Christmas Glitter (The Moore Sisters of Montana Book 1)

by Ann B. Harrison

  “Under the bathroom cabinet.” Most of the color had come back into his face.

  “Don’t move.” He squeezed her arm and strode away. Dakota watched him leave, his purposeful strides giving her reason to believe what she already decided. He wasn’t immune to her at all. Moments later he was back. He turned off the tap and handed her a towel. “I’ll let you dry that so I don’t hurt you.”

  Dakota took the towel, dabbed at her hand and then let him dress the burn. When he put the first aid kit back in the bathroom, he came out looking almost as stressed as he did when he arrived.

  “Go sit in the lounge. You need a coffee as much as I do and I can manage by myself so don’t fuss.” She filled the coffee machine while keeping an eye on him. He’d leaned back and closed his eyes but his skin was still pasty.

  Dakota made them each a mug and joined him in the lounge room. “Here. Get this into you and talk to me.” She sat down beside him and waited while he gathered himself.

  “Thanks.” He sipped and put his cup down. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I’m not usually such a panicy person. It’s just when I heard you cry out, I freaked out.”

  “You’ve patched me up and I’m fine. Thank you.” Dakota took note of the sweat breaking out on his forehead. Adam had something more than her pressing on his mind and she knew what it was.

  “Do you think this has anything to do with the panic you felt when you heard about your father?” Made sense to her and as much as Adam might think he’s dealing with it, she had other ideas. Nearly dying herself and having plenty of rehab gave one a different perspective on life and with the counseling she’d had in the aftermath, it wasn’t a stretch to think he was super imposing his thoughts about his own health crisis onto her. One little burn didn’t warrant this kind of all out panic even though she loved that he cared.

  “I don’t think so. I mean, I was worried, sure but he’s okay now.”

  Treading delicately, Dakota searched for the right words. “Do you worry about what you’re going through, about how you might have the same disease?”

  He looked at her and she could see the idea taking shape in his head.

  “I’m no psychologist, Adam, but you do seem to have an overactive reaction when it comes to someone getting hurt. Is it possible you’re more worried about your own mortality than you’re letting on?”

  “I’d never let my own worries take over like that.”

  She raised her eyebrow and waited.

  “I wouldn’t.” He looked away and when Tiny jumped on his knee he didn’t reach out and touch her. She whined and climbed over to Dakota. Adam met her gaze. “Would I?”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s hard to know what our subconscious does to us.”

  “I…”

  “Don’t let it worry you. I won’t say anything but if you want to talk, I’m here.”

  He blinked, wiped his hand over his face, the haunted look in his eyes worried her. “I’m terrified. Absolutely freaking terrified they’ll find I’m a walking time bomb. I don’t know how I’m going to deal with that if I am. And here I thought I was coping with it okay.”

  She leaned over and wrapped her arms around him. “Oh, Adam. I wish I could say the right words, take away your pain but I can’t.” She kissed his cheek and held him close.

  The tremble of his shoulders eased as she held him.

  “I’m a coward.” A sigh shuddered up his throat. “I’ve known about this for weeks but I’ve been too scared to go and have the tests.” He gave a quick shrug of his shoulders. “Sometimes it feels better not knowing.”

  “That’s not the way to live. You need to know so you can put strategies in place.”

  “I’m not sure I’m ready to make those kinds of decisions yet.”

  “Well, when it gets too much for you, I’m here if you want to talk. Don’t feel you’re alone, Adam. We’re friends, remember?”

  “Yeah, friends.” He said it in such a bitter way she almost laughed but what he was going through wasn’t a laughing matter. She’d felt the same anguish when she woke from her accident knowing it wasn’t her decision to keep her fingers. It was all down to the surgeon’s skill and luck. Adam would be feeling the same pain, the same indecision, the same insecure future.

  Was he worried that, like her, he’d be off-limits to that special person? Roger’s betrayal had all come down to money and prestige. What did Adam fear the most?

  “Tell me what you’d planned on doing when you retired?”

  “I thought I told you.”

  “Not sure I remember that conversation but tell me again. Refresh my memory.” Talking had helped her work through her problems. It might help him too and she was happy sitting here with her arm around him.

  “I have two offers from networks sitting with my management team. Means I’ll be on air during the season discussing games instead of playing in them.”

  “Does that make you feel as though you’d be missing out on anything?”

  He dropped his head and stared at his feet. “Yes. No. Not too sure to be honest. Going into the sport we all know that it’s not going to last forever. That’s a given. But having to leave earlier than expected is going to take some getting used to. That’s if they find out I have what Dad has.”

  “So you hadn’t given it any thought to retiring yet even though you’ve had a couple of knee injuries?”

  “Yeah, but I have to weigh up my options carefully.” Tiny nudged at his hand and this time he stroked her head. She leaned in against him, happy now she had his attention.

  “I understand. It’s a little bit like me starting the Christmas decorations before my accident. They were something I wanted to explore, a sideline to the jewelry. It wasn’t ideal to take the place of what I was already doing but it gave me something to continue with. Meant I was in the same line of business and that accounts for something.”

  Adam turned his head and looked at her. Some of the sadness seemed to fade from his eyes and a tiny spark of interest replaced it. He leaned in and kissed her lips. His warm breath rolled over her face as he spoke. “You, Ms. Dakota Moore, have a very interesting way of looking at life. I wish I had half as much positive energy running through my mind as you do.”

  “You’re just scared and I understand that. Remember though, I’m here for you. No matter what the outcome, I’ll never push you away.”

  She snuggled her chin on his shoulder, willing her love to find a way to put the smile back on his face.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The smell of hotdog grease mingled with the sweet sugary fairy floss making her realize how hungry she was. The roar of excited supporters as they watched the soccer clinic made her smile as she stood in line to get into the sports grounds. Dakota pulled her scarf tight around her neck and told herself a couple of hours off would be good for her body and her mental well-being. She’d had a late night yesterday and got up early to finish the icicles she’d promised Adam for his friend and teammate, Ryan. They had to be done by today, that was the deal and she wasn’t about to let him down.

  “Hi Dakota.” Percy Ferris stood at the gate taking the money as people filed in. “Glad to see you’ve managed to get away from work for a couple of hours. Go grab yourself a hotdog and find a seat. I’m sure you’ll enjoy watching the boys.” He took her money and handed back change and her ticket. “They’ve asked for a few of the dads to join them later for a make-up game. Adam thinks the boys are up for it and I for one cannot wait to see how they perform.”

  “Glad I came out then.” She took her change, and tucked her ticket in her jacket pocket. “Is Arabella here?”

  He looked at her, rolled his eyes. “As if any female in this town that is capable of walking isn’t here to watch those boys in their soccer uniforms. You should hear some of the lewd comments coming from seemingly proper ladies. It’ll make you blush.”

  She laughed. “Maybe I might be the loudest one here.”

  “Now I find tha
t hard to believe.” He turned to the next person behind her. “Hey Rach, shut up shop to come see the boys, eh?” He chuckled and tipped his chin in Dakota’s direction. “What did I tell you?”

  “Be silly to miss them, Percy. Not often we get the caliber sportsmen like these wanting to come to Cherry Lake.”

  Dakota turned around and waited. “Don’t tell me you’re a sports nut, Rach.”

  “Are you kidding? I was in school with Adam and used to sit glued to the bleachers when he was playing. I’d give anything to go and see him play in Seattle but with the way the shop is, I can’t afford the time off.”

  “Let’s get hotdogs and make the most of it then.” Together they grabbed hot food and climbed up the stands until they found two seats together.

  “Oh my, look at those hunky men. I didn’t realize Adam had so many of his teammates coming in for this. Thought it was only one guy coming down.” Rach leaned forward in her seat, the smile on her face growing by the minute. They sat enthralled for the next hour while the youngsters learned from the best.

  Rach nudged her. “Did Adam ask you to be his date at the gala?” She had a sparkle in her eyes.

  Dakota looked at her, saw the secretive little smile on her lips. What was she up to? “Yes, he did. Why do you ask?”

  “Because I made the suggestion that a school friend of ours would be a good match for you. Not that he is mind you. Reggie is a computer nerd in Polson and never leaves the house but Adam doesn’t know that.” She giggled behind her hand, let out a whoop as the player she had her eye on kicked a goal, showing a group of boys how to angle the kick just so. “That man is so damned cute. I wonder if Adam will introduce us?”

  Dakota gasped. “Oh, you sneaky thing. If he figures out what you did, I don’t like your chances.”

  Rach continued to watch the field, her attention split between the conversation and the man with Buzz on the back of his shirt. “But it worked, didn’t it?”

  “Yes it did.” She glanced over at the man in question. He was running some of the boys through a track of poles now while the other players tried to get the ball from them. Cory made it to the end of the row without losing his ball and a cheer went up. The teen blushed when a couple of the guys patted him on the back.

  “But?”

  “I’m not that sure he’s ready for anything that remotely resembles a relationship. He has things to deal with first.”

  Rach leaned back in her chair, her head closer to Dakota’s. “Are you prepared to wait until he sorts it out? Look, don’t think I’m being overly nosy, Dakota. I think a lot of Adam, always have. We go back too far for me to be that mean to him but he needs something and I think it might be you. A burden shared is a burden halved in my opinion.”

  “Oh my goodness, look at the way that man can juggle the ball on his feet.”

  “Stop trying to change the subject, Dakota. You forget I’ve seen the two of you together.”

  Dakota sat and watched the men teaching the teens how to balance the ball on their foot, tap it to land up on their shoulder and toss it around just like she’d seen in the movies.

  *

  When the time came for the parents to get involved, Adam hated it but he had to turn some away. It seemed as though everyone wanted a chance to play the team of professionals and teens. He was trying to sort out a sensible way to organize them when he spied Dakota sitting with Rachel up in the stands. He lifted a hand and smiled.

  “Okay everyone. Line up and we’ll do this the easiest way I know how.” He walked down the line giving each alternate person the bad news that they couldn’t play. They groaned good naturedly but returned to their seats to watch.

  By the end of the day the smiles on the teens’ faces had made it all worthwhile. Adam had offered his teammates dinner and drinks at the Lake Hotel. He searched for Dakota. Even though she had work to do, he was hoping he could convince her to join them. He grabbed Cory as he ran past. “I need you to do me a favor.”

  Cory grinned as he held tight to the signed shirt he’d been given by the team. “Anything.”

  “I want you to find Dakota for me. Tell her we’re having drinks and dinner at the Lake Hotel and I want her to join us. I’d find her myself but I can’t see her anywhere and I promised to help sign posters with the guys.”

  “Sure. I can do that.”

  Adam patted him on the shoulder. “Thanks, I appreciate it, Cory.”

  Cory ran off and Adam took his seat at the table alongside Ryan Jones and grabbed a marker to start signing.

  In between excited participants asking for photo opportunities and parents greeting him, Ryan managed a word to Adam. “Any chance I can take those special items home tomorrow? I haven’t told the wife but it would be nice to surprise her if I can. She wasn’t that thrilled at me leaving on the weekend when she’d already made plans for us.” He accepted another poster to sign and posed for a photo with a youngster.

  “I certainly hope so. Dakota did say she’d do it. If they’re not ready, I’ll mail them to you before Christmas. Promise.” Adam accepted thanks from a star struck parent and turned to Ryan again.

  “Thanks, man. Knew I could count on you.” He signed another poster, pushed it into the hands of a fan. “The wife loves her work and to have something special like that will blow her mind.”

  “I’ve asked Dakota to meet us for dinner tonight. Not sure she will because her workload is huge right now as you can imagine with her new line but we’ll see. I hope she’ll be there.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Dakota stood chatting to Jake and Woodsie when Cory came running up to them, guilt nipping her heels because she was dawdling when she should be home working.

  “Dakota, something to tell you.” He paused for a breath and thrust the jersey into his father’s arms. “Look at what I got.”

  Jake took the jersey and held it up, read all the signatures on the back of it, let out an impressed whistle. “That is some souvenir, Son. You won’t want to wear that one too often. Why not get it framed and hang it in your room?”

  “Good idea.” He sucked in a breath and pointed a dirt smeared finger at Dakota. “Adam wants to know if you’ll meet him at the Lake Hotel for dinner and drinks with the guys.”

  He does? “Oh. I don’t really know. I should go home and do some more work. I only have about ten days left to finish my ornaments.” How early would she have to get up tomorrow to make up for it if she did? Not like she hadn’t done an all-nighter before and to spend an evening with Adam and his friends. She could imagine it was a date.

  “Are you really making all of your own decorations for the tree, Dakota?” Woodsie frowned at her and scratched his head in wonder.

  “Yes. I decided it was the best way to get an authentic looking tree. Nobody else will have what I have and I so want it to be different. It’s a chance to showcase my new line that I won’t get a chance to do any other time.” And her competitive streak had raised its ugly head.

  Jake shuffled his feet. “You work too hard. Go out and meet the guys, let your hair down for a change.”

  “Yes, go, Dakota. After all the hard work they put in today, they’re probably starving and it’s your sister’s hotel. You could take me if you like.” Cory grinned at her. “Joking but you should be there because if it wasn’t for you giving Adam a hard time, he might not have organized today.”

  She stared at Cory. “I’m sure he would have.”

  “Nope. He did it because you told him to.” The teen was adamant and it was no good asking his father or grandfather to back her up because they were both nodding their heads in agreement. Talk about being ganged up on. She didn’t stand a chance of saying no and to be honest, she didn’t want to either.

  “Adam’s a good guy but there’s nothing like proving your worth to a woman by being capable, kind and making the effort.” Woodsie winked at her. “Go tell Adam she’ll meet him there, Cory. Girl wants to go and get prettied up for a night out.”

 
Cory ran off and Dakota’s shoulders slumped. “Thanks fellas for your support.”

  “No, thank you for looking out for Cory. My grandson needed a break and you supplied it.” Her landlord chuckled as she hurried in the direction of her car.

  She glanced in the bedroom mirror at her reflection. The sea-green dress showed off her curves and made her eyes look brighter blue. With her hair pulled up into a messy knot on top of her head with a clip fashioned from glass beads and gold thread, her own of course, she looked ready for whatever the night threw at her. Ever since the decision had been taken out of her hands, she’d given herself a strict talking to and was determined to enjoy the evening without worrying about what waited for her at home.

  Dakota took a coat from the closet and stepped into comfortable cowboy boots. The temperature had plummeted since the sun slid behind the mountains, the cloudless sky making for a very cool evening. Even though she’d been told it rarely snowed in Cherry Lake, she held out hope it would sooner or later. The way it felt tonight, she wouldn’t be surprised if she drove home through a light dusting of snow.

  “Sorry little poodle, you have to stay home tonight.” Tiny must have understood the words because she strutted off to the lounge room and jumped up on the couch beside the fire, dropping her head onto her paws. “Be good. I won’t be too late.”

  Dakota drove the short distance to the Lake Hotel and pulled up in front. A quick hello and a hug for Noah and she would go and meet Adam and his teammates. She knocked on the upstairs apartment door and walked in.

  “Dakota!” Noah jumped off the couch and ran for a cuddle.

  “Hey big guy. How are you?” She smiled at her sister who was busy at the stove making dinner.

  “Good.” He leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Guess who’s downstairs with Adam.”