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Dakota stood in the middle of the great room and turned full circle. The heels of her boots clicked on the dusty wooden floorboards, echoing in the otherwise silent space. The emotions rolling over her face warmed Adam. Wonder mixed with a growing sense of excitement shimmered from her very expressive blue eyes. Ms. Moore would not be the person to hide something from you. She would never be able to pull the shutters down on her thoughts. He sneezed as years of decay and neglect teased his nose.
“Oh bless you. I can’t believe this place, it’s so beautiful. Or at least it will be once it gets a makeover.” She lifted her head and her gaze locked onto the chandeliers. One hung precariously lopsided, one of the support chains broken. The dusty cobweb covered crystals failed to give off the stunning rainbows even with the sun drifting in through the tall windows. Strands of spider web hung like strings of pearls from crystal to crystal, coating the chandeliers with a fine net of dust.
“That’s the hope, anyway. My father remembers coming to dances here when he was at school. I don’t know why everyone stopped using it and let it fall into disrepair but there’s still plenty of life in the old building. Dances became passé or something, from what my mother said. The drive-in movie theater seemed to be more popular and sadly this is the result. Be a shame to see it go completely to ruin.”
She tossed her wayward curls over her shoulder and grinned at him, the faint waft of strawberry shampoo fighting with the smell of dust. “I can imagine all sorts of activities being held here. It has such a nice welcoming vibe to it.”
Adam roared with laughter. “A welcoming vibe. I guess that kind of sums it up.” She was such a breath of fresh air. Why hadn’t he met anyone like her in the city before? He might have settled down by now if he had.
Dakota grabbed his hand and pulled him into a faint beam of sunlight forcing its way through a dirty windowpane. “Close your eyes and let your imagination take over.”
He did as she asked, happy to be spending time doing something so calming after the stress of the last few weeks. It felt right to be with her, letting his imagination drift away from the stress of the last couple of weeks. Funny how much he’d looked forward to spending time alone with her.
Her voice filled his head. “Listen to the hushed chatter of the dancers as they wait for the orchestra to take their positions on stage. The red velvet curtains flutter and the patter of footsteps build the anticipation of a fabulous night. Your mother and father stand with their friends, excited to be allowed to attend this year’s Christmas Ball.” Her breath wafted over his neck as she spun the story.
“Even the watchful eye of their parents from the side cannot take away the newfound thrill they’ve found being together. The curtain opens, a tap of a baton against wood signals the start of the music. Your father grips your mother’s hand, slides another behind her back, gives her a gentle smile and is poised ready to take her away in the opening waltz.”
Dakota moved to the front of him and leant into his body, the touch of her sending his pulse racing. “The music starts, soft melodic strains reach into his soul and they begin to move together, all too soon oblivious of those around them. They become their own island, their own world where no one can interrupt or steal away the joy they feel being here together.”
She’d slipped her hand into his, began to move and together they danced to the music in their heads. His hands felt right as they held her close. It was as though she belonged there. Adam opened his eyes and looked into the smiling face turned up to him. “How do you do it, Dakota? You had me there with them. Kind of creepy to be in my parents’ heads but also very cool. Your imagination is awesome.” He continued to lead her around the dusty floor, loath to let her go. It would seem that coming home had become more important than he’d first thought. Now he had more to think about than playing another season. His parents had started their future in this town. Could he find something to keep him here too besides the house he owned? It was beginning to seem like anything was possible.
“Joys of being a crafty person, I guess. I can imagine almost anything if I put my mind to it. Probably the reason why my jewelry sells so well. My customers can feel what I can when I’m designing it.”
“Your jewelry?”
“That’s right. Glitterz is my business.” She gave him a saucy wink. “But you knew that, right?”
Adam shook his head, annoyed with himself for not picking up that fact. “No. I actually thought you were a customer of hers.” He bit his lip and came to a halt, still with her hand in his. Something happened and she’d disappeared off the face of the planet. His then girlfriend had been desolate because she loved the brand. Perhaps when they got to know each other better, Dakota might tell him what had happened.
“It’s a long story and I’m sure you don’t really want to hear about it.” She looked around and he felt a pang of embarrassment as she clamped up. The last thing he wanted to do was upset her. He enjoyed her company too much. “Let’s concentrate on this building and what we have to do to bring it up to scratch. It’s far more interesting than me.” She let go of his hand and moved away, leaving him feeling desolate and alone.
“I disagree. I’ve not met such an interesting person for such a long time. I’d like to know more about Ms. Dakota Moore if she’ll be kind enough to spend time with me.” He tilted his head and watched the color tinge her perfect cheekbones. “I know I said I’d be going back to Seattle sooner or later but perhaps you could take pity and agree to a dinner date.”
“Dinner? No strings attached, kind of dinner?” She slipped her hands into her coat pockets and regarded him with a calm stare.
“A friends kind of dinner, not a one-night stand kind of thing, if that’s what you think I meant.” He wouldn’t say no it she wanted to make it more but that wasn’t what was foremost in his mind.
“I could do with a friend if you’re sure that’s what you’re offering. Invitation accepted.”
“Great. I’ll pick you up about seven pm. By the time I close up the office and pop into the hospital and say hello to my father, I think that would be about right.”
“I look forward to it, Adam. Now, back to the Grange. What are your father’s ideas for it so I can put together something of my own that will fit in with that vision?”
Dakota dressed with care for her date with Adam. Even though she said she was happy with having a friend, her mind did go over the idea of him being more which surprised her. This was the first time she’d looked at someone with any inkling of romance on her mind since Roger had left. It’d hit her earlier after they’d danced in the Grange and they’d said goodbye. She’d initially been confused by her feelings, had trouble recognizing the pull of attraction for what it was. It was a shame he wouldn’t be staying in Cherry Lake longer than was necessary. She’d have liked the opportunity to see where their friendship could go, see if a romance was possible.
But regardless, tonight she was going to enjoy herself. She brushed her hair, finished her makeup and sprayed a small amount of perfume on her throat and wrists. Her favorite, Daisy, always made her feel slightly flirtatious and feminine at the same time.
A quick glance in the mirror, a hand over her curls to make sure they were in place and she was ready. Dakota walked out to the kitchen as she did up a charm bracelet on her wrist, Tiny dancing around her feet. “You have to stay home, little poodle.”
The yaps of protest had her laughing. It was as though Tiny could understand every word she said. Her dog had always been able to predict her moods so really it wouldn’t have surprised Dakota if she could. It was almost seven o’clock. A ripple of excitement raced up her skin, goose bumps appeared on her arms. “This is ridiculous to be so worked up over a date with a friend. I need a glass of wine to calm me down before Adam arrives and I risk making a fool of myself. He said friend, Tiny, and friend is what I will strive to be. Nothing more.”
A bottle of Shiraz sat on the counter and she reached for a wineglass before she opened the bottle. As she poured, a cramp gripped her hand and the bottle slipped from her hand, shattering on the tiles and spilling wine all over the kitchen floor.
“Oh no.” Dakota looked at the mess as she massaged her hand until the cramp eased. Red wine dripped all down her dress staining it beyond repair. “What a pain.” Nothing for it, she’d have to change and clean up the floor. She walked into the tiny mudroom for the mop and bucket, hoping Adam would be running late.
The doorbell rang and Tiny raced to the door, yapping in joy. Heck, just her luck.
She left the bucket and mop in the kitchen, hurriedly wiped her hands, mopped at her dress with a tea towel, and went to open the door.
Adam stood with a bunch of daisies in his hand. His smile turned to confusion when he spied the wine down her dress. He reached out, concern in his voice. “What happened? Are you okay, Dakota?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Stupid hand cramped up and I dropped the bottle of wine and it went everywhere as you can see.” She stepped back, bit back a curse as a dribble of wine trickled down her leg and into her shoe, leaving a soggy tight clinging to a now cold foot. “Come in. I’m sorry but I have to clean up the mess and change before we go out.”
“Hey, I can use a mop. Show me the disaster area and I’ll clean up while you change.” He followed her into the kitchen, his lips twitching at the pool of red on her tiles. “You have made rather a shamble of the place, haven’t you?”
“Of course. My motto is, ‘if you’re going to do something, you may as well do it spectacularly well.’” And hadn’t she done just that?
“It just so happens that I agree and you have. Off you go, leave me with this.” He gave her a nudge and thankful for the help, Dakota hurried off to find a new outfit to wear.
Over dinner later, she laughed about the mishap even if she did think she was a klutz. “If I didn’t particularly like that red wine, I wouldn’t have been so annoyed with myself.”
Adam reached out and took her hand, looking at the scar that ran down both fingers and her palm. He ran his thumb over it and she shivered, her fingers instinctively closing over his. “Does it still hurt?”
“Not really. Just a dull ache and numb patches, which I can live with.”
“Want to share what happened?”
Dakota didn’t have the heart to refuse after he’d cleaned up her mess. Besides, it was nice to offload on someone who wasn’t intent on coddling her. He listened and agreed with her when she said she was fine.
“I get it, I do. Being in the sport I am, injuries are part of the deal. Sadly, they can be career ending too. Knock on wood,” he tapped his fingers on the table, “so far I’ve managed to avoid that. A knee reconstruction was my last stint in hospital and that was the second one I’ve suffered through.”
“But it hasn’t slowed you down, has it?”
“No. I have had to think about my future though, even if I’m not ready to quit the sport it’s something I must consider.”
“Understandable too. But my parents think I’m never going to be able to do the fine work I did before and they might be right. But I can still work, still support myself.”
“You didn’t think of changing professions?” Adam took a bite of his steak.
“No, never. I love what I do. The finer designs may be harder for me now and I might not ever be able to do what I once did but you should see what I’ve done lately. I’ve managed to find a whole new line and I’ve had so much interest already and it’s not even for sale yet.” She put down her knife and fork and rested her hands on her lap. It’d been hard to accept in the beginning, knowing she would never pick up her finest tools again but forever pragmatic, she’d considered herself lucky she still had all her fingers. Every now and then the nostalgia washed over her leaving sadness in its wake but it didn’t last for long.
“Tell me about it.” He lifted his glass and took a sip of water.
“Christmas decorations. It’s something I thought of years ago but didn’t launch. My pieces are expensive, I know that and I wanted to reach a bigger market. So, I played with a couple of ideas and started working on my Christmas decorations.”
“They weren’t in the shops though. I would have seen them.”
Dakota smiled at him. “No they weren’t. They were planned for release before I had my accident so things got put off. I still haven’t launched them.” How nice to know that he followed her career and how lucky for her that she’d already started building her stock before the crash. “I buy glass components from Egypt and form them into the shapes I want with copper strips and wires. I add other baubles to them as well, like mother of pearl beads for example. I’ve only just sent the website live so I can start filling orders for this Christmas. I’ll show you some when you drop me off if you’d like.” Her cheeks burned as she realized how that must have sounded. “Sorry, I’m getting ahead of myself. I can show you them anytime you care to see them is what I should have said.”
Adam laughed. “I’d love to see them whenever you care to share.” He reached out a hand, palm up waiting for her to take it. “We don’t know what the future holds, Dakota. Let’s agree to be friends and not overthink everything we say. Life’s too short to second-guess every sentence.”
“Agreed.” She squeezed his hand, liking his honesty and trying not to fall for his easy charm. Last thing she needed was to be hurt again. She had the feeling that he wasn’t the callous type. But she’d been wrong before.
“Have you given any thought to the future, Adam?”
He dabbed at his lips with his napkin. “I have actually. A couple of networks have offered me contracts to host sports broadcasts. I’m interested because it would mean I can travel back and forth and still live most of the week in my own house during soccer season. Not sure if I’ll get sick of the travel but it’s like having the best of both worlds if and when I decide to retire.”
“It must be nice to have such great options.”
“It is and I’m very grateful for what I have. Just not ready to make that decision yet.”
They lingered over dessert savoring the chocolate delights the restaurant was known for. Adam insisted on seeing her work when he dropped her off, brushing aside her protests that anytime would suit her. “It’s not that late and I’d love to have a look. Besides, I see one very excited little dog that wants some attention. How about you go and get a few pieces and I’ll take her outside for a walk so she can, ah, do her business?”
“That’s very kind of you.” She slid the key in the door and Tiny came running out, jumping around their feet. When Adam stepped down onto the pathway whistling, she followed him eagerly while Dakota walked inside, dropped the keys on the entrance table and headed to her workroom. She chose the first two ornaments she saw: an icicle with a mother of pearl ball on the top and a fragile glass ball wrapped in a net of the finest copper thread. Both objects showed off different skills and styles of her new line.
When she walked out, Adam was inside and seated by the fireplace with Tiny on his knee lapping up the attention.
“You are such a softie. If you let her dictate to you, she’ll think you’re here for her benefit.” She stepped over to the couch and sat down leaving space between them.
“I don’t mind, she’s pretty cute.” As if she knew what they were saying, Tiny closed her eyes and gave the impression of a smile.
Dakota put the baubles on the coffee table in front of him, unwrapped them one at a time and placed them on the tissue paper she kept them in. “These are two of the latest ones I’ve done.”
Adam reached past Tiny and picked up the icicle, turning it in his hands, his mouth hanging open as if he couldn’t believe her work. She held her breath.
“This is fantastic.”
“Really, you like them?” Why she was so keen for his approval, she didn’t know. When she figured it out, it was doubtful she would be swayed by it.
“How could I not? These are incredible, fragile and so very pretty. Anyone would love to own one of these pieces. I gather they are all one of a kind like your jewelry line?”
“Yes, they are. And they all come with the Glitterz stamp and a certificate of authenticity as well. I want people to keep these and hand them down to future generations, much like the family silver.” It didn’t seem too much to strive for. The fire crackled and sparks flew up the chimney and the smell of wood smoke hung in the air.
“How much are you selling them for? I want these two for my mother. She’d love them.”
“Accept them as my gift to you since you wouldn’t let me pay for my dinner.” She was prepared to go Dutch and it looked as if this would be a good way to get even.
He backed off horrified. “No, I couldn’t take them. They must be worth a fortune.”
“What’s money between friends? Honestly, I want you to have them, Adam. It would make me happy.” More than he could possibly know.
“Only if you’re sure. I really don’t mind paying for them and as for dinner – I invited you out.”
Dakota wanted to reach out and kiss him. The look of wonder on his face warmed her heart as he stared at her work.
“Have you thought about putting them in the gift shop in town? I’m sure Rachel would love to stock them.”
“Rachel?”
“Sorry, I forgot you don’t really know everyone yet. Rachel Smyth owns the gift shop in town. I’ll have to introduce you before I go back to Seattle. We were at school together.” He put the icicle down and picked up the ball, running his fingers carefully over the wire strands. It’d taken her hours to weave the copper threads to cradle the fragile glass but it had been worth it. “This is incredible work and I can imagine her reaction when she sees them. Your family really doesn’t need to worry about you. Your future is secure looking at these little beauties.”
A wave of pleasure rose in her chest. Recognition from someone other than her family was what she’d needed and it made all the hours of intricate work worth it. “I’m thinking about selling online too. While I was recuperating, I made them to keep my fingers supple, considered it part of my rehab. They were something I’ve wanted to trial for a while so it all worked out well. It’s helped enormously with my hand and I have quite a collection of them ready to go.” She offered him coffee.
“I’d better not. I want to check in again on my mom before it gets too late. She’s having a hard time on her own without my father. They’re so close. I don’t know what would happen to her if we lost him.”
“That’s very sweet of you. Let me wrap those decorations up before you go. You don’t want them to shatter before she sees them.” Dakota scooped them up with the tissue and went back to the workroom to wrap them before putting them in a small carry bag with her label on the front. Adam reached for the bag. “I can’t thank you enough for these.”
She walked him to the door. “You’re more than welcome. Thanks for dinner, Adam. I really enjoyed myself.”
He paused, a hand on her elbow. “I did too. Nice to have the company. We should do it again soon.” He dropped a kiss on her cheek and walked away, his hand raised in a wave.
Dakota lifted her fingers to her face. She hadn’t realized how much she missed a man’s gentle touch until now.
