Page 21 of Bred By the Sheikh

Chrissy smiled.

“You’re welcome.”

She glanced at the young employee, who was still juggling the first couple’s questions and trying to signal for assistance at the same time.

Chrissy caught Elias’s attention.

“Could someone give him a hand for a minute?”

Elias followed her glance.

“Of course.”

Within seconds another employee joined the first.

Chrissy was already walking again.

We entered the courtyard.

A faint sound came from beneath the landscaping near the far wall.

Chrissy stopped.

“Did you hear that?”

I had.

A small cat emerged from beneath a low shrub.

It was thin, dusty, and wary enough to remain several feet from us.

Chrissy’s entire expression changed.

“Oh, baby.”

She crouched.

I nearly smiled at the absurd softness in her voice.

The cat watched her.

Chrissy held out one hand but didn’t move closer.

“Hi, sweetheart. I’m not going to grab you.”

The cat sniffed.

Then it took one cautious step.

Chrissy waited.

The cat took another step.

When the animal finally reached her, it rubbed its face against her fingers.

“Oh, you poor little thing.”

She stroked beneath its chin.