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Dakota spun around and looked at herself in the mirror. The dress was perfect, the pristine white feathers layered over the full skirt gave her a sense of enchantment, as if she was in her very own fairy tale, the magic swan. The only thing missing was her prince. Dakota gave a silent prayer that Adam was okay. She hadn’t heard a word since he’d left yesterday and the worry was getting to her. If he’d had bad news, would he tell her or would he walk away thinking they never stood a chance? She’d come up with reason after reason of why they would be good together regardless of bad news. Convincing him would be the hard thing but she was prepared to fight for him.
She focused on the dress again. The sweetheart neckline showed off the pearl necklace her mother had given her when they’d arrived this morning for the gala before leaving on a vacation. Pearls that had belonged to her grandmother. Emotions rose in her throat. Her mother had worn them on her wedding day and if tradition had followed the rule, Dakota would wear them on hers. But she was breaking with tradition. Tonight was the rebirth of the confident person she used to be. The woman who wouldn’t let anything stand in her way. It’d taken quite a while but now she was feeling as though she was back to being the best she could be. She was happy her parents were here to see her new-won confidence, and she hoped that by attending the gala with her tonight, seeing Mari shine as well, would go a long way toward alleviating their worry as well as bridging the gap between her parents and Mari.
A throaty laugh escaped her lips.
“Dakota, are you okay?” Her father’s voice brought her back to reality.
“Sure, Dad. Almost ready.” She turned from the mirror, couldn’t resist looking over her shoulder. The wings were sublime. What a brilliant idea to dress as a Christmas angel. She matched her tree perfectly. Noah would be thrilled to see what she’d done after he’d seen her tree and come up with the idea.
She slipped on her pearly white heels and walked out to the lounge room where her parents sat waiting. Her mother stood up, her hand going to her mouth.
“Oh, Dakota. Look at you.” Tears filled her eyes and threatened to roll down her cheeks but she pulled herself together. “I’m almost speechless, honey. You look amazing.”
“Thanks, Mom. I feel pretty fabulous.”
Her father held out his arms, a shaky smile on his lips. “My darling girl. Beautiful, what more can I say?” He kissed her cheek and stared into her eyes. “If that man can’t see what’s good for him, he doesn’t deserve you.”
Dakota swallowed. “He has to deal with his own demons first Dad. I can’t exactly throw myself at his feet, can I?”
“You shouldn’t have to, honey. He’ll see you and go to mush. I can see it now.” Her mother dabbed her eyes, careful not to mess up her makeup.
Dakota held her hand over her stomach. Butterflies fluttered in a mad rush to escape the tension in her belly. Adam hadn’t come home yet nor had he called. Dakota was worried sick and found it hard to keep her emotions in check but what choice did she have? “It’s time to go.”
“In my car, Dakota. Tonight I’m driving my favorite girls.” He helped her mother with her coat and carried Dakota’s wrap in his hand. “Let’s go, ladies.”
When they arrived at the hotel, they parked around the back and went through the back entrance, heading upstairs to see Noah and Mari. The balustrade dripped holly and pine cones wrapped with gold and red baubles, sprinkled with snowflakes. The smell of the forest seeped from the real greenery bundled into every nook and cranny. Spray on snow tipped the pine needles and Dakota felt a rush of Christmas cheer ripple through her body.
Dakota had barely knocked on the door when it was flung open and Noah stood there. “Did you do it?”
In answer, she did a slow turn and showed off her wings.
“Mom, come look at this.” Noah reached out and touched the copper creation that sat firmly on her back. “Wow, they’re so cool.”
“Oh my, Dakota, how incredible.” Mari walked out, clipping earrings on her earlobes and stopped gaping at her little sister. She shook her head. “How come I didn’t get the creative genes in this family?”
“Sweetheart, you got the right genes. All my girls are creative in their own way.” Her father leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You look amazing. Doesn’t she Noelene?”
“Yes, she does. But both the girls do. You’ve done a beautiful job decorating the hotel, Mari. There’s something about the way you position everything that draws the eye exactly where you want it and if I’m right, Noah has the same creativity.” She stroked her grandson’s hair. “This is going to be such an exciting evening. I’m on tenderhooks waiting for the auction.”
“Mom, Dad, I want you to promise not to buy my tree.” Dakota held up her hand when her father started to protest. “I can deal with the critiques on my creation, I promise. I don’t have any problem with someone else winning tonight, although I’m dying to find out who. That’s not why I entered.”
“I know why you did.” Her father stepped over to her. “You did it to prove you can cope on your own, didn’t you?”
Dakota swallowed. “Yes, but you knew that’s why I moved here.” She glanced at her family in turn. “I know you all meant well but it was important to me and so is earning the respect of the town. That won’t happen if you go and buy my tree, Dad.”
“She’s right, honey.” Her mother spoke up, a wistful gleam in her eyes. “As much as it will have us all on tenderhooks, Dakota has the right to prove to us all that she is more than capable of running her own future.” She walked over and kissed her daughter, squeezed her hands. “I’ll do my best to control your father, but that hasn’t always worked so well in the past.”
“Thanks, Mom.” She stared at her elder sister. “That means you too. Do not bid on my tree or I’ll be very cross with you.”
“But I wanted it for the hotel. If I don’t bid on yours, that means I’ll have to make my own and I don’t have the time.”
“Excuses, excuses.”
Mari stood staring, waiting for Dakota to give in and tell her she could buy it but she refused.
“Right, this isn’t getting things moving. Let’s go down and see who’s arrived.” Mari brushed past them, held open the door to the flat and ushered them all out.
The large ballroom was a hive of activity with people milling around, chattering excitedly and trying to peek past the roped off Christmas tree section.
As soon as they descended the stairs, the questions started.
“When will we get to see the trees?”
“Who is doing the auction?”
“Can I get a sneak peek at the trees?”
Mari clapped her hands for attention. “Welcome to the Cherry Lake Christmas Tree Auction and Gala Ball. Just so everyone knows, here is a quick rundown on the evening.”
Dakota stood to one side with her parents and marveled at how well Mari had everything organized.
“We start with drinks and greetings. When our esteemed mayor arrives, she will have a few words to say before we display the trees. Dinner will commence at 8:30 with dancing to follow until 10:30 when the winner of the competition will be announced.” She paused as a cheer rolled round the room. “Then we will have the auction. Be warned, people of Cherry Lake. The trees are stunning and you will have to fight to own one.” Mari smiled and waited for a hush to descend on the room.
“Right now I want you all to enjoy yourselves and remember that this is for the Grange, for our children’s future and for the Cherry Lake community. Have a great time and make the most of what’s promising to be a fabulous night.”
Applause greeted the end of her speech. Her father moved to stand beside her. “You know, Mari, your talent is right here. Organizing people and events, that takes skill. I’m proud of you, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Dad.” She blushed and reached for his hand. “I’m glad you and Noelene are here.”
“Me too.”
Noelene reached for her other hand. “Go and do what you have to and leave Noah to me and your father.”
Mari looked into her stepmother’s eyes and for a moment Dakota thought she saw a shimmer of tears. “Thanks.” Then she hurried away through the crowd toward the bar where she set about organizing staff and any little problems that might have cropped up.
“I’m so proud of how she’s coping. Taking on this hotel was a huge task for her, along with raising this young man.” Noelene dabbed at her eyes.
“You could always spend more time down here, you know.” Dakota surprised herself as the words popped out of her mouth but found she really did mean it. Now it felt like she had found her footing in Cherry Lake, she no longer feared the thought of her parents wrapping her in cotton wool. She could deal with whatever they threw at her.
Her father coughed and shared a glance with her mother. “We might just do that.”
“Can you, Grandad, really?” Noah clapped his hands. “It’d be cool if you stayed here often. Mom said you might if I asked you using my best manners.”
Dakota smiled at the shock on her parents’ faces. They’d been so worried for far too long that Mari would blame them for the way her childhood had turned out. She already knew the true story but it seemed like the parents worried for nothing.
“Um, you know what, Noah? I don’t see any good reason not to spend more time here. We’re retired, we can do what we like.” He tucked his arm around his grandson’s shoulders. “Let’s go and get a drink of punch. This calls for a celebration.”
Dakota scanned the crowd looking for Adam. “You guys go ahead. I have to say hello to a few people and give my tree one final check.”
“Don’t stress over it, Dakota. I’m sure it looks beautiful, besides the judges have already made their decision.” Her mom buzzed her cheek and followed her father and Noah.
“Oh my goodness. Look at you.” Dakota turned as Cory, Jake and Woodsie walked into the ballroom, dressed in their finery. “Our own Christmas angel.” Cory bumped fists with her and she accepted a hug from his grandfather. Jake stood watching her, a look in his eyes she couldn’t decipher.
“Thanks. It was Noah’s idea and I thought, why not?” She smiled with Jake, then looked over his shoulder when more people walked in.
“Adam back yet?” Jake looked concerned and she brushed it off, not willing to give into her deepest fears yet.
“No. He said he might be late depending on flights.” Dakota pushed down the anxiety clawing up her throat. “It’ll be fine, I’m sure.”
Jake took her arm, gave her a brief hug. “If you need to talk to anyone, I’m here, okay?”
Did he know something she didn’t? Worry started to chew at her heels. She didn’t want to miss out on that dance with Adam. Not because she would be short on dance partners but because if he didn’t make it back tonight, she would worry herself sick until she saw him. “Thanks. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
“Make sure you save this old man a dance, Dakota.” Woodsie gave her his trademark wink.
“I will, promise.” She ducked away behind the curtain, panic rattling her nerves and took a couple of deep breaths. Her tree sat quiet and still as if waiting for the chance to bloom. In her purse, tucked away for the right moment was the remote control for the lights she had promised to trial. The smell of fresh pine needles went a small way to soothing her nerves. She could do this. Put on a brave face and accept what happened tonight even if it killed her.
If Adam made it back tonight and his health was good, she would be over the moon, because they would have a chance for a relationship. If things weren’t as they both hoped, Dakota would offer her love regardless. She’d take him as she found him. Love didn’t come with guarantees. His parents had found that out. So had her sister and she at least had Noah to remind her daily of the man who she’d lost. A short intense love was better than no love at all.
The curtain whipped aside. “What are you doing hiding in here?” Rach stepped in, a frown on her face.
“I’m not hiding.”
“Yeah, you are. Funny enough, we might have only known each other for a short time but I can read you like a book, Dakota. You’re stressing over Adam, aren’t you?”
She hung her head and brought her hands to her face. “Gosh, I’m truly pathetic. If you can figure that out, I guess everyone else can too.”
“I doubt everyone else has my incredible powers of observation and you’re not pathetic. He’s a good guy and I’m sure everything will be fine. Adam wouldn’t let you down if he could help it. He’s not the type.” Rach wrapped an arm around Dakota’s shoulders and stood looking at the tree. “I’m a little scared to ask what’s going on here. I mean, the angels are gorgeous and all but I sense something else is about to happen to make this tree stand out from the rest.” She groaned. “I have no hope, no hope, I tell you.”
A laugh chortled up Dakota’s throat. She couldn’t help it and half suspected that was the idea. “You are such a tease. Your tree will be beautiful. I know it will.”
Rach pulled at the curtain between their sections, showing off her finished entry. “Look. That is an awful mess compared to your rather sedate creation.”
Dakota sucked in a breath. Rachel’s tree was a mass of red and varying shades of gold that reeked sophistication and style. Tiny lights poked their tips out between fake fairy soft snowflakes, layered over gold reindeer in different poses. It reminded her of a photo shoot from a Home Beautiful Christmas special magazine. Opulent, inviting and picture perfect in every detail. “Oh my goodness. That is one stunning tree. I think you have the winner without a doubt.”
A twitch of Rachel’s lips indicated her pleasure. “Not bad but certainly not that unique like yours.”
“You have me there but unique isn’t always the be all and end all.” And if the lights failed to perform, unique could be very bad. “I’m fully prepared to have an epic fail because I am trying something new and exciting for a friend.”
“This gets more interesting every minute.” Rach closed the curtain between their trees. “Come on out and enjoy yourself and have faith in Adam. I intend to have a drink or two to take away the edge. Tonight I want to let my hair down. You should follow suit.”
“Everything alright?” A slight bitterness had tinged Rachel’s words and Dakota wanted to soothe away the pain.
“Sure. Nothing a drink won’t fix. Come on.” She grabbed Dakota’s arm and dragged her out to join the swelling crowd of locals all dressed up in their finery. “Your sister sure knows how to put on a good show, doesn’t she? The hotel is looking fabulous. Never seen so many locals out in one place before.”
“That she does. You should have seen her shop in L.A. I really can’t believe she left it all behind to move here but she insisted it would be better to raise Noah in a smaller community.”
“But if she didn’t come here, would you have?” Rach took a glass of bubbly from a passing waiter, handed it to Dakota and took another one for herself.
“Nope.” She sipped and sighed in bliss when the bubbles danced over her tongue.
“We have a lot to be grateful for then. Cherry Lake is a lovely place for children to grow up. Might be a bit short on available men but that’s all I can complain about.” Rach swallowed half the glass before giving Dakota a grimace. “Sorry, ignore me. I’m feeling a little unloved at the moment. I feel as though I’m ready for love and risk becoming a spinster. Perhaps I should start collecting stray cats and become the crazy cat lady.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.”
“Why would you? It’s not like I’m going to publicize the lack of suitable dates. I had high hopes when Adam brought the guys in for the soccer workshop that I’d catch the eye of one of them but that didn’t happen.” She surveyed the crowd. “Most of the eligible guys here are too old, or tied to their work and don’t see me. I might have to put an ad in the paper or dance naked down the main street.”
Dakota burst out laughing. “No way! There has to be someone suitable here.”
Rach took another swig of her bubbly. “I’m pulling your leg. You were far too somber a moment ago. Besides, cats are the better idea I think.”
“Sneaky devil.” She hugged her friend. “Thanks for cheering me up. I really needed it.”
“Great. Now let me win the competition and we can call it even. If you can manage to find me a date though, I won’t complain.”
“Deal.” How on earth could she sway the judges at this late stage?
“Are you sure this is the only way to go forward, Adam?” The team manager faced him across the desk.
“I wish there was an alternative but I don’t see I have any choice.”
Pete leaned over his desk, his face a mass of sadness. “You know we’re going to miss you, right?”
“I’ve loved every minute of playing for the team, you know that. I firmly believe some things happen for a reason and I feel that the best thing for me moving forward is to retire now while I’m still capable of having a good life.” He looked at the trophies in the cabinets, trophies he’d helped to win. “I want to be able to give back, make someone else’s life as thrilling as mine has been. There’re a lot of kids out there with more talent than I ever had who normally wouldn’t get a second glance. They need someone to point them in the right direction and I hope I can be a part of that.”
“You mean like set up a training program to push school kids forward into the sport?”
“Yes. I talked it over with Buzz when he came out to Cherry Lake. The talent coming through is amazing but you know how hard it is to be picked up by the scouts. They have to be talked into coming out to your area and kids that live in country areas don’t get much of a chance compared with the big city colleges. I want to change that.”
Pete leaned back in his chair, picked up a pen and tapped it on his desk. “Hmm, and do you think we should be involved in this project somehow?”
“I’d love it. Other clubs have development squads.”
Pete pounced. “But not fifteen-year-old kids.” He leaned back again, rocked his chair which meant he was thinking.
“Perhaps that should change.” Adam looked at his watch. “I have to go, plane to catch but I’ll keep in touch.” He stood, held his hand over the desk. “You have a great Christmas and I’ll be in contact in the new year.”
