Page 102 of With This Ring
Dakota sat forward in the chair. “I’d have to think about it.”
“Let’s figure that out now.” Dad crossed to the counter, picked up a notepad and pen, and then returned to the table.
They discussed her expenses in broad strokes, and when they came up with a figure, her head began to ache. It was more money than she could ever imagine earning.
“You’re sure that’s what you need?” Dad asked.
She sagged in the seat again. “Yup.”
“Sounds good to me. We can go to the bank tomorrow, and I’ll cosign on a loan for you.”
She shook her head. “I hate asking you for so much help.”
Her parents shared a look.
“Am I missing something?” she asked, her gaze bouncing between them.
“When we were expecting Nick, we were going through similar circumstances,” Mom began. “Your dad had started his own business, and it wasn’t going as well as expected.”
Dakota’s eyes widened. “What? You never told me this. What business?”
“It was a printshop,” Dad explained. “I’d purchased the machines, and I was going to run the place myself.” He pursed his lips. “I refinanced the house and cleaned out our savings.”
“And then it was a total flop,” Mom said matter-of-factly.
Dad blew out a dramatic sigh. “She’s right. There was another printshop in town, and it was much more efficient and affordable. So I had to ask my folks for help.”
“Really?” Dakota tried to wrap her mind around this new information. “I had no idea.”
“That’s because we never talked about it,” Mom said. “It was a real test of our marriage. Right, Mitch?”
Dad kissed her cheek. “But it made us stronger in the end, didn’t it, Debbie?” He leaned over and gave Dakota a hug. “We’re happy to help you, and you shouldn’t feel bad about it.”
Dakota held on to him and sniffed. “I love you guys.”
“We love you too,” Dad said.
“That goes without saying, sweetheart,” Mom agreed. “We love you dearly.”
Dad patted Dakota’s shoulder. “Now. Let’s meet at the bank tomorrow morning and see about that loan.”
“Right.” Dakota rubbed her eyes and stood. “Thank you both. I’m so grateful for you.” With her parents’ help, she was going to get her store back on track.
***
The following morning, Hudson hit the code on the garage door, and it hummed as it closed. He glanced over at Dakota’s driveway and sighed when he found it empty. It was probably best that she wasn’t home. They’d said everything they needed to say last night.
But that didn’t stop his heart from fracturing at the thought of not seeing her again.
Last night he had called his aunt to say goodbye, and he could still hear her sobs echoing in his mind. The sound had been a stab to his heart, but he had to go. It was the only solution that made sense. Shame mixed with his guilt. He was a coward for not telling her in person that he was leaving, but he just couldn’t bear to do otherwise.
After talking to his aunt, he’d stared at the ceiling all night long, replaying his arguments with his sister and with Dakota while the minutes ticked by at a snail’s pace.
Climbing into the driver’s seat, he slipped on his sunglasses and started the engine. When he peeked over at Dakota’s house one last time, he spotted her cat lounging in the window.
“Bye, Trouble,” he said, a little lump expanding in his throat. “Take good care of your mom.”
Hudson motored out of the driveway and down Oak Street with country music playing through his speakers. He turned the music up, hoping to drown out his warring thoughts. Then he pushed the button to lower the window, and warm late-May air filled the SUV, bringing with it the scent of moist earth.