His Beloved Bride (Wedded to the Sheikh Book 3) Read online

  Now that she knew that Ali liked the venue, Alyssa's mind raced with ideas.

  Ali stroked his jaw. “I did not know weddings could have themes. In Baqar, we stay with the traditions. The outfits. The flowers. All of it has been the same for generations.”

  “Well, this is going to be an American-Baqari mashup wedding,” Alyssa reminded him. “Tradition plus theme.”

  “How could I forget?” Ali ran his thumb across Alyssa's bottom lip.

  Alyssa took both his hands in hers. “Here's one thing that I'm thinking. It'll be September, right? Maybe we should just embrace the whole fall thing. We’ll be outside, anyway, with all the red and gold leaves. We could have an autumn-themed wedding.”

  “How is that a theme?” Ali asked.

  “Okay, theme is probably a strong word for it. Weddings here have more of a…tone.”

  “Now, I am becoming confused.”

  “Sorry.” Alyssa wrinkled her nose.

  “I like red,” Ali said.

  “We could put some pumpkins and corncobs out. Oh my gosh.” Alyssa bounced on her toes. “Stop me if this is weird, but we could have a hayride.”

  Ali laughed. “I don’t think that is weird, and I do like it. Although…”

  Alyssa stopped her bouncing. “What?”

  “I have another idea.” Ali paused and studied her face. “We could use our wedding as a nod to one of the places that changed us the most.”

  “Okay,” Alyssa said slowly. “I'm listening.”

  “Right,” Ali said. “So, instead of red, we go with green and blue. Instead of a hayride, we put an inflatable raft and palm tree at the entrance to the woods. That way, our guests can get in there and take photos.”

  Alyssa's jaw dropped. “You mean, like a photo booth?”

  “Yes.” Ali smiled. “And for the menu, we can have coconuts and—”

  “Fish?” Alyssa guessed.

  “Dehydrated sweet potatoes.”

  Alyssa struggled to answer. “Um…that’s…”

  But Ali wasn’t finished. “We could even create an obstacle course in the woods, so that our guests can have fun reenacting your being lost in the jungle. Perhaps we could add some recordings of wild animals. Birds. Primates.”

  Alyssa’s jaw dropped. He had to be joking, right? But no, his face was serious.

  This was a wedding, not an amusement park.

  Alyssa breathed in deep, trying to figure out the best way to tell Ali his idea was a little over-the-top.

  “Alyssa.” Ali cupped her face. “I’m kidding.”

  She blinked rapidly. “What? You are?”

  “Yes,” he chuckled. “You should have seen your face.”

  “Ali!” She poked his chest. “You’re ridiculous. How could you do that? I actually believed you!”

  “I’m sorry,” he said. The way he laughed, though, told a different story.

  “You know I'm super gullible when it comes to you,” Alyssa said.

  “I know.” Ali gently kissed her. “And I am always taking advantage of that.”

  “You know who would actually love a wedding like that?” Alyssa asked.

  “Lucy,” they both said at the same time.

  “It's settled then, huh?” Alyssa asked. “We're having it here.”

  “Yes.” Ali pulled Alyssa closer to him. “The spot is perfect. Intimate.”

  Alyssa beamed. “You're just saying that because you know that's what I want to hear.”

  “No, I am not. That's not fair.” Ali tickled her waist. She squirmed away, but he reached for her again.

  “Stop,” Alyssa said, pointing a warning finger at him.

  “Stop what?” he asked.

  They stared each other down, neither moving for a long minute. Then, suddenly, Ali jumped for her.

  “Hey!” Alyssa ran down the trail to get away from him.

  Ali pursued, and they ended up in the field next to the pavilion. At the fence, Laurie, Rashid and Lucy watched the horses grazing in the shade.

  Lucy turned around and set her elbows on the top of the fence. “We couldn't find any cowboys. Maybe they're all on their lunch break.”

  “Yeah,” Alyssa laughed. “Or at the rodeo.”

  “Well?” Laurie asked. “What’s the verdict?”

  Alyssa and Ali shared a smile.

  “We’re having the wedding here,” Ali announced.

  “Woohoo!” Lucy yelled.

  At the sudden noise, one of the horses spooked and began running. It only took a few seconds for all the others to follow suit. The six horses, ranging in color from brown to white to black, sped down the length of the field.

  “Oops.” Lucy cringed. “My bad.”

  Rashid gurgled and reached for the horses, seeming to think that he would be able to grab hold of one if he only extended his hand far enough.

  “You just need a cowboy to rein you in,” Alyssa told Lucy with a wink.

  Chapter 17

  Alyssa

  The big day arrived much quicker than Alyssa had expected. Summer quickly morphed into fall, and the leaves twirled down from the trees faster than she thought they ever had before.

  On a crisp Saturday morning, Alyssa woke at the bed and breakfast in the little town a few miles from the farm. They had arrived as a family the day before, with the whole bed and breakfast already booked and ready for their arrival.

  Instead of having a formal rehearsal dinner, the two families plus Lucy, Kurt—Ali’s closest friend—and Kurt’s wife had gone out to dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant. Nothing about it had been fancy, and Alyssa loved that. It had just been them, their families, and their best friends, laughing and eating pasta.

  Rolling over in the white sheets, Alyssa sat up and looked around the empty room. She had gone to sleep with Ali and Rashid in the room, but now, neither man nor baby was to be found.

  Easing out of bed, Alyssa went to the French doors that opened onto a balcony. Lace curtains covered the glass, which went with the bed and breakfast’s entire decor. The whole place looked like it had been decorated by someone's grandma, but by a grandma who had the best taste. Everything was lace, china, and antiques. Alyssa thought the whole place was beautiful. She was also glad that Rashid was not toddling around yet. At least while he was a baby, there wasn't a chance of him breaking things.

  Opening the French doors, Alyssa looked out onto the town's Main Street. Across the way, a small coffee shop had its door propped open and a board with drink specials set on the sidewalk. At one of the small round tables, Alyssa's parents sat drinking coffee and chatting with Ali's parents.

  Alyssa's gaze drifted closer to her. In the garden in front of the bed and breakfast, Ali walked Rashid down a path. He pointed at a tree, explained something, and then lifted Rashid up so the baby could have a better look.

  Alyssa breathed in deep, tasting the fresh, sweet air. So, this was her life. It was perfect—everyone she loved the most was close by.

  Except, where was—

  The bedroom door flew open. “Hellooo,” Lucy sang out. “Are there any brides in here?”

  Alyssa came in from the balcony. “Just one.”

  “That'll do,” Lucy said. She looked Alyssa up and down. “Did you just wake up?”

  “Yeah.” Alyssa looked down at her pajamas. “Did I sleep in?”

  “It's your wedding day.” Lucy flipped her hand. “You're allowed to sleep in…with certain limitations, seeing as you do have somewhere to be in a few hours.”

  My wedding day. Alyssa's heart fluttered.

  “Okay, so here's what's up.” Lucy ticked each thing on the list off her fingers. “Shower. Then, I'll get started on your hair. After that, I'll do makeup—”

  “Question,” Alyssa said. “When do we break for breakfast?”

  “Oh, that's on its way up. We can't have you leaving this room until you're all done up.”

  “We can't?”

  Lucy pushed Alyssa in the direction of the bathroom. “Go shower
. Ali already knows he can't come back up here. I moved his stuff into the other room. And grandparents one, two, three, and four are on baby duty all day long. All you have to worry about is getting pretty.”

  Alyssa laughed as she went into the bathroom. “Since I'm sure I'll never hear that again, okay. Let's do this.”

  Alyssa took her time showering. Compared to her usual rushed mornings, getting clean on her wedding day was like being on vacation. After toweling off, she wrapped herself in a fluffy bathrobe and padded out to the bedroom.

  Breakfast waited on a tray, a pot of coffee next to the croissants and fruit salad.

  “Fancy,” Alyssa commented. She poured herself a cup and inhaled the coffee’s delicious aroma.

  Lucy clicked a few times on her laptop, and one of Alyssa’s favorite songs came on.

  “I started this playlist months ago,” Lucy said. “I’ve been waiting until today to release it.”

  Alyssa laughed. “I love everything about you.”

  Lucy grinned. “Have a seat. It’s time for the magic.”

  Alyssa settled at the powder table, coffee cup in hand. Instead of hiring a professional makeup artist and hairstylist, she had opted to have her best friend step in. Lucy had always been great with hair and makeup, but that wasn’t the real reason Alyssa wanted her performing those roles. This wedding was an extremely personal one, and keeping it that way in every regard just seemed right.

  Lucy pulled out her tablet and set it against the powder table’s mirror. They’d picked out the makeup and hair looks days ago, and now, she would be looking at the pictures to make sure she stayed on track.

  Lucy scrunched Alyssa’s wet hair. “Can you believe you’re getting married today?”

  Alyssa took her time thinking about that. “You know, I know I’m probably supposed to say I can’t believe it…but I can. It makes sense. It feels right.”

  Lucy nodded. “You guys have already been through so much. You have a baby together.”

  “And we survived a crash landing on an island.”

  “That, too. Oh, and don’t forget the pregnancy leak. Or the whole fake engagement thing…”

  “Or his mother.” Alyssa held her hand up. “Kidding. That’s in the past. I love Noura.”

  Lucy winked. “I know.”

  “Do you think you’ll ever do it?” Alyssa asked, looking at Lucy in the mirror.

  “Get married?” Lucy twirled a piece of Alyssa's hair around her finger. “If the right cowboy comes along, sure.”

  Alyssa laughed. “Hey, maybe you'll meet him by the chicken coop today.”

  “Yeah, it turns out, this place does not employ any cowboys. Those chickens and horses are more fun than anything else.”

  “Too bad,” Alyssa said.

  The time flew by as Lucy dried, curled, and pinned Alyssa’s hair into a low, loose bun. For makeup, they went natural. A peachy blush. Taupe and brown eyeshadow. Barely-there lipstick.

  “Oh my gosh,” Alyssa breathed, leaning forward to inspect her reflection. “I look amazing.”

  Lucy squeezed her shoulder. “Yeah, you do. Now, go get in your dress while I throw my own makeup on.”

  Taking the dress out of its garment bag, Alyssa carefully stepped into it. Due to the fitting weeks before, the gown hugged her curves perfectly. She gently ran her palm over some of the lace and looked at Lucy.

  “Now, this is starting to feel really special.”

  Lucy stepped into her red bridesmaid’s dress. “Oh, wow. I mean, I saw you in it before, but it’s different with the hair and makeup. It’s…wow. Just look.”

  Alyssa went back to the mirror. At the sight of her reflection, she inhaled sharply in wonder. “I look like a princess.”

  “Girl, you are a princess.”

  “Thank you.” Teary-eyed, Alyssa turned to Lucy.

  “You’re welcome. I tried my best. I know Ali will love it.”

  “I’m not just talking about the hair and makeup,” Alyssa said. “You know, I wouldn’t even be here today if it wasn’t for you. Remember how I didn’t want to go to my high school reunion?”

  “Yep, and you tried to hide the invite so I wouldn’t pressure you into going.”

  “Except you did see it,” Alyssa said. “You pushed me to go. You’re always pushing me.”

  Lucy scrunched her face. “Is that a good or a bad thing?”

  “It’s good. Very good.” Alyssa wrapped her arms around Lucy and brought her in for a hug.

  “Aw.” Lucy sniffled. “We don’t want to crinkle the lace.”

  “Screw the lace.”

  “But you're making me cry,” Lucy whispered, “and I just finished my makeup.”

  “Okay, now that we really don't want.” Alyssa let her go.

  Lucy dabbed at her eyes. “You don't want me looking like a raccoon in your wedding photos, do you?”

  An alarm on Lucy's phone went off.

  “What's that for?” Alyssa asked.

  “It means it's time to go.”

  Alyssa’s heart flipped. “Oh.”

  “Are you ready?” Lucy asked.

  Alyssa closed her eyes—and realized she only thought she was nervous. Really, it was the concept of the “big day” that caused her anxiety.

  But this day, though important, wasn't really a big one, was it? There would be no paparazzi. No crowds. No politicians or royal family members to impress. It would be Ali, Alyssa, and the people they trusted and loved.

  The wedding party was small: Lucy as the one bridesmaid, and Kurt as the one groomsman. Alyssa and Ali had done everything possible to ensure the wedding location and date remained a secret, but they had hired some bodyguards to stand watch at the entrance to the farm, just in case.

  “I'm ready,” Alyssa said, opening her eyes.

  Lucy clasped her hands and did as much of a dance as her heels would allow. “Let's do this.”

  The black limo waited in the driveway, Noura and Laurie standing by its open door.

  “Oh, honey.” Noura pressed her hand to her heart. “You are a vision.”

  “Thank you,” Lucy quipped.

  Alyssa jabbed her friend with her elbow at the same time as she offered up a smile. The four women piled into the limo, Alyssa sliding all the way to the end of the seat.

  “Be mindful of your dress,” Laurie said.

  “I am.”

  Alyssa rolled her window down halfway and looked out the window as the limo slowly pulled into the street. Sugar maples lined the main street, their leaves fiery red and orange. They rustled in the cool breeze, and Alyssa smiled. “The weather’s perfect,” she commented.

  “Yes,” Noura sniffled.

  Alyssa turned away from the window to find all three women wiping away tears.

  “I apologize,” Noura said. “It is only, for so many years, I thought I might never see this day. My only child, marrying!”

  “I know,” Laurie said, pressing her fingers to her lips. “It’s so wonderful.”

  “And I just love weddings,” Lucy wailed.

  Alyssa giggled. “Aw, you guys. Lucy and I just went over this. We can’t ruin our perfect makeup until after the pictures!”

  In what seemed like no time at all, they arrived at the farmhouse. There were guards stationed at the beginning of the driveway and at the end, but no one else. No photographers or curious townspeople.

  Seeing the farm so secure, Alyssa relaxed back into her seat. So far, it looked like everything would go off without a hitch.

  Cars were parked at the very end of the drive, but the limo went right past them and into the grass. Here, Alyssa would wait until it was time to walk down the aisle—the mulched trail. Through the window, Alyssa could see the path that led through the woods and to the altar.

  “I’ll go see how everything’s going,” Laurie said, climbing from the car.

  Alyssa nodded, too excited to say anything. A couple minutes later, her mother was back.

  “Are you ready?” Laurie asked, o
pening the door. “Everyone is up there.”

  “Like, ready to walk down the aisle?” Alyssa choked out.

  Laurie nodded and offered Alyssa her hand. Heart pounding, Alyssa climbed from the car. Her dress had no train, so there was nothing for Lucy to carry. Instead, she went ahead of Alyssa, making sure there were no muddy spots to ruin her dress.

  At the entrance to the woods, Noura handed Alyssa and Lucy their bouquets, and Laurie messed with Alyssa’s hair. Nearby, at the pavilion, catering staff put the finishing touches on settings on the white-clothed tables. A few bodyguards hovered around, but Alyssa almost didn’t notice them. Where there was a royal family, there was security.

  “Blessings to you,” Noura said, kissing Alyssa on each cheek. “I am so proud to have you join our family.”

  Again, tears filled Alyssa’s eyes. She rapidly blinked them back. She and Noura had had their fair share of complications, and it was nice to be reminded that the air between them had cleared.

  “How are we doing here?” a gruff voice asked.

  It was Alyssa’s dad, emerging from the trail. He looked at Alyssa, and his eyes widened. “Oh, Alyssa, you look beautiful.”

  Alyssa blushed. “Thanks, Dad.”

  Noura and Laurie went to take their seats, and Alyssa and Lucy looked at each other in excitement.

  “This is it,” Alyssa said.

  “Boy, is it ever. Let’s rock this wedding.”

  Soft guitar music came from the woods. Taking her cue, Lucy clutched her bouquet and walked down the trail. Because of the thick trees, Alyssa couldn’t see the altar or any of the guests, but they weren’t far away. Twenty or so steps and she would make it to them.

  The song changed, becoming the wedding march. This was it. Time for Alyssa to put one foot in front of the other.

  “I guess we should go,” her dad said, offering his elbow.

  Alyssa smiled and looped her arm through his. “I don’t have anything better to do today.”

  They walked down the trail, the guitar music becoming a bit louder with each step. Alyssa's heart beat faster, but it was still more from excitement than fear. Without a doubt, she knew this was the right thing to do. Ali was the love of her life, but it was more than that that made her certain marrying him was the right choice.