She pursed her lips and nodded her head. “I suppose you talk sense for an old man. I’d rather spend your money than have you climbing up a ladder helping me decorate anyways. Much more fun in my mind.”
Dakota laughed, glad everyone was keen. “Okay, I have entry forms printed. We can leave them here and at a couple of shops in town. Adam, can we leave some on your front desk?”
“Sure.”
“Great. I think cut off for submissions should be fourteen days from tomorrow. We don’t have a lot of time to play with. It’s going to be hectic getting everything organized but I know we can manage. Another thing while we have everyone’s attention. We need someone to do the auction and be MC on the night. Any ideas?”
“Clover White’s the mayor. Get her to do it. I’ll ask her if you like.”
“Good idea, Adam.” Percy nodded his approval.
Dakota made a note. “Fabulous. What do you say everyone, fourteen days for tree allocation forms to be in?”
“Sounds good to me.” Rachel Smyth who owned the gift shop, agreed. “Give me some too, Dakota. I’ll put some in my shop. I might even apply myself.”
“That’s great, thanks Rach and I promise I will get to you regarding putting my work in your shop.” She handed over a pile of printed forms.
“Sooner the better for me. I’m starting to unpack my new Christmas stock and I want to be able to give yours the space it deserves. Adam sung your praises before he brought you over to meet me yesterday and I know he has good taste. Looking forward to getting a look at your work.”
“That’s very sweet of you.”
“Maybe but for me it’s also about making wise business decisions. Don’t leave it too long, okay?”
Rachel sat back down and Dakota focused on the meeting. “Mari, did you want to go over what you’ve got planned for the gala night?”
Mari stood up, a folder in her hands and started talking. “We don’t have much time to pull this together as Dakota said but I can assure, I’m up to the task. I’ve organized huge weddings with much shorter notice so you don’t have to worry whether I have the ability to deliver. The bonus here for me is I only have to deal with you lovely people. No bridezilla in sight.” That comment brought a bout of chuckles as was her intention. She went on to present her vision of the gala night including an itemized menu and costings while Dakota took a seat close to Adam, leaning in toward him when he smiled at her. “You did well. I’m impressed with how much you’ve managed to put together in such a short time.”
“It’s been hectic but I love it.”
Chapter Seven
Dakota had her head bent over her workbench, a soldering iron in her hand when the knock at the front door startled her. She wasn’t expecting anyone and hadn’t heard a car drive up either, as focused as she was on the decoration on her heat mat. Tiny ran out into the lounge room and started barking excitedly. Adam stood at the door. Her heart pattered wildly in her chest. She’d been thinking about him and here he was. It made her giddy.
“Adam, how lovely to see you.” She lifted her cheek for the kiss he gave her every time they met now. One day she would pluck up the courage to aim for his lips instead. She’d been tempted last night after the meeting but her nerves had won out.
“Sorry to arrive unannounced. I know you’re working today but I passed Rachel on the way to get coffee today and she made me promise to talk you into delivering some decorations for the shop. She doesn’t have your phone number and I didn’t want to give it out without your permission.”
“Oh, right. Well.” She stepped back letting him inside. “I suppose I could take a break and go over there.” Dakota shut the door behind Adam. “It wouldn’t take me long to get a few choice pieces together.” Her mind started to kick over what to take. “I can change my clothes and at least try and look the part.”
“You look perfect how you are.”
The sparkle in his eyes made her blush.
He thinks I’m perfect.
Dakota looked away, fussing over Tiny to take the focus off of his words. “Oh, you. I can hardly go looking like this.” She brushed a hand over the old sweatshirt and track pants. Warm and comfortable for working in but certainly not something she would be seen dead in, especially when she was trying to make a sale through a business! Hardly professional.
“Tell you what. How about you go and get changed, I’ll have five minutes with my little friend here, I can drive you over to the shop and when you’ve finished selling her everything you can produce I’ll take you to lunch to celebrate?”
“I couldn’t expect you to take me there, Adam. If you give me directions, I’m sure I can find the place again.”
“No, I insist. It was my idea that you try and sell Rach some of your work. It’s only fair that I take you. Off you go. Tiny and I have some bonding to take care of.”
“But, what about work? Aren’t you too busy to be driving me around?” Not that she wanted him to leave her to her own devices but a girl had to be sure she wasn’t holding the man up. It wouldn’t do much for a budding relationship if he was doing things for her under pressure.
“My cell number is on the door if anyone needs me. Quiet time of year, Dakota. Now scoot, get ready.” He walked into the lounge room and sat on
