Читать книгу The Sheikh's Collection - Оливия Гейтс - Страница 32

Ten

“This arrived for you a little while ago.”

Adan turned from the nursery window to find Elena holding a large rectangular box. “More gifts from some sultan attempting to insert themselves in the government with bribes for the baby?”

She crossed the room and handed him the brown-paper-wrapped package. “This one is from the United States. South Carolina, to be exact.”

He immediately knew what it contained, though he never believed she would actually honor his request. Not after the way he had regretfully treated her.

While Elena looked on, Adan tore through the wrapping and opened the box to find what appeared to be a painting, exactly as he’d expected. Yet when he pulled it from the box, he didn’t expect that the painting would depict a slumbering father holding his sleeping son in remarkable detail, right down to the cleft in his chin and Samuel’s prominent left dimple.

“Oh, Adan,” Elena began in a reverent voice, “this is such a bella gift.”

He would wholeheartedly agree, if he could dislodge the annoying lump in his throat. The baby began kicking his legs in rapid-fire succession against the mattress as if he appreciated the gesture.

After resting the painting against the crib, Adan picked up Samuel and held him above his head. “You are quite the noisy character these days.”

His son rewarded him with a toothless smile, something he’d begun doing the past month. A milestone that had given him great joy. Bittersweet joy, because Piper had not been around to share in it.

“You should call her and thank her, Adan.”

He lowered Samuel to his chest and faced Elena with a frown. “I will send her a handwritten note.”

She took the baby from his arms without invitation. “You will do no such thing. She deserves to hear from you personally. She also deserves to know that you have been mourning your loss of her since she departed.”

“I have not been mourning,” he said, sounding too defensive. “I have been busy raising my son and seeing to my royal duty.”

Elena patted his cheek. “You can deceive yourself, but you cannot deceive me. You are so sick with love you could wilt every flower in the palace courtyard with your anxiety.”

He avoided her scrutiny by picking up the painting and studying the empty wall above the crib. “I believe this is the perfect spot, right above Samuel’s bed so he will go to sleep knowing I am watching over him throughout the night.”

“Since it is obvious you are not getting any sleep, why not watch over him in person?”

He returned the painting to the floor at his feet. “I am sleeping fine.”

“Ah, yes, and I am entering the marathon in Dubai two weeks from now.”

That forced Adan around. “Would you please stop assuming you know everything about me?”

She kissed Samuel’s cheek before placing him back in the crib, where he began kicking again at the sight of the colorful mobile above him. “I do know you, cara, better than most. When you were Samuel’s age, I stayed up many nights while you were teething. When you were a toddler, I put you to bed every night with a book, the reason why you were always such a grand reader. When you were six, and you broke your right arm trying to jump the hedges, I was the one who fed you until you learned to eat with your left hand. And when you were twelve, I discovered those horrid magazines beneath your bed and did not tell your father.”

He’d forgotten that incident, with good reason. “I realize you’ve been there for me through thick and thin, but that does not give you carte blanche to lord over me now that I am an adult.”

“I agree, you are an adult.”

“I am pleased to know you finally acknowledge that.”

“An adult who has absolutely no common sense when it counts most.”

He should have expected this as soon as he opened the box. “If you’re going to say I made the wrong decision by allowing Piper to leave, I would have to disagree.”

“And you would be wrong.” Elena leaned back against the crib’s railing and donned her stern face. “As I have told both your brothers, you all have a great capacity to love, but it would take a special woman to bring that out in you. Zain and Rafiq learned that lesson by finding that special woman, and so have you. Piper is your soul mate, cara. Do not destroy what you could have with her by being so stubborn you cannot see what was right in front of you and you foolishly let go for good.”

He hated that she had begun to make sense. “I am not being stubborn. I am being sensible. If you know me as well as you say you do, then you realize I have never stayed involved with one woman longer than six years, and we know how well that turned out.”

Elena glared at him much as she had when he’d been a badly behaved boy. “Comparing Talia to Piper is like comparing a cactus to a down comforter. It’s true Talia gave you a precious son, but she also gave you continuous grief. Piper gave you not only this touching portrait but also the means to heal your wounds with the truth. And you repay her by not admitting how you feel about her.”

“I’m presently not certain how I feel about anything.” Other than he resented Elena for pointing out the error in his ways.

“And you, cara mia, are guilty of propagating the biggest lie of all if you do not stop denying your love for Piper.”

“I have never said I love her.” He was too afraid to leave himself open to that emotion, more so now than ever.

She pointed a finger at his face and glowered at him. “Adan Mehdi, before your obstinate behavior destroys what could be the best thing that has happened to you, listen to me, and listen well. First of all, consider how Piper selflessly cared for your son. How she protected you and Samuel by putting her life on hold while pretending to be your wife, only to be dismissed by you as one would dismiss a servant.”

“But I never—”

“Furthermore,” she continued without regard for his attempts to halt the tirade, “should you finally regain some semblance of wisdom befitting of royalty and decide to contact her, you will beg her forgiveness for being such a rigid cretino.”

The woman knew how to deliver a right hook to his ego. “I take offense to my own mother calling me an idiot.”

Her expression brightened over the unexpected maternal reference. “It means everything to hear you finally acknowledging me as your mother.”

He laid a palm on her cheek. “I suppose I have known that all along. Only a true mother would tolerate my antics.”

“And only a true mother would agree to raise a child that is not her own, and love that child’s father with all her being despite his shortcomings.”

He recognized the reference to Piper, yet he couldn’t quell his concerns. “What if I try to contact her and she rejects me? And what do I say to her?”

“You must speak from the heart.”

“Something I have never truly mastered.”

She sighed. “Adan, your father also viewed revealing emotions as a sign of weakness, and in many ways you have inherited that trait from him. But in reality, it’s a brave man who shows vulnerability for the sake of love. I implore you to call on your courage and tell Piper your true feelings, before it is too late.”

Admittedly, Elena—his mother—was right. He had never backed away from a battle, and he shouldn’t avoid this war to win Piper back. Better still, he had the perfect weapons to convince her to surrender—his well-honed charm, and his remarkable son.

* * *

When she sensed movement in the corner of her eye, Piper tore her attention away from the painting of the red-stone palace and brought it to the window that provided natural light. And after she glimpsed the tall man pushing the stroller up the guesthouse walkway, she blinked twice to make sure her imagination hadn’t commandeered her vision.

But there he was, the man who’d haunted her dreams for the past four weeks. He wore a crisp tailored black shirt and casual beige slacks, his perfect jaw covered by a shading of whiskers, his slightly ruffled thick dark hair as sexy as ever. And she looked like something the cat had dragged into the garage.

She barely had time to remove the paint-dotted apron and smooth the sides of her lopsided ponytail before the bell chimed. After drawing in a cleansing breath, she opened the door and concealed her shock with a smile. “To what do I owe this honor, Your Highness?”

Adan reached into the stroller and retrieved the baby who had stolen Piper’s heart from the moment she’d first held him. “This future pilot insisted on paying a personal visit to the artist who presented us with such a fine painting.”

She couldn’t believe how cute Sam looked in the miniature flight suit and tiny beige boots. “He really said that, huh?”

“He did.”

“Wow. I had no idea three-month-old babies could talk.”

“He’s an exceptional child.”

Born to an exceptionally charming father. A charm he’d clearly passed on to his son, evident when Sam kicked his legs and smiled, revealing his inherited dimples. “Well, don’t just stand there, boys. Come inside before you both melt from the heat.”

Balancing Sam in one arm, Adan leaned over, retrieved the diaper bag from the basket behind the stroller and slipped the strap over his shoulder. “We are accustomed to the heat, but this humidity is excruciating, so I will gladly accept your offer.”

Once he stepped into the foyer, Piper showed him into the small living area and gestured toward the floral sofa. “Have a seat, as soon as you give me the kid.”

After he handed Samuel off to her, he claimed the end of the couch and set the bag at his feet. “This is a very comfortable yet quaint abode.”

“A nice way of saying small,” she said as she sat in the club chair across from him and gently bounced the baby in her lap. “But the rent is cheap. Actually, it’s free. My grandparents live in the main house and this is the guest quarters.”

“Yes, I know. Your grandfather greeted me as soon as we left the car.”

Great. “Not with a shotgun, I hope.”

He laughed. “Actually, he wasn’t armed. In fact, he was quite cordial. He’s still very pleased that he’s been granted the water conservation project, and that’s going quite well, by the way.”

“So I’ve heard,” she said. “I spoke with Rafiq a few days ago.”

“He never mentioned that to me.”

“He had no reason to mention it, Adan. He’s well aware that once I met the terms of our arrangement I’d go back to business as usual.”

“And I presume you’ve done that?”

“Actually, I’m giving a few private art lessons, and I’m looking for a place to open a small gallery. Interestingly enough, my grandfather is willing to invest in the venture.”

“How did you convince him to let you leave the company?”

“I told him that it was high time I had a life of my own that included pursuing my personal aspirations. And then I bribed my grandmother into taking up the cause by helping her with a fund-raiser. Between the two of us, he finally caved.”

“I’m glad you’re happy, Piper,” he said, a solemn note to his voice.

She could think of one other thing that would make her happy, but that was only a pipe dream. “I am, for the most part. Are you?”

He rubbed a palm over his jaw. “I’m happy that I have a son and a fulfilling career. Aside from that—”

When Sam began to fuss, Adan withdrew a bottle from the tote, uncapped it and handed to her. “It seems he’s getting hungry more often these days. The books I’ve read clearly state that an increase in appetite in an infant signals a growth spurt.”

“Spoken like the consummate father,” Piper said, bringing the return of Adan’s smile.

“I am certainly trying my best.”

“And you’re succeeding,” she said as she laid the baby in the crook of her arm and watched as he downed the formula with gusto. “He’s definitely grown. Before you know it, he’ll be riding a bike. I can’t wait to see that.” The statement left her mouth before she’d considered how unrealistic she sounded.

“Perhaps he should learn to walk first.”

That drew her attention back to Adan. “Yes, you’re right. Time is too short to wish it away.” After a bout of awkward silence, she added, “How is Elena these days?”

He leaned back against the sofa and draped an arm over the back of the cushions. “She is doing well. We’ve had several discussions about my father. She insists he was proud of my accomplishments, and claims he had difficulty expressing his emotions. I’m going to endeavor not to do that with Samuel. He deserves to know that his father supports him at every turn.”

“And I’m positive you’ll manage that just fine.”

“You always have had more faith in me than most.” He studied her eyes for a long moment. “I didn’t realize how much I would miss your company once you left. But I have missed you. Very much.”

She had no idea what to say or how to react. She certainly knew better than to hope. “That reminds me. I never saw where you released the statement outlining the reasons behind my departure.”

His gaze drifted away. “That is because I never issued that particular statement. We led the press to believe you were on a sabbatical in the States, visiting family.”

That made no sense to her at all. “What was the point in delaying the truth? You’re eventually going to have to explain why I left and never came back.”

Finally, he brought his attention back to her, some unnamed emotion in his eyes. “Perhaps that will not be necessary.”

She put the now-empty bottle on the side table and set Sam upright in her lap. “You’re hoping that if you sweep it under the rug, everyone will forget I ever existed?”

“I am hoping after you hear what I have to say, you will realize my mission entails alleviating that necessity.”

The man insisted on speaking in riddles. “By all means, continue. I’m waiting with bated breath for clarification.”

He pushed off the sofa and stood before her. “And I pray I have not waited too long to do this.”

As if she’d been thrust in the middle of some surreal dream, Piper watched in awe as Adan fished a black velvet box from his pants pocket and lowered to one knee. She couldn’t catch her breath when he opened that box to reveal a massive princess-cut diamond ring. “Piper McAdams, I have never met a woman quite like you, and I have never been in love until you. I probably do not deserve your forgiveness for my careless disregard, but I sincerely believe we both deserve to be together.” He tugged the ring from the holder and held it up. “Now, will you do me the honor of being my real wife, and a mother to my son?”

Heaven help her, the cat that had dragged her into the garage now had hold of her tongue. She could only stare at the glistening diamond, awed by Adan’s declaration of love and the knowledge the fairy tale could soon come true. But then came the questions. Should she take this leap of faith? Could she trust that he really wanted her as his wife, not only as a mother for his child? Or was she overanalyzing everything? Then suddenly the baby reached back, grabbed a wayward tendril of hair at her nape and tugged hard, eliciting her involuntary yelp and Adan’s scowl.

“That was not the reply I had hoped for,” he said gruffly.

She laughed as she extracted Sam’s grasp and offered him her pointer finger. “Apparently he was tired of waiting for my answer.”

“And I am also growing impatient.”

She pulled Sam up from her lap and turned him to face her. “What do you think about this whole thing, little boy? Should I say yes?”

When the baby squealed in response, Adan said, “I do believe he agrees that you should.”

She turned Sam around in her lap to face his father and held out her left hand. “I do believe you’re right.”

After Adan slid the ring into place, he stood and motioned for Piper to join him. Then with baby Sam nestled between them, he kissed her softly and smiled. “I do love you, Piper. More than my MiG-20 jet.”

He could be such a cad. A very cute cad. “And I love you more than my purple fluffy slippers that you always found so comical.”

His ensuing smile soon disappeared. “On a serious note, as soon as we are wed, I want you to legally become Samuel’s mother.”

“I would be honored,” she said. And she would.

His expression remained overtly somber. “He has a right to know about Talia, although I am at a loss over what to tell him.”

“That’s simple. When he’s old enough to understand, we’ll say that his mother loved him enough to give him up because she felt it was the best thing for him. And if I’ve learned anything at all, I suppose in some way that’s what my own mother did for me and Sunny. She wasn’t equipped for parenthood.”

“But you are,” he said. “And I’ve come to realize that not knowing about Elena did not discount the fact she was always the best mother a man could ask for. She’s also a very good grandmother, and she is dying to have you as her daughter-in-law.”

Piper couldn’t ask for more. “Any idea when we’re going to take care of the wedding business?”

“As soon as possible. Perhaps before we return to Bajul.”

“We could always hold the ceremony in the family backyard. I provide the groom, and my grandfather provides the shotgun.”

Adan laughed as if he didn’t have a care in the world. “No need for that. I am a willing participant in establishing a future with you.”

And very soon she would no longer be his pretend wife. She would be the real deal.