Adam lowered his head, placed his hands either side of her cheeks and kissed her lips. Softly at first, then with more intensity.
Dakota lost herself, leaning into him. So intent on the magical moment in the arms of the man she loved, even the cool breeze on her bare shoulders didn’t make an impression.
“Dakota, Dakota.” Noah ran out and grabbed at her hand. “Come quick.”
She pulled away from Adam, dazed with passion and glanced at her nephew wishing they hadn’t been interrupted. “Why, what’s wrong?”
He bounced around her, clapping his hands in glee. “Your angel. She’s working now.”
Adam held out his hand. “Do you think we should go inside?”
“I’m rather liking it out here with you, to tell the truth.”
“Dakota, your tree, come see.” Noah tugged at her other hand. “Come on!”
“We’d better go and see what’s happening before this young man gets angry with you. You owe me a dance out here under the stars later then.” Adam took her hand and led her inside.
Her tree lit up the room, its golden light stunning in its purity. The angels hung around the branches as if they were waiting to take flight in a mass of wings but the largest angel of them all was the show stopper. Perched on top of the tree, she stood with her wings held wide over her head. Their tips touched at the top giving the effect of her sheltering the angels below. Her feathers dripped golden light that rained down over her charges, the beams bouncing off the dark wooden floor like scattering droplets of molten liquid light.
“Oh my goodness. That looks so pretty.” Dakota teared up, almost lost for words.
“Didn’t you know what it was going to look like?” Adam stood behind her with his arms around her shoulders, holding her close as everyone oohed and aahed at her tree.
“No. I didn’t have time to test it out because the filaments came so late. I did it all on faith. I must have done something wrong with her to start with.”
“And that faith has been rewarded. This is a stunning display, Dakota.”
Clover walked over to the stage and tapped her microphone to get everyone’s attention. “Right, folks. Time for the last tree to be auctioned and I’m pleased to say that although a late starter, it looks fantastic. This is the last chance you’ll get to own something amazing so I don’t expect you all to sit on your wallets. Be generous. It’s for a good cause. Who wants to start me off with a bid?” Clover looked at the crowd, her voice still raspy.
“Five thousand dollars.” Adam held up his hand until she acknowledged his bid.
Dakota gasped. “Adam, you can’t.”
He sighed, his breath warm against her throat, sending shivers down her spine. “Give me a good reason why not.”
“Because, well because…I don’t know.” It was hard to think with him so close.
His laugh was joined by others. Woodsie shook his head, raised his glass to her. “Now you sit back and shush, young woman. Let everyone show their appreciation just how they please.”
“But I don’t want you all spending so much money. Not on my tree.” How could she tell him it was the embarrassment of being in the spotlight more than anything?
“It’s all for a good cause which you gladly put your hand up for. Why shouldn’t we show as much gratitude as you did?” Others agreed with Woodsie and she had no choice but to give in gracefully.
“Fine then.” She slumped against him and Adam held her close.
*
“Let’s continue shall we, if you’ve all had your say?” Clover held her hand up for silence. “Do I have any further bids?”
“Six thousand.” A rich voice from the back rose over the crowd and Dakota strained to see who it belonged to.
Adam held up his hand again, a smile twitching the corners of his mouth. Game on! “Ten thousand.”
He gave Dakota a gentle squeeze when she opened her mouth to protest. She shut it again, pressed her lips firm to hold her tongue.
“Fifteen thousand.”
A collective gasp sounded from the crowd and Adam felt the shiver that went over Dakota’s skin which made him hold her tighter. Last thing he wanted was her fainting or protesting any more than she already had. Things were getting interesting and he was enjoying himself.
“Twenty thousand.” Adam was determined to have her tree.
“Thirty thousand if I can have a date with the pretty lady in the red dress.” The crowd glanced around looking from the bidder to the owner of the red dress. Rach gave a nervous laugh when she noticed she was the only one and looked to the back of the room.
“Buzz, I’m going to let you have that one. Congratulations, dear friend.”
“Buzz is here and bought my tree?” Dakota swiveled her head between Adam and where Buzz stood at the back of the room.
“Yep. His mom loved your decorations so much he decided he needed to make sure he got her some more. Plus, he had some unfinished business he wanted to attend to. I didn’t think he was going to make it. He caught the flight after me and we had trouble landing because of the weather.”
“Rach. He wants to take her out? There would be much easier and cheaper ways of doing that, surely?” The lady in question stood with Buzz holding her hand beside the tree, her cheeks almost as red as her dress.
“Nothing if not a stylish man. Makes up for his shyness with the ladies.”
Dakota watched the
