Christmas Romance (The Best Christmas Romance of 2016): The Love List Christmas (17 page)

Chapter Eight

Dakota felt the warmth of the sun against her skin. She opened her eyes and saw snowflakes hit her bedroom window. The sight of the snow made her smile. Her arms came out from the covers and stretched above her head. Thoughts of Tristan’s kisses flooded her memory and she grinned. The memory of his tender touch lingered on her lips. She’d never felt so alive and happy. She’d never felt this way before. It only confirmed what she’d wondered, she was in love. She whispered a thank you in the air. She believed in fate and realized for the first time that it didn’t matter whether Dr. Withers was her dad. Fate had taken her to Vinegrove for Tristan. For the first time in weeks, she didn’t feel so worried or hesitant to confide to the man she believed might be her dad. It was time to tell him and then accept the outcome.

After a quick shower, she dressed and then picked up her phone. She searched and found his number. Without hesitation, she pressed the Call button. He answered after the second ring.

“Good morning, this is Dr. Withers.”

Dakota took in a quick breath. “Good morning Dr. Withers, its Dakota. Do you have time this morning for a cup of coffee? I need to talk to you about something.” She said it in one breath and awaited his response.

“I can always make time for my staff. Is everything okay?”

His genuine concerned tone touched her heart. “Sort of but I’d rather talk to you in person. Could you meet me at the town square? I’ll bring the coffee.”

He accepted her invitation and mentioned he’d meet her there in about a half hour.

She pressed the End button. A slight hesitation came over her but then she reminded herself that she needed to get this done. Dakota reassured herself that the outcome would not matter.
What’s meant to be is meant to be
.

Dakota sat on the same bench at the town square she had the night before with Tristan. But it wasn’t his kiss that was on her mind at the moment. Her knees bounced up and down. It wasn’t the cold air that caused the action. The tray of hot coffees on her lap warmed her. Her nervous state was a reaction to her thoughts of how to break the news. She’d played the words she’d rehearsed in her mind over and over. His voice startled her.

“Dakota”

She looked up at the man who may or may not be her father.
This is it
. He sat beside her and she handed him a coffee. His smile eased her nervousness a touch. 

  “Your call has me worried. Is there a problem at the hospital?” 

It hit her he had no clue why she’d call him outside the hospital. 

  “Oh no, everyone at the hospital is very kind and helpful. I love my job and I hope to stay here in Vinegrove for a long time.”

  “Well that’s good to know. We are very lucky to have you as part of our team.” 

  Dakota thanked him for his compliment then took a deep breath.

  “The reason I called and asked to meet with you”— she paused and then reminded herself to be honest and brave—“I have to admit there was a reason I came to Vinegrove besides the job.” She looked at him. His eyes were so patient and kind. They only eased her nervous thoughts. 

  “I’ve done some research which led me here. I’ve been searching for my biological father for years.”

  There, she’d said it. She reminded herself silently to let the cards fall where they may. His head slightly tilted and his look of confusion worried her. 

  “And you think I may be your father?”

  “Did you know a woman named Francine Saunders?”

She waited for a reply. He appeared to dig through his memory for a moment. 

  “I believe I did back in my college days. Only briefly, though. We dated a few times, but I hadn’t heard that name in years. Is she your mother?”

Dakota nodded. 

  “And she told you I was your father?”

He stood up and paced. “It was less than a month we dated and then I remember she told me I wasn’t the husband material she’d wanted.” He rubbed his jawline as it appeared he remembered her words from years before. 

  “She wouldn’t tell me who my father was. She said I only needed to know the man who’d raised me. My mother can be a little eccentric, to put it nicely.” 

Dr. Withers chuckled. “Yes, I remember that about her.” He then added, “We hadn’t known each other for long before she left me. I accepted her words that I wasn’t right for her and moved on.” 

  “That would be my mother. If you were a starving college student, then she wouldn’t have been interested. She’s only interested in money and to be taken care of. Don’t get me wrong, I love her, I just don’t like what she stands for.” 

Dr. Withers sat down again and sipped his coffee.  

“So what makes you think I may be your father?”

Dakota shared she’d found a box in her family’s attic that contained her mother’s personal things from her younger years. She’d come across some items from college that directed her investigation. She confirmed the timing of her mother’s short relationship with him and the time of her birth. 

  “Did you ask her?”

  “A few times actually, but she only said that anything before her husband didn’t exist in her mind. She married the man who raised me, before I was born.” 

  “What about this man who has raised you?”

  “I love him dearly. He’s a good man. It was he that finally confirmed my suspicions that he wasn’t my biological father. But he admitted he didn’t know who my father was and I believe him. He’s an honest man.” 

Silence then filled the air for a few minutes. Dakota expected her statement would shock him after all these years. At least she knew he hadn’t abandoned her. She believed he’d had no idea she existed. 

  “Dakota, I’d like to keep this between us for the time being, if you don’t mind. I need time to digest it.” 

  “Of course, I don’t expect anything from you. Please know that. I just want to know who my father is and where I come from.” 

  “I understand, dear. I’d want the same. I’d like to talk to my wife first. We never keep secrets from each other. She’s my best friend.” 

Dakota reassured him again she understood and respected his wishes. She watched him walk back to his car. She only hoped he’d be okay. Her phone vibrated in her pocket and she reached for it. The name on the display told her at least one of the two men on her mind lately wanted to talk to her. She answered with a smile. 

  “Hello.” 

  “Good morning, did you sleep well?”

  She had. She dreamed of him and had woken with his kisses still etched in her memory—not that she’d admit it out loud. “I did, thank you. How about you? How did you sleep?”

  “I dreamed of you and our kiss.” His words filled her with happiness. 

His response was bolder than hers. It made her only wish she’d been braver in response. 

“Have you had breakfast yet?”

She confessed she hadn’t and that she’d called the other man to meet for coffee. He hadn’t asked who he was the night before. He’d respected the fact she wanted to keep that private until she had the chance to talk to him. 

  “How did it go?” His concerned tone warmed her. 

  “I’m watching him get in his car as we speak. I just dropped the bomb. He said he’d need some time to digest it.”

“I can only imagine getting hit with that bomb.” He laughed.

Dakota joined him. “Yeah, I’m sure he’s in shell-shock.”

“But as soon as he realizes he might have you as a daughter, he’ll be over the moon.” Tristan’s words comforted her.

“Thanks Tristan, I hope so. I’m just relieved to have gotten that off my chest. Now I’ll wait to see what happens. But I’ve come to realize that it doesn›t matter either way. If it’s meant to be, it will be.” 

  “Good girl. Remain positive and let me come meet you. I’ll buy you breakfast.”

His offer would definitely satisfy her need to see him and the hunger that her stomach just reminded her of. 

  “I’d like that.” 

  “Where are you?”

  “On our bench” 

  “I’ll be there shortly to warm you, feed you, and steal a good morning kiss.” 

She liked the sound of that. “I’ll be here waiting,” she paused, and then added,   “Hungrily.” 

He laughed, “A girl after my own heart. I’m on my way.” 

  “Well it’s about time.”

  Ethel slammed her hand gently on the table. Dakota chuckled as she entered the coffee shop, hand-in-hand with Tristan. “I was about to call him myself,” Ethel blurted out.

Dakota looked at Tristan and whispered, “I’ll explain later.”

He nodded but looked confused. Tristan said good morning to the ladies at the table and then excused himself.   “Sit with the ladies and I’ll order us some breakfast.” 

Dakota thanked him and sat down with Ethel and Vera.

Ethel leaned over to hug Dakota. “I see you’ve taken the bull-by-the- horn.”

She squeezed Dakota gently as she laughed. Ethel’s sayings were priceless.

  “Good girl. I’ll be expecting details later tonight with our tea.” She winked.

Dakota assured her she would. She waved goodbye to the ladies and then met Tristan with two coffees in hand. She directed him to the back corner booth. She wanted him all to herself. 

Chapter Nine

“We’re having a Christmas dance at the winery in two weeks. I’d love for you to come with me.”

Dakota laughed.

“You find that funny?” He’d been nervous enough to ask her and then she laughed at him.

“Sorry,” she spit out through her laughter. “It’s just your tone. You sound nervous like you’re asking me out on our first date. We’ve spent more time in the past week together than I’ve spent with my family in years.”

He admitted he was nervous. “This will be our first official date together in public as a couple.” His sudden onset of nervousness eased a bit. “We are a couple, aren’t we?”

Dakota hugged him. “Yes, we are.”

Then she stressed, “I really like the sound of that.”

He whispered against her ear, “I enjoy having you to myself. But besides Ethel at the coffee shop last week, no one else has spotted us.”

“I like that,” she admitted. “It means you’re all mine.”

He withdrew from their hug and placed his hands on either side of her face.

“I’ll always be just yours. I promise.”

Tristan meant it. He knew she was the woman he’d waited for. He’d confessed to her earlier in the week, he believed their accidental meetings to be fate.

            ****

  After many tries, she found it. Her friends had been patient after a couple of hours and numerous choices. The winning pick was a sleeveless knee-length knit, lace dress with a ruched waist and scoop neckline. It fit her like a glove when she slid into it. The rich berry color caught her eye at first, but the softness she’d felt labeled it the perfect dress for her. The girls stood and applauded when she exited the fitting room. Maisey gave a little whistle and they all cheered. Finn found matching mid-high heels in the same shop. Dakota had never worn high-heeled shoes so she settled with a two-inch. She did a little happy dance outside the shop and made her friends laugh at the sight. 

  “What? I’ve never been to a Christmas dance before. Come to think, I didn’t go to my senior prom either. The kids at my school were too superficial for me.” 

  Dakota grinned from ear-to-ear and then strolled alongside the shops with her friends. Her stomach growled. All that shopping made her hungry. She’d been thankful when Finn pointed to the pub ahead. 

  “Now, we eat. I’m starving! I haven’t shopped like this in a long time.” 

  “It’s made me hungry too,” Kady agreed as she rubbed her stomach. 

  “And since Dakota
finally
found the perfect dress, let’s celebrate,” Maisey said.

  Dakota laughed. “Sorry ladies.” She gave them a puppy-dog look that made them stop outside the pub door for a group hug. 

  Dakota crawled into bed, exhausted. She’d never understood why her mother and sister shopped all the time. But for the first time, she’d loved it. She smiled as she pulled the covers up under her chin. Shopping with her best friends for a dress had been fun. The wine and food at the pub filled her empty stomach and made her sleepy. But excitement still flowed through her. She hoped she could sleep. Thoughts of Tristan and the dance made her feel like a child the night before Christmas. Life was good. No, life was perfect. Her dreams and wishes were all coming true in a little village she now called home. 

  Dakota walked down the staircase one slow step at a time in her attempt to get used to her new heels. Her eyes locked onto his, Tristan waited by the front door in a tailored black suit. His tie caught her eye. The color matched her dress perfectly. She hadn’t mentioned the color of her dress. Unless he’d asked her friends, fate had taken over once more. Ethel came from the direction of the kitchen and raised her hands to her mouth. 

  “Oh, dear, you look so pretty. Let me get a picture of you two.” 

She raced back to the kitchen. 

  Tristan met Dakota at the last step. 

  “I am the luckiest man. You are so beautiful.”

He reached for her hand and lifted it to his lips, and placed a soft gentle kiss on it. From behind his back he brought around his other hand which held a single red rose. 

  “Come into the sitting room.”

  Ethel’s statement pulled Dakota from her trance. She’d been speechless. Tonight was going to be perfect. Tristan looped his arm in invitation to escort her. They followed Ethel for their first picture taken together. She knew she’d treasure it forever. One she hoped to show her grandchildren in the years to come. Along with the greatest love story of how she met their grandfather. 

  The winery’s entrance had a trail of magical lights leading up to the entrance. Dakota gasped as Tristan drove along the entrance. She felt like Cinderella going to the ball.

  “I thought you’d love it. I remember the night we sat at the town square in amazement of your display.” He held her door open and held his arm out for her to balance as she stepped out of his truck.

  “I remember too,” she smiled and then added, “This is absolutely breathtaking.”

Tristan pulled her to the dance floor. “I love this song.” His moves on the dance floor impressed her. She’d been thankful her mother had sent her to dance lessons. Tonight was the first time she’d ever used them.

  At the end of the song, Tristan held her tight in his arms and whispered in her ear,

“Thank you Miss Country Girl. I had to steal a dance before we began to mingle. I know I said I wanted to make a public appearance, but now I wish we were alone.”

  His expression made her laugh but she agreed. She wished they were alone too. A tap on her shoulder confirmed they weren’t. A clearing of the throat told her she’d better acknowledge that tap. Dakota turned to her friends.

  “Care to introduce us to this handsome man?”

  Dakota smiled at Tristan and then followed with the introductions. Tristan politely accepted the hugs that followed. Dakota shrugged her shoulders and laughed. “I come as a package.” She spotted Dr. Withers and his wife as they entered the party. Dakota excused herself from the group when he waved her over. Tristan announced he’d get them a drink and meet her at the bar.

  “Did you plan to tell me about your little
Love List
game?”

  Tristan’s question startled her when she met him at the bar. He turned to her with an expression of hurt. “I overheard your friends talking about this
Love List
. I don’t like being played for a fool, Dakota.” Before she had a chance to explain, he walked away. So many emotions raced through her like she’d been hit by a ton of bricks. Her chest felt restricted to catch her breath. Before the tears began to fall, she ran from the room to find a quiet spot to gain her composure and then figure out how to explain to Tristan that he hadn’t been fooled. She still believed their accidental meetings were fate and that the Love List was just a coincidence and a silly game.

Dakota sat with her head in her hands. She knew she should have been up front with the Love List right from the start. But there’d been so much on her mind at the time since she’d told Dr. Withers he might be her father, which she’d simply forgotten all about it. In her defense, she didn’t ask him out, their relationship just happened. She’d told herself it was fate from the first day she’d met him. Still, she knew she should have told him about it. He shouldn’t have heard it slip out from her friends.

“Dakota, is everything okay?”

She knew that voice and looked up to find Dr. Withers and his wife standing before her. She didn’t have time to dry her eyes.

“I think I just messed up my chance of a happily-ever-after; that’s all. But I’ll be fine. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. It’s not like we’re—”

“Related?” he finished her sentence.

Marion Withers sat down beside Dakota and took her into her arms.

“Oh dear, a saddened heart is never anything simple.” The woman released her embrace and dug into her purse for a tissue.

Dakota thanked her.

“I believe we have some news to help cheer you. We hope, anyway. Dear–”

Marion looked up at her husband, John. She continued to tell Dakota they’d wanted to talk to her in private and not at a public event but the timing seemed appropriate to cheer her saddened expression. She looked up and her husband. Dakota’s eyes travelled between the two of them.

He cleared his throat. “Dakota, I didn’t mean to go behind your back and run the test but I did. For that, I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“What test?”

“A DNA test, both our blood samples were on file at the hospital so I asked for the test to be run.”

Dakota didn’t care if he’d run the test without her knowledge. She almost did it herself. “And”

“We are related. I am your biological father. I’m sorry I never knew all these years.”

She felt his words were genuine. She went silent for a moment to digest the news. She’d wondered for so many years and now she knew. It was almost too good to be true and then Marion touched her heart with an invitation.

“We’d both like to welcome you to our family. We hope you’ll join us on Christmas Day for a family dinner. Our daughters, your sisters, are anxious to meet you. I hope you don’t mind we’ve told them. But we do understand if you’ve planned to visit your mother for the holidays.”

Dakota couldn’t believe her ears. She’d only expected to discover who her father was. She hadn’t expected to be welcomed with open arms, and then invited to a family dinner. It was a lot to digest. Her mind spun in circles. She looked at them both.

“Thank you. That is so kind of you to include me. I really didn’t expect this. I don’t know what to say. I’d loved to join you all, but I’m working the holiday. My mother is always more interested in her socialite friends than me, so I signed up to work that day.”

Dr. Withers smiled. “I think I might have some authority to change that. That is, if you’ll come spend the day with us. We have some catching up to do.” He chuckled. “About twenty-seven years, to be exact.”

Dakota jumped up and hugged him. “Thank you.” She cried through tears of joy.

He held her tight. “Now tell me what this messed up happily-ever-after is about. Perhaps I can start with some fatherly advice.”

Dakota released from their embrace. She sighed heavily.

“I wasn’t honest with my best friend.”

Marion interrupted, “Let’s get a drink and talk about it. Maybe we can help.”

Dakota smiled. Tears of joy filled her eyes. She couldn’t be luckier to have such caring friends in her life. Then she corrected herself.
Not just friends, but parents
. She followed them inside to the bar.