Rachel closed her eyes and let out a sigh of relief. She must have been sweating on speaking out. “Great. Right then, back to it.” She disappeared behind the curtain and Dakota could hear her humming as she worked.
Adam walked back with the broom. “You’re very kind. With so much on your plate, you’ve still got time to listen to other people.”
His words warmed her heart. “I don’t see the point of being any different. Kindness is easy to give and it doesn’t cost anything. Besides, Rachel has more creativity in her than she thinks. Look at how she decorates her shop.” She whipped out a handful of light strands. “Now, I need help with these if you don’t mind.”
“Sure, let me clean up the mess first.” He took one and looked at it. “What are they?”
“Someone I know is very clever when it comes to lighting. He’s asked me to test these and see how they work. It could mean a massive coup for me or a massive fail depending on how much work he put into them and if he got it right.” Dakota picked up an angel and slid the filament up through the center of the ornament. “I would have done this at home but they only arrived last night and I couldn’t face it.”
“Are you going to show me how they work?” He turned the filament over and over looking for a way to turn it on.
Dakota didn’t want to give away the secret just yet. She wanted to keep it for the big reveal on gala night. “No, sorry.” She had to bite her lip to stop the grin spreading on her face. “I would if I could but it would ruin the reveal. I want this to be a big surprise for everyone and that includes you. I hope you don’t mind.”
A confused grin on his face, he lifted the curtain and took the broom into the next section to clean up the glass.
*
Adam watched her trying to keep a straight face. The way her eyes lit up with glee and anticipation melted his heart. She was such a beautiful person, inside and out. He crossed his fingers for a good outcome with his tests and swept up the broken ornament.
When he came back, she was almost finished threading the angels with the light fittings. “I guess we’d better get started hanging these decorations.” He pulled the stepladder to the tree and rubbed his hands. “Let me get up and you can pass me the decorations and tell me where you want them, okay?”
“Sure. But I want to leave the tree topper for last.”
“Are you tall enough to reach though?”
The curtain rippled and Rach poked her head through. “Dad can do it if she can’t. He towers over you Adam and will be helping me tomorrow. Does that work for you, Dakota?”
“If that’s okay with him, certainly does. I didn’t even bring it today because I have to make a subtle change now that my lights are here.”
Rach rolled her eyes. “I can see this going very bad for me.”
“Oh please. You ladies kill me. I know you’ll be a close finish and I can say that because I’ve seen what you can both do.”
“Keep talking those sweet words, Adam.” Rach disappeared behind the curtain again and Adam climbed up the ladder. “Let’s get this tree dressed for the gala.”
Dakota chose an angel and handed it up to him. “About twelve inches below the tip please and work your way around in a spiral.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He climbed higher and attached the glass object, leaned back to make sure it was hung facing out.
“Perfect.” Dakota handed him another one.
When they stopped for a break, he caught her flexing her fingers. “Okay?”
She smiled and dropped her hands behind her back. “Fine. Nothing a little massage won’t fix.” Dakota glanced at her tree. “It’s so beautiful, Adam. I can’t believe I made those angels.”
“You’ve found your niche, I can tell.” He slipped his hand through her arm and walked her outside. “Let’s go and grab a bite to eat.”
“I don’t think so.”
“We have to eat and this is easier than bringing it back. You need a break and the walk will do you good.”
She blushed and let him lead her out of the hotel. They strolled down the street toward the café, his stomach rumbling with more than hunger. Now that he’d made the decision to go and see the doctors, his nerves were taught with anxiety. Would he get a clean bill of health? If so, did he want to give the game away now as the team doctor suggested? And if he did, would Dakota want to explore a relationship between them? Because if he took a contract with a network, he’d be away half the week for soccer season. Flying in and out so he could spend time at home didn’t worry him. He wondered how she’d cope with that kind of lifestyle. Suddenly he wanted to find out.
“Tell me, Adam. What did you your mother think of the icicle and glass ball I gave you?” She picked up the menu and scanned it.
“Uh, I have a confession to make.”
She tilted her head and smiled. “Yes?”
“I kept the icicle for myself. I’ve got it hanging in the kitchen window of my house.” He tapped his fingers on the table. “Mom loved her glass ball but I couldn’t face giving away the icicle. Sorry.”
Dakota laughed, clapped her hands. “That’s priceless. Adam, you sweet thing. I could’ve given you another one but I’m so pleased you liked it enough to deprive your mother.”
“She’s not missing out on anything because she doesn’t know there were two.”
Dakota continued to laugh and he watched her. The
