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So, he wasn’t immune to the gorgeous newcomer. After half an hour with her, Adam felt as though they were firm friends. She was easy to talk to, keen to learn about Cherry Lake and didn’t even know who he was. Kind of refreshing not to be recognized and fussed over.
He drove past the old Grange, one of his father’s renovation projects, past the school’s main building and slowed when he came to the sports field. A group of teens kicked a ball and he paused to watch them. This was where he’d been given the opportunity to play soccer, thanks to Coach Miller. The gruffly sports teacher had seen something promising in the young boy and encouraged him to play. Now his days in the big league were almost coming to an end. Adam wished he could go back and start all over again.
An explosion pulled him out of his reminiscing. “What the heck?” A gangly teen ran toward the car, fear on his face, hands out in apology. “Sorry, Adam. I didn’t mean to hit your car.”
Adam opened the door and got out, grabbed the ball before the boy could. “What were you thinking?”
“Hey, I said I was sorry. It wasn’t like I was aiming for you or anything. I was trying a shot and I missed.” The boy stood with his head hanging, embarrassed but defiant at the same time.
Adam looked at him, saw his friends standing back out of the way. “What kind of shot?”
The teen lifted his chin and named the kick. “You should know it, you can curve a ball better than most.”
“You were trying to bend it, yeah?” Adam felt a stab of pride at the boy’s determination, the memories of long nights practicing with his dad to get that move right and knew how hard it could be.
“But he can’t do it no matter how hard he tries. None of us can.” The other boys had come forward when Adam had shown a spark of interest.
“Coach reckons we need to practice more but it’s not working. We lost another season and he’s not happy.” The boy held his hand out for the ball.
“You’re Cory Woods, aren’t you? Jake’s kid.” He’d grown up since Adam had been in Seattle. Last time he’d seen Cory, he’d been in diapers and barely walking. His father had been a year ahead of Adam in school and was now a fireman in Cherry Lake according to his mother.
“So? You gonna tell him I hit your car?”
Adam raised an eyebrow, glanced at the shiny paint. “Did you damage it?”
Cory looked over his shoulder at the car, frowned and then lifted his chin. “No.”
“So, how about I give you a lesson? Not saying you’ll get it right away but we can try if you want to.” Adam’s competitive streak rose up and stood proudly waving the flag. He knew better than to try and force it down.
Cory shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t care but he couldn’t hide the smile taking over his face.
“Let me change my shoes.” Adam threw the ball to him, opened the trunk of his car and took out his sports bag. Like any keen sportsman, he kept a change of clothes and sponsor supplied boots in his car. One of the perks of being the face of a popular sporting brand, the latest styles delivered to his door. Never knew when he might get a chance to work out or take on a friendly game. He slipped them on, did up the laces and jogged over to the boys who were huddled near the goal line talking in excited whispers.
“Stand in the middle of the goal posts and watch how I angle my body when I kick.” Adam took the ball and walked back to give himself room to curve the ball.
Cory shuffled over to the goal posts and stood uncertainly between them. “My granddad will be furious if I come home with a bloody nose. Doubt he’d believe me if I told him you did it.”
“If you know me that well, Cory, you’ll know I don’t miss. Stand still and watch.” Adam lined up the boy in his vision, imagined the spot beside his right ear, saw the kick in his mind and stepped back. He rubbed his hands together, glanced at the goal posts again and stepped forward lifting his foot. The kick cracked in the still night air and the group of boys sighed in awe as the ball curved around Cory and hit the back of the net.
Cory stood frozen for a second and then a slow grin spread over his face. “Can you show me how to do that, please Adam?”
“It takes a fair bit of time to pick up. It’s not that simple.” He should know. It was kick after kick, night after night, until he could do it right every time. His father was determined to make sure Adam could do it in his sleep if need-be and after months of trying, he’d succeeded.
“Please. We need help. You know we do. I’ll mow your mom’s lawn, clean out the front of the shop for you if you help us.”
“I’m not here for long. Only until my father recovers from surgery.”
Taking that as an agreement he would help them, the boys ran forward and all started talking at once. Adam held up his hand, overwhelmed with the chatter of teenage boys. When he had silence, he spoke. “Tell Coach Miller that if he wants my help, I’m more than willing to give you guys a coaching session but it won’t be anything more than that, alright? One session.”
One of the other boys sidled closer. “Coach was talking to us about getting you and some of your friends down for a coaching clinic. Reckons that it might do us the world of good and it would be a good deed for your team.”
Adam looked from face to expectant face. It would be a goodwill exercise and he was sure the team would take it on board if he suggested it, even this late in the year. If he could get at least a couple of the guys down here to help out, he wouldn’t feel so bad about not being here to help out for next season. “Leave it with me and I’ll see what I can do.”
“Can you watch me while I try and do that kick before you go?” Cory held the ball, his eyes full of hope and determination.
“Sure. But I’m not standing in the middle of the posts for you just yet.” Adam lined him up, whispered in his ear as he got himself ready and then stepped back.
Cory watched as the ball sailed close to the poles but skimmed the top of the net landing in the grass and bounced under the stands. His friends laughed, slapped each other’s shoulders and yelled derogatory remarks that made Cory blush in shame.
“Ignore them and try again. This time, don’t curve your foot so far to the left, keep your toes on point. You want to imagine a dotted line taking a lazy curve but your big toe has to lead the way. You can do it if you practice hard enough. Took me months of trying day and night to get the right angle and I still practice all the time to keep my eye in.” Adam turned to his friends. “You guys can cut the noise if you want a turn. Give your friend a little respect.” They huddled together and kept quiet, jostling to be first in line.
Cory placed the ball and took a step back, glancing at Adam for reassurance. Then he looked at the goal, down to the ball and up again before taking a steady breath. He stepped forward and kicked with a solid whack of his foot.
The scream from his friends as the ball slammed into the back of the net had Cory grinning. It was on the high side but that didn’t matter, it was in the goal. Adam slapped him on the shoulder. “Good job. See, if you know where you want the ball to go and you can imagine its trajectory, you’re halfway there. Keep practicing.” He nudged the boy to the back of the line. “Right, who’s next?”
By the time he got to his parents’ house, it was dark and the house was a sea of lights. His mother hated the dark when she was at home alone and he felt a twinge of regret staying so late with the kids, knowing she was expecting him. He parked his car and walked into the kitchen, not surprised to see her at the stove standing over a large pot of warming stew. The smell of onions, garlic and tomatoes made his stomach rumble.
“You’re late. Have a busy day?” She lifted the spoon and tested the gravy, nodded her satisfaction and turned down the stove. “I made your favorite. Did you want to eat here or take it home for later?”
“Reasonable day.” He sniffed the pot and smiled. One of the things he made the most of when he came home, was his mother’s cooking. “I think I’ll eat with you tonight and if you have plenty, I won’t say no to a take-out meal too. I stopped at the school to help some boys. Remember little Cory, Jake Woods’s kid? He was playing soccer with his friends and convinced me to show him how to kick. Time got away on us.”
“That was nice of you, Adam. Those poor kids are desperate to win a district championship but it hasn’t happened so far. Dad always hoped you’d lend a hand with the school team. Maybe you could see your way to...”
“Already been asked, Mom. I told them to talk to Coach Miller about me doing a one off coaching session. I don’t have time to commit to anything else because I don’t know when I’m going back.” He opened the fridge and took out a soda, popped off the top, throwing it in the bin. “Newcomer to town today. Dakota Moore has rented Galway Cottage for twelve months. Seems a very nice person, bubbly and friendly. She’s a half-sister to Mari Moore, you know the lady that bought the Lake Hotel.”
“Really? That’s interesting. We thought that old hotel would never sell with all the work it needs. Hope she has some good ideas. Was lovely in its day.” She picked up a glass of wine she had on the kitchen counter and placed it down at the kitchen table. From the fridge she took a bowl of the salad Adam ate on a daily basis despite the colder weather, and placed it down within his reach. “I wonder what your father knows about her.”
“Knowing you, you’ll have all the information you want out of her yourself by the end of the week.” He took a seat at the table, picked at a piece of red pepper from the top of the bowl and ate it, savoring the crunch. “How’s Dad today?”
“Cranky. He wants to come home. You know how much he hates being made to sit still.”
Adam took a sip of his drink to wash down the heat of the pepper. “I don’t blame him but considering he’s had major heart surgery he’s going to have to do as he’s told.”
“He understands he’s lucky to be alive but still, he’s not used to being so useless. His words, not mine. I’ll take him any way I can have him.” She sat opposite Adam. “I’m so lucky they got to him in time. I was terrified he was going to die.”
He reached out and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I know. I can imagine how you must have felt. When you called me, I couldn’t get home fast enough. Every mile was agony wondering if I would make it in time. Now we have to make sure he takes it easy and recovers properly before he eases back into his routine. Last thing we need is a relapse of any kind.” He doubted they would be so lucky a second time considering the severity of the first attack.
His mother smiled and linked her fingers on the table in front of her. “I want to talk to you about that. The doctor thinks it’s time your father retired. He’s been doing far too much lately and it’s taken its toll.”
He hadn’t seen that coming. “He won’t do it. You know he’s going to fight you on this, don’t you? The last thing Dad would want to do is sell the business.”
“I know. It’s going to be hard but honey, we don’t need the money. We’re set for life and that’s what I want with your father, a decent life so we can do things together. I want to travel and we can’t do that with the business tying us to town. I wonder if you can talk to him about it, maybe he’ll let you put out feelers. See if there’s anyone in town interested in buying it.”
“It’s so good to see you. How’s the hand faring up after that long drive?”
Dakota held it up, wiggled her fingers in her half-sister’s face, flexed them a few times to prove she was okay. “Not too bad actually. The cold weather is always going to be hard with the circulation but it’s something I can deal with. Much better alternative than having two fingers amputated.”
Even though they hadn’t grown up together the girls were still close. The years living with her drug addicted mother after their divorce and her father’s subsequent new marriage, hadn’t turned Mari bitter toward her half-sisters.
“I wish you’d let me unpack for you. I could have saved you all this work.” She pointed to the boxes and the wrapping paper that littered the floor.
“Thank you but you know I want to do it myself. My mom and Dad smothered me after the accident. I know they meant well but it got to the stage where I didn’t think I’d ever be able to look after myself again if I didn’t leave. Unpacking and setting up this house is going to be good for me.”
She looked up at the ceiling, listening to her nephew squealing with glee as he watched the movie his mother had set up in the loft bedroom for him. “I love hearing that child so happy.” The scars no longer worried her as they had when she’d first seen what the surgeons had managed to do for her. Ragged lines of shiny skin ran across the back of her left hand, crisscrossed over all but her index finger. They would fade with time but Dakota was realistic. Her scars were there to stay.
Mari smiled. “Me too. When Rake died five years ago, I had horrible visions of Noah growing up missing him terribly and not being able to come to terms with being a fatherless child. But since he was so little when it happened, he’s coping much better without a father figure than I hoped.” She curled her legs underneath her and leaned back on the couch, a glass of wine in one hand, the fire crackling in the grate. Vanilla scented candles now sat in glass containers in the window filling the room with the warm comforting smell. Dakota had found it impossible to ignore the boxes after Adam had left and managed to get through two before her sister arrived.
“Once you get acquainted with your foster parents again, he’ll have more family and that’ll go some way toward making up for it. That was the idea for you moving here in the first place. Have you seen them yet?” Dakota sipped her wine and watched her sister’s reaction. The crackle of the wood fire seemed louder than it should have been when there was no immediate response.
Finally Mari spoke. “No. they’re away overseas and won’t be back for weeks which is good in a way. Gives me time to settle in and think about how I’m going to approach them. They were great foster parents and I didn’t appreciate that enough. Looking back, I can’t believe I gave them so much trouble. They may not even want to see me, and I wouldn’t blame them in the slightest. Have you thought of that?”
She put her glass down and pulled a tissue from the box on the table in front of her, dropping her head into her hands.
“You’re scared, you poor thing.” Dakota moved over to Mari and sat with her arm around her shoulders, wondering why she hadn’t noticed the frailness in her before. Mari put on a good front and she suspected she always had. “Do you really think they’ll take it that badly, hold your past against you? I mean, surely they’ll want to see Noah and you too for that matter. Once they know what happened of course, why you ran away.”
“I caused them nothing but trouble when my mom died and they took me in. I don’t see them welcoming me with open arms after what I put them through. I’m sure when they know I’m here they’ll avoid me like the plague. I don’t blame them. I’d do the same if I was them.” She rubbed the heels of her hands into her eyes and sniffed. “I’ll be fine and so will Noah. When the time is right I’ll tell them what happened and why we left Cherry Lake. Until then, I’m going to concentrate on my business and try to get involved in the community again. I want us to belong, Dakota.”
“You always belonged, Mari. You just never let yourself believe it.” Dakota smoothed her hand down the back of her sister’s head.
Mari smiled and took a breath. “This move is about you. We have to get you back into the land of the living, make new friends and get your business up and running again.”
“Funny thing is, that’s exactly what you should be doing too.”
Mari nodded her head. “You’re right. One day at a time for both of us.”
Dakota clasped her hands together, excitement, anticipation tinged with a sliver of fear racing up her neck. “Can I show you something? And if I do, will you promise to be honest and not sugarcoat your remarks because of my accident and the whole debacle with my fiancé dumping me?”
“Sure. You know I always tell the truth. What is it, show me?” She got off the blue-and-white striped couch and pulled Dakota up with her, a mischievous grin breaking out on her tear stained face.
“Follow me. When I was recuperating, Dad wouldn’t let me get my tools out of storage. Claimed it would be cruel to let me try and make jewelry when my hand wouldn’t work properly. So I bought a basic tool set online and started working on something I already had in the early stages of production before the accident. Something completely different to my jewelry that I didn’t tell anyone about. You’re the first to see them.”
“Ooh I like that.” They gave a conspiratorial giggle and a bump of hips.
They hurried into the workroom and Dakota flipped open the lid on the packing box on her workbench she’d put aside earlier. She took a tissue wrapped object out and placed it on the table, turning to Mari. “You have to promise to be honest.”
“Scout’s honor.” She lifted her fingers in the scout salute and grinned. “Come on, already.”
Dakota unwrapped the decoration, her heart pounding and held it out to her sister.
“Oh my goodness.” Mari took the fragile glass and copper angel, held it up to the light and watched the rainbows dart over the ceiling as the decoration spun on its golden thread. “That is so beautiful. I’m so envious of your talent, honey.”
“You really like it?” She analyzed it as it swung, noting the blues and purples in the copper edging, wondering if she should have used a different metal and made them brighter. Perhaps silver would have been a better idea but the copper had appealed to her sense of color matching, thinking it would make a good replacement for gold. That metal would have put the ornaments beyond the average person’s wallet and that wasn’t what she was aiming for with this new collection. She wanted something anyone could afford. Something worthy of being handed down generation after generation.
“Its stunning, Dakota. Really stunning. Did you do the glass yourself?”
“No, definitely not my forte. I buy all the components from a factory in Egypt and let my imagination take over. Welding them together with copper makes for a really luxurious bauble, I think.”
Mari smiled her agreement, holding the angel up again. “This isn’t a bauble, honey. It’s a work of art. I should hire you to make me a heap of these for the hotel. We need to showcase your talents. Even if you can’t go back to making the finer jewelry you used to make, these would sell like crazy.”
“I’m kind of hoping so too. I’ve already got together a website to see if they take off, still under the Glitterz label. The response has been huge but I’m not taking orders yet, just testing the market, putting out feelers. Each one is unique, same as all of my creations. I’m going to launch it once I take some more photos of what I’ve done so far.”
“I can tell you for a fact that you will be worked off of your feet once word gets out. And with Christmas fast approaching, the timing couldn’t be more perfect.” Mari held the angel in her hand. “I have an idea. There’s a meeting at the hotel this week. Some of the locals want to try and raise money for the Grange. It’s run-down and Mr. Clement senior wants to try and band the town together and see if they can save it before it’s too late. Every year that goes by is a year lost that they can’t get back and something else deteriorates beyond repair. You should come. Be a great chance to meet everyone and you could put your hand up to help.”
“I don’t know. I’d rather have time to find my feet and ease into the community slowly. I don’t want to roll in like a steam engine and make my presence known by taking over.” She took the angel back and wrapped it in the tissue, placing it in the box for safe keeping.
Mari gave a chuckle. “I know something that you don’t.” She leaned her elbows on the workbench and grinned.
With a roll of her eyes, Dakota gave in. “Spill it, Sis.”
“I had a look around the Grange earlier today. Adam gave me the tour because he’s had to take over from his father for now and they think my hotel would be a good place to hold all the meetings. For my part I only have to supply them with snacks, they’ll buy their own drinks but I couldn’t refuse, especially not once I saw what they’re trying to preserve.”
“You wouldn’t anyway. It’s not in your nature and you want...”
“To belong, yes exactly. The Grange is a mess but I believe fixable if they can raise the money. Great bones and a terrific meeting place for the town.” Her lips curved in a small smile. “But what might interest you are the chandeliers. Two beauties that are screaming out for loving repairs.” She pointed to the wrapped angel. “This makes me think you could do it.”
“Really? I’ve never tackled anything like that before.” The thought of doing repair work on something as old as they must be piqued her interest. “I’d love to go and have a look.”
“I can show you tomorrow or better still, get Adam to. I’m sure he won’t mind.”
Dakota shook her head. “I don’t want to bother him. He’s a busy man.”
A laugh filled the room. “Cherry Lake is not Los Angeles, Dakota. It’s not that busy that he can’t take ten minutes off to show you the Grange. Honestly, it’ll be fine.”
Dakota’s mind started going over the possibilities.
“Let’s get dinner going. I need to get Noah to bed before he falls asleep on me. The child is growing up and getting heavier by the day. I don’t want to have to carry him up the stairs when I get home to the hotel.”
“I can’t wait to see it in the flesh. The photos you sent Mom and Dad of the hotel were awesome. So much you can do to make it a fabulous wedding destination too. You’re lucky you and Rake were financially secure before he died.”
“Yes, I am. Come over whenever you like. Can’t wait to show you around.”
The next morning Dakota woke up in her new bedroom and stretched before looking out the window. From where she lay nestled in her pillows, it gave her the feeling she was floating on Flathead Lake, peaceful and soothing. Just what she needed after the turmoil of L.A. She rubbed the side of her hand, got the blood flowing before flexing her fingers. They were much better and she gave a small prayer of thanks.
The thought of not having all four fingers and thumb after the horrific car accident she’d been in had left her in such a panic that she’d said if she could keep them, she’d treat every day as a blessing and do what she could for anyone she met. Pay if forward with kindness. That was a promise she had every intention of keeping and it looked as though she already had an opening with the community project.
Dakota threw back the blankets, slid out of bed and padded down the hallway to the kitchen. Tiny pranced around her feet until she opened the back door. “Stay home, little poodle.” The dog ran outside, did her business and made a beeline for the bushes and started sniffing.
Once the coffee machine started to warm up, Dakota scurried to the bathroom for a quick shower, reveling in the fact that for the first time in months, she was on her own again. In her own space to do as she pleased. Even the loss of her beautiful condo couldn’t dampen her spirits this morning. She dressed in winter running gear with a warm jacket and carried her runners and gloves into the kitchen. Tiny lay in the sunshine in the middle of the lawn sunning herself and Dakota left her there while the first cup of coffee hit her bloodstream.
“Let’s go for a walk and explore our new town.” Dakota jiggled the lead and Tiny came running. She slid her cell phone into her jacket pocket, walked out the front door ready to take on whatever the day threw at her. Sunlight shimmered over the lake as she crossed over to the sandy shore. The fresh clean smell of the water went a long way to making her feel invigorated and ready for exercise despite the cold. Few people were out this early but that didn’t deter her. She started a brisk walk toward the main road, Tiny prancing beside her. A jogger ran by her, called out a greeting as they passed.
After half an hour of brisk walking, Dakota spied the real estate office. Yesterday when she’d arrived, all she could think of was getting her keys and finding her cottage. Exploring held no interest, she was too tired and wound up after her long drive. Today she wanted to see what the town had to offer. Now seemed like as good a time as any to poke her nose into different shops and see what was available.
Tiny kept pace as they crossed the road. Dakota smiled greetings to those she passed and walked down the street taking in the sights and smells of Cherry Lake. She spied Adam jogging toward her and raised a hand in greeting. “Good morning.”
He stopped and bent over, catching his breath. His T-shirt was damp with sweat and clung to his skin, showing off a very trim, fit body. Baggy track pants hung low on his hips giving her a peek at a flat stomach. He grinned at her, a sexy heartwarming smile that had her heart thumping. He really was having an unexpected effect on her. Lousy timing though.
“Good morning, Ms. Moore.”
“Dakota, please. You did say this was a friendly town, no point in trying to be too stuffy. Besides, we’ve already had a drink together, we can hardly act formal after our first unofficial date.” She grinned as Tiny pirouetted in front of Adam for attention.
“Ah, I see what you meant yesterday.” He crouched down and ran his fingers over her head, paying attention to her ears. “So very soft.”
“Yes it is. And she doesn’t shed like most dogs do which is a win-win for me.”
Adam stood up, grinned down at her. “How did you sleep? It must have been weird to wake up to boxes everywhere.”
“Very well, thank you and yes, I can’t wait to open the boxes. It’s a gorgeous cottage and it’ll be fun to get reacquainted with my goods. I slept like the dead and woke ready to discover the joys of Cherry Lake. Seemed like a good idea to have an early morning walk.”
He pointed down past his office. “If you head down there a little bit you can get the best coffee and waffles for breakfast you’ve ever had. I’ll vouch for that. There’s a dress shop, a hair salon and a pharmacy, as well as a gift shop. Go across a couple of streets and the library and council buildings are there. Down the other direction heading toward Poulson, you’ll find a much larger range of shops and businesses. All run by friendly locals and that’s where your sister’s new business is in case you didn’t already know.” He paused to wave at someone that drove past before turning back to her again. “The Lake Hotel is a landmark in the area. Not sure how she managed to get the owners to sell. I have the feeling it became too much for the old couple. Too much work and ongoing problems with staff. She’ll have her work cut out for her bringing it back up to scratch. I wish her all the best. It’s a beautiful hotel.”
“And she’s thrilled to bits as well. It was a timing thing apparently. I’ll go over there later. Right now, the coffee and waffles sound like what I need. Thanks.”
Two teens on bikes came pedaling madly toward them and skidded to a halt, spitting up gravel from the edge of the sidewalk. Tiny huddled behind Dakota’s legs whimpering.
“Hey, Adam.”
“Cory, you trying to get someone killed with that thing?”
“Nah, I know how to ride. We wanted to catch you before you started work. Coach Miller called my dad last night.” He smiled at his friend and nudged him with his elbow. “Said to tell you he’ll be in touch about the coaching clinic. My dad said you’re pretty cool doing what you did yesterday and thanks for offering to help out. He’s more excited than I am about you bringing some of your famous teammates down here to help us kids improve our game. Coach wants to talk to you about it too.”
Adam’s cheeks had colored and Dakota looked at him with fresh eyes. The cute guy had a soft side too. That was interesting. It would be if she was interested, that is. Which she wasn’t. Not yet.
“It’s not a promise, Cory. Merely a suggestion but as I said, I’ll do what I can to get some of the guys to agree. I don’t know how long I’m here for so it will all have to fall together in a short amount of time or it’s a no-go.”
“Yeah, sure. But you’ll do your best, right?”
“Of course I will. I’d hardly have mentioned it if I didn’t want to make it work. And tell your dad I’m glad to be of help.” He cleared his throat. “Cory, I want you to meet Dakota Moore. She’s renting the gray cottage.”
“Yeah, I know. Granddad told me.” He bent down and let Tiny sniff his hand before he ruffled her head. “Your dog came and saw me this morning. She’s pretty cute.”
“I didn’t know that. I thought she was out the back when I was in the shower. Feel free to send her home if she comes back again. I don’t want her going on the road.”
“Sure thing.” He nudged his friend. “Okay, gotta go and get the others to practice what you showed us before Coach catches us larking around town. No such things as days off, he reckons.”
“I agree with him. Get practicing and put that helmet on. Lot of good it will do hanging on the handlebars.”
Groans of protest came from Cory as he slammed the helmet on his head.
“I might see you later and say hi to your grandfather and dad for me.” Adam grinned as they sped off toward the school grounds.
“Cute kids. Coaching class and famous team members, what is it that you do exactly? You did say but I’m not sure I got the idea.”
“Soccer, Seattle Sounders to be exact. Look, you don’t want to join me for a coffee, do you? I haven’t had one yet and I can introduce you around. I’ll understand if you don’t want to, I’ve been running and could probably use a shower before I get close to anyone.”
Was he hitting on her? Dakota watched him, trying to figure out his motives.
“Just coffee, Dakota. I’m not looking for anything else. I have a life to go back to in the city when my father is feeling up to getting on with life again.”
Embarrassment heated her cheeks. He knew she thought he was flirting with her. What the heck? She’d have to be more careful in the future to hide her thoughts. “Sure. I, um wasn’t thinking anything else. Coffee sounds great and I’ve been working up a sweat too so no big deal.”
Why did he find her so attractive? Was it the way she viewed everything with such enthusiasm and glee, a childlike fascination? Such a vivacious personality. He was like that once. Keen to learn new things, meet new challenges. That was what had taken him from Cherry Lake to play for the Seattle Sounders. Eight years in the top league had been an incredible ride. He’d traveled overseas, played against some of the best players in the world, met some of his own heroes of the sporting world and made lifetime friends as well as set himself up financially for the future.
But his time was coming to an end, he knew that. It hadn’t been the talk from his mother last night that had started the niggles of doubt over his playing future. A couple of months ago his own doctor had suggested he rethink his long-term career at a regular health check.
He’d gone over the X-rays, prodded and poked and gave his damning opinion. “Adam, I don’t like how your knee has taken so much trauma. You’ve had two reconstructions and you’re pretty much guaranteed to need another one the way you play. I’m not sure how much longer soccer will be a viable career. One severe knock and it could all be over. You need to think of the future.” He’d peered over his glasses, his mouth a tight grim line. “I know you don’t want to hear it, none of you guys ever do and I’d be failing in my duty of care if I didn’t bring the subject up. But the fact of the matter is that one day you’ll have to give up the sport. Don’t you think it would be wiser to do that before you’re forced to quit due to another injury?”
“Sure, it would be the sensible thing to do if I was worried about my health but I’m not. I have another season at least in me, maybe two. Why would I want to give that up?”
“Because if you don’t and you have another operation, I can’t guarantee that you won’t suffer from arthritis or end up with a cane. It’s highly likely that you’ll end up with joint problems anyway and playing on will only cement that fact. Is it worth it?”
He’d left the doctor’s office with more questions than answers. His father’s heart issues may have been the timely reminder he needed to sort out his future. Not something he thought he would ever be ready for.
“Earth to Adam.” Dakota watched him come back to the present and he looked away from her inquisitive eyes.
“Gosh, sorry. I had a moment down memory lane. Very rude of me. Where were we?”
She sighed and gave him a warm smile. “Mari suggested you show me the Grange when you have time. She wants me to come to the meeting and see if I can help out with the repairs.”
“That’s very kind of you to offer to help when you’ve only just moved to Cherry Lake. The more the merrier.” Adam grimaced as his mother’s neighbor walked past their outside table and gave him a knowing look. Better to take the bull by the horns. “Mrs. Ferris, how are you this morning?”
“Hello, Adam. How lovely to see you and this is, Miss?” She stood waiting to be introduced.
“Dakota Moore, meet Arabella Ferris, my mother’s neighbor and our local librarian.”
Dakota stood up and held out her hand. “How lovely to meet you, Mrs. Ferris.”
Arabella preened. “Arabella, please. So, I hear you’re having a meeting tomorrow night to sort out funding for the Grange, Adam. I hope you have some good ideas. That place is going to rack and ruin. My poor father would turn over in his grave if he could see it now.”
She leant down and whispered in Dakota’s ear although everyone could hear her. “My father built that for the town. All the dances were held there, any meeting of importance as well. It’s such a shame it went out of fashion and fell into neglect.”
“I’d love to be involved. My sister told me about it last night when I arrived in town.”
Arabella perched on a vacant chair. “Oh, so you’re the new girl that moved into Galway Cottage. Rupert Woods will be pleased to have it inhabited again. Such a pretty little residence.”
“He’s the owner, Woodsie? I didn’t know that.” Not that it made any difference to Dakota that the handyman who supplied her with wood owned the cottage.
Arabella nodded her head, seemingly in no hurry to move on. “Yes, he owns most of the cottages in that little cove. His son Jake and grandson Cory live with him now. Been there since his wife passed away. Such a shame when she died, lovely girl she was.”
Adam finished his coffee and placed the mug down on the table, reached down to rub Tiny’s ears again hoping Arabella would move along.
Arabella continued to chatter away. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow night then, Dakota. You’ll be there I assume, Adam, standing in for your father?”
“Wouldn’t be anywhere else.” He watched her bustle away toward the library. “Sorry about that. She means well but she’s a terrible gossip.”
“I like her. She seems very passionate about the town.” Dakota watched him, a twinkle in her eyes. “I don’t mean to push, Adam, but is there any chance I can get to see the Grange before the meeting so I can work out what I can do to help if anything? I’m really keen to be involved.”
He ran his calendar through his mind. A quick shower, a house showing at 10:30 and nothing much else that he knew of. “I can take you over at lunchtime today. Would that suit you?”
“Sounds perfect. Do you want me to meet you there? Just tell me the address.”
