Tinsel (Lark Cove #4)(97)

I called it perfect.

Dakota and I married in a small event hall on the lake. It wasn’t a country wedding—I’d told my wedding planner she’d be fired if there was a horseshoe or wagon wheel in sight. It was us, a mixture of Dakota’s simple roots and my touch of glamour.

I walked down the aisle on Dad’s arm for the last time, not noticing the greenery and white flowers adorning the hall. I didn’t notice the golden glow of the lights strung across the ceiling or the smiles on my friends’ faces. I missed the happy tears in my mother’s eyes.

All I saw was Dakota, standing at the altar.

Waiting for me.

The chase was over.

Now it was time to play for keeps.

We said our vows and timed the ceremony to kiss at midnight. And that kiss had started the best year of my life.

Dakota quit working at the bar a couple of weeks after the wedding, and we went on a long honeymoon. After a stop in the city to check in on the dance studio, plus approve the new site for the second location, we set off for three weeks in Europe.

Violent morning sickness cut our trip short, and we went back to the city to wait out those first few months of my pregnancy.

Then we came back to Montana to spend time with his family and start on Dakota’s passion project.

In the last year, he’d rehabilitated ten different homes on the reservation. He’d overseen the entire operation, coordinating construction companies and property management companies to help the right families get into new homes.

A week before Christmas, the tribal council had given him an award for Tribal Member of the Year. They were also going to honor him at their annual powwow and rodeo next summer. His mom was making me a beaded buckskin belt to wear for the occasion.

Lyndie had asked if she could keep the plaque next to the same award his dad had won years ago. They were side by side on her living room wall next to the family picture we’d all taken this summer.

It hadn’t been easy to work my way into their family. I wasn’t there yet. Koko still had the hardest time accepting I was a permanent fixture in Dakota’s life, but with every visit to Browning, things got easier.

They’d begun talking to me, asking questions about growing up in New York and how the dance studios were doing. And they both doted on Joseph, usually stealing him away the moment we stepped through Lyndie’s front door.

It would take time to get closer to Dakota’s sisters, something Logan had told me this past summer. He’d reminded me that Thea and I hadn’t gotten off to a great start either, and now she was one of my best friends, along with Piper and Willa.

They were all a close second place to my best friend.

My sister.

“Sorry!” Aubrey rushed through the front door of the bar, followed by Landon, who was wiping her lipstick off his mouth. “We, uh—we were just—”

“We know what you were just,” I snapped. “Can you please pull up your dress so your bra isn’t showing and we can get started?”

Her face flushed as Landon came up behind her, chuckling. Aubrey turned her back to the room, adjusting her red dress so the black lace underneath was hidden again.

“Anyone want another drink?” Jackson called from behind the bar.

Logan raised his hand, taking his empty tumbler and Thea’s glass over for a refill. With them full, Jackson joined Willa, who was talking to Kaine and Piper.

“Okay.” I clapped, getting the attention of the room. “I think we’re finally ready to start.” I sent a glare my sister’s way.

She just smiled back and settled into Landon’s side as everyone in the bar gathered in a circle.

“Okay, everyone know how this works?” Dakota asked the room, getting a hum of agreement. “Great. Xavier, do you want to start?”

“Please.” Xavier stood by Dakota’s side, smiling up at him as he handed over our son.

With Joseph transferred, Dakota put his arm around my waist, tugged me close and bent to give me a soft kiss. “Love you.”

“I love you too.”

We’d decided to carry on his family’s tradition with Joseph. Though it was a bit different, since he’d been born in New York.

We’d named Joseph and told everyone but had planned this event specifically around New Year’s Eve. We knew we’d be in Montana. It was where our hearts were.

Neither Dakota nor I wanted to spend New Year’s Eve anywhere other than the Lark Cove Bar.

But we were here now, ready to make it official. We’d already had one naming ceremony with Dakota’s family on the day we’d spent on the reservation earlier in the week. And now we were doing it here with our friends and family.

The only thing different this time around was that we’d asked that everyone say something either silently or aloud for Joseph.

“Joseph. My name is Xavier. I am your great uncle.” Xavier kissed Joseph’s forehead, his eyes wide as he took in the new face.

Xavier closed his eyes after his introduction, touched his forehead to Joseph’s as he wished him something silently. Then he smiled and handed him over to Hazel, standing by her side.

“Joseph, I am Hazel. Your gran.” She smirked, bent and whispered something into the baby’s ear.

I scanned the room, seeing loving eyes all aimed at my son.

Two years ago, I wouldn’t have believed this was possible. My eyes landed on the spot by the front door. The same spot where I’d stood that first day, aghast that I’d been asked to sweep.