Christmas Romance (The Best Christmas Romance of 2016): The Love List Christmas (16 page)

Chapter Six

She sucked in a deep breath. For the first time in twenty-seven years she was about to meet her father. Dakota’s first thought when she woke that morning hadn’t left her thoughts since. The first three hours of her shift had been agonizing. He hadn’t yet showed at the hospital. She’d overheard Denise tell another staff member that he’d be in after ten o’clock because the plane had been delayed the day before. He probably arrived home late at night and needed the extra rest. Still, Dakota had waited so long to meet him. She’d been excited, anxious, and nervous all at the same time.

“Dakota, can you do the coffee run this morning? I want to get these files ready for Dr. Withers. He should be in shortly.”

Denise set the files on the counter at the nurses’ station and reached for her purse. She handed Dakota cash and then added, “Oh, grab one for Dr. Withers too. He takes his black with three sugars.” Denise paused for a second. “Hey, just like you.”

She returned Denise’s smile.
We have one thing in common so far.
Dakota scooted across the road to Vinegrove’s best coffee house in town. Well, the only one in town. She loved the name of it. The sign hung above the door and the large bay window at the front of the shop. It read
Morning Sunshine
with a smiley face.
It’s just too adorable.
Her hand reached for the brass door handle and she pushed the door open. The aroma of caffeine drove her senses wild and carried her to the counter to place her order.

“Morning there sunshine, how’s Vinegrove treating Miss Dakota?”

The older man behind the counter had just finished brewing a fresh pot of coffee. Like everyone else in Vinegrove, Dave and Vera Johansson were always kind to her.

“Good morning, Mr. Johansson. Vinegrove is treating me like I’ve lived here my whole life. I love it!”

She meant it too. She couldn’t believe she’d only lived there such a short time. But it felt like it was meant to be. She hoped it would be the place for her wishes to come true. One being a white Christmas which she was pretty certain would happen. The other depended on how
he
took the news. She wondered how he’d react—if he’d be shocked, and if he’d accept her as his daughter. So many questions raced through her mind as she waited for the coffees to be prepared and listened to Mr. Johansson ramble on. She hadn’t thought about the other man on her mind since the
Love List
pick the night before. But even then, her thoughts of him hadn’t lingered like the week before.

“It’s Dave. Remember, this is Vinegrove; we’re all on a first-name-basis here. Isn’t that right, Ethel?”

Dakota laughed, nodded in agreement, and then turned to greet her dear friend.

“Morning Ethel”

“Morning child” Ethel placed her hands on either side of Dakota’s face and pulled her down closer so she could kiss her on the cheek. “I missed you this morning for tea. I had a rough night tossing and turning.”

Dakota laughed as Ethel used her hands so dramatically. The cute short old lady spoke as much with her hands as her mouth.

“That’s okay, Ethel. I missed you too. But when I checked in on you, I heard you snoring and crept quietly down the stairs.”

Ethel laughed. “Checked on me, uh? That’s so sweet of you. I did finally fall asleep in the wee hours of the morning and then slept like a baby until nine o’clock. I must have needed the rest.” She shook her head and chuckled.

Vera Johansson called out to Ethel from the kitchen to have a seat and she’d bring the tea out.

Ethel agreed with a wave of her hand in the air and then turned to Dakota. “Join us dear?”

Dakota would have loved to if she hadn’t been on shift. “I’m only on a coffee run but I’ll see you tonight for tea.” Ethel agreed and patted her on the arm. Dakota smiled as she made her way to the corner table. Vera and Ethel had been having tea for a number of years every morning about this time. The table always held a
reserved
sign on it for the ladies.

“Here you go, Miss Dakota.” Mr. Johansson handed her the tray of coffees and then added with a quick wink, “I wrote each name on the top for you.”

Dakota thanked him and with so much on her mind, turned too quick. Someone almost knocked the tray from her hands. She knew it was
him
before she looked up to confirm. His scent triggered her memory. A fresh, clean scent with hints of mandarin and jasmine, teased her senses. She knew instantly it was Mr. Stetson.

“Whoa! You almost hit me again!” This time she said it with more humor.

Tristan tipped his hat, “I’m sorry. It’s never been my intention.”

His bashful smile followed the apology. “Can I be forgiven twice?”

Dakota nodded and then warned him. “But three strikes and you’re out.”

The corners of his mouth curved into a grin. He appeared amused but thankful. His next comment forced her to laugh.

“I’m just here for a grab-and-go.”

She figured he’d meant for his words to come out differently. Again, he apologized.

“I’m sorry, that didn’t come out quite right. I meant to say I was just going to grab a coffee and run. I have a plane to catch.”

He seemed distracted in thought, but also appeared somewhat nervous, like a school boy attempting to ask out the girl he liked. It could have just been hope that made her think that, but she smiled and accepted his apology.

“I figured so.” She assured him she knew what he’d meant. But the fact that he’d been embarrassed of how his words had come across, gave her hope that if she did have the guts to ask him out, he might say yes.

Dakota lifted the tray slightly in her hands. “I’d love to chat longer, but I should get these across the street before they send a search party for their coffee.” Her eyes drifted between the coffees in her hands to the handsome man before her. She could stare at him all morning. If only she had the courage to ask him out. The
Love List
girls had made it sound so easy. But Dakota didn’t seem to have the audacity they had. The words were there, she just couldn’t get them out.

Tristan dashed ahead of her to the door. “Allow me,” he said and he held it open for her. His scent overpowered the aroma of caffeine and pleased her senses.

Dakota politely thanked him. Her shoulder slightly grazed his chest as she passed through the door. A surge of heat rushed through her and her heart picked up its beat. She felt flushed in the face and too embarrassed to turn back.
Really, Dakota! How old
are
you?

“Oh, here she comes with caffeine in hand.” Dakota heard Denise announce her entry.   Dakota took a quick breath. The man beside Denise looked familiar from the pictures she’d found through her investigations. She smiled and set the tray down. One by one, she lifted the cups and passed them around. A chorus of thank-you followed, but it was Denise’s words, “Bless you,” that made her laugh out loud. The woman did love her coffee. She then handed the last cup to the man before her.

“Dr. Withers, I presume.” She almost blurted out “Dad but bit back the words on her tongue. She didn’t want to shock him publically. Dakota had more class than that. She only wished she could whisk him down the corridor and tell him in private. Her heart raced like a child’s on Christmas Eve, counting down the minutes for morning to arrive.  

His smile calmed her nerves. “I am, and you must be Dakota. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I do hope everyone here has given you the warmest welcome.”

His gentle words melted her heart. She’d finally met him. After years of searching, she looked into warm eyes she wished she’d known her entire life. So much had been missed. Her mother had robbed them both of that—well, Dakota anyhow. There was the possibility that he knew of her existence and had abandoned his responsibility. But for some reason, in the few short moments with him, she couldn’t believe that was the case. She’d waited this long and had grown immense patience. She knew she could wait a little longer. If he didn’t know, then the news would be a shock to him. She wasn’t sure whether she was worried more about him knowing or not knowing.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Withers. Everyone here has been very welcoming. I already feel at home.”

“Good.” He smiled. “I’m happy to hear that.” He lifted his coffee in the air. “And thanks for the coffee. Next time, it’s on me.” He winked. “Now I must get settled at my desk. Denise has left me a stack of files to review. We’ll talk later, ladies.”

He nodded slightly and turned toward the corridor. Dakota watched him briefly walk down the hall. Wishful thoughts crossed her mind of hope that he’d welcome her as his daughter.

Dakota spoke with Dr. Withers a few times throughout her shift but always with others around. Not that she’d planned to drop the bomb on the first day she met him. She liked him as a person and as a doctor. He’d been as knowledgeable and experienced as she’d read in the articles she found during her search for him. His gentle way with words and his bedside manner with his patients only confirmed what type of person she believed him to be. His easy-going demeanor and his dry humor throughout the day with his nurses only confirmed she’d taken after her father and not her mother.
Soon,
she thought as her shift ended,
she’d tell him. She just wondered when and then how she’d break the news.

“So there seems to be a spark of interest from that handsome man at the coffee shop this morning.”

Ethel surprised Dakota with her bold statement when she stepped into the kitchen. The old lady turned with her teapot in hand and winked. Her snicker told Dakota she’d noticed her run-in with Tristan. “Cup of tea before dinner, dear?”

Dakota smiled and pretended to ignore Ethel’s remark. “I’d love one.” She sat at the table as Ethel poured her a cup. She said nothing more until she sat across the table with her own tea.

“Was that the Tanner boys’ cousin? I can’t remember his name. Met him once or twice but I don’t see him around town much. He came here a few months back to run the winery for the boys after their father passed. God rest his soul, taken too young.”

Ethel rambled. Dakota loved to listen to her tell stories of the townsfolk. Ethel knew everybody. It’s how she got to know everyone in town. . When she paused, Dakota reminded her of his name.

“Tristan Hart and he is their cousin. Today was actually the second time he literally almost ran into me.” She laughed as she remembered both times and wondered if fate was in her corner. Dakota filled Ethel in about the near-accident and how they’d met. The thought of asking him out still kept her stomach in knots. She decided to tell Ethel about the Love List.

Ethel reached across the table and patted Dakota’s hand.

“Be brave, my dear. Ask him out. Back in my day, that kind of thing would never have happened but it’s not that we didn’t want to.” She winked and then giggled. Dakota loved the woman’s laughter. It filled the kitchen with warmth and love.

“I’d love to, Ethel; I just don’t know if I have the courage to.” She took a sip of her tea and then snorted it through her nose with Ethel’s next comment.

“Well, if you don’t dear; I might. He’s a fine catch.”

Chapter Seven

The town square in Vinegrove had been lit with strings of sparkling lights. Dakota strolled through town on her way to Finn’s place for a Thanksgiving dinner celebration. Delighted that she’d been a part of the decorations committee, she cherished every moment of the scenery along her way. She’d met Marion, Dr. Withers’ wife, during their committee meetings to decorate. She appeared as kind and sweet as her husband John—Dakota respected and called him Dr. Withers and not John, or
Dad
as she wished. Christmas carolers, horse-drawn carriages and snow-capped roofs had been visions in her mind for years. Vinegrove was about to make those a reality. A light snow had fallen late in the day and the thin layer surrounded the magical lights perfectly.

“Dakota, come in. I’m so happy we’re all together for the holidays. I see your snow is finally arriving for you.”

Finn looked over Dakota’s shoulder as if she’d been searching for something other than snow.

“If you’re looking for Tristan, he’s not here, unless someone else had the courage to ask him.” She laughed at her own inability to be brave.

“You haven’t asked him out yet?” Finn closed the front door and took Dakota’s coat from her. She hung it on the oak stand beside them and then wrapped an arm around Dakota’s waist. “Let’s have a good time tonight with friends, food and wine. By the end of the night, we will have you convinced and rehearsed to be courageous.” She cackled after her comment. Dakota rolled her eyes as they entered the living room filled with her new friends.

“There she is. I was worried that you’d walk by the town square and stay there with all those pretty lights,” Kady declared and stood to welcome Dakota with a hug.

“Almost did,” Dakota confessed. “They’re so pretty. It felt magical as I passed by.”

Dakota had rambled at their last wine and chat night about how excited she’d been to be a part of the town’s Christmas committee; especially since she’d dreamed of a white magical Christmas her entire life. This year that dream would come true.

“You did a fabulous job on the lights, Dakota.” Maisey hugged her next. “I must admit I took a picture on the way here. I may even use it for my blog about holiday weddings.”

“Thanks, ladies. I’d never been so eager to belong to a committee. Let alone, a
Love
List
group. So I guess I’m not alone with the hesitation part of that group?”

She looked around the room only to see Finn’s new man, Keaton. Kady piped up first to remind them that she hadn’t picked a name from the basket. Dakota remembered that night and how adamant Kady had been. She didn’t need a man. But Dakota knew there was something brewing with the guy that had shown at one of their meetings. Dakota turned to Maisey and raised an eyebrow. “And where’s this Sean Marshall we’ve heard so much about?”

“Serving and protecting the fine people of Vinegrove. I wish he could have been here to meet you all, but he will soon.”

The glow coming from Maisey’s face could have lit up the entire room. Dakota was genuinely happy for her friend, for all of them. What started as a silly game to some and to others, more of a deceitful way to get a man, had turned out to be more coincidental than anything. Fate seemed to be in the cards for Dakota and her friends, with or without a game. All Dakota had to do was let fate happen. Finn’s comment earlier no longer worried her. She didn’t need the ladies to convince her to be brave. At that moment, she decided to let love happen. Whether she asked Tristan out, he asked her out, or she allowed Becca to set them up like she’d suggested for the upcoming Christmas party at the Tanner Vineyard, it didn’t matter. Love was already in the air since the first day she’d met Tristan. She liked him and Becca continued to tell her that he was definitely interested, but he’d just been busy since his quick trip abroad. Just like she’d been pre-occupied with her thoughts of how to have that chat with Dr. Withers and tell him she believed him to be her dad.

Finn and Keaton appeared from the kitchen with champagne and flutes. Tonight was a celebration of friends. Tomorrow, she’d call Dr. Withers and then she’d call Becca back about the Christmas party. Keaton filled the round of glasses and cheers followed.

Keaton offered to drive Dakota home after dinner, but she wanted to pass by the magical lights at the town square once more that night. They gave her peace and hope that her wishes would come true. She just needed the strength to be courageous and that had grown in the past couple of weeks. She knew it was time to let the cards fall as they may. A trail of lights led her back to the town square as the homes along her way displayed an array of Christmas lights. She stopped at the incredible view before her; the spectacular sight of the festively-lit town square. Dakota stood for a moment and gazed at the magic she’d helped arrange. Her stroll had been quiet. She hadn’t seen a soul. Lost in her thoughts, she jumped at the sound of her name. She knew his voice instantly and calmed. “Tristan”

She noticed his truck parked just feet from them. His lights streamed across the square but she assumed with all the lights she hadn’t noticed him pull up beside her. Her mind had drifted between him and her father, probably the reason she hadn’t heard his truck.

“Evening, Miss Country Girl. I hope I didn’t frighten you. I do remember you’d said three strikes and I’m out.” His laughter that followed seemed like a nervous chuckle to her. She wondered if he was as nervous to talk to her as she’d been to talk to him.

Dakota reassured him. “No, you’re still safe.”

He lifted his hand to his chest and blew out a breath. “Good to hear.” He stood beside her for a moment in silence and then acknowledged the beauty of the lights.

“I heard you had a hand in this gorgeous set-up.”

She turned and grinned. “I did.” She turned back to the display and sighed. “It’s breathtaking, isn’t it?”

“That it is, but it’s a shame to enjoy it alone.”

“I’m not anymore. You’re here now.”

She felt his hand slightly touch her back. Even through the thickness of her coat, his touch ignited immense heat. Becca’s words that he was definitely interested struck her mind. But his words that followed his action confirmed it.

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

His few simple words touched her heart tremendously and created a flutter within it. She looked up into the most brilliant eyes that reminded her of the Pacific seas and smiled.

“That’s so sweet. I’m happy you’re here.”

He took her hand and led her to a nearby park bench. He brushed the snow from it, removed his scarf, and then laid it on the bench. He motioned for her to take a seat. He sat beside her and placed his arm around her and pulled her in close.

“Now we have front row seats for this spectacular show.”

She’d never felt so relaxed. Her mind drifted as she looked forward at the lights until he spoke.

“You seem a little distracted tonight. Is everything okay?”

Dakota smiled and then turned to look into those calming eyes. She felt as though she could tell him her darkest secrets, if she had any. Silently she chuckled inside, she did. There was a secret she hadn’t yet shared with anyone.

“Sort of,” She shrugged and then laughed. “I feel somewhat indecisive lately.”

He brushed her hair aside that had fallen out from beneath her hat. “Why’s that?”

She sighed. “There have been a couple of things on my mind lately. Well, two men to be exact.”

His expression told her that last comment didn’t come out right. She laughed. His eyebrow lifted in question.

“That didn’t come out right. What I meant to say is that I’ve had two men on my mind. One, I’m having difficulty finding the right words to tell him something. The other, finding the right words to ask him something.”

Silence filled the air for a moment as she thought of what she’d just said.

“That doesn’t make sense, does it?”

He shook his head. “Sounds a little confusing,” he admitted.

She replayed her words in her mind again.
Does he think my heart is swaying between two men?
She gazed into the confused look in his eyes. She felt as though she could stare into those eyes for the rest of her life.

She laughed. “What I really meant is there’s a man in town that may be my father and I don’t know how to tell him. The other man”— she paused for a moment and chewed on her bottom lip. After a deep breath she finished—“the other is the man I think I’ve fallen in love with. Call it fate or love at first sight, I don’t know. But I’ve never felt this way before. And for some reason, I’m scared to tell him.” She exhaled. “Guess I just did.”

Tristan smiled. “Well, I believe I’m too young to be your father, so if I’m the other man on your mind; you’ve just made me the happiest man alive.” His hand touched her face gently. One finger traced along her cheekbone. “I’d even be happier if I could kiss you. Is that too forward?”

Dakota swallowed hard. His words made her heart skip a beat as she awaited his kiss. She nodded in agreement but he looked confused. Dakota snickered. “I’d mean
yes
for the kiss.”

Tristan leaned forward. She felt his lips against hers and closed her eyes. The magic of his kiss overtook the magic of the lights before them.