The Sheikh's Priceless Bride Page 15

  He’d had an apartment in one of those building, too. Khizar thought they should start there, even though Bill’s clue seemed to direct them to the mine itself.

  John let the vehicle roll to a stop next to one of the main buildings. The entrance to the mine was in front of them, and the building with Bill’s apartment was off to the right-hand side.

  Khizar suggested checking Bill’s apartment first, and Jacqui agreed. John took a quick look around the area before they got out of the car, then stayed there while Khizar and Jacqui looked through Bill’s apartment.

  There wasn’t anything personal left in the three small rooms. The furniture was still there, along with a few dishes, but Jacqui didn’t find any pictures or letters or anything that might have been her great-uncle’s.

  Khizar could see that she was disappointed, so he pulled her in for a quick hug before they went to check the mine itself.

  There was a wooden doorframe around the mine’s entrance. Khizar remembered Bill’s note to them.

  “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” he asked Jacqui.

  She nodded.

  “Check the door. We may not have to go into the mine at all.”

  They each took a side of the entryway, peering closely at the door and the surrounding frame. Khizar didn’t see anything, and when he looked over at Jacqui, she shook her head.

  Next, Khizar ran his hands over the wood, using his fingers to feel for hidden divots or bumps in the frame. Jacqui followed suit, checking the door itself.

  When he got to the beam of wood overhead, he felt something. Just a small indentation in the wood, but if he pushed there, he thought something shifted. He pushed a bit harder and felt something come loose and slide to the left.

  “Jacqui, I think I’ve got something.”

  She left the door and came to stand by him. Khizar slid the hidden compartment open completely and reached carefully inside it. When he pulled his hand away, he held a small metal cylinder.

  Jacqui stared at it, and he gently handed it to her, wrapping her fingers around it. She pried open the end of the cylinder and turned it upside down. A rolled-up piece of paper slid out into Jacqui’s hands, and she gave the cylinder back to Khizar, then took a deep breath.

  Unrolling the paper, she read aloud:

  “Dear Jacqueline,

  I assume you’re reading this after I’m dead and gone. I’m sorry we didn’t have the opportunity to get to know each other.

  You’ll be wondering why I didn’t offer to take you in after your parents died. To explain that, I should probably start at the beginning.

  My brother—your grandfather—and I had a fight when we were young men. It was a stupid fight, though it didn’t seem so at the time. I left home and found a job as a miner, which sounded a lot more glamorous than it turned out to actually be.

  But, deep in the earth, with my hands in the dirt, I found myself. It’s the only place I’ve ever truly felt comfortable, the only place I think I’ve ever been myself.

  Long story short, I got lucky. And then I spent the next few decades learning everything I could, so I got smart, too. At least about diamonds. I never got smart about family. Too stubborn and too set in my ways.

  So, even after my brother died, I stayed away. I didn’t even know he had a son, not until after your parents were killed in the car accident. Because of my wealth, I would occasionally get people claiming to be long-lost relatives. One of my lawyers dealt with that, and in tracking down one false claim, he discovered your parents’ obituary.

  I came to Milwaukee thinking I could bring you home to live with me. But when I saw you with your new parents, I couldn’t do it. You were happy and healthy, and they loved you. I knew your life with them would be so much better than growing up following me around diamond mines.

  I’m so used to not having family, and I didn’t see any need to burden you with the knowledge that you have a random great-uncle. Maybe one day when you’re older, but I doubt it. I’m an old man already, and I suppose I’m still too set in my ways.

  But if you’re reading this letter, then you’ve kept your stuffed bear safe and found its secret. Even though I couldn’t be your family, I left you something so that you never have to worry about anything ever again. Be careful who you trust with this secret; there are people who would do anything to get it.

  You’ve got one more stop to make, and I hope you’ll be willing to learn more about your family history. You know, you share a name with my mother—your great-grandmother. Her name was Rose, too. And she was a fighter, too. Her parents died when she was very young, and she survived the Great Depression by moving to California and cooking in a boarding house. Her cakes were the stuff of legend—she’d make a special one for my birthday every year, a dark gingerbread cake. I sent money back for her after I left for the diamond mines, but I never saw her again after I left home.

  If you visit the house I grew up in, you’ll find some more of your family’s history, as well as the final clue to the bear’s secret.

  Be well, Jacqueline Rose Bauer. Be happy. Use my gift to you wisely, and live a long and good life.

  Your Great-Uncle Bill”

  Jacqui was crying as she finished reading the letter. Khizar gently took the paper from her and flipped it over; on the back, he found an address written in Bill Bauer’s handwriting.

  Showing it to Jacqui, he carefully rolled the letter back up, slid it into the cylinder, and tucked it into her jacket pocket. Then, he folded her in his arms and let her cry for the great-uncle she’d never really known.

  When her tears had dried, Khizar told her his plan.

  “We’ll fly back to Alabama tomorrow. I’ll find out everything I can about the address tonight, and then we’ll see what’s there.”

  Jacqui nodded. “Do you think we have everything we need?”

  “I think Bill mentioned your middle name for a reason. Maybe he was sharing history, but he put such emphasis on it, I think it’s another clue.”

  Jacqui nodded. “I do, too.”

  “We’ll find out for sure when we get there tomorrow.”

  They walked back to the SUV hand in hand. Spotting them, John climbed in to start the vehicle.

  Khizar could tell Jacqui was deep in thought on their drive back, so he simply watched her think. Once they got back where he could make a phone call, he sent James a text with the information he needed. His phone dinged with an acknowledgement.

  Jacqui looked up. “Is that your investigator?”

  “It is. He’s checking out that address now and should have something for us in a few hours.”

  Jacqui tilted her head. “Can I meet him?”

  Khizar matched her expression. “Of course.”

  “Good. He knows everything about me, so it’s only fair I get to know him.”

  Her grin made Khizar want to wrap her in his arms and kiss her senseless, so he did just that.

  Chapter 21

  Khizar

  When Khizar answered the front door to his penthouse apartment that night, he found James waiting with another of his ubiquitous folders in hand. Khizar waved him inside, noticing that James looked around as he walked in.

  “Something wrong?” Khizar asked.

  James shook his head and pointed at the feminine jacket draped on the back of the couch, and the two mugs sitting close to each other on the kitchen counter.

  “No. It just already feels different in here.”

  Khizar laughed. “And a good thing, too.”

  “Agreed.”

  James gave the folder to Khizar, who took it but didn’t open it up yet.

  Just then, Jacqui walked into the room. Khizar smiled at her and waved a hand at James.

  “Jacqui, this is James.”

  Jacqui held her hand out and lifted an eyebrow.

  “I suppose I don’t need an introduction.”

  James laughed, sounding a little startled. Khizar supposed the people his investigator talked to didn’t always
have a chance to talk back, at least, not knowing who he was.

  “You don’t. But I’m happy to meet you in person.”

  She smiled. “Likewise. Thanks for looking for more information.”

  The three of them sat down in the living room, and Khizar handed the folder to Jacqui. As she looked through it, James told them what else he’d found.

  “Your great-uncle had his childhood home declared a historical landmark about twenty years ago. He also set up an endowment that provides funds to maintain the home and manage a small staff that keeps the house open for tours and private events.

  “The house is over a hundred years old, so getting the historical designation wasn’t that big a deal, apparently. The Bauers built the house and lived there until Bill’s parents died. By then, Bill was living here. Your grandfather had also passed by that time, Jacqui, and your father had already moved to Wisconsin.

  “The executor for the family noted that Alex Bauer didn’t want to keep the house, so it was put up for sale. Bill set up a trust, bought the house, and had it declared a protected landmark. He then left the trust to run it.”

  Jacqui looked over James’ notes. “Can we get into the house?”

  James nodded. “It’s all mapped out for you. The house is closed for tours right now; apparently they’re doing some standard maintenance.”

  Khizar read over Jacqui’s shoulder.

  “Any idea where we should start looking?”

  “No. But I will note that Bill left instructions on exactly how the house’s interior and exterior were to be maintained. All the furniture is original, and the landscaping is exactly the same as when he lived there. Apparently, both Bill’s mother and grandmother were expert gardeners, so his requirements for the house indicate that the garden should have the same plants and structure as when he was a child.”

  Khizar and Jacqui exchanged a look, thinking about Bill’s use of Jacqui’s middle name.

  James continued, “The house looks exactly as it has since he bought it, and as best I can tell, most of it is original to his childhood.”

  Khizar thought about that.

  “So, hopefully, the clues we have will be clearer when we get there.”

  James nodded again. “I think that’s likely the case. But if you run into anything questionable, let me know and I’ll see what I can find out.”

  Khizar stood, James following him. Jacqui laid the folder on the table and also stood, reaching for James’ hand.

  “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to learn all this about my great-uncle.”

  James shook her hand.

  “I wish I knew more, but Bill Bauer focused on his work. He didn’t have a lot of personal connections.”

  “It’s enough to know what I do.”

  James gave her a small smile and then nodded at Khizar. “Good luck.”

  Khizar closed the door behind him and held out his arms to Jacqui.

  “We’ll figure it out, my love.”

  She laid her cheek on his chest and looped her arms around his waist.

  “I know. And I’m glad you’re with me to figure it out.”

  Khizar felt a last knot of tension ease inside him. The woman in his arms felt so right, and he finally let go of all the past hurt and fear. He trusted her with his heart, and together, they could make anything work.

  The doorbell rang, and Khizar left Jacqui to open the door again. His parents were there, and once again, they greeted Jacqui with hugs.

  This time, though, there was a sense of family in the room that Khizar hadn’t felt before. His opening up to Jacqui was causing him to open up to his parents, too. He rather liked that feeling.

  No one said anything about Jacqui’s abrupt departure from the restaurant, but Sonja said something quiet to Jacqui that Khizar didn’t quite catch. He didn’t think he was supposed to, and since it made Jacqui smile, he didn’t worry about it.

  Khizar had offered to take them all out for dinner, a sort of do-over, but his mother insisted on cooking instead.

  “It’s a good thing I brought over groceries,” she teased him lightly, as she started to prepare food.

  “I’ve been out of town,” Khizar protested, more out of principle than anything.

  Sonja handed him a knife and pointed at the pile of vegetables, which Khizar obediently began to clean and cut up.

  Adil and Jacqui sat at the kitchen bar and watched the two of them work together. Khizar’s father leaned over and patted Jacqui’s hand.

  “Would you like to hear some stories about your great-uncle?” he asked.

  Jacqui leaned forward, eagerly. “Yes, please, I’d like that very much.”

  Adil threaded his fingers together.

  “I met Bill Bauer at his mine, just a year or two after he bought the land and opened it up. He’d found some gems he wanted an expert opinion on, so he called my office. He wouldn’t bring them into the city, though. No, even then, he was a stubborn old grump.”

  He gave Jacqui a look that suggested he liked that quality in Bill Bauer and she gave him a smile in return.

  “So, I trekked all the way out to the mine, and sat in his tiny, uncomfortable office. I asked him why he didn’t have a better set-up, something more comfortable, and he just looked at me and said, ‘Why would I care what my office is like when my real work is in the mine?’”

  Adil laughed.

  “Bill wasn’t happy unless he was out there with his guys, digging. I think if he had been born a hundred years earlier, he would have been one your California gold miners, out on the frontier.”

  Khizar could tell that hearing about her great-uncle made Jacqui happy. His father had one more thing to say, though.

  “I can see him in you,” Adil said thoughtfully.

  “Really?” Jacqui asked, unsure.

  He nodded. “Your eyes. And your determination. You may not have known Bill Bauer, but you are definitely his family.”

  Khizar was grateful to his parents. They’d given him a gift, and another chance to show that he was serious about Jacqui.

  And when they left at the end of the evening and Khizar and Jacqui went to bed so that they could get some sleep before their long day, he felt, for the first time, like he was really home.

  Chapter 22

  Jacqui

  They left early the next morning, hoping that this trip to Alabama would be the final stop in their treasure hunt. Jacqui was also hoping that it would reveal more of her family’s history, which was the more important treasure to her.

  It was a long flight, and so after they were in the air and Khizar had checked in with the pilot, Jacqui asked him to sit down so they could talk.

  “You know, we haven’t had time to talk about what happens next.”

  “You mean, after we find the diamond? Or whatever Bill left for you?”

  Jacqui nodded. “That, and what happens with us.”

  “Ah, that next.”

  Once again, Khizar felt the guilt of knowing that he hadn’t considered the long-term because there had been no long-term in his plan. Jacqui saw the raw emotion cross his face and reached out to take his hand.

  “Neither of us thought past the proposal. But we can now. And we’ve got plenty of time, with nowhere else to go.”

  Khizar nodded and lifted Jacqui’s hand to kiss it.

  “So, let’s talk. I know how important your business is to you. But I also know the bakery isn’t doing so well.”

  Jacqui wrinkled her nose.

  “That little bit of information was in James’ file, too?”

  “Ah, sorry. Yes. I was actually looking forward to seeing if I could help you with some business ideas. I don’t know much about bakeries, but I know how to organize and manage a business.”

  “I’d love any advice you have. But I don’t know that any amount of help will make the bakery successful, at least not located where it is.”

  Khizar said, “I fear you’re right. But if you’re willing to c
hange the location of your bakery, I think you could make it successful.”

  Jacqui studied him. “Move it, say, to Nudushan?”

  Khizar grinned.

  “I hope that you will indeed move to my country, and make it your country, too. I’d like it very much if you opened a bakery in Al Nud. I can think of a couple of vacant buildings that would work, and they’re not too far from my…not too far from our home.”

  Jacqui took a deep breath.

  “I like the sound of that.”

  “I know it’s a big change for you, and I wouldn’t ask you to make it all at once. And your parents and friends are welcome in our home any time.”

  “I’d like that. And I’m open to a move, and to starting a bakery in Nudushan.”

  Khizar moved to take her hands and hold them between his.

  “Jacqui, if you wanted to start a bakery in Paris, I’d find a way to make it happen.”

  Her smile lit up the plane’s cabin.

  “Let’s start with Nudushan, then we can see about taking over the world with cake.”

  They landed at a different airport in Alabama, this one closer to Montgomery and the address on Bill Bauer’s note. Khizar drove while Jacqui navigated to the address.

  The house was on the outskirts of Montgomery, in a cute little neighborhood where all the homes were older and well-maintained. There were tidy fences around each of the yards in the neighborhood and no cars parked on the street.

  There was a small parking lot behind the house and a sign noting the historical trust that ran the house as well as information on the tour times.

  Khizar parked in the lot and he and Jacqui got out of the car. Stepping through the gate in the white wooden fence, they walked around the house.

  Jacqui took her time, looking partly for something that would match the clue Bill left them, and partly to take in all her ancestral home. The house was a two-story with a wrap-around front porch and ornamental woodwork everywhere. It was painted a slate blue with white trim. The stone path wound around the house and through a garden full of wildflowers, complete with a birdbath and two stone benches.