by Jacki Kelly
When he pulled to a stop in front of the house, she didn’t wait for him to open her car door.
“Good night, Dakota.” He remained at the foot of the stairs.
At her front door, she turned to face him. Her anger subsided just enough to eliminate the red haze surrounding her. Tonight she could have used the comfort of his arms, but in all the drama of the evening, he’d been caught on the wrong side of the wall— siding against her. In just a few minutes, Brian had shaken her life up again.
“Bishop.” She nodded her head, before opening the door and stepping inside. She watched Bishop hop in his car. She half wished he would pound on her door and say he understood her feelings, that no matter what, he’d always be there for her. Instead, he pulled away without a backwards glance.
Her phone started ringing the moment she stepped into the house. She checked the caller ID before picking up. “Asa?”
“Why did you run off? You didn’t even say goodnight.” Asa’s voice registered alarm.
“Did you know he was coming?” Dakota demanded, her tone was short.
“If I did, I would have told you. I was as shocked as you.”
Dakota sat on her bed. “Did Simeon know?”
“I’m sure he didn’t. Brian thought his appearance would be a nice surprise. I think the surprise was you running out on him.”
“Serves him right.” She kicked off her shoes and stretched out on the bed. “If I said all the things I wanted to say to him, the image wouldn’t have been a pretty picture. Harper employees deserve better than that. How long is he going to be here?”
“I have no idea. He didn’t stay long after he realized you weren’t coming back.”
“What could he possibly want to say to me?” She rubbed her temples, hoping to push back the mounting pressure.
“I’m sure he’ll let you know.”
“Bishop thinks I left because I’m still interested in Brian. I think we’re done.”
“Done how? What do you mean?”
“He’s left in a huff and good riddance to him.”
“You don’t mean that. I can tell you really like him.”
“Give me a few months. I’ll learn to mean every word. I’ll be Mia’s spinster aunt. The one who comes to live with her when I’m old and senile.”
“Oh, boy. This sounds like a situation for a lot of chocolate. I’ll be there tomorrow morning by noon. I’ll bring the Godiva and the chocolate covered nuts,” Asa said.
“I’ll get up early and bake the brownies.” Dakota sighed before she rested the receiver back in the cradle.
The phone rang again before she could slip the last shoulder strap down her arm. Without checking she picked up again. “What is it, Asa?”
He cleared his throat. Making the same sound from the beginning of the tape’d he sent to her. “Dakota, it’s me, Brian.”
She froze.
“Are you there?”
“I am.” She sat on the edge of the bed, halfway out of the beautiful dress. The silky material covered one breast, the other was exposed.
“I was hoping to talk with you tonight. To explain—”
“Brian, I think you told me everything on your tape. I can’t imagine you have anything else to say that I want to hear.”
“I didn’t want to break up with you. But I couldn’t ask you to wait any longer. I could tell you were pulling away. I could hear the signs in your voice.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, holding back the venom gathering in her chest. “Oh, you did that for me?”
“Can I come by? I’d like to talk with you in person.”
“No, Brian. Everything you said was probably right. I was angry for a long time, but I buried my feelings. We don’t need to rehash what could have been. You were probably much more honest on the tape than you could have ever been in person.”
A long silence stretched between them. She could hear him breathing.
“Do you think we can be friends?” he asked. The tone of his voice changed. The tension gone.
“I do. We probably will make much better friends than we ever did lovers. Remember the first time we tried to make love and you—”
“I do and don’t remind me. I was so embarrassed. I’d never had that problem before.” His false chuckle hinted that the conversation was difficult for him too. “You might be right.”
“Are you home for good?” she asked.
“No. I’m only here long enough to check on the mission, catch up with some of the men staying there, and then I’m leaving again.”
“I should have known.” He came home for the men at the mission, but not her. He should try the priesthood.
“Dakota, one thing I’ve found out about myself on this journey is that I’m never going to settle down. I’m terrified of being stationary. I believe if I stop or slow down, I’ll turn into the kind of man no one likes. But I need your friendship. I always will.” There was sincerity in his voice.
She hesitated a moment. “We’ve been friends since high school. We’ll be friends forever. That’s a promise.”
“Have lunch with me tomorrow. Please.”
This time she was quiet for a moment. How could all that anger disappear so quickly? She had wanted to scratch his eyes out and pound her fist in his chest. Where had all that rage gone?
“Let me think about it. I’ve got a date with a chocolate bar tomorrow.” With that said, she hung up and pulled as the dress straps down her arm.
Dakota prepared for bed, the last vestiges of fury vanished. Her life was a revolving door. Brian walked out, Bishop stepped in. Bishop ran out, Brian strolled back in. And at the end of the night, she crawled into bed alone. She pulled the sheet and blanket over her head. All the stuff she thought she wanted to spew at Brian seemed unimportant now.
As much as she wanted to blame Brian for breaking up her and Bishop, she couldn’t. The two of them were probably no better a match than she and Brian. What they had was fun for a while, but couldn’t last a lifetime. Bishop wasn’t that kind of man.
She turned off the light.
The phone rang again as darkness claimed the room. Cozy under the thick blanket, Dakota refused to lift the covers and allow the cool air to touch her skin.
The only people bold enough to call this late were her sisters or Bishop. Emotionally drained, she couldn’t talk to another soul. Whatever physical fortitude she had left was reserved for sleep.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Bishop gnawed the inside of his jaw as he sped away from Dakota’s house. He understood why being single had to be ten times more hassle-free than trying to be with just one woman. In the past three months, Dakota had provided one hell of a rollercoaster ride.
But her reaction at seeing Brian pierced him like a poker through the heart. Just when he was ready to take the plunge and commit, she had emitted the smallest signal warning him away. The anger in her voice said she needed to calm down before they could talk. From the time it took to drive from the hotel to her home should have been enough, but at her door, she still wasn’t prepared to discuss anything. Instead, she looked like a wounded animal ready to charge her prey. He wanted to fold her tiny frame in his arms and fight off whatever tore at the sparkle that usually burned in her eyes.
He made a wide U-turn at the intersection and headed back. Whatever was going on needed to be resolved tonight. He wouldn’t let Brian tear her away so easily. At her door, he glanced up at the windows just in time to see the light in the bedroom go out.
The whole house was dark now. He leaned against the car and rubbed his chin. He fought back the urge to ring the doorbell, and got back in the car. Maybe a day or two wouldn’t be too late.
§§§
Dakota hiked up her fuchsia flannel pajamas and jogged down the stairs. She pushed the thermostat up two degrees. If she planned to spend the day cozied in the house, the temperature needed to be warmer. Spending yesterday with Asa, eating chocolate, had been relaxing, but now she wanted some
time alone. In the kitchen, she brewed a strong cup of coffee and pulled a pint of Greek yogurt out of the fridge. She hauled everything upstairs on a serving tray and dropped onto the bed.
The phone rang. She pulled it closer to check the caller ID. Bishop’s name appeared on the screen. She propped up the pillows, ignoring him. How could she have fallen for someone like Bishop? He was only supposed to be the fun guy to help her forget about Brian. She wasn’t supposed to fall in love. He kept his feelings tucked away somewhere safe and undetectable. Mim always said actions spoke louder than words. Judging from his actions, he cared about her. But her head needed to hear the words. Even if he only said them while whispering in her ear in the dark of night when his passion had overwhelmed him.
She pulled the blanket over her bare feet and reached for her electronic reader. The letters of Voltaire held her attention until the phone rang again. Screening her calls wasn’t mean, it was a necessity. Nothing would drag her out of the house today. Today was her day and she wanted to be alone, sorting her thoughts without persuasion.
Simeon’s number flashed on the ID. “Good morning,” she hesitated when she picked up.
“It’s me, Brian. I’m staying here with Asa and Simeon. I was hoping I could talk with you.”
“I’m listening.”
“No, I want to talk to you in person. I think we’ve done enough talking on the phone.”
“I’m not leaving the house today. It’s a me day. I’m not even taking off my pajamas. Sorry.”
“When do you think we can get together?” There was urgency to his request. Something she hadn’t heard from him in the last year.
“Dakota, are you still there?” he asked when she didn’t respond.
“Yes. Maybe tomorrow. Can we meet at the little café near Bookends? I’ll be there at ten.”
“Thanks, Dakota. I know this may be difficult for you.”
“See you tomorrow, Brian.” She placed the receiver on the nightstand and took a deep breath. Everybody wanted something from her. What she wanted was to tune out the world and hibernate. She needed was a little time to sort through the emotions without all the buzzing in her ear.
With her coffee cup in hand, she wiggled deeper in the bed and took a sip.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Bishop woke with a start. He ran his hand over his chest, trying to move the heavy pressure bearing down on him. The room was still dark, but he was wide-awake. The alarm clock beside the bed registered six-thirty. Too early to call Dakota.
He climbed out of bed and parted the curtains. Off on the horizon, a sliver of light painted the sky a mixture of rose and blue. He continued to stare as night surrendered to day, mapping a plan to convince Dakota that they were meant to be together. As the sky brightened, he reinforced his belief that Dakota was his future. He couldn’t let her slip away or return to Brian.
In his home office, he checked the clock every few minutes, waiting to call Dakota. The lump in his chest wouldn’t go away until he heard her voice and smoothed everything out.
He picked up the phone, gripping the receiver in his palm. After releasing a heavy breath, he dialed her number. In each of his ears, his brothers shouted at him to put the phone down and run while he still could. But leaving Dakota wouldn’t make him happy.
After several rings he hung up before the recorder came on. What he wanted to say, he’d tell her, not a recorder.
He dialed her number again. No answer. “Fine, Dakota. If you want to play this your way, then we will,” he muttered as he grabbed his keys and headed to the door.
With a quick glance over his shoulder, he backed the car out of the space and pulled into traffic. This wasn’t his first breakup, but never had one churned his stomach like this. He pressed the accelerator as he changed lanes and merged onto 95 South.
Monday morning traffic wasn’t as heavy as he expected. He slowed a little as he made his way through Chester, but near the Delaware line the flow improved. He moved to the far left lane and tried to manage the speed limit.
He took the Route 273 exit and made his way to Mulberry. Catching her at the bookstore was best. She could refuse to open the door to her house, but Bookends would be open.
Across the street from the store he parked the car and surveyed the entrance for a few moments.
Once inside the store, he removed his coat, hoping to spot Dakota. Jennifer made her way to the front of the store, rubbing her right shoulder as she maneuvered through the new reading area.
“Good morning, Jennifer. Is Dakota in the back?” He started toward the rear of the store without waiting for a reply.
“She’s not here. She called this morning and said she’d be in after lunch.”
“That’s a little strange. I’ve been dialing her number at home and she hasn’t answered.”
Jennifer lifted her right eyebrow and then turned her back to organize a stack of books behind the counter.
Bishop waited for her to turn back to him. The longer he waited the more interest she showed in making the stack neat. After several moments, he nodded and stepped outside.
From Jennifer’s reaction she knew more about his relationship with Dakota than he’d thought. He rubbed his hands together to warm them. His breath froze with the crisp morning air.
Dakota’s favorite café was only a block away. That shop had to be more welcoming than the frosty reception in Bookends. Running around town looking for a woman was out of his zone. If Adanna saw him right now, she would have a good laugh, and his brothers would revoke his birth certificate or scratch the Contee name from it.
He pulled open the door to the café. The strong smell of espresso filled the room. After ordering a double latte he moved to the end of the counter to wait for the disinterested barista to call his name.
Leaning against the counter, he spotted Dakota seated in the back at a small table. Her hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail that revealed the earnest look in her eyes. Seated across from her was Brian. Bishop couldn’t hear their conversation, but Dakota seemed intent on his every word.
Bishop shifted his position to get a better angle on her face. Her expression didn’t change. Her hands were in her lap and a tall paper cup sat on the table in front of her. His stomach flopped. Almost without thinking, he made his way to Dakota’s table. Without thinking what he would say when he got there, he cleared his throat.
Surprise twinkled in Dakota’s eyes when she looked up at him. “Bishop, what are you doing here?” She pushed away from the table.
Bishop placed his hand on her shoulder to keep her in her seat. “Good morning, sweetheart.” He leaned down and kissed her mouth. Consuming her lips in one deft movement. The sweet taste of her lips raced through him like a strike of lightning. She didn’t resist as he placed his hand on her neck and pulled her closer.
Instead of taking her in the middle of the café, he released her mouth. “I called you a few times this morning. I need to talk with you. While I was waiting, I decided to get some coffee.” He nodded to the front of the shop, where his name was being called. “Good morning, Brian. Nice to see you again.” He stuck out his hand.
“Morning, Bishop. I just wanted to talk with Dakota for a few minutes. I hope you don’t mind.” Brian stood up.
Dakota looked at him and smiled. “Dakota is a grown woman. She doesn’t answer to me.” He rubbed his hand along her arm. “How about I wait for you back at Bookends?”
“Please, I should be there in a few minutes.” She gave his hand a squeeze.
He kissed her again before walking away.
§§§
Dakota watched Bishop pick up his order and stroll out the door. Her chest inflated, as if she were being pumped full of air. His touch on her shoulder had warmed her in a way like nothing ever had.
“He seems like he cares about you.” Brian picked up his cup and took a sip.
“He’s very nice.”
“How long have you two been together? Did you start—”
/> “No, Brian, I didn’t start dating him until after you broke up with me, if that’s what you’re wondering. As a matter of fact, maybe your tape is what brought us together. I should thank you.”
“The way he touched you and the way you looked at him. You two are in love, aren’t you?” She picked up her coffee and held the cup between her palms. She glanced at Brian over the edge. “I don’t think this is a conversation you and I should have. Besides, I can’t speak for him. He’s another man afraid of commitment.” She wanted to admit she was in love, but Brian wasn’t the one that needed that information.
“I guess I got my answer.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yes. To me. You get that funny look in your eyes when you’re pleased about something. You never gave that look to me, so I knew we never had a chance at anything permanent.” He glanced out the window. “I’m sorry the way things happened between us. I hope you know my intention wasn’t to hurt you. Never.”
“Everything turned out for the best.” She swirled the liquid in the cup to help cool it. “So how long are you staying around this time?”
“I’m leaving in two days. I hope to spend a little time with Simeon, Asa, and the baby before heading out.”
They sat in silence a little longer. The only thing she could think about was getting back to the store and to Bishop, but he could wait for her for a change.
“Are you happy, Brian?”
He nodded. “I am. I know that might be hard to believe, but I really am. If I couldn’t settle down for you, then I knew settling down wasn’t possible for me. This is the life for me, as crazy as it may seem. But I want you to promise me something.”
She placed her chin in the palm of her hand. “That all depends on what it is.”
“Send me an invitation to the wedding.”
She leaned back. “Wedding? Bishop and I are a long way from discussing marriage.”
“Not as far as you may think.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine