The Alpha's Mail Order Bride Read Free Page A

bag, but she was pretty sure this sent the right sort of message if Nashoba managed to get her undressed or even if he caught a little flash of her undergarments.
    To wear over the top,  she decided to risk a summery flower print dress. It had enough colors and patterns on it so the darker underwear didn’t show through, but she liked the way the edges of her bra could be seen if she leaned forward just enough to show it off. It was impossible not to be aware of her body when she wore it, but the pattern was bright and casual, and gave off a flirty fun vibe instead of the seductive element she was hoping to avoid.
    When she was finally dressed, she finished off her hair and applied her usual amount of light makeup. She’d always maintained a fairly natural look, and if Nashoba was expecting someone who would slather themselves in lipstick and blush and mascara, then he’d have to look elsewhere, because he wasn’t going to get that from Akala.
    Ready to go, but still having several hours to kill, Akala went downstairs to find Haley to see what was available for breakfast, and to get a second opinion on her outfit.
    “ I think it’s perfect,” said Haley, her usual wide smile beaming even brighter. “Nashoba will love it, and it’s totally appropriate. Don’t worry, we might be out here away from the city, but he’s not going to throw you on the back of a dirt bike or anything. He’s got a bit of an old fashioned mentality, so it’ll probably just be lunch and a walk around town or something.”
    “ I’m so glad you’re here,” said Akala. She slipped into a seat at the table where Haley had laid out an assortment of baked goods, cereals, orange juice, and coffee. She helped herself to some granola and a dollop of yogurt with what looked like fresh local honey. “It really helps me to have someone to talk to through all of this. I mean, obviously you’re related to Nashoba, but I already feel like I have a friend in you.”
    “ Us girls have to stick together, right?” Haley sat down and poured herself a cup of coffee. She spooned a healthy portion of sugar into it and stirred it exactly four times before adding a splash of milk. “Besides, I know Nashoba better than most people, and as much as I love him, his rough exterior keeps a lot of people from getting to know him like they should. I want to make sure you two have a fair shot at this.”
    “ I have to admit that I feel pretty weird about being here,” said Akala. “It seems like a normal woman shouldn’t have to go on the internet looking for someone to fall in love with.”
    “ The world is a different place than it used to be, sweetie. This idea that you’ll meet your true love over the course of your early life is a little silly, don’t you think? Like it’s total fate that the only person you’re meant to be with just happened to go to your high school or use the treadmill at the gym next to you?” Haley sipped her coffee and smiled softly. “Something drove you to look online when you did, and something made you click on that ad. Nashoba has his reasons for looking the way he is, and you had your reasons for getting in touch with him and flying down here. Isn’t that worth something in the end?”
    “ I guess so,” replied Akala. “I never thought about it that way.”
    “ If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that people spend too much time worrying about what they think they should be doing, and not enough time focusing on what’s actually happening around them.”
    “ That sounds like good advice. How did you get to be so wise? You can’t be that much older than me.”
    Haley’s smile remained just as bright, but there was a softening around her eyes, as though she’d experienced a great amount of sadness and heartache in her life. “Oh, we all have our moments that test us. For some it comes early, for others it comes late in life, and to others never at all. Those last ones are the lucky few, but the rest of