Chapter 19 Dakota
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Dakota
“Oh, Charlie, you will love the rodeo!” Violet laughs, squeezing his hand as they walk ahead of me down Main Street. “I can’t believe your mom hasn’t ever taken you to one. As a Colter Creek native, it’s sacrilege!”
I watch Charlie bounce along beside her, his face lit up with excitement. I don’t think he has a clue what Violet’s going on about, but he’s definitely hooked on the idea of horses.
I swear, that’s all he’s thought about since we’ve been here. Horses, cowboys, and everything else that comes with it.
I can’t believe I kept him away from this life for so long. Colter Creek has always been here, this rich, wild place that’s been waiting for him, for both of us.
I’ve spent years avoiding it, but now that we’re here, I wonder if I was running from something I should’ve been embracing all along.
I catch up to them, and Charlie turns to look at me, his eyes wide with that familiar, eager look. “Mama, will there be real horses at the rodeo?”
I grin, nudging him with my shoulder. “You bet. And real cowboys, too.”
His face lights up as if I’ve just promised him the moon. “Cowboys? And they’ll do tricks? Just like the ones in my book?”
I nod, trying to keep my own excitement in check. “Exactly like in your book. Only these tricks are even cooler.”
Violet laughs beside me. “That’s right. You’re about to see the real deal, Charlie. No cartoons or make-believe here.”
Charlie gives a triumphant “yes!” under his breath as we keep walking, and I feel that familiar tug in my chest. The one that tells me I’m doing things right, for once.
He’s finally getting the chance to experience something I had so much of growing up, and I can see him soaking it all in. The horses, the wide-open spaces, the way everything feels different here.
He’s starting to feel it, too, even if he doesn’t fully understand why yet.
As we walk past the old diner, I glance inside. Millie’s behind the counter, her head bent low, focused on something, but she glances up at the sound of the bell as we pass by.
She gives me a wave, and I wave back, oddly comforted by the simple gesture. There’s something amazing about this town.
It doesn’t need to change, even if I have.
Violet stops at the corner, looking up at the small storefront with a grin.
“Alright, I think it’s time for a little shopping therapy.
Sophie’s Boutique has some new arrivals, and I know you could use a pick-me-up.
Actually, you probably haven’t even been here, have you? It wasn’t here six years ago.”
“Oh yeah, it looks cool.”
Violet links her arm with mine, pulling me toward the door. “You’re gonna love it. Sophie’s got the best stuff. I’m due for some new clothes myself, so this is my excuse.”
We step inside, Charlie trailing behind us, and I immediately feel I’ve walked into a cozy little world of pastel colors and delicate fabrics. Soft music plays overhead.
Sophie’s Boutique has a warm vibe, the kind of place where you can tell the owner’s poured a little piece of her heart into everything.
I’m about to wander toward the racks when a woman calls out, “Well, well, if it isn’t Violet Barnes!”
Violet’s face lights up, and she waves toward the back of the store. “Hey, Sophie! How’s it going?”
Sophie walks over, her smile bright and easy. She’s got the same warm energy as Violet, and immediately, I feel I’m talking to someone I’ve known for years, even though we’ve just met.
She’s got dark hair, a little longer than Violet’s, and she’s dressed in a bohemian-style top with a pair of well-worn jeans, the kind of outfit that looks effortlessly chic.
“This is my friend Dakota,” Violet says, nudging me forward. “She just moved back to Colter Creek with her son Charlie. Dakota, meet Sophie Stone. Reid’s sister.”
Reid?
I feel a small flutter in my chest, but I try to hide it. Sophie doesn’t notice, though, as she extends her hand with a smile that’s nothing short of contagious.
Thank goodness. I don’t know how she’d greet me if she knew about my one wild night with her brother.
Focus, Dakota.
“Well, welcome back to town, Dakota,” Sophie says warmly, shaking my hand. “It’s good to meet you.”
I nod, trying to keep things casual. “Thanks. It’s… been a bit of a whirlwind, but I’m settling in.”
She grins. “I get that. I moved back a few years ago, and it took me a while to get used to everything again. Colter Creek can pull you back in, whether you’re ready or not.”
Her words are like a quiet reassurance, and I find myself smiling a little more than I expected. “Yeah, it definitely has a way of doing that.”
As Sophie watches Violet head down the aisle, she lets out a little, slightly tuneless but very sunny whistle that reminds me of her brother.
“So,” I ask, glancing around the store, “how long have you been running the boutique?”
“Not long, actually. I bought this place when I came back to town to use my creative degree. I freaking love it.”
I can’t help but admire her for that. “It’s a beautiful shop. You clearly love it.”
Sophie’s face lights up at the compliment.
“Thanks! It’s like my little dream come true, honestly.
It’s been a lot of work, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
” She gestures around the shop. “You should see what it looked like when I first got here. It was all… well, let’s just say I had a vision, and it took a little elbow grease to get it to where it is now. ”
I can imagine. The space is perfect. Charming, vibrant, but not overcrowded, with just enough personality to make it feel unique. It’s got a vibe, that’s for sure.
Definitely the kind of place you’d want to spend time in, whether you’re shopping or just looking for a moment of peace.
As Sophie and I continue chatting, I glance over my shoulder to find Charlie standing near the counter, looking up at a small bowl of brightly colored lollipops. Sophie, noticing my gaze, looks over and gives a warm smile.
“Hey, Charlie,” she calls, walking over to him with a gentle expression. “How about a treat? I’ve got some lollipops here, just for kids with good manners.”
Charlie’s eyes widen, his gaze locking on the rainbow of colors. “Really?”
“Yep!” Sophie says. “Pick whichever one you like.”
Charlie looks at me with a hint of hesitation. “Can I, Mama?”
I smile, nodding. “Of course. Go ahead.”
He grins, practically jumping in place as he picks the brightest one—green, of course—and Sophie hands it to him with a wink.
“Thanks!” Charlie says enthusiastically, looking up at her like she’s just given him the best treasure in the world.
“Anytime,” Sophie replies, ruffling his hair. She glances back at me with a chuckle. “He’s a good kid. I can tell he’s going to love the rodeo. You’ll have to bring him down there, for sure.”
“I plan to,” I say, a little lighter than before. I rarely feel this easy with someone I barely know. There’s something about Sophie, her genuine warmth, that makes it hard not to relax.
Once Violet has grabbed everything she wants, we head toward the front of the store. Charlie’s already halfway through his lollipop, happily sucking away with sticky fingers and a big grin on his face.
“You two ready?” Violet calls, holding the door open for us.
“Yep!” I nod, giving Sophie one last smile as I grab Charlie’s hand.
We step outside into the warm afternoon. Main Street feels different now. Familiar, the pulse of the town starting to sync with mine. It’s strange how quickly this place has started to feel homely again.
It isn’t just the house or the memories; it’s this. Walking down the street, bumping into old faces, meeting new ones like Sophie. It all feels right in a way I didn’t expect.
Violet loops her arm through mine as we start walking toward the diner. The bell above the door jingles as we pass by it. Millie is behind the counter, always a comforting sight.
The familiar smell of fried food and coffee lingers, making my stomach grumble a little. This place hasn’t changed in years, but in a good way.
Charlie immediately slides into a booth, his eyes lighting up when he spots a stack of coloring pages on the table.
“You want to draw, huh?” I smile at him as he grabs a crayon.
“Yep! I’m drawing horses!” he says, grinning up at me, his sticky hands now firmly holding the crayon. “For books, just like you!”
Violet slides in across from me and leans back, glancing around the diner before turning her attention back to me. “So… how’s the house sale going?”
I try to keep my face neutral, but it’s harder than I thought.
I exhale, running a hand through my hair.
“It’s… well, not great. The realtor I’m working with has been kind of a nightmare.
I know the house needs work if I’m going to get a decent sum for it.
Enough to kinda start again somewhere new, but I’m not quite sure where to begin. ”
Violet’s eyes flash, and I can already sense one of her wild ideas coming my way.
“You know, Dakota… why not consider staying? I know you’re trying to get away from the past, but Colter Creek could be the fresh start you’re looking for.
The school’s great, and the town’s small but full of heart.
It’s a good place to raise a kid, especially one who loves horses as much as Charlie. ”
I freeze, her words catching me off guard. I’ve been focused on the house sale and trying to move forward, but the idea of staying here, of truly planting roots, has been circling my thoughts more than I want to admit.
Still, I hesitate. I don’t want to make any rash decisions, not when I still don’t have a handle on everything.
Charlie, oblivious to our conversation, suddenly looks up from his coloring, his face lighting up. “Mama, can we stay? I like it here.”
His eyes are wide with excitement, and my heart squeezes. It’s clear he’s already attached to this place in a way I didn’t expect, and the thought of him loving it so much makes something inside me shift.
I glance at Violet, unsure. “I don’t know, Vi… It’s not that simple. It’s not just about the house or the school. There’s a lot I’ve got to figure out.”
“I know,” she agrees. “But don’t you think it’s time?”