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Dakota stood chatting to Jake and Woodsie when Cory came running up to them, guilt nipping her heels because she was dawdling when she should be home working.
“Dakota, something to tell you.” He paused for a breath and thrust the jersey into his father’s arms. “Look at what I got.”
Jake took the jersey and held it up, read all the signatures on the back of it, let out an impressed whistle. “That is some souvenir, Son. You won’t want to wear that one too often. Why not get it framed and hang it in your room?”
“Good idea.” He sucked in a breath and pointed a dirt smeared finger at Dakota. “Adam wants to know if you’ll meet him at the Lake Hotel for dinner and drinks with the guys.”
He does? “Oh. I don’t really know. I should go home and do some more work. I only have about ten days left to finish my ornaments.” How early would she have to get up tomorrow to make up for it if she did? Not like she hadn’t done an all-nighter before and to spend an evening with Adam and his friends. She could imagine it was a date.
“Are you really making all of your own decorations for the tree, Dakota?” Woodsie frowned at her and scratched his head in wonder.
“Yes. I decided it was the best way to get an authentic looking tree. Nobody else will have what I have and I so want it to be different. It’s a chance to showcase my new line that I won’t get a chance to do any other time.” And her competitive streak had raised its ugly head.
Jake shuffled his feet. “You work too hard. Go out and meet the guys, let your hair down for a change.”
“Yes, go, Dakota. After all the hard work they put in today, they’re probably starving and it’s your sister’s hotel. You could take me if you like.” Cory grinned at her. “Joking but you should be there because if it wasn’t for you giving Adam a hard time, he might not have organized today.”
She stared at Cory. “I’m sure he would have.”
“Nope. He did it because you told him to.” The teen was adamant and it was no good asking his father or grandfather to back her up because they were both nodding their heads in agreement. Talk about being ganged up on. She didn’t stand a chance of saying no and to be honest, she didn’t want to either.
“Adam’s a good guy but there’s nothing like proving your worth to a woman by being capable, kind and making the effort.” Woodsie winked at her. “Go tell Adam she’ll meet him there, Cory. Girl wants to go and get prettied up for a night out.”
Cory ran off and Dakota’s shoulders slumped. “Thanks fellas for your support.”
“No, thank you for looking out for Cory. My grandson needed a break and you supplied it.” Her landlord chuckled as she hurried in the direction of her car.
She glanced in the bedroom mirror at her reflection. The sea-green dress showed off her curves and made her eyes look brighter blue. With her hair pulled up into a messy knot on top of her head with a clip fashioned from glass beads and gold thread, her own of course, she looked ready for whatever the night threw at her. Ever since the decision had been taken out of her hands, she’d given herself a strict talking to and was determined to enjoy the evening without worrying about what waited for her at home.
Dakota took a coat from the closet and stepped into comfortable cowboy boots. The temperature had plummeted since the sun slid behind the mountains, the cloudless sky making for a very cool evening. Even though she’d been told it rarely snowed in Cherry Lake, she held out hope it would sooner or later. The way it felt tonight, she wouldn’t be surprised if she drove home through a light dusting of snow.
“Sorry little poodle, you have to stay home tonight.” Tiny must have understood the words because she strutted off to the lounge room and jumped up on the couch beside the fire, dropping her head onto her paws. “Be good. I won’t be too late.”
Dakota drove the short distance to the Lake Hotel and pulled up in front. A quick hello and a hug for Noah and she would go and meet Adam and his teammates. She knocked on the upstairs apartment door and walked in.
“Dakota!” Noah jumped off the couch and ran for a cuddle.
“Hey big guy. How are you?” She smiled at her sister who was busy at the stove making dinner.
“Good.” He leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Guess who’s downstairs with Adam.”
She peeked over his shoulder at Mari who grinned at her little boy’s stage whisper. “No idea. Tell me.”
“Buzz Wallace. The soccer player.” He nodded his head. “Mom said after dinner I can go and say hello so long as I don’t annoy him too much.”
“Did she now? Let me tell you something, pal. I’m having dinner with those guys and I’ll make sure you get to see them all. How’s that?”
“Really? You promise?”
“Sure do. Now do as your mom says and I’ll see you later.” She stood up. “Adam invited me to meet the guys for a meal. I thought I’d call in for a cuddle first.”
Mari leaned her hip against the counter and the way she looked at her, Dakota knew she could see past the stalling tactic. “Uh huh.”
“Really. It’s true. I should have picked up Noah today and taken him with me but I went as a last minute thing.” She ruffled his hair. “I didn’t realize how much he liked soccer or I would have made more of an effort, so I’ll make sure he meets them all tonight before bed, okay?”
“That’s fine by me if he eats his dinner. I’ll be down later anyway to help in the bar. I gave Sid the night off before I knew we would be having such esteemed company. Gives me a chance to meet them too.”
“Okay, I’d better go. See you later, big guy.” Dakota slipped out and skipped down the carpeted stairs and paused at the entrance to the bar and sucked in a breath. Why was she a bundle of nerves? She’d had dinner with Adam before but this sounded more like a date and it was with other people around. People that meant something to him. She couldn’t work him out.
The door burst open and whacked her in the knee.
“Sorry, didn’t think anyone was there.” A vaguely familiar face stared at her. He held out his hand. “Ryan Jones and I know who you are. My wife is a huge fan of your work. Dakota Moore, right?”
The man the icicles were for. “Ryan, how lovely to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine, believe me. You’re coming in for dinner with us, yes?”
“Yes I am. I was just upstairs saying hello to my nephew. He wants to come down later and say hi to everyone after dinner if that’s alright.”
“Of course it is. We’re here to meet the locals. Excuse me, I was going to call my wife, say good night to the kids before it gets too late. Adam is in there with the boys. I’ll catch you shortly.” He smiled and pulled out his mobile phone as he found a quiet corner of the hotel to make his call.
Dakota pushed her way through the door and looked for Adam.
Buzz whistled and Adam looked to where his friend was staring. Dakota stood near the door glancing his way, a little timidly. “Excuse me, Buzz.”
His friend nudged him. “So that’s the lady that’s got you so wound up in knots.”
Wound up was one way to put it. Confused, frustrated and wondering if he could ever have her. “Yeah, you could say that.” He made his way toward Dakota and was thrilled to see the color rise in her cheeks.
“Adam.”
He leaned in and kissed her in greeting, listened to the sudden intake of breath. It seemed that she was as rattled as he was when they met. If she would stay that way until he sorted his life out, he’d be thrilled. “Come and meet the boys.”
He took her arm and steered her over to the bar where Buzz stood chatting with Leon, the midfielder from Ireland who had signed on for two seasons. “Gentlemen, I’d like you to meet Dakota Moore. Dakota, this is Buzz and Leon.”
“Dakota, now there’s a lovely name for a pretty lady.” Leon took her hand, buzzed his lips over it.
Buzz nudged him out of the way. “Give it up man, she’s spoken for. Your Irish charm won’t work this time.” He took Dakota’s hand. “Adam told me all about you. The pleasure is mine. What can I get you to drink?”
“Wine would be great thanks. The house red is very good here.”
“The hotel is very nice too. I hear your sister owns it.” Buzz leaned on the bar and gave the drinks order.
“Yes, she does. She’s a wedding planner and this place is perfect or will be when she finishes renovating.” Dakota took the wine the bartender placed in front of her and sipped. “Cheers.”
“So, what did you think of today?” Adam rested a hand on her shoulder, the heat of his skin seeping through her dress. “Did you enjoy yourself?”
“It was great, very exciting to watch too. I must say, you guys have some serious ball skills.” She put down her glass. “I had no idea that you could run a ball like that and when you showed the kids how to juggle that ball with your feet and head, well, almost made me want to give it a go.”
“We sure do know how to duck and weave with style. And those kids today, you know, I think a couple of them could be headed to the big time if they stick with it.” Buzz nodded his head. “I tell you for real, and that’s my honest opinion. What do you think, Adam?”
“I’m impressed too. Mind you, same coach I had. Has to count for something.”
Leon tried again to engage Dakota in conversation. “How do you know this crazy man, Dakota? Don’t tell me you’re a childhood sweetheart he’s kept hidden from us.”
She laughed and Adam felt a small twinge of envy at how relaxed she was around the Irishman. “No. I met Adam when I picked up the keys for my cottage. I’ve only been in Cherry Lake for a little over two months.”
“It sure is a pretty little place. Reminds me of Ireland, the town nestled on the water’s edge like it is.”
Quick as a flash, Buzz piped up. “You step on the wrong toes, you’ll be back in your own country before you know what happened, pretty boy.”
Adam grinned. “You never did tell me how you managed to change your mama’s plans, Buzz. It was a surprise to see you get out of the car with the others.”
“Told her you needed me for the kids. You know my mama, family is everything. She all but packed my bag for me. Told me to pass on her best and when you go back to Seattle you have to give her a call yourself and take the time to go see her.”
“She’s a legend. I’ll make sure I do, promise.”
“I have something you might like to take back for her too, Buzz. A little thank you from me for being so kind to our local kids.”
“Really? Hope it’s some of that special glass that you make. Ryan’s been raving on about it for days. Was going to ask if you had anything available I could take home to make Mama’s day.”
Dakota liked Buzz. A tall fine boned black man with long legs that defied belief. Agile and fast with feet that moved like quicksilver with a will of its own. “Certainly is. I have a package for each of you. Before I go, don’t let me forget to get them out of the car, okay?”
Leon smiled and stepped closer to her, nudging Adam out of the way. “You brought me a gift? Now that’s what I call friendly. Let me get you another drink, lovely lady, and tell you all about where I come from.”
