Only Mine (Fool's Gold #4)(86)

“I’ll let you know in the next week, as well.”

“What’s so special about the next seven days?” Hamilton asked. “You reading tea leaves or something?”

“Not yet. I need to figure some things out.”

Hamilton shook his head. “You young people today. Never wanting to make a decision. I know what’s keeping you here. It’s that girl in town. She seems pretty enough to me, but then what do I know? I’ve been married nearly forty years.” He grinned. “Take it from an old man. Marriage is a good way to go.”

Marriage? Is that what they were talking about? He knew in his head it was a logical next step, but the thought of it made him take a step back. Dakota had a daughter. Was he ready to be a father? Hadn’t he already done that with his brothers?

He supposed it came down to his feelings for Dakota. He knew he liked her. She had been an unexpected find in what could have been a terrible situation. She was supportive and caring. He liked watching her with Hannah. She was a good mother and a good friend. She would probably make a great wife. The thing was, he didn’t think he was looking for one.

“A week,” he repeated.

Hamilton raised his arm. “Fine by me. Take as long as you want. I think you like it here. I think you’re looking for an excuse to stay. If you were so hot to get back to Alaska, you’d already be gone. But then I’m just an old man.”

Finn grinned. “You say that a lot. That you’re an old man and what do you know, but you seem to have an opinion about everything.”

Hamilton laughed. “When you’re my age, boy, you’ll have an opinion about everything, too.”

SUNDAY MORNING, Dakota joined her sisters at her mother’s house for an informal brunch. It was getting warmer and warmer as they headed for the summer months. Today, Denise had set the table on the patio. There was a bowl of fresh fruit, juice, pastries and an egg casserole. The scent of fresh coffee competed with the delicate aroma of flowers in the morning.

Dakota held Hannah on her lap. The little girl was doing well in her high chair, but this many people would be a distraction. It was easier to keep one arm around her squirming body as she reached out toward her aunt and her grandmother.

“So how was the date?” Nevada asked. She poured herself a cup of coffee, then passed the pot to Montana. “Did you do anything wild and get arrested?”

Denise sipped her juice, then put the glass on the table and leaned back in her chair. “It was fine.”

Montana laughed. “I don’t think he’s going to want your endorsement in a campaign. Fine? Did you have a good time? Did you like him? Start at the beginning and tell us everything.”

“He’s a perfectly nice man. We talked about a lot of different things. He’s funny, sort of. He’s well-traveled. It was fine. I wasn’t exactly expecting a life-changing event. It was just a date.”

Dakota thought about the time she spent with Finn. “Sometimes ‘just a date’ can be life-changing.”

“I’m not sure I believe that,” her mother said. “You have to get to know someone. Is there really love at first sight? I’m not sure. Maybe that’s only something that happens when you’re really young. When you don’t have to be cautious and careful.”

“Why do you have to be careful?” Nevada asked.

“A lot of reasons. I haven’t dated in over thirty years. I don’t know how the rules have changed. Plus I’m not a kid. I have responsibilities. I have children and grandchildren and a place in the community. I’m not going to run off with some biker just because he sets my thighs on fire.”

“I think I’d run off with the biker who set my thighs on fire,” Nevada said. She smiled. “Assuming you mean setting them on fire the good way and not with a match.”

“Well, of course. I’m not interested in dating a pyromaniac.” Denise shook her head. “It’s very complicated at my age. You girls don’t understand. You’re still very young. The rules aren’t the same for you.”

“Are you saying you were sexually attracted to him and you’re afraid to act on it?” Dakota asked, oddly terrified of the answer. She told herself that they were all adults here, and her mother was as much a sexual being as the rest of them. But it was still strange to be having this conversation with a parent.

“No. I was speaking theoretically.” Denise picked up her coffee. “There wasn’t any chemistry. We kissed.” She shuddered delicately. “Maybe I’m too old to have a man’s tongue in my mouth.”

Dakota did her best not to flinch. Nevada stiffened and Montana shrieked, then covered her ears with her hands.

“I can’t,” Montana said. “I know it’s not mature, but I just can’t have you talking about this. It’s icky.” She dropped her hands. “Not icky exactly, but just too much information.”

Hannah clapped her hands and laughed at her aunt’s antics.

“At least you’re amused,” Dakota told her little girl, then kissed the top of her head. She turned her attention to her mother. “While I’m willing to be more mature about this than my sister, I will admit that it’s strange to talk about you having a sex life. But as a trained professional, I will listen.”

Denise laughed. “You girls are ridiculous. I’m talking about French kissing. It’s not like I described twenty minutes of intercourse.”