Tinsel (Lark Cove #4)(43)

We’d be driving through the worst part of town to get to the hospital. That probably deserved another warning of its own, but I wasn’t going to completely scare her away.

Selfish as it was, I wanted every one of Sofia’s minutes for the rest of her trip.

Even if that meant taking her along to meet my family.




“Congratulations, Koko.” I bent to the hospital bed and kissed my sister’s cheek.

She didn’t really notice the hug I tried to give her. She was too busy staring at Sofia with a slackened jaw. Just like all the other women in the room.

Dad was the only one looking at me. His stare etched my skin like a laser beam.

I ignored them and rubbed a knuckle against the pink cheek of my niece, who was sleeping in her mother’s arms. “Hi, little one.” Good luck.

I was ashamed to admit I didn’t know my nieces and nephews well. Koko had five kids now. My sister Rozene had four boys. The youngest ones I hadn’t seen in months. Rozene’s youngest was ten months old, and I’d only seen him twice, his naming ceremony and now. The kid was sitting on the floor in the corner, chewing on a plastic rattle.

This baby girl wouldn’t know me any better. Hell, I didn’t even know if they talked about me. Given the way Dad was still glaring, I doubted they would much after today.

I touched the baby’s nose then left their bedside to greet everyone else.

“Hi, Mom.” I kissed her forehead. Her black hair had more gray hairs since the last time I’d come home. Her long braid was tied off with one of the leather straps Dad always made for her hair.

“Dakota.” She leaned in closer to speak softly. “Today is for family.”

Dad grumbled and from the corner of my eye, Rozene nodded vigorously. These hospital rooms didn’t only smell like antiseptic, their acoustics meant everyone had heard Mom’s statement.

Including Sofia.

“This is Sofia Kendrick. She’s—”

“A coworker.” Sofia stepped away from the doorway and farther into the room. Her shoulders were pulled back and her chin raised. She looked like the Sofia I’d seen in her family pictures, like she’d put up her guard.

Smart.

“I just came along to see your town. I’ll step outside.” She looked to me. “I’ll be in the waiting room.”

I nodded, keeping my eyes on her as she retreated out into the hallway. She’d worn her high-heeled snow boots again today. Her jeans were black, and her sweater was another cashmere number. She’d gone for the diamond studs today that probably cost more than the medical equipment in the room. My warning in the shower must have inspired her to put on some armor.

For Sofia’s sake, I was glad for it. But where my family was concerned, it probably just made things worse.

The moment her footsteps were no longer audible, my family converged.

“Why would you bring a strange woman here?”

“This is a family function.”

“Seriously, Dakota? I just had a baby.”

I was opening my mouth to tell them this was a one-time guest when another voice filled the room.

“Hello.”

My spine stiffened as I slowly spun around to see my ex-girlfriend, Petah, walking into the room with a bouquet of pink roses.

“You’re just in time.” Koko gave her a one-armed hug after Petah placed the flowers on a side table. “Dakota just got here, so we can start.”

Petah met my eyes, her gaze familiar from the years we’d spent together. Familiar, but not comforting. It wasn’t home.

“Hi.” She smiled and walked over.

“Hey.” I bent to kiss her cheek except she went for my lips. I was lucky to dodge it and brush the corner of her mouth.

It was awkward and we both broke apart. Her eyes darted to the floor while mine went to my sister in her hospital bed.

Koko had her hair braided in a long flow over one shoulder, much like Mom’s. She was smiling, but it wasn’t because of her new baby. It was because of me and Petah, standing side by side.

No matter how many years went by, Koko was set on the two of us together. To her, Petah was the big sister she’d always loved and wanted to keep.

Koko had put more pressure on me than anyone to come home, hoping I’d marry Petah. The only time she’d backed off was when Petah had gotten married to one of our high school classmates a few years after we’d broken up. I’d been on the dude ranch at the time, glad she’d found someone else.

But then they’d gotten divorced about a year later. Koko swore it was because Petah was still in love with me. Maybe she was.

I’d always been fond of Petah. But love? I’d never been in love.

“You look good,” I told her.

Her eyes came up from the floor. They were filled with longing, and I regretted my compliment. “You too. You always do.”

“Thanks,” I clipped, keeping my expression blank. I didn’t want to give her any false hope.

Petah was beautiful. One of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen. She had long, thick black hair that hung to the middle of her back. Her eyes were round and as black as coal. Her lips had a pout that my sisters had always envied.

And she was a sweetheart.

Petah was kind and soft-spoken. When we’d dated in high school, she’d lived to serve my every whim. If I said I was thirsty, she’d hurry to get me a glass of water even though I hadn’t asked. She’d sit and watch every basketball practice, every track meet. She didn’t make plans because she did whatever I was doing.