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“Fearless,” Matt said to Dakota. “I told you.”
“And what do you do for work?” Dakota asked.
“Me? I’m an Air Force pilot.”
“Oh, I see.” Dakota chuckled. “A real opposites attract story.”
“I never believed in opposites attract,” Sherri said. “Birds of a feather always sounded better to me.” She kissed Matt on the cheek then turned to Dakota. “Thanks for a fun day. We’ll definitely recommend Birch Peak Adventures to our friends and relatives back home.”
“Cool. Thanks. Glad you enjoyed your adventure.”
“How could we not?” Matt spread his arms wide. “Beautiful scenery, good exercise, and a first-rate guide. You’ve got a great thing here.”
Right. Because adventures outside were a great thing. Everybody needed to know this. Leah needed to know this.
After bidding the Jacksons farewell, Dakota stowed the equipment they’d used and made his way back into the office where Krista was hanging up the phone.
“Hey,” she said. “Everything go well?”
Dakota held his hands out to his sides.
“Right, right. I forgot I was talking to Super Guide over here.” She waved a hand at him and rolled her eyes. “Does it get exhausting being that awesome all the time?”
“It really does.” He puffed out a breath and leaned against the front desk. “How do you stand being around me every day, knowing you’ll never be as awesome?”
“Jerk.” Krista crumpled up a piece of paper and threw it at him.
The paper bounced off his chest and he caught it in one hand effortlessly. “See? Awesome.”
“If you’re so awesome, how come one Leah Greenstead won’t take you up on your offer?” Krista folded her arms across her chest as Dakota’s eyes widened.
“I bought the kid ice cream and he still spilled the beans?” He juggled the paper ball between his hands, disappointed in his little buddy.
Krista shook her head. “Luke didn’t spill the beans, but I’m surprised. You know that kid can’t keep a secret. He’s a natural-born gabber. His loyalty to you runs deep if he didn’t tell me.”
“If not Luke, then who?” Dakota had to know who was blabbing about his failed attempts.
“Heidi.”
Ofcourse. He should have known that while Heidi was willing to give him helpful advice, she was also willing to laugh with Krista at his expense.
“Well, don’t count me out of the game yet.” He’d only made two attempts, one in conversation, one in note form. He had more tricks up his sleeve.
“I wouldn’t dream of counting you out, Dakota.” Krista leaned over the front desk and lightly slapped his cheek. “You always get what you want. You’re a brat like that.”
“Said a fellow brat.”
“Too true.” She picked up another paper and handed it to him. “You’ve got another adventure today. ATVing, 4 to 6 p.m. Three brothers from Canada.” Krista fanned herself with another paper. “Threehotbrothers. If I only had the time…”
“All three of them?”
“Hells, yes. Enough fun there to keep a gal like me entertained for days.”
Dakota angled his head at his best friend. “You know—”
“Don’t, Dakota. I do know.” She drew in a deep breath. “But I can’t. What if he… what if he comes back?”
Dakota reached over and put his hand atop Krista’s on the desk. They’d had this discussion many times and they both missed Krista’s husband, Elijah. A soldier, Elijah had been missing in action for the past five years. They both held out hope Elijah would return one day soon and tell them an amazing story of survival. With each year that passed, however, that hope dwindled. Dakota had latched on to a new hope—one that let Krista find someone else to make her happy.
