Sleeping with the Sheikh. Brenda Jackson

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СКАЧАТЬ gave Andi’s shoulder a motherly squeeze. “Then you’re okay with this?”

      “Are you asking my approval?”

      “I’m asking how you feel about it.”

      Rising from the bed, Andrea took her place at the bureau where Tess had been a few moments before, her back turned to her aunt so she wouldn’t give herself away. “Of course I’m okay with it. I’m thrilled.” She didn’t sound at all thrilled.

      Biting back the tears, Andi drew in several cleansing breaths. Tess’s careworn hands coming to rest on her shoulders almost proved to be her undoing.

      “I know the timing seems pretty bad with Sam here again,” Tess said, “but Riley bought himself one of those new-fangled homes on wheels and he wants to travel.”

      That brought Andi around to face Tess. “You mean you’ll be gone all the time?”

      “A lot of the time. We’d like to see the country in our golden years, before we’re too old to enjoy it.”

      Andi attempted another smile, but her lips felt as stiff as a metal pipe. “That sounds great, Tess.”

      Tess tried to smile, as well, but it, too, seemed forced. “During the summers you and Chance can come along with us, when he’s out of school.”

      “Oh, yeah, Tess. I’m sure Riley would love having us along while you’re still on your honeymoon.”

      “Next year, silly girl. We’re not going to tie the noose until after Sam leaves.”

      Andi shrugged. “Why not now? Sam can be Riley’s best man. Heck, how many people can say they have a prince standing up for them during the nuptials?” Her attempt at humor rang false, and she realized her aunt saw right through her.

      Tess brushed Andi’s hair away from her shoulders, a gesture so endearing and familiar it made Andi’s heart ache, and the stubborn tears threatened to appear once again. “Your time will come, Andi girl. You only have to open yourself up. You can do that once Sam’s gone again.”

      Did everyone have to keep reminding her about Sam’s impending departure? Was everyone so bent on believing that her world revolved around him?

      Andi swallowed past the boulder in her throat, determined not to cry over something she couldn’t control. “Whether Sam’s here or not makes no difference to me, except where Chance is concerned. There’s nothing more between us.” If only Andi had sounded more convincing. If only she really believed that.

      “There will always be something between you two, Andi. A child, and two different worlds. He can’t give you what you need, but someday you’ll find a man who can.”

      Andrea wanted to stomp her foot and cuss like a ranch hand. She wanted to scream that this supposed “special” man didn’t exist in any world, especially hers. Instead, she said, “I’m satisfied with my life, Tess. My work and Chance are all I need. And I’m thrilled for you and Riley. You’ve been the only mother I’ve ever known, and if you hadn’t been there when Daddy and Paul died, I don’t know what I would’ve done. You deserve some happiness, too.”

      Tess tugged her into a solid embrace. “I’ll always be here for you, honey, God willing.” She pulled back and studied Andi’s face through the eyes of a mother concerned for her child. “Just like I was for all the hurts and heartaches, and for Chance’s entry into this crazy world, I’ll be there when your prince leaves again.”

      Your prince. Andi had never been one to put much stock in fairy tales, or to believe that some knight would come along and rescue her. Sheikh Samir Yaman had shattered those dreams long ago, and he would shred her life again if she let him.

      But she wouldn’t let him destroy her. As always, she would survive. She and Chance together. Andi didn’t need a prince, even one she would probably love forever.

      Chapter Five

      Sam regarded Andrea over the magazine he’d pretended to read for the better part of the trip to the camp. Thankfully she had retired early the night before without further mention of lovemaking. In fact, she had said very little at all, then and now. At the moment she sat across from him wringing her hands and staring with an unfocused gaze out the tinted window.

      Curious over her uncharacteristic silence, Sam tossed the magazine aside and studied her. “Are you afraid that our son has forgotten his mother?”

      She turned startled eyes on him. “Of course not. Why would you think that?”

      “You seem very nervous.”

      She tightened the rubber band around her hair. “Can you blame me? I mean, I’m about to take you to camp. Even if Chance doesn’t question your resemblance to him, other people are going to automatically assume you’re his father.”

      “That is not necessarily so.”

      “Oh, come on, Sam. He looks just like you, right down to the blasted dimple.”

      Sam couldn’t contain his pride or his smile. “He has your nose.”

      Andi placed her fingertips on the tip of her nose as if to verify that fact. “He does at the moment, but he’s still just a baby. I’m sure he’ll have your aristocratic honker by the time he’s a teenager.”

      “Honker?”

      “That’s what Chance calls noses.”

      “You do not care for my nose?”

      “Your nose is fine. Very sophisticated.”

      “I am relieved it meets with your approval.”

      Her grin came out of hiding. “Everything about you meets with my approval. All those parts seen and unseen, or as best I can remember, because it’s been a while since I’ve seen all your parts.”

      Sam shifted in his seat and resisted the urge to offer an inspection. At least they had survived the duration of this trip without utilizing the privacy of the limo. But on the ride home…

      “Looks like we’re here.” The limo had barely come to a stop before Andrea slid out the door. Sam hurried out behind her, afraid she would abandon him and leave him to his own devices. He knew nothing about how he should act at this camp. He had no idea how to answer any questions that might arise about his relationship with Andrea and Chance. He would simply have to allow Andrea to handle the situation in the way she saw fit. He suspected he would not care for her explanations.

      Sam caught up with Andrea immediately outside a large cedar cabin surrounded by several adults. A young woman approached them and held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Trish, Ms. Hamilton.”

      “Nice to meet you, Trish,” Andrea replied politely.

      “You don’t remember me? We met when you came to check out the camp.”

      Andrea continued her hand kneading. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long drive.”

      Trish seemed unfazed by Andrea’s lack of memory and continued on at a vibrant СКАЧАТЬ