Did he know something she didn’t? Worry started to chew at her heels. She didn’t want to miss out on that dance with Adam. Not because she would be short on dance partners but because if he didn’t make it back tonight, she would worry herself sick until she saw him. “Thanks. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
“Make sure you save this old man a dance, Dakota.” Woodsie gave her his trademark wink.
“I will, promise.” She ducked away behind the curtain, panic rattling her nerves and took a couple of deep breaths. Her tree sat quiet and still as if waiting for the chance to bloom. In her purse, tucked away for the right moment was the remote control for the lights she had promised to trial. The smell of fresh pine needles went a small way to soothing her nerves. She could do this. Put on a brave face and accept what happened tonight even if it killed her.
If Adam made it back tonight and his health was good, she would be over the moon, because they would have a chance for a relationship. If things weren’t as they both hoped, Dakota would offer her love regardless. She’d take him as she found him. Love didn’t come with guarantees. His parents had found that out. So had her sister and she at least had Noah to remind her daily of the man who she’d lost. A short intense love was better than no love at all.
The curtain whipped aside. “What are you doing hiding in here?” Rach stepped in, a frown on her face.
“I’m not hiding.”
“Yeah, you are. Funny enough, we might have only known each other for a short time but I can read you like a book, Dakota. You’re stressing over Adam, aren’t you?”
She hung her head and brought her hands to her face. “Gosh, I’m truly pathetic. If you can figure that out, I guess everyone else can too.”
“I doubt everyone else has my incredible powers of observation and you’re not pathetic. He’s a good guy and I’m sure everything will be fine. Adam wouldn’t let you down if he could help it. He’s not the type.” Rach wrapped an arm around Dakota’s shoulders and stood looking at the tree. “I’m a little scared to ask what’s going on here. I mean, the angels are gorgeous and all but I sense something else is about to happen to make this tree stand out from the rest.” She groaned. “I have no hope, no hope, I tell you.”
A laugh chortled up Dakota’s throat. She couldn’t help it and half suspected that was the idea. “You are such a tease. Your tree will be beautiful. I know it will.”
Rach pulled at the curtain between their sections, showing off her finished entry. “Look. That is an awful mess compared to your rather sedate creation.”
Dakota sucked in a breath. Rachel’s tree was a mass of red and varying shades of gold that reeked sophistication and style. Tiny lights poked their tips out between fake fairy soft snowflakes, layered over gold reindeer in different poses. It reminded her of a photo shoot from a Home Beautiful Christmas special magazine. Opulent, inviting and picture perfect in every detail. “Oh my goodness. That is one stunning tree. I think you have the winner without a doubt.”
A twitch of Rachel’s lips indicated her pleasure. “Not bad but certainly not that unique like yours.”
“You have me there but unique isn’t always the be all and end all.” And if the lights failed to perform, unique could be very bad. “I’m fully prepared to have an epic fail because I am trying something new and exciting for a friend.”
“This gets more interesting every minute.” Rach closed the curtain between their trees. “Come on out and enjoy yourself and have faith in Adam. I intend to have a drink or two to take away the edge. Tonight I want to let my hair down. You should follow suit.”
“Everything alright?” A slight bitterness had tinged Rachel’s words and Dakota wanted to soothe away the pain.
“Sure. Nothing a drink won’t fix. Come on.” She grabbed Dakota’s arm and dragged her out to join the swelling crowd of locals all dressed up in their finery. “Your sister sure knows how to put on a good show, doesn’t she? The hotel is looking fabulous. Never seen so many locals out in one place before.”
“That she does. You should have seen her shop in L.A. I really can’t believe she left it all behind to move here but she insisted it would be better to raise Noah in a smaller community.”
“But if she didn’t come here, would you have?” Rach took a glass of bubbly from a passing waiter, handed it to Dakota and took another one for herself.
“Nope.” She sipped and sighed in bliss when the bubbles danced over her tongue.
“We have a lot to be grateful for then. Cherry Lake is a lovely place for children to grow up. Might be a bit short on available men but that’s all I can complain about.” Rach swallowed half the glass before giving Dakota a grimace. “Sorry, ignore me. I’m feeling a little unloved at the moment. I feel as though I’m ready for love and risk becoming a spinster. Perhaps I should start collecting stray cats and become the crazy cat lady.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.”
“Why would you? It’s not like I’m going to publicize the lack of suitable dates. I had high hopes when Adam brought the guys in for the soccer workshop that I’d catch the eye of one of them but that didn’t happen.” She surveyed the crowd. “Most of the eligible guys here are too old, or tied to their work and don’t see me. I might have to put an ad in the paper or dance naked down the main street.”
Dakota burst out laughing. “No way! There has to be someone suitable here.”
Rach took another swig
