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“I think the problem was me, mainly. I should have cut him, and told him to go to hell. But…”
“You cannot blame yourself for wanting love and respect from your man, Dakota. In the same way, your mother wasn’t the one to blame for believing in my son’s false promises. People who love deserve to be loved, or don’t be encouraged with false promises.”
“I see it now.”
“Okay, enough of this. Have a shower, and then we can have dinner. It’s tacos’ night!”
“Wonderful!” Dakota said and rushed to her room. She had a quick shower and soon they were having dinner. Tacos were superb, and after having more than she should have, they drank coffee sitting on the porch swing.
“Such a beautiful night! I hadn’t ever seen as many stars!”
“One perk of living here. You can see the sky.”
“Yes. And the air is fresher, traffic is light and food tastes amazing.”
“You’re falling for small-town life. I’m glad if it means you’re going to stay here for a long time.”
“Too soon, I’m afraid,” Dakota said. “I love being with you.” She took Peggy Sue’s hand and squeezed it, and the old lady smiled.
“Me too, darling. You brought light to my life. I was depressed the last year. Your presence here gave me hope. I want you to be happy wherever you live. Don’t stop yourself from rebuilding your life for me. Traveling is easy these days, and technology is amazing. We can be in touch, and see each other, if you decide you have to leave.”
“Oh, grandma, I love you!” Listening to the fragile lady saying those words touched her heart. She felt seen and appreciated. Loved.
“I used to dream about meeting you, and I have to confess I was scared. I thought you would hate me. Perhaps that idea stopped me from looking for you.”
“I don’t know what I would have done if you came to me when my mother was alive. I don’t know how she would have reacted.”
“Hard to say. But I think the fact she didn’t infuse hate in your heart is the response to that.”
“It hurts me she wasn’t happy. She stopped living because of me.”
“I don’t think that’s true. She made choices. She could have had a different life. Most single mums marry again and have boyfriends. She chose to be alone, perhaps due to fear of suffering again.”
“Change is scary. I understand she could feel fear.”
“Fear is like poison. When you’re afraid of living, you stop dreaming, experimenting, changing… Don’t be afraid of living your life as you want, Dakota. Ever.”
She nodded, and Ted’s face appeared in her mind. She had dreams, indeed. Crazy, hot fantasies warmed her nights, and she had been making efforts to stop them.
A crush on a sexy cowboy was natural, wasn’t it? Sure, it was harmless, and nobody would be hurt. Everybody had a crush.
Hers was with his boss, but he didn’t have to know about it. She could behave normally. Sure, she blushed most of the time he teased her or told her lovely things, but he thought of her as shy and innocent, not as horny as hell.
“Dakota, dear? What are you thinking of? You’re flustered.”
“Nothing important. Just that my life is changing and I like it.”
“I’m glad! Now, go to sleep, dear. You will need fresh energies tomorrow.”
She kissed her grandma’s forehead and went to her room. She lay down on the bed and hugged the boots against her chest, and smiled.
She was in the middle of a major change, but she was happy.
