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He sifted out a long, slow breath before facing his mom. “I don’t know what to think.”
“Maybe it’s more about what you feel instead. In here.” She pressed her small palm to his chest, right where the compass part of his tattoo was. “Perhaps in this case, your heart will tell you the right direction.”
Normally he loved his mom’s sage advice. Tonight, it left him feeling more lost. He wanted someone to come by and tell him exactly what he should do. Should he give Leah the space she wanted and forget about them being a couple? Should he march over to her cottage and make another plea to be with her?
Should he take off on an adventure and get Miss Leah Greenstead out of his system? Was that even possible?
“I don’t know what to do, Mom.”
“You don’t have to know right away, my sweet boy.” She cupped his cheek as she had inside the hall. “The answers will come to you if you listen.”
“Listen? To what?”
“The wind. The trees. The birds. The mountains. Draw strength from the nature you love, Dakota. Get to a place of peace where you can make a good decision about your future with Leah.” She tapped his temple. “Right now, there’s a storm raging in there. You can’t think this thing through with all that noise.”
Once again, his mother wasn’t wrong.
He cupped his ear and leaned toward her. “What’s that you said? I couldn’t hear you over the noise in my head.”
“Oh, Dakota.” His mother chuckled. “See, this is why I know you’ll always be all right no matter what life throws at you. You have the gift of laughter even when you’re in pain.”
He didn’t feel as if he’d be all right, but he gave his mother a smile so the poor woman wouldn’t worry about her oldest child and could go back to the party.
“I think I see Dad wandering aimlessly looking for you.” He pointed to William through one of the hall windows who did indeed have a searching look upon his face.
“I better get back inside.” She motioned to his casted arm. “You know, no one would blame you if you wanted to go home, honey. Everyone knows about the ladder incident. They’d understand if you wanted to rest. You made Nana happy by showing your face, but you can call it a night.” She patted his shoulder. “I’ll come see you tomorrow.”
“And you’ll bring food?”
She chuckled again. “Of course.” After kissing him on the cheek, she went inside the hall.
Dakota watched his parents from outside. The moment his dad saw his mom, William’s entire face lit up. Was it too much to want that for himself?
Exhaustion finally hit him and he took his mother’s advice. He found Nana to say goodbye.
“You take care of that arm, Dakota,” Nana said. “I feel partly to blame.”
He waved her off. “Don’t. It’s not your fault those hall workers banged into the ladder.”
Nana let out an unladylike growl. “I had a little talk with Reggie who oversees the workers here. Those two reckless table movers are now employees on probation. Apparently today’s incident was not the first flub-up from them. It was, however, the only one where an innocent got broken.” She ran a gnarled hand over his cast then searched the immediate area. “Where’s that Miss Greenstead? Didn’t you bring her? Isn’t she going to take care of you while you’re hurt?”
He rubbed his chest with his good hand. “She… something came up. She couldn’t make it tonight.”
“Oh, well that’s two New Yorkers who couldn’t make it to my bash tonight.”
“Two?” He raised an eyebrow at Nana.
“Yes, that Carter fellow. The one your sister is fond of. I saw him at the drugstore earlier today and he said he had to stay with a sick friend tonight.”
At least Leah wasn’t alone after the trauma of the day. Every piece of Dakota wanted it to be him who was with her tonight though, but he was the reason she’d had the upsetting experience. If only he hadn’t fallen, they’d still be a couple.
But would something else have torn them apart somewhere down the road? Were they destined for failure anyway?
“Well, I hope you’re enjoying your birthday, Nana.” Someone ought to enjoy the night.
Nana clapped. “Oh, I am, dear. You don’t turn eighty every day. Thank goodness.” She chuckled. “Now kiss me right here and you go home to relax.” She angled her cheek at him.
Dakota obliged and dropped a quick peck on her cheek. “Happy Birthday, Nana.”
