She looked at her watch. “Heck, its already 8:30.” Dakota walked back to the small ballroom and paused when Mari called out.
“Don’t let him break your heart, okay?”
Dakota smiled. Too late, big sister. Its already his to do what he wants with it.
Chapter Twenty-One
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
