A Bridge Unbroken (A Miller's Creek Novel) (19 page)

"Sure."

He tucked her hand around his elbow and moved through the crowd toward his friends.

"Well, look who else is all dressed up." Mama Beth beamed, her round face radiant.

"Oh, Dakota, you look stunning." Dani, very pregnant with baby number two, was all smiles as she fingered the fabric of Dakota's evening gown. "Did you find this at the consignment shop I told you about?"

She nodded. "Yes. Thank you."

"And your hair is absolutely gorgeous," added Trish, who raised a hand to fix another one of Dakota's escaped curls. "Did you have it done?"

"Nope. Just used a can of hairspray until I made it look halfway decent."

Chance chuckled, both fascinated and amused by Dakota's choice of words. She didn't put on airs like some girls he'd dated. Didn't pretend to be someone she wasn't.

Matt elbowed him, but spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. "Have you noticed that not one comment has been made about how great we guys look in our penguin suits?"

Andy and Steve both nodded.

Chance laughed, then peered down at Dakota. "Probably because we've been a little out-classed by these beautiful ladies." He sent a reassuring wink.

"Hear, hear." Andy spoke the words in his typical dry tone of voice. "But I'm not complaining."

Gracie, dressed in a bright red dress that complimented her dark complexion, sidled up next to Dakota. "I'm going after something to drink and nibble on. Want to come with me?"

Dakota brightened. "I'd love to." She faced Chance, her green eyes shining with joy. "I won't be gone long."

Good, 'cause suddenly the idea of being there without her was more than he could bear. He watched them walk away, arm in arm, chatting away like they'd known each other a lifetime. His heart lightened. So far she was having a good time.

Chance turned to join the conversation with the others. The two women returned a few minutes later, and Dakota handed him a Dr Pepper. "Here you go. I thought you might want something to drink."

"Thanks." Chance took the proffered cup of carbonated drink, and swigged down a refreshing mouthful, all the while chastising himself inwardly. Why hadn't he thought to go get drinks for the both of them? He swallowed the fizzy liquid and smiled. "Having a good time?"

She nodded excitedly. "Thanks for bringing me. It's much more fun than I expected."

At that moment Chance's boss sauntered over. His eyes latched on Dakota as he took her hand in both of his. "I'm Jeremy Gains, the new hospital administrator. And you are?"

Dakota lowered her head and took a step back. "Dakota." She tugged her hand away, obviously uncomfortable, and gestured to Chance. "I'm here with Chance."

Gains barely acknowledged him, but instead stepped even closer to Dakota.

The country-and-western band from Morganville began to play. One of the guys stepped to the microphone, his voice booming from a nearby speaker. "Let's get this party in full swing."

The crowd applauded, and the band launched into a rollicking country swing song that sent people scurrying to the dance floor.

Gains leaned toward Dakota. "May I have this dance?"

Discomfort showed on her face with a pasted-on half-smile. She leaned closer to Chance. "Thank you, but I think I'll sit this one out."

"Oh, c'mon. A pretty little thing like you should be out on the dance floor."

Chance's right hand balled into a fist. "She said no." He kept his voice under control. The last thing he needed was a confrontation with his boss. Already the man disliked him for whatever reason.

Gains persisted. This time he put a hand around Dakota's waist and started toward the dance floor, pulling her along with him.

Dakota dug in her heels and shook her head from side to side, her face flushed. She glanced back over her shoulder at Chance, her eyes panicked and pleading.

Anger erupted inside him. How should he handle this? If he got all macho on Gains, the guy would make his life miserable at the hospital for a long time to come. He handed his cup to Matt. "I've gotta do something."

Matt leaned in close. "Just don't hit him. He's your boss, remember?"

A thought popped into Chance's head as Gains made his way closer to the dance floor. Chance stepped to the stage and motioned to a guy on guitar.

Still playing, the man stooped down. "Yeah, buddy. What can I help you with?"

"I have a request for a special lady."

The guy grinned. "Just give me the name of the song, and we'll play it as soon as this number ends."

Chance named the song, then stepped in front Gains and Dakota just as the other song ended. "Sorry to have to do this, sir."

"We've had a special request. A song for Dakota and Chance. Let's see how many of you know this one."

An electric guitar launched into the familiar opening to
Sweet Home Alabama
. Chance swept a surprised Dakota into his arms--a mesmerizing smile on her lips--then glanced back at Jeremy Gains. "Sorry, but they're playing our song."

Dakota laughed all the way to the dance floor. "I can't believe you just pulled that off. Smooth move."

He smiled into her happy face. "Think you can still remember how to two-step?"

"Sorta like riding a bike, isn't it?"

On the dance floor, everything and everyone else seemed to melt away, as though the last few years had been nothing but a bad dream, and they were back to that summer after high school. The dance was easy. Not getting lost in her was the hard part.

When the song ended a few minutes later, the gathered crow all cheered and applauded, while Dakota's cheeks flushed the prettiest shade of pink.

Matt made his way toward them. "Good job, you two. Just so you know, Mr. Pushy's on his way."

Already Gains shoved his way through the crowd surrounding the stage.

Chance thought fast. Their best chance of escape was the silent auction. He grabbed Dakota's hand. "Follow me."

They made their way through the crowd, but the determined Gains still followed. Coot stood a few steps ahead, and a plan formed in Chance's mind.

"Hey, Coot. The guy coming up behind us is the new administrator and won't leave Dakota alone. Would you mind--"

"You betcha." Coot grinned. "This is right up my alley. Step aside and watch an expert at work."

Chance and Dakota moved behind Coot just as the persistent administrator stepped up.

"Say, ain't you the new doctor?" Coot's words thundered across the whole rotunda.

"Actually, I'm the new hospital administrator."

Ignoring the comment, Coot pulled open his jacket to reveal his familiar orange suspenders, then lifted his white shirt, too. "Would you mind taking a look at this spot on my side?"

The crowd roared with laughter and moved in closer, which gave Chance and Dakota the perfect opportunity to slip into the silent auction room unnoticed.

Chapter Seventeen

B
reathless with laughter, Dakota swiped at tears of amusement. "That was the funniest thing I've ever seen in my life."

Chance grinned and shook his head. "Leave it to Coot to steal the show." He motioned to the tables loaded with donated items. "Wanna look around?"

"I guess. What does one do at a silent auction, anyway?"

He started toward the first table. "These are all donated items, and beside each one is a sheet where you write your name, contact information, and bid. At the end of the night the person with the highest bid wins. It's a great way to help raise funds for the new hospital wing."

Not really her cup of tea, but Chance seemed eager to browse. "I don't have money to spend, but it'll be fun to look."

They browsed about three tables when Chance's face lit with a brilliant smile. "Hey, look. Wonder who donated these?"

Dakota smiled at his boyish excitement and glanced down at the table. A frown immediately replaced her smile, and her heart took off in a sprint as though someone had just fired a starting pistol. A complete set of A.K. Aston books. From the looks of them, they were brand new. She peered back up at Chance. "Did you donate these?"

He shook his head back and forth. "Nope, but I'm sure gonna bid on them." He leaned forward, picked up the pen, and wrote, the pen scratching against the paper.

She raised fingers to her lips and peered around the empty room. Had Kane discovered her books? Even worse, had he found her?

"Who donated them?" She did her best to keep the fear from her voice, but it held a tremor in spite of her efforts.

Chance examined the bid sheet. "Says here anonymous donor." He looked at her quizzically, his head twisted to one side. "You okay?"

She mustered her best pasted-on smile. "Of course, why do you ask?"

"'Cause your face is as white as a sheet." His eyes were barely visible under his wrinkled brows.

Her eyes latched on to his, and she swallowed. "Do you mind if we leave?"

"Not at all."

Dakota clutched his muscled arm tightly as they made their way down a darkened corridor to avoid the party in the rotunda. Her imagination took flight, and she trembled.

"Cold?"

"A little."

Chance removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, then maneuvered to a side exit. A minute later, he helped Dakota into the passenger side, then moved around the front of the truck and crawled in. He started the truck and peered over at Dakota. "The night's still young. Anything else you want to do?"

She thought through his question. This night had been so important to him, and she'd all but ruined it for him. "I hate to ruin your evening. If you want to take me home and then come back to the party, I understand."

"Doesn't make much sense to waste that pretty dress of yours."

She smiled. How long had it been since a man treated her like a real lady the way Chance just had? Had it ever happened? "Well, I am hungry."

"Oh, you are?"

"I just had a little snack before you picked me up and some finger food at the party." Hopefully, Chance wouldn't fall back into his judgmental practice of criticizing her eating habits.

"Any place in particular you want to go?"

"I really want pancakes."

He leaned his head back and laughed out loud. "Then pancakes it is."

Several minutes later they arrived at an all-night diner in Morganville and took a seat in a booth by the front door. The waitress brought them menus and water. "Well, aren't you two all fancied up?" After ordering her short stack and his Caesar's salad, Chance leaned back against the faux leather seat of the booth and peered over at her, a gentle smile on his lips and his eyes questioning.

"You have question marks in your eyes, Chance. What is it you want to ask me?"

He smiled at her a minute more, as though as fearful as she was of breaking this magic spell that had settled over the both of them. "What all happened to you since the last time you lived in Miller's Creek?"

A wave of sorrow crashed over her, though she managed to keep her smile pasted in place.
Keep it general, Dakota.
It just wouldn't do to be overcome by his kindness and incredible good looks. Boundaries were a must to keep the secret where it belonged. In the past. "I won't go into all the details, but life's been rough. Thankfully I was able to pull myself together and get back on my feet."

"Must've been difficult."

She nodded slowly. "In some ways, but in other ways it was wonderful."

"How so?"

"I met some of the nicest people at the shelter where I landed. People with nothing but the clothes on their back, yet possessing everything." How could mere words do her sentiment justice? "A friend taught me about true riches, and that's when I gave my life to Christ. Jesus helped me out of a very difficult a time, a time when I wondered if life was even worth it."

His forehead scrunched up tight. "You were thinking about...?"

"Yes."

His eyes closed as though the thought brought pain. "What happened to make you even consider that as an option?"

"I can't go there. Let's just say I was far from a saint. I've done many things I'm not proud of. Things I'd change in a heartbeat if I could." Tears sprung to her eyes. But the past couldn't be undone. There was no such thing as a do-over in real life. "What about you? What happened to you after I left?" Her gaze landed on the jagged scars on the left side of his face.

At first he didn't respond. Just stared at her. Then he brought a hand up and touched his scars as though to see if they were still in place. "I was on my way out to the farm that night after I saw you at the baseball game."

She stiffened, fearful of what he might say next. No, this couldn't be. Her stomach roiled.

"Drove a little too fast going around that big curve. Veered over in the other lane and hit a truck."

She gasped and lifted her hands to cover her mouth, her eyes wide and tear-filled.

"Mom and Dad were in the car with me. Both of them were killed."