the fence and watched the gorgeous man make another turn around the post. The way he handled the sled dogs with ease was impressive, especially since she’d never seen him at the farm before. He shifted his body on the sled like a professional, and he commanded the dogs like he’d been doing it all his life.

He’d only been here for three days, and already the dogs responded to him. She liked to think that it had something to do with her training, but the dogs have no problem letting her know when they didn’t like someone. They didn’t just love him. They seemed to enjoy working with him.

Gorgeous, rich, and persuasive. A triple threat. The selection of men in her small town wasn’t much to talk about, but Kristy didn’t want to be the kind of woman who attached herself to the first good-looking out-of-towner. She knew that word would soon spread of the sheikh’s visit, and the eligible women would be lining up to get a good look at him. He’d find it easy enough to warm his bed at night without her.

He slowed the sled to a stop and hopped off. As he shouldered his pack, she immediately started unhooking the dogs. Cool off, she commanded. The Huskies were well trained and immediately headed to the corral behind her. She shut the fence and watched as they lapped up the fresh water and raced around playing with each other. She’d learned long ago that it was impossible to force the dogs to rest after a few laps on the track.

They listen to you, the man commented as he watched her intently. She knew who he was. Her father had made her promise that she would take extra good care of Prince Kashif Shadid. He was the next in line to be Crowned Sheikh of Al-Harmid, but she knew nothing else about him. Mistywood Farm was famous for their racing dogs, so they received plenty of well-known racers visiting the Alaskan wilderness to train with their dogs, but this was the first time they’d ever had a prince.

They should. I train them, she replied, her tone short. She wasn’t trying to be rude to him, but the truth was that she didn’t know how to act around him. He was easily the most beautiful man she’d ever laid eyes on, but since she lived in the middle of nowhere, that wasn’t saying much. He no doubt had women falling all over him, but she was twenty-one and hardly the giggling school girl.

So why did he make her heart pitter-patter uncontrollably?

You’re Kristy Cohen, right? Wyatt’s daughter?

Straightening and trying to seem confident, she finally faced him. That’s me. Dad went home earlier, but I’ll get you settled back in your lodgings if you like.

What I’d like is some food. I’m starving. I heard there was a small diner not far from here, and I’d love some company.

Company? Did that mean date? Glancing down, she realized that she must look like a marshmallow in her white jacket. Obviously, he wasn’t asking her on a date. He was clearly just hungry.

I need to get the dogs settled, she said hesitantly. That might take me a while.

I need to take a shower, so that’s perfect. I’ll meet you downstairs in half an hour?

Oops. Shower. Considering that she’d been mucking out the horses’ stalls that morning, she probably smelled awful. There was no way she’d be able to shower and put the dogs up before then.

The dogs came first.

Sure, she muttered. If he wanted to go out with a woman that smelled like a farm, that wasn’t her problem. In fact, it would probably be easier. He’d take one whiff of her and come up with some excuse to stay in.

Except that wasn’t what happened. Dressing in her nicest pair of black jeans and a green sweater, Kristy pulled her reddish-blonde curls back in a ponytail. She wasn’t in the habit of wearing make-up or getting all dolled up and she certainly wasn’t going to start now.

Taking a deep breath, she stared at herself in the mirror and wiped her hands on her jeans. She’d been on dates before, but she’d never felt like this. Kristy actually had butterflies in her stomach.

You are a grown woman, she muttered as she frowned. You’re acting ridiculous.

After a moment of consideration, she bit off an oath and reached in her drawer to pull out a tube of lip gloss. Feeling almost ridiculous, she puckered her lips and applied the shimmer. Shaking her head, she reached for a tissue to wipe it off. Feeling a little better, she turned back to stare at her reflection again.

Damn it. Tapping her finger on the sink, she growled and reapplied the lip gloss before throwing it back in the drawer. Before she changed her mind again, she almost ran from the room. Part of her knew that the evening was a bad idea. She wasn’t the type of person to attract a rich sheikh, let alone a prince. She was a nervous wreck.

Kashif, on the other hand, looked like he’d stepped out of a modeling magazine. His dark hair swept down to the nape of his neck, and he wore dark slacks and a button-down shirt that fit him well. He’d slung on a leather jacket but hadn’t zipped it up, and he looked confident and suave.

God, did he look smug? Did he know how nervous she was?

Ready? he asked, as she pulled on her parka.

Her eyes swept over his expensive outfit, and she cleared her throat and tried to smile at him. Did he not realize that they were going to a diner? The most expensive thing on the menu was the five-dollar bottle of wine that Gloria tried to pretend actually cost twenty bucks.

Everyone in the diner, from the squalling kids to the senior couples that bickered about their meatloaf, stared when they sat down in the bright yellow, vinyl booth, but no one said anything. She knew they’d all call her father in the morning to get the details. There weren’t many people in her small town, and most people were shocked that Kristy wasn’t married yet.

It wasn’t from lack of trying. Three guys had asked for her hand, and she hadn’t even been on a single date with any of them. The town was ridiculous. If she’d had her way, she’d never leave the farm but it seemed that anything she did or didn’t do was prone to cause gossip.

But Mistywood was her first love, and she’d put up with a few wagging tongues and odd offers of marriage if it meant she got to work with her beloved dogs.

She’d been to the diner so often that she practically had the menu memorized, but Kashif studied it carefully. The silence between them grew awkward as she stared at him.

Most of the contestants for the race won’t be here for a few weeks. Why are you here so early?

Great. Interrogate him. That won’t make things awkward at all.

Kashif smiled. As I’m sure you’re aware, there aren’t many opportunities for me to practice dog sledding in Al-Harmid.

Kristy snorted. And you think you’re going to master the art of mushing in a few weeks? Clamping her mouth shut in horror, she lowered her eyes. Now, she was just being rude. What was wrong with her? I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to sound so critical.

Don’t be sorry, he said with a twinge of amusement. You are right. I’ve been to other places throughout the year, but when I heard that your dogs were the best, I knew that this was where I needed to be. I have a slew of trophies already, but this is the race that has always eluded me. Not this time. Besides, the handler isn’t the whole equation, is it? Your dogs are going to help me win.

You’re flattering me, she said with a laugh.

You deserve to be flattered, Kristy. You’re a talented dog trainer. I’m surprised you’re not competing.

Widening her eyes, she shook her head adamantly. No. I’m not a competitor. I just have a way with dogs.

The waitress showed up and watched them expectedly. Kashif put the menu down and cocked his head. Why don’t you order for me? I’m sure you know what’s good here.

The butterflies weren’t gone, but she felt a bit more in control. He had a way of putting her at ease. She ordered for them and handed the menus back. Kashif reached across the table and took her hand. To her surprise, she didn’t feel the need to pull away. They fell into conversation easily, and she relaxed.

He was sweet and charming. Kristy found herself more and more intrigued with him, and when he helped her out of her jacket in the lodge, she couldn’t stop herself from leaning into him.

I never expected to find a treasure like you here, he whispered in her ear. I’m not quite ready to let you go tonight.

For once in her life, the little voice in her head that constantly reminded her to keep her feet firmly on the ground and not take any risks, was silent. Wordlessly, she followed him back to his room and did something that she’d never done before.

She let a perfect stranger seduce her. He did things to her body that she’d never even known were possible and awoke desires that she didn’t even know existed. Kashif possessed her, controlled her, and she spent more than half the night wrapped in his arms, crying out his name.

Later, cuddled against him, she traced the lines of his back with her finger. What will you do when you leave here?

Shh, he whispered as he kissed her again. I don’t want to think about that.

Although she knew that he probably seduced women wherever he went, she couldn’t help but feel special. His touch was gentle, and there was something about the way he looked at her.

Like maybe he’d stay.

2

He didn’t leave her side for an entire week. Even when she did her chores around the farm, he was there. Opening the stalls for the horses, she removed the blankets that kept them warm at night and let them out to trot around the field. Grabbing the grooming brush, she went to brush her favorite mare.

Dogs and horses, Kashif said as he leaned over the fence. Is there any animal that isn’t under your thrall?

Unable to help herself, she blushed. Animals are easy to get along with. They like to please.

I like to please, too, he teased and hopped over the fence. Kristy tried to ignore him and brush the mare’s flank, but he wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck. You weren’t there when I woke up in the morning. I missed you.

You are very distracting, she reprimanded. And I’m behind on my work.

Want me to help? he covered her hand with his and moved the brush in long, slow strokes. Immediately, her body responded to him. When did brushing a horse become erotic? He nibbled just below her ear lobe, and she moaned.

See? she asked as she pulled away and laughed. This is distracting. Go practice with the dogs while I finish grooming the horses.

Will I get to see you for lunch?

Rising up on her tip-toes, she kissed him softly and enjoyed the warmth of his body. Maybe, she whispered. I do have a few other guests that I have to schmooze.

Raising an eyebrow, he chuckled. Schmooze? Well then, I guess I’ll have to seduce you with the promise of another excellent dinner at the diner if I want you all to myself.

When he walked away, she couldn’t help