Christmas Romance (The Best Christmas Romance of 2016): The Love List Christmas (15 page)

Chapter Four

The November air delivered a chill. The week before had carried a slightly warmer breeze of autumn and its beautiful array of colors. She’d grown up on the west coast and loved the drizzle and the mist. It only made the air fresh and everything it touched, so lush. But tonight she’d appreciated Ethel’s advice to wear a jacket. The dampness she felt would only be the beginning of her first experience, not only in the country; but a colder one. She anticipated the first snowfall. Actually, the thought thrilled her.

She’d dreamed of a white Christmas since she was a child. Her new life would now make that wish come true. She’d made a more recent wish as a grown woman. But she hadn’t yet met
him
. The man she’d changed her zip code for. She’d heard Becca mention his name at the hospital but Dakota hadn’t yet met him. He’d left on a trip before she arrived and was due back the next day. Excitement raced through her as she walked toward
Que Syrah Syrah.
Not only to meet her new friends for their wine and chat night, but for the next day. She’d finally meet him.

Dakota had settled into her new job at the hospital and continued to meet friendly folks. She couldn’t believe she’d only been in town for a week. It seemed to her like she’d been there her entire life. She remembered the names of everyone she’d met, especially Tristan, the other man who hadn’t left her thoughts.

  “Dakota, I’m so glad you joined us. Come in, the girls are all here.”

Tegan’s excitement warmed her. She’d always wanted to be part of a group back in high school. But her neighborhood and the private school her mother sent her to only included girls like her mother and sister. Definitely not Dakota’s
cup-of-tea
as Ethel would say. She loved the old sayings she’d heard over the past week. “I’ve been looking forward to tonight. It’s the highlight of my week.”

Dakota burst into laughter at Tegan’s smirky comment. “Well this is Vinegrove. Not much excitement, but we girls love our evening together.”

  A snowflake hit Dakota’s nose before she’d had the chance to step inside. She looked up into the sky in amazement. “It’s snowing! It’s so beautiful.” She glowed in delight and then entered.

  Tegan put an arm around Dakota and leaned in. “I’ll ask you in a couple of months if you’re still excited.” She laughed but then admitted she loved one season as much as the next. 

  “Dakota!” She heard Becca call out as she and Tegan entered the living room. “I’m so happy you’re here. Wine,” she offered.

  Dakota nodded, “Of course.”   She held up the pink box in her hands. “I hope you all like chocolate. I picked us up something at the delicatessen today. I’m better at taking temperatures than I am at figuring out how to work an oven.”

Everyone joined in with Dakota’s snickering. She’d always used her dry sense of humor in awkward situations. Not that this seemed awkward, she’d just been anxious to meet new friends. With her wine glass in one in hand, she looked around the room at a few unfamiliar faces. One lady moved over to make room on the leather loveseat. Dakota thanked her. 

  “Hi Dakota, I’m Finn.” 

  Maisey sat forward in her plush comfy chair and introduced herself.

Within minutes all introductions were done and the ladies settled in to wine, food, and lively conversations. Dakota hadn’t felt this comfortable ever. Until a basket had been placed on Maisey›s lap and Tegan announced it was
The Love List
pick. She’d heard Becca earlier mention how it had come about. Dakota thought it was a crazy idea, but then decided,
what the heck?
She reached into the basket when it landed on her lap.

“Maybe the holidays won’t be so lonely if I have the company of a great guy.” She winked at the girls as she opened the little piece of paper. Tegan had explained that she and the original
Love List
girls thought of eligible bachelors in town and that the new girls had to ask out whoever they picked. 

  “So? Who did you get?” Finn asked excitedly. 

  Dakota read the name silently first,
Tristan Hart
. Her heart beat a little faster. Mr. Stetson hadn’t left her thoughts since they met. She smiled and then announced the name she’d chosen. 

  “That’s my pick!” Becca jumped up from her seat and cheered. She seemed overjoyed with the name chosen.

  Dakota looked at Becca and asked, “You know him?”

   Before Becca could answer, a car honked a couple of times outside the shop and Maisey stood.   “My taxi is calling.” She quickly grabbed her jacket and headed toward the door as she said her goodbyes. Maisey appeared thankful to leave. She’d been more hesitant than Dakota about the Love List
.
But Tegan didn’t let her leave without her slip of paper and her chosen pick. The ladies were still chuckling at Maisey’s sudden escape when Dakota’s cell phone rang. She dug it out of her purse and noticed the name on the display.

  “Excuse me ladies, its Ethel.”

  Dakota worried. She’d become close with the little old lady she’d been staying with and had shared this with the ladies earlier in the evening. She stood as she answered and walked away from the room so she could hear properly.

  “Hi Ethel, is everything okay?”

  She returned to the room filled with chatter and announced that her dear friend Ethel was coming to pick her up. “Isn’t that sweet of her? She’s worried I’d have to walk in the sudden onslaught of ice pellets. She’s on her way so I will say my goodbyes now as well.” Dakota made her way around the room with hugs and thanks. “I really enjoyed tonight and am definitely looking forward to our next get-together.” She another honk heard from outside and Dakota waved her hand in the air. “Night, ladies”

  She heard Becca call from the distance, “Chase and I are away for a couple of days but you and I will chat when I get back.” Dakota called back to answer Becca. She definitely wanted to talk to her about Tristan Hart. She stepped outside and tossed her hood over her head. The ice pellets hit her as she quickly raced to Ethel’s car.

  Once back in Ethel’s kitchen, Dakota enjoyed a hot cup of tea. Ethel had the kettle waiting for their return. As she held the warm cup between her cold hands, she thanked the older woman.

  “You didn’t have to come out in this weather, but I do appreciate it. I hadn’t expected the weather to change so drastically tonight. The walk through town would have been interesting.”

  Dakota laughed at Ethel’s humorous reply.

  “Especially in those shoes you wore. My dear, I’m going to make sure you’re dressed properly before venturing out in the evening.”  

Dakota loved how Ethel looked out for her. She’d never had that with her own mother. She promised Ethel from now on, she’d be prepared for unexpected weather.

  Dakota decided on a hot bath before bed to warm her chilled body. As she sank into the warmth of the bubbles that surrounded her, she closed her eyes and thought about the next day. She’d forgotten about the little piece of paper she’d placed in the side pocket of her purse. She thought about the man she’d see at the hospital the next day. Through her investigation she’d seen a few pictures of him, so she knew she’d recognize him. But she wondered what to say to him. So many questions went through her mind. She knew she couldn’t blurt out why she’d tracked him down. She figured it would be best just to get to know him and in time she hoped she’d be able to share what she’d discovered: that he was her biological father.

Chapter Five

“Good morning, are the lovebirds ready to run away?”

Tristan’s greeting made Becca laugh and then she accepted the coffee he offered.

“Morning Tristan and thank you, I’ll be ready once I get caffeine into my system. Those ice pellets came down hard last night. I barely slept.”

He watched her slowly walk to the kitchen table, dragging her feet in slippers across the floor like a child. He loved being at the ranch with her and Chase. When she reached for the newspaper as she sipped her coffee, he heard the familiar sigh.

“Hmm...Your coffee is the best.”

“And it’s just the appetizer. I want the lovebirds to have a good breakfast before venturing off on their second honeymoon.”

After friendly rivalry with Chase he’d won and took over the kitchen. Tristan picked up the spatula and turned back to the skillet on the stove.

“I’m making my famous egg and bacon rings.”

“You’re spoiling us Tristan, but please continue to do so.”

Chase’s laughter was heard as he entered the kitchen. He leaned down to kiss Becca on the top of her head and then landed a gentle punch to Tristan’s arm.

“Whoa! Watch it. The chef is hard at work.”

The laughter that filled the kitchen and the scent of breakfast cooking made Tristan happy. He’d missed being around family. He’d always treasured the memories when his parents were alive and they joined the Tanners every summer. He’d lost his father to a heart attack the summer before his final year of high school. Shortly after his graduation, his mother had been killed by a drunk driver. In less than a year, he’d become an orphan. His uncle invited him to come live in Vinegrove at the time but he’d been so grief-stricken, he’d decided to study abroad. Tristan always planned to return to the States, but one year had turned into the next. His mind had drifted between thoughts of family, his parents, to his focus of cooking. He hadn’t heard the phone ring. He felt a tap on his arm and then turned to find Chase holding the phone for him to take.

“It’s for you, Cuz. Sounds like a European accent.”

He thanked Chase and took the phone. Chase reached for the spatula and took over control of the breakfast preparations. Tristan mouthed a thank you to Chase and answered his call.

Ten minutes later, Tristan returned to the kitchen. He didn’t want to ruin the lovebirds’ plans but the news he’d just received, hit him hard.

“You look like you’ve just lost your best friend, Cuz. Is everything okay?” Chase had just finished setting the food on the table.

“Actually, I did.” Tristan sat down at the table. Memories of losing his parents rushed through his mind. He felt the same blow he had when he’d heard of their deaths. After a heavy sigh he ran his hands through his hair.

“A dear friend and great wine mentor I’d known in Tuscany just passed away. That was his son who called.”

“I’m so sorry for your loss, Tristan.” Becca reached out for his hand and then Chase announced his sympathies.

“Thanks. The service is in two days and it takes almost a day to get there. I don’t want to mess up your plans. Do you think Reece can run the winery for a couple of days?”

Reece, Chase’s brother, took care of the bookkeeping. He’d always been more of a numbers man than a ranch-hand. He’d only ever managed the financial side of the vineyard.

“I’m sure he’ll be fine for a couple of days on his own. I’ll give him a call and let him know what’s going on.”

Chase reassured Tristan that they were only a call away if Reece ran into any trouble. The last batch had been bottled and their workers would be fine to run the winery. At least everything that needed to be done had been done. Three to four days away wouldn’t slow the process too much. Tristan figured he’d be able to bring it all back up to speed once he returned. He went to get up from the table as he announced he best call the airlines and pack before he spoke to his second-in-command.

“Sit back down.” Becca spoke like a mother. “Eat first.” She pointed to his plate. “Then you can pack. I’m all done. I’ll get in touch with the airlines.”

“Thanks Becca.” He smiled and then began to eat. He wasn’t the only one who enjoyed spoiling in this house.

Tristan waved to the lovebirds as they drove down the lane to the main road. Chase mentioned Reece would come by in a couple of hours. That worked for Tristan. He had to pop into town for a few things after he spoke to his workers. Becca had arranged his flight for that night and he’d leave by lunch time to get to the airport. Between the flight and time difference he’d make it in time for the service. He only planned to spend one night and then return.   Within the hour, he had arranged what needed to be done at the winery and headed to town for the supplies he’d need for his quick trip.

With his mind elsewhere, he’d almost knocked a tray of coffee cups from someone’s hands. “I’m so sorry, I—” He paused when he looked up and saw his Miss Country Girl standing before him. Her ready-to-kill look took him back to the day he’d almost run her off the road.

“Again, you almost hit me,” she said. But this time, she laughed—not like the last time when she tore a strip out of him.

Maybe she has a soft spot for me.
He hoped anyway. She’d been on his mind for the past week and he’d been working up the nerve to find a way to see her, not run into her—again. He smiled and tipped his Stetson.

“And is it possible that I may be forgiven twice?”

She chuckled and then replied in a sarcastic yet all-in-fun tone. “Okay. Twice forgiven but three strikes and you’re out.”

He let out a sigh of relief to keep the humor going. He only wished he’d had the time to chat longer with her. But he only had time to grab a coffee for the road and it appeared in her uniform she’d just scooted across the road to grab coffees and return to the hospital.

“Thank you, Miss Country Girl. I hope Vinegrove has given you the warmest welcome. I’d love to continue to apologize. Trust me, I don’t mean to run in to you or run you off the road. But I’ve only time to grab and go.” He paused. He hadn’t meant how that came out. “I–I mean grab a coffee and be on my way. I have a plane to catch.”

“No worries. I’m just doing a grab-and-go too.”

She looked down at the tray of coffees and they both laughed.

He held the door open for her. “Perhaps when I return we could actually take the time to sit and have coffee.” He’d wondered if he’d been too forward but it seemed to be perfect timing to see if she’d even like to spend any time with him. Tristan anticipated her reply with hope.

“I’d like that.”

He held the door for her and then watched her cross the road. Then he realized she hadn’t given him her phone number for a coffee date. But then again, Vinegrove wasn’t a big place and he knew she worked at the hospital. He questioned his hope. Maybe she agreed out of politeness. Either way, he had a plane to catch, the service of his dear friend to attend, and then return to get the winery back on track. He had too much on his mind to figure out what she really meant. He chuckled and headed to the counter to order his coffee to go.  
What’s the big deal?
He’d ask her out for that coffee when he got back. If she declined then he’d know for sure that she’d been polite. End of story. His mother had always told him everything happened for a reason. And if it was meant to be, it would happen.