The Moore Sisters of Montana: The Complete Series Box Set: Books 1-4

by Ann B. Harrison

  Was he hitting on her? Dakota watched him, trying to figure out his motives.

  “Just coffee, Dakota. I’m not looking for anything else. I have a life to go back to in the city when my father is feeling up to getting on with life again.”

  Embarrassment heated her cheeks. He knew she thought he was flirting with her. What the heck? She’d have to be more careful in the future to hide her thoughts. “Sure. I, um wasn’t thinking anything else. Coffee sounds great and I’ve been working up a sweat too so no big deal.”

  *

  Why did he find her so attractive? Was it the way she viewed everything with such enthusiasm and glee, a childlike fascination? Such a vivacious personality. He was like that once. Keen to learn new things, meet new challenges. That was what had taken him from Cherry Lake to play for the Seattle Sounders. Eight years in the top league had been an incredible ride. He’d traveled overseas, played against some of the best players in the world, met some of his own heroes of the sporting world and made lifetime friends as well as set himself up financially for the future.

  But his time was coming to an end, he knew that. It hadn’t been the talk from his mother last night that had started the niggles of doubt over his playing future. A couple of months ago his own doctor had suggested he rethink his long-term career at a regular health check.

  He’d gone over the X-rays, prodded and poked and gave his damning opinion. “Adam, I don’t like how your knee has taken so much trauma. You’ve had two reconstructions and you’re pretty much guaranteed to need another one the way you play. I’m not sure how much longer soccer will be a viable career. One severe knock and it could all be over. You need to think of the future.” He’d peered over his glasses, his mouth a tight grim line. “I know you don’t want to hear it, none of you guys ever do and I’d be failing in my duty of care if I didn’t bring the subject up. But the fact of the matter is that one day you’ll have to give up the sport. Don’t you think it would be wiser to do that before you’re forced to quit due to another injury?”

  “Sure, it would be the sensible thing to do if I was worried about my health but I’m not. I have another season at least in me, maybe two. Why would I want to give that up?”

  “Because if you don’t and you have another operation, I can’t guarantee that you won’t suffer from arthritis or end up with a cane. It’s highly likely that you’ll end up with joint problems anyway and playing on will only cement that fact. Is it worth it?”

  He’d left the doctor’s office with more questions than answers. His father’s heart issues may have been the timely reminder he needed to sort out his future. Not something he thought he would ever be ready for.

  “Earth to Adam.” Dakota watched him come back to the present and he looked away from her inquisitive eyes.

  “Gosh, sorry. I had a moment down memory lane. Very rude of me. Where were we?”

  She sighed and gave him a warm smile. “Mari suggested you show me the Grange when you have time. She wants me to come to the meeting and see if I can help out with the repairs.”

  “That’s very kind of you to offer to help when you’ve only just moved to Cherry Lake. The more the merrier.” Adam grimaced as his mother’s neighbor walked past their outside table and gave him a knowing look. Better to take the bull by the horns. “Mrs. Ferris, how are you this morning?”

  “Hello, Adam. How lovely to see you and this is, Miss?” She stood waiting to be introduced.

  “Dakota Moore, meet Arabella Ferris, my mother’s neighbor and our local librarian.”

  Dakota stood up and held out her hand. “How lovely to meet you, Mrs. Ferris.”

  Arabella preened. “Arabella, please. So, I hear you’re having a meeting tomorrow night to sort out funding for the Grange, Adam. I hope you have some good ideas. That place is going to rack and ruin. My poor father would turn over in his grave if he could see it now.”

  She leant down and whispered in Dakota’s ear although everyone could hear her. “My father built that for the town. All the dances were held there, any meeting of importance as well. It’s such a shame it went out of fashion and fell into neglect.”

  “I’d love to be involved. My sister told me about it last night when I arrived in town.”

  Arabella perched on a vacant chair. “Oh, so you’re the new girl that moved into Galway Cottage. Rupert Woods will be pleased to have it inhabited again. Such a pretty little residence.”

  “He’s the owner, Woodsie? I didn’t know that.” Not that it made any difference to Dakota that the handyman who supplied her with wood owned the cottage.

  Arabella nodded her head, seemingly in no hurry to move on. “Yes, he owns most of the cottages in that little cove. His son Jake and grandson Cory live with him now. Been there since his wife passed away. Such a shame when she died, lovely girl she was.”

  Adam finished his coffee and placed the mug down on the table, reached down to rub Tiny’s ears again hoping Arabella would move along.

  Arabella continued to chatter away. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow night then, Dakota. You’ll be there I assume, Adam, standing in for your father?”

  “Wouldn’t be anywhere else.” He watched her bustle away toward the library. “Sorry about that. She means well but she’s a terrible gossip.”

  “I like her. She seems very passionate about the town.” Dakota watched him, a twinkle in her eyes. “I don’t mean to push, Adam, but is there any chance I can get to see the Grange before the meeting so I can work out what I can do to help if anything? I’m really keen to be involved.”

  He ran his calendar through his mind. A quick shower, a house showing at 10:30 and nothing much else that he knew of. “I can take you over at lunchtime today. Would that suit you?”

  “Sounds perfect. Do you want me to meet you there? Just tell me the address.”

  Chapter Three

  Dakota stood in the middle of the great room and turned full circle. The heels of her boots clicked on the dusty wooden floorboards, echoing in the otherwise silent space. The emotions rolling over her face warmed Adam. Wonder mixed with a growing sense of excitement shimmered from her very expressive blue eyes. Ms. Moore would not be the person to hide something from you. She would never be able to pull the shutters down on her thoughts. He sneezed as years of decay and neglect teased his nose.

  “Oh bless you. I can’t believe this place, it’s so beautiful. Or at least it will be once it gets a makeover.” She lifted her head and her gaze locked onto the chandeliers. One hung precariously lopsided, one of the support chains broken. The dusty cobweb covered crystals failed to give off the stunning rainbows even with the sun drifting in through the tall windows. Strands of spider web hung like strings of pearls from crystal to crystal, coating the chandeliers with a fine net of dust.

  “That’s the hope, anyway. My father remembers coming to dances here when he was at school. I don’t know why everyone stopped using it and let it fall into disrepair but there’s still plenty of life in the old building. Dances became passé or something, from what my mother said. The drive-in movie theater seemed to be more popular and sadly this is the result. Be a shame to see it go completely to ruin.”

  She tossed her wayward curls over her shoulder and grinned at him, the faint waft of strawberry shampoo fighting with the smell of dust. “I can imagine all sorts of activities being held here. It has such a nice welcoming vibe to it.”

  Adam roared with laughter. “A welcoming vibe. I guess that kind of sums it up.” She was such a breath of fresh air. Why hadn’t he met anyone like her in the city before? He might have settled down by now if he had.

  Dakota grabbed his hand and pulled him into a faint beam of sunlight forcing its way through a dirty windowpane. “Close your eyes and let your imagination take over.”

  He did as she asked, happy to be spending time doing something so calming after the stress of the last few weeks. It felt right to be with her, letting his imagination drift away from the stress of the last coupl
e of weeks. Funny how much he’d looked forward to spending time alone with her.

  Her voice filled his head. “Listen to the hushed chatter of the dancers as they wait for the orchestra to take their positions on stage. The red velvet curtains flutter and the patter of footsteps build the anticipation of a fabulous night. Your mother and father stand with their friends, excited to be allowed to attend this year’s Christmas Ball.” Her breath wafted over his neck as she spun the story.

  “Even the watchful eye of their parents from the side cannot take away the newfound thrill they’ve found being together. The curtain opens, a tap of a baton against wood signals the start of the music. Your father grips your mother’s hand, slides another behind her back, gives her a gentle smile and is poised ready to take her away in the opening waltz.”

  Dakota moved to the front of him and leant into his body, the touch of her sending his pulse racing. “The music starts, soft melodic strains reach into his soul and they begin to move together, all too soon oblivious of those around them. They become their own island, their own world where no one can interrupt or steal away the joy they feel being here together.”

  She’d slipped her hand into his, began to move and together they danced to the music in their heads. His hands felt right as they held her close. It was as though she belonged there. Adam opened his eyes and looked into the smiling face turned up to him. “How do you do it, Dakota? You had me there with them. Kind of creepy to be in my parents’ heads but also very cool. Your imagination is awesome.” He continued to lead her around the dusty floor, loath to let her go. It would seem that coming home had become more important than he’d first thought. Now he had more to think about than playing another season. His parents had started their future in this town. Could he find something to keep him here too besides the house he owned? It was beginning to seem like anything was possible.

  “Joys of being a crafty person, I guess. I can imagine almost anything if I put my mind to it. Probably the reason why my jewelry sells so well. My customers can feel what I can when I’m designing it.”

  “Your jewelry?”

  “That’s right. Glitterz is my business.” She gave him a saucy wink. “But you knew that, right?”

  Adam shook his head, annoyed with himself for not picking up that fact. “No. I actually thought you were a customer of hers.” He bit his lip and came to a halt, still with her hand in his. Something happened and she’d disappeared off the face of the planet. His then girlfriend had been desolate because she loved the brand. Perhaps when they got to know each other better, Dakota might tell him what had happened.

  “It’s a long story and I’m sure you don’t really want to hear about it.” She looked around and he felt a pang of embarrassment as she clamped up. The last thing he wanted to do was upset her. He enjoyed her company too much. “Let’s concentrate on this building and what we have to do to bring it up to scratch. It’s far more interesting than me.” She let go of his hand and moved away, leaving him feeling desolate and alone.

  “I disagree. I’ve not met such an interesting person for such a long time. I’d like to know more about Ms. Dakota Moore if she’ll be kind enough to spend time with me.” He tilted his head and watched the color tinge her perfect cheekbones. “I know I said I’d be going back to Seattle sooner or later but perhaps you could take pity and agree to a dinner date.”

  “Dinner? No strings attached, kind of dinner?” She slipped her hands into her coat pockets and regarded him with a calm stare.

  “A friends kind of dinner, not a one-night stand kind of thing, if that’s what you think I meant.” He wouldn’t say no it she wanted to make it more but that wasn’t what was foremost in his mind.

  “I could do with a friend if you’re sure that’s what you’re offering. Invitation accepted.”

  “Great. I’ll pick you up about seven pm. By the time I close up the office and pop into the hospital and say hello to my father, I think that would be about right.”

  “I look forward to it, Adam. Now, back to the Grange. What are your father’s ideas for it so I can put together something of my own that will fit in with that vision?”

  *

  Dakota dressed with care for her date with Adam. Even though she said she was happy with having a friend, her mind did go over the idea of him being more which surprised her. This was the first time she’d looked at someone with any inkling of romance on her mind since Roger had left. It’d hit her earlier after they’d danced in the Grange and they’d said goodbye. She’d initially been confused by her feelings, had trouble recognizing the pull of attraction for what it was. It was a shame he wouldn’t be staying in Cherry Lake longer than was necessary. She’d have liked the opportunity to see where their friendship could go, see if a romance was possible.

  But regardless, tonight she was going to enjoy herself. She brushed her hair, finished her makeup and sprayed a small amount of perfume on her throat and wrists. Her favorite, Daisy, always made her feel slightly flirtatious and feminine at the same time.

  A quick glance in the mirror, a hand over her curls to make sure they were in place and she was ready. Dakota walked out to the kitchen as she did up a charm bracelet on her wrist, Tiny dancing around her feet. “You have to stay home, little poodle.”

  The yaps of protest had her laughing. It was as though Tiny could understand every word she said. Her dog had always been able to predict her moods so really it wouldn’t have surprised Dakota if she could. It was almost seven o’clock. A ripple of excitement raced up her skin, goose bumps appeared on her arms. “This is ridiculous to be so worked up over a date with a friend. I need a glass of wine to calm me down before Adam arrives and I risk making a fool of myself. He said friend, Tiny, and friend is what I will strive to be. Nothing more.”

  A bottle of Shiraz sat on the counter and she reached for a wineglass before she opened the bottle. As she poured, a cramp gripped her hand and the bottle slipped from her hand, shattering on the tiles and spilling wine all over the kitchen floor.

  “Oh no.” Dakota looked at the mess as she massaged her hand until the cramp eased. Red wine dripped all down her dress staining it beyond repair. “What a pain.” Nothing for it, she’d have to change and clean up the floor. She walked into the tiny mudroom for the mop and bucket, hoping Adam would be running late.

  The doorbell rang and Tiny raced to the door, yapping in joy. Heck, just her luck.

  She left the bucket and mop in the kitchen, hurriedly wiped her hands, mopped at her dress with a tea towel, and went to open the door.

  Adam stood with a bunch of daisies in his hand. His smile turned to confusion when he spied the wine down her dress. He reached out, concern in his voice. “What happened? Are you okay, Dakota?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. Stupid hand cramped up and I dropped the bottle of wine and it went everywhere as you can see.” She stepped back, bit back a curse as a dribble of wine trickled down her leg and into her shoe, leaving a soggy tight clinging to a now cold foot. “Come in. I’m sorry but I have to clean up the mess and change before we go out.”

  “Hey, I can use a mop. Show me the disaster area and I’ll clean up while you change.” He followed her into the kitchen, his lips twitching at the pool of red on her tiles. “You have made rather a shamble of the place, haven’t you?”

  “Of course. My motto is, ‘if you’re going to do something, you may as well do it spectacularly well.’” And hadn’t she done just that?

  “It just so happens that I agree and you have. Off you go, leave me with this.” He gave her a nudge and thankful for the help, Dakota hurried off to find a new outfit to wear.

  Over dinner later, she laughed about the mishap even if she did think she was a klutz. “If I didn’t particularly like that red wine, I wouldn’t have been so annoyed with myself.”

  Adam reached out and took her hand, looking at the scar that ran down both fingers and her palm. He ran his thumb over it and she shivered, her fingers instinctively closing over
his. “Does it still hurt?”

  “Not really. Just a dull ache and numb patches, which I can live with.”

  “Want to share what happened?”

  Dakota didn’t have the heart to refuse after he’d cleaned up her mess. Besides, it was nice to offload on someone who wasn’t intent on coddling her. He listened and agreed with her when she said she was fine.

  “I get it, I do. Being in the sport I am, injuries are part of the deal. Sadly, they can be career ending too. Knock on wood,” he tapped his fingers on the table, “so far I’ve managed to avoid that. A knee reconstruction was my last stint in hospital and that was the second one I’ve suffered through.”

  “But it hasn’t slowed you down, has it?”

  “No. I have had to think about my future though, even if I’m not ready to quit the sport it’s something I must consider.”

  “Understandable too. But my parents think I’m never going to be able to do the fine work I did before and they might be right. But I can still work, still support myself.”

  “You didn’t think of changing professions?” Adam took a bite of his steak.

  “No, never. I love what I do. The finer designs may be harder for me now and I might not ever be able to do what I once did but you should see what I’ve done lately. I’ve managed to find a whole new line and I’ve had so much interest already and it’s not even for sale yet.” She put down her knife and fork and rested her hands on her lap. It’d been hard to accept in the beginning, knowing she would never pick up her finest tools again but forever pragmatic, she’d considered herself lucky she still had all her fingers. Every now and then the nostalgia washed over her leaving sadness in its wake but it didn’t last for long.

  “Tell me about it.” He lifted his glass and took a sip of water.

  “Christmas decorations. It’s something I thought of years ago but didn’t launch. My pieces are expensive, I know that and I wanted to reach a bigger market. So, I played with a couple of ideas and started working on my Christmas decorations.”