The Leopard in Love (BBW Shifter Mail Order Bride Romance) (Mail-Order Mates Book 8) by Lola Kidd Read Free Book Online Page A

to have a part of the festival. Sarah had heard Olivia was going to be bringing them onstage sometime during her little speech.
    She’d asked Kai and Sarah to come up too, but Sarah had declined. It was too soon and she hated being the center of attention. Kai didn’t seem to mind very much.
    KJ went to hang out with his friends as soon as he saw them. He was having a sleepover at one of his friends’ houses for the night. It would give Sarah and Kai more time alone that evening. It made her a little nervous. Third date and having the house all to themselves. She would like to get more intimate with Kai and it seemed like he wanted the same thing. They hadn’t spoken about it yet, but she’d worn her cutest underwear in preparation.
    They found a spot near the base of the tree to settle in before the tree lighting began. Pete and Kai went to get everyone some hot chocolate. By the time they returned, the mayor was introducing Olivia.
    “Thank you,” Olivia said as she took the podium. “I’m sure many of you know who I am, but I’d like to invite a few friends onstage right now.”
    A whole section of the crowd got up and made their way to the stage. There were more people than stage. Families wrapped around the stage and stood behind Olivia. Once they’d settled in, she turned back to the crowd.
    “This is why I came to Sunset Falls last year. I’m a matchmaker with Lovely and Kind Brides, and I love my job very much. This is the best part. If I do my job well, the end result is a new happy family. I couldn’t be more proud of what my friends in Sunset Falls have helped me do.”
    Sarah couldn’t help but marvel at all the couples Olivia had matched. It looked like a fifth of the whole town was onstage.
    In the middle of Liv’s speech, Kai slipped his hand in Sarah’s. The small gesture warmed her heart. They were just another normal couple attending a festival. Only in Sunset Falls would their unusual relationship be not so unusual. Plus, there was comfort in the fact that she would have so much support if she stayed. Not only her aunt and uncle; there was a whole gang of other LK Brides who had successfully married their matches.
    Not all of them were from Sunset Falls, either. There were many women who had come from out of town and at least two from foreign countries.
    It could work out just fine, Sarah told herself. Just seeing all those happy families while Kai held her hand made her infinitely hopeful for their future. She wondered if Kai was feeling the same thing. He liked her too, but did he see how special their future could be?
    ***
    “I had a lot of fun,” Sarah said as she buckled her seat belt.
    “Me too,” Kai said.
    He was nervous. This was it—he was going to tell her at the picnic. She’d already had a great time at the festival. They’d spoken to Olivia after she lit the tree. She didn’t pry into how things were going, but Kai could tell she was excited for them. He was too. Sarah’s parents were coming for Christmas, and if things went well, he could ask her dad for her hand in marriage. It was fast, but he knew it was right. She fit perfectly into his family and he could see himself growing old with her. He only hoped she felt the same way.
    “Close your eyes,” he told her when they were getting close to their destination. She obliged with a smile and kept her hands over her eyes for the rest of the drive. Once he had parked, Kai took her out of the car and led her to the spot he had set up. “Open your eyes now.”
    “Oh!” Sarah’s expression was priceless. This was what he had worked for. “This is all so beautiful. Did you do it yourself?”
    Kai nodded, filled with pride. He had decorated the entire picnic area with Chinese lanterns and Christmas lights. It looked magical. He’d gotten the idea from the Internet and had run with it. There was a white tablecloth on the picnic bench and a basket on top. “Sit. I’m sure you’re hungry.”
    The two of them enjoyed