Final Vow (23 page)
“No.”
“Richard, let him in,” Bridget’s mother said as she pushed her large and intimidating husband out of the way. “You must be Ahmed. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Obviously he hasn’t heard a lot a
bout us,” General Ward snapped.
Ahmed cleared his throat. “Actually, I have. Bridget just seemed to leave out one very important detail about you.
”
“Come, sit down. Bridget said you were a nice young man. I find it so romantic that you would ask our permission. Let me bring you something to drink. Water? Ice tea?” Patty W
ard looked from her husband to Ahmed, both unflinching. “Bourbon it is.”
Ahmed sm
iled at Bridget’s mother. He could see where Bridget got both her sweetness and toughness.
“Oh my,” she blushe
d as she hurried from the room.
“Stop wooing her to your side. Let’s go to my office and have a nice long talk,” General Ward said as he buttoned his military
jacket and started down the hall.
“Let’s call
it like it is, sir. There’s nothing like an interrogation to get to know someone.” Ahmed followed behind the general and noted that he seemed to have scored a small chuckle.
Ahmed
had thought meeting Bridget’s parents was going to be nerve-wracking, but that was before he knew the man was one of the most powerful generals in the United States Army. Shoot, he’d be lucky to get out alive. And as soon as he did, he was going to have a few words with Nabi. How could he not have told him? Ahmed felt like banging his head . . . because Ahmed hadn’t asked. Why did he think knowing less about Bridget would have stopped him from falling in love? Well, if he knew General Ward was her father, it might have worked. Who was he kidding? He’d go through a hundred generals if it meant he could marry Bridget.
“Take a seat.” General Ward motioned to one of the deep
-red leather chairs in front of an immense desk. Ahmed chose one and watched the general take a seat behind his desk in a classic power play. A quick glance around the room left Ahmed more nervous and completely envious. If General Ward agreed to let him marry his daughter, then Ahmed had a feeling he and his father-in-law would get along great.
A huge cavalry sword hung behind the desk. Books on military theory, philosophy
, and psychology lined the bookcase. Pictures of the general and Bridget wearing camouflage in the desert sat on the table. Pictures of his family hung on the wall. Right next to it was a picture of the general and three soldiers. He narrowed his eyes to get a better look, but the general started talking.
“So
, I assume you know who I am.”
“General Richard Ward. You’re the man who refused Mohtadi Ali Rahman’s request for aid when I was taken hostage
by Sergei.”
The
general shrugged his massive shoulders. “I think I made up for it. I take it my drone and fighter jets came in handy recently.”
Ahmed tossed back his head and laughed so hard he startled Pat
ty when she walked in with the drinks. She smiled, thinking things were going well, and happily headed back out, closing the door behind her.
“You find that funny?”
“Yes, very funny,” Ahmed said as he smiled. “See, I thought Bridget’s military source was a man she was romantically involved with previously. To learn it was you looking out for her makes me very happy indeed.”
“And
what would you say if I told you there
were
other men trying to date my daughter?”
“Let them
try. I love your daughter more than I have ever loved anyone in my whole life. She’s the most remarkable woman I’ve ever known. I want her watching my back during a fight and then by my side every night for the rest of my life. I don’t know what I did to deserve this second chance at happiness, but Bridget loves me. Those men, and I don’t doubt there are some, can try all they want, but they won’t have any luck.”
“You’re a ruthless murderer. I don’t know what my dau
ghter sees in you.” General Ward narrowed his eyes at Ahmed.
“Some would say you are
, too. We all do what we need to survive. I’m not denying anything from my life, but I will say they were all necessary to protect my country, my prince, and my king. And I wouldn’t hesitate to do that and worse if anyone tried to hurt Bridget. Of course, they would have more to worry about from her than from me.”
General Ward sat back in his chair. “She is very determined. I guess I have to take the blame for that. She gets it from me. Someday when you’re the father of a little girl
, you will understand how hard it is to have a man known for his harsh interrogation techniques and ruthless killing ability sitting across from you and asking to marry your precious baby.”
“I understand I’m not what you hoped for. But I promise I will love your daughter better than anyone else. I promise to keep her safe, to encourage her in her pursuits, and
to not let any children we have marry anyone like me.”
“How do I even know what ‘anyone like me’ means? For cripes sake
, you don’t even have a last name. There’s not enough information out there for me to know anything about you beside your military record. Which, by the way, is outstanding,” the general admitted reluctantly.
Ahmed sat b
ack in his chair and looked at him. “Then let me tell you about myself. My name is Ahmed Mueez and I was born to serve the royal family,” Ahmed started.
* * *
Bridget tried to pretend she was too busy to notice that Ahmed had finally pulled up to her apartment. She’d been busy with Annie on patrol the last couple of days. They’d become something of a spectacle together since the night they took those goons down. While Marshall was requested at the PTA meetings, Annie and Bridget were big hits at the Farmers Association and the tractor pulls. Bridget didn’t mind. In fact, they both thought it was hilarious. But that morning, Ahmed had called and said he was almost finished wrapping up business and wanted to see her in the afternoon. Her shift had ended and she’d hurried home to get ready.
What happened
in Rahmi seemed magical. Dancing at a palace, girl talk with the royal women, and the passion that had consumed them. The night in his arms had come to an end and the dream seemed to be just that, a dream. Which was why she was so focused on not paying attention to the fact he paused before knocking on her door.
Bridget took a deep breath. Something had shifted inside Ahmed that night in Rahmi
. She just hoped he would tell her. They could handle anything as long as they were together. She reached for the door and nervously opened it.
“Hello, Ahmed. It’s good to see you again.”
Ahmed leaned forward and placed a kiss on her cheek. Her heart sped up when she saw how lovingly he looked at her. But it was still there. Something just wasn’t right.
“I
missed you,” his voice rumbled.
Bridget smiled up at him and relaxed. “I missed you
, too. Do you want to come in?”
“Actually, I thought since the winter weather gave us a break
, it would be nice to take a stroll out at the farm. The colts and fillies born this spring are very playful today.”
“That sounds fun. Marko, you stay here. I don’t want you scaring the babies.”
Ahmed gave Marko’s ears a scratch. “We can drop him off at my house and he and Zoti can hang together.”
Marko barked and wiggled around
with approval. “Okay, get in the car.” Marko shot past Bridget and Ahmed to race down the stairs. He danced impatiently around the black Mercedes.
Ahmed slipped his hand into hers and laughed as Marko spun in circles. “He’s going to get your car all dirty if he’s out running on the farm with Zoti,” Bridget said as
she smiled at her dog’s antics.
“That’s okay. It’s leather. I
t’ll clean. I’m just happy he’s not like Marshall’s dog, Bob. I get this eerie feeling whenever I’m over there that he’s watching me. It’s more than that, even. It’s like he’s judging me and coming to the conclusion he’s smarter.”
“Big B
ad Ahmed, scared of a dog looking at him.” Bridget giggled.
“Just wait. You’ll see.” Ahmed opened the passenger door for Bridget and soon enough they were on their way out of town on the curving narrow country ro
ads heading to Desert Sun Farm.
The leaves had long ago changed from their lush green to shades of orange, red
, and yellow and had fallen to the ground. The grass was turning brown as it hunkered down for winter, but the rolling hills were outlined with warm colors in the sky. Pinks, purples, and oranges streaked the sky as the sun started to set for the early winter night.
The unique fence design of Desert Sun Farm came into view and Ahmed had been right. The horses were enjoying this break from the cold weather as they romped in the
pastures, stretching their legs.
Stallions tossed their heads and ran the
fence line as they drove by. Ahmed made his way through the farm to his house and opened the back door for Marko. “I’ll be right back.”
Bridget’s heart swelled as she watched Mo open the door to his house and then bend down to rub both Marko and Zoti as they wiggled around him.
She relaxed against the seat and smiled. She was happy and she was spending the day with the man she loved. She didn’t think she could be any luckier than she was now.
Ahmed strode toward her and smile
d. The jacket to his suit hung open and fluttered in the wind. The fitted dress shirt molded to his flat stomach and Bridget found herself flushed as flashes of their night in Rahmi passed through her mind. Definitely couldn’t get any luckier. Well, maybe tonight she could.
“Okay, the boys are happily running through the house
playing with that long rope toy. Is everything okay? You have a funny look on your face.” Ahmed sat in the seat and cocked his head at her.
“Just happy,” Bridget smiled. “And thinking a
bout what you could do with that tie . . .”
She saw Ahmed’s breathing hitch and the instant reaction he had in those great tailored slacks. “Don’t worry, I have plenty of ideas
, too.” Ahmed leaned over the console, his fingers threaded into her hair as he pulled her toward him for a kiss. His tongue pushed past her lips and thrust into her mouth. He pulled away and Bridget was left breathless.
“I’d been thinking about it
, too,” he purred. “But let’s take advantage of this beautiful day. Tonight I’ll strip you naked and . . .” Ahmed placed his lips next to her ear and whispered exactly what he was going to do to her.
Bridget flushed
again and it wasn’t from embarrassment. It was with arousal as his hot breath caressed her ear and images of what he had planned filled her head. “Okay,” she stammered. Yep, she was very lucky indeed.
Ahmed sat back with a satisfied smile and started the car. “I want to take you to the
yearling barn. The weanlings just moved in this week. I thought you’d like to see them and I have someone special for you to meet there.”
Ahmed drove through the farm and stopped in t
he small parking lot outside the barn that was nice enough to be a house. The ivory-painted barns were accented with green trim on the windows and doors. The angular, green-shingled roof with spires enhanced the house-like appearance. He opened the door and they walked in on soft rubber floors made to look like brick.
Bridget peeked into the
luxurious office as they passed it. It had a desk, computer, and a leather couch against the wall. In front of her was the long row of pristine stalls made from glowing yellow pine. Dark-green steel bars made up the top quarter of the sections between each stall, and also at the door, giving the stable a bright and open feel. It also allowed the horses to stick their heads out into the aisle and see what was going on. Bridget loved it. She approached the first stall and read the nameplate,
Winning Desire
.
“Well, aren’t you a sweetheart?” She laughed as the
young horse nuzzled her hand and lowered her head for more scratches.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes. I’ve always thought Desert Sun was a beautiful farm. But these stables are absolutely gorgeous.”
“Thank you. Mo and I worked hard on them. Same with t
hese little guys.”
“You and Mo?” Bridget asked. She thought the farm was all Mo’s project.
“Sure. He made me fall in love with horses when we were in England together. I helped him out when he got this place started. We looked at farms all over the United States together. When we found this place, I helped with the breeding program while Mo handled the business and crops on the farm. I handled the foals, weanlings, and yearlings. I even designed this barn,” Ahmed told her as he pulled out a bag of apple chunks and fed one to the cute filly.
“I had no idea.” Bridget was amazed.
Though she wasn’t all that surprised. Even though Ahmed was quiet with other people, he was very good with animals. Marko and Zoti worshiped him and it would only make sense he would be the same with horses.
