“Really? I don’t deserve it.” She fluttered her hands in front of her and pointed to her failed tree topper.
Her father gave her a nudge. “Honey, after all the work that went into that tree, you deserve it and more. Your angels are a hit even if the big girl failed to perform on the night.” He rubbed his chin, stared at the dark topper. “Hmm, I want to take her off and figure out what’s going on. Gotta be something simple.”
“Thanks, Dad.” She accepted the applause and the card Clover handed to her before walking back to stand with her family wishing Adam were here to help her get over the disappointment.
“And, now folks, the winner of the first annual Christmas tree auction is…drum roll please. Rachel Smyth. Huge congratulations, Rachel. Superb job.”
Cameras flashed as Rachel posed for photos in front of her winning tree.
“She deserves it. It’s a brilliant job, so classy looking too.” Dakota clapped loud for her friend.
“Right, excuse me please. I must make sure that the staff are on point for the rest of the dinner service. Keep an eye on Noah for me please, Dad.” Mari wiggled her fingers and disappeared to get the next part of the evening underway.
*
The captain’s voice came over the speaker. “Folks, if we don’t get the okay to land this time around, I’m afraid we’ll be heading back to Seattle. The weather has turned for the worst and we’re in a rotating order with another plane for landing. It’s not looking good.” A collective groan filled the cabin and Adam wondered what else could go wrong today. He closed his eyes and sent up a silent prayer.
Fifteen minutes later he bounded down the steps of the plane and ran through the airport, headed for the carpark and his car. Adam threw his bag on the seat and grabbed his phone. Dakota didn’t pick up and he cursed. It would be a slow drive back to Cherry Lake and it looked as though he was going to miss the auction because of the delays. He slammed his palm on the steering wheel, waited for a break in the traffic exiting the airport and fed into the line of flickering lights heading off through the bleak night.
Adam pulled into his driveway, threw the car into park and ran for the back door. He’d already set his clothes out for the evening and changed faster than he’d ever done before. With his tie in his hand, he ran back to the car, glanced up at the eerie sky as he slid into the seat and slammed the door.
The auction would almost be over by now. His phone pinged with a message and he paused to read it, smiled and thumbed the keys, as he sent a reply. More relaxed now, he put the car into drive and made his way into town.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Adam walked around the back of the hotel and saw her standing on her own. Her face was up toward the sky and she shivered, her bare shoulders trembling with the cold. Adam sent the next message and strode up the path, just as the lights lit up the courtyard like a million stars.
She blinked then turned as his footsteps sounded on the cobblestones. “Adam!” Dakota threw herself into his arms, small hiccup sobs rising in her throat.
“I made it at last. Sorry I’m so late.” The familiar smell of her perfume calmed his nerves. He didn’t realize just how much he’d missed her until she was in his arms.
Dakota lifted her face and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. “Welcome home.”
“I think we can do better than that, don’t you?” Hopefully he hadn’t left it too late to let her know how much he cared for her.
“Maybe. How did you do?” Uncertainty shone in her eyes.
“I’m fine. A minor scarring issue on an artery that can be fixed after Christmas but nothing life threatening. I don’t have the disease my father does. I’m here to stay, Dakota. If you’ll have me.”
Her lips formed a circle and her eyes widened. “Home? For good?”
His hands slid down to circle her waist. “Yes. I resigned my spot on the team. Almost missed my flight back but it was something I had to do face-to-face with my management. I wanted to come home to you with no ties. And then the flight was delayed.”
“Seriously?”
“Serious. It was time for me to re-evaluate my life and I don’t want to risk losing you by playing another season.”
“Really? You gave up your career for me?” White teeth latched onto her bottom lip.
“Honestly? Not entirely. I gave up for me too. You see, I’m at the point where another injury would be career ending anyway. Last thing I want is to spend the rest of my days in pain because I wanted to chase glory one last time. Instead I’ll take a job in broadcasting, which will mean I’m only away a couple of days a week during soccer season. Do you think you can deal with that?”
“I think I can work with that.”
“I’ve had a brilliant career so far. Not worth risking anymore damage and besides, you’re here. I knew I needed to be where you were.”
“You’re the sweetest man.” Dakota rested her cheek against his chest, finally letting her nerves dissipate. At least one thing had worked out well and it was the most important.
“I’m sorry if I’ve missed the auction. How did it go?”
Dakota laughed. “Rach won the competition. She’s over the moon.”
“That’s great, she worked so hard.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’m sorry you didn’t take out first prize.”
“It doesn’t matter. The mayor still has to auction off my tree though so you haven’t missed everything. Poor Clover was getting a little bit hoarse after the fifth tree. The competition was pretty fierce for Rach’s tree and she decided if she didn’t take a break, have a drink before continuing, she’d
