can’t know that.”
“Sure I can. You’re the kind of person who cares about other people. And isn’t that what you’re always telling me? That kids want to know you’re there for them?” He smiled. “I’m really happy for you, Dakota.”
His support was unexpected, but very nice. She was close enough to the edge that it could’ve made her cry, but she was determined to maintain control.
“For a guy who isn’t interested in having a family,” she said, “you’re pretty sensitive and understanding.”
He winced. “Don’t let word get out. I have a reputation to uphold. How are you getting to L.A.?”
“To pick up Hannah? I can’t decide. That’s what I was going to talk to my mom about. Flying is faster, but I’m afraid to take an unfamiliar baby on a plane. Which means driving makes more sense, but it’s kind of long. I don’t know how she’ll feel or what she’s like. She could be really scared.”
“Let’s fly,” he told her. “I’ll rent a plane. She’s coming into the international terminal, right?”
“Yes, but you can’t fly me to Los Angeles.”
“Why not? Don’t you trust me?”
Her concern wasn’t about his flying abilities. She was sure he was very good. “Isn’t renting a private plane a big deal? And expensive?”
“Not that big a deal. It’s going to cost more than flying commercial, but I’m talking about a four-seater plane. Not a jet. It’ll be faster than a car, and when you consider going through security and having to get there two hours before your flight, faster than flying commercial. There’s an executive airport just east of LAX. We’ll land there and take the shuttle to the international terminal.”
“That sounds perfect,” she said, relieved to have her problem solved. “Thank you. This is a huge relief. How do I pay for the plane? Do you want my credit card number?”
“We’ll work that out later,” he told her. “Let me go arrange for the rental.”
They decided on what time they were leaving in the morning, then Finn kissed her lightly. “Congratulations,” he said.
“Thank you for everything.”
“I’m happy to help.”
After he left, Dakota stood in the center of the room, holding her coffee. She was still surprised by his offer of help, although very grateful. She wasn’t sure why he was getting involved, but she knew better than to ask questions.
A quick glance at the clock told her it was time to call her mother. She only had one day to get her entire life rearranged. In less than forty-eight hours, she would be a mother.
BY NOON, her house was overflowing with well-wishers. Dakota had called her mother. Denise had called her other daughters, along with most of the people they knew in Fool’s Gold.
Nevada and Montana had shown up first. Then her mother had arrived minutes later. Liz and Jo were joined by Charity and her new baby. Marsha, the town mayor, arrived with Alice, the chief of police. Friends and neighbors filled Dakota’s small house.
She’d already printed out the pictures of Hannah the adoption agency had emailed, and they were passed from hand to hand.
“Are you excited?” Montana asked. “I would be terrified. The dogs take the best of my maternal skills. I’m not sure I could manage more.”
“I am terrified,” Dakota admitted. “What if I screw up? What if she doesn’t like me? What if she wants to go back to Kazakhstan?”
“The good news is, she can’t talk,” Nevada told her. “So asking to leave is out of the question.”
“Small comfort,” Dakota muttered.
Her mother joined her on the sofa and put her arm around her. “You’re going to do just fine. It’s going to be difficult at first, but you’ll get the hang of it. Your daughter is going to love you and you’re going to love her.”
“You can’t know that,” Dakota told her, fighting panic.
“Of course I can,” her mother said. “I guarantee it. And the best part of all is I finally get a granddaughter.”
Nevada smiled. “Because it’s all about you?”
“Of course.” Denise laughed. “Not that I don’t love my grandsons, but I’m dying to buy something pink and frilly. Please don’t turn my only granddaughter into a tomboy, I beg you.”
“I’ll do my best,” Dakota promised.
She looked around her crowded living room. Most of the women had brought food for the impromptu gathering. A few had brought casserole dishes that she could use later in the week. That was the way of life here. Everyone took care of their own.
A very pregnant Pia and her husband, Raoul, Dakota’s boss, moved toward her.
“So typical,” Pia said hugging her as tightly as her huge belly would allow. “Jumping to the front of the line. Here I am nearly two months away from giving birth and you’re getting a baby first.”
“Congratulations,” Raoul said, kissing her cheek, while managing to keep his arm around Pia. “How you holding up?”
“I’m in a panic. I need to go shopping,” she said. “I need diapers and a bed and a changing table.” She knew there was more, but she couldn’t think of what. One of those baby books would help, she thought. Didn’t they have lists of what you needed? “Are there baby things that you don’t need when the kid is six months old?” she asked.
“Not to worry,” her mother told her. “I’ll go shopping with you. I’ll make sure you have everything you need for the flight home. You’re going to give me your house key. By the time you get home tomorrow, everything will be waiting.”
If anyone else had told her that, she wouldn’t have believed her. But this was her mother. Denise knew how to get things done. You couldn’t have six kids and not be an expert at management.
“Thank you,” she whispered, then hugged her mother. “I couldn’t get through this without you.”
Emotions threatened to overwhelm her. None of this felt real, yet she knew it was happening. She was going to have a baby. A child of her own. Despite her broken body, she was getting her own family.
As she looked around the room, at all the friends and family who had dropped everything to stop by and wish her the best, Dakota realized she was wrong. She wasn’t getting her own family. Her family had always existed. What she was getting instead was a wonderful, unexpected blessing.
DAKOTA HAD NEVER BEEN in a small plane before. But even flying in something roughly the size of a tin can was nothing when compared with the reality of becoming the mother of a six-month-old child she’d never met.
As Finn flew them southwest toward Los Angeles, she frantically flipped through the book she’d bought
