Page 91 of One Kind Heart
But she was.
When he’d come back into the house after standing like a total moron in his front yard, hoping with all his might that Leah’s SUV would come zooming back into his driveway, Dena immediately hugged him.
“Give her time, Dakota. Like I said before.” She’d squeezed him extra tight like she used to when they were kids. When she and Jacy would race into his bedroom during loud, mountain thunderstorms at night and want him to protect them.
Now he was the one that needed protection. From the ache in his heart threatening to consume him.
“If you don’t smile, Nana is going to have the chef serve your head on a platter,” Noah said as he leaned against the wall next to Dakota.
He’d told Noah about Leah calling it quits on them, but his buddy didn’t believe it was over. “Her reaction tells the truth, man.”
“The truth?”
“Yeah. If she didn’t care about you, she wouldn’t be trying to shield herself from falling any deeper. You caught her by surprise, Dakota. She wasn’t prepared to fall so hard for you.” Noah had elbowed him. “You should come with a warning label for chicks.”
“It’s the chicks that need the warning label.”
Maybe he wouldn’t have gotten involved with Leah at all if he’d known about her past. Perhaps if she’d had a sign around her neck that readCaution: Broken Heart, Fear of Travel and Lovehe’d have stayed away.
He took another sip of his beer.No.He wouldn’t have stopped pursuing Leah even if she’d come with a warning label.
He fucking loved her.
“Seriously, dude. Smile.” Noah tapped his bottle against Dakota’s. “Nana made me come over here.”
Dakota searched the room to find Nana. The woman wagged a scolding finger then beamed her own smile at him as if showing him an example of what he should do. He dug out a smile for her and even gave her a wave before she turned her attention back to the guests circled around her.
“Good,” Noah said. “You fooled her. She thinks you’re happy now.”
Happy?“Far from it, my friend. Far from it.”
Noah clamped a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll bet you a large Mountain View pizza—a deluxe—that you and Leah are back together soon. Real soon.”
“I will take that bet only because it may soothe me some when you have to buy me a pizza.”
Noah shook his head. “I’m pretty sure you’ll be the one buying, man.” With a light shove to Dakota’s arm, Noah took off toward a group of sawmill employees.
How long did he have to hang out at this shindig? All Dakota wanted to do was be at his cabin, Ginger sprawled across his lap as they watchedIndiana Jonesor something.
Actually, that wasn’t true. What he really wanted was to add Leah to that cozy picture.
But she’s erased herself.
Another sip of his beer and the bottle was empty. He somehow waded through the crowd of bash-goers and got himself a second beer. When he turned around, his mother was standing behind him.
“Come with me.” She cupped his cheek then led him out of the noise of the hall. “Dena told me what happened with Leah after we dropped you off at your house today. I’m sorry, honey.”
Dakota leaned against the wrought-iron railing that bordered a viewing area overlooking Brenton Lake. He scanned the dark water, the tiny lights twinkling like stars on the nearby trees, the moonlit sky. A perfect night to be out here with a lover.
And I’m here with my mom.
“I thought Leah was my heart match,” he said.
His mother took up the spot beside him, her form so much shorter than his. She looked lovely in a long gray dress that he happened to know she’d made herself. Her thick brown hair streaked with gray had been braided and arranged in a coil at the nape of her neck. Shiny earrings gave her a subtle sparkle for the evening’s event. His dad had hit the jackpot with finding his mom. She was beautiful and intelligent and loved William with her whole heart.
Would he ever have that with a woman? Dakota hadn’t thought much about wanting it. Not until Leah.
“You don’t think she’s your heart match anymore?” his mother asked.