“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.
