“Fair enough.” Finn ended the call.
He stood on the tarmac of the Fool’s Gold airport and looked at the planes. He could make a life here, if that was what he wanted. The question was, did he? He’d been responsible for so damn long, and he’d told himself that when he got his brothers raised, he was done. He was only going to think about himself, do what he wanted.
Now that he was free, being alone wasn’t quite so appealing. He’d gotten used to being part of the family. Part of something. Did he want to walk away from that? Did it have to be all or nothing?
“What did your partner say?” Hamilton asked.
Finn had mentioned having to phone Bill. “He’s not happy I’m still here. I told him I’d make a decision within the next week.”
Hamilton raised his bushy gray eyebrows. “You thinking about buying me out? I can have some papers drawn up.”
The old man offered him the business nearly every time he reported for work. The price was fair, and there was plenty of potential to grow. Finn had some ideas about scheduled shipping routes and passenger service. If he wanted to stay.
“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.”