Chapter Sixteen
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
