“That’s kind of you, miss. I’m Tristan Hart.”
The roughness she felt told her he worked with his hands. The gentleness of his handshake confirmed her thoughts; he carried a kind soul. He released her hand slowly which only made her heart ache. She could have held his hand for eternity. Dakota cleared her throat as she shook that thought.
“Dakota Timmons”
“Are you new to this area, Miss Timmons?”
She shook her head to answer his question. For some reason this man made it difficult for her to speak. Dakota silently laughed with her sudden discomfort. Normally, she’d talk the ear off someone, even a stranger. Her mother always gave her trouble for it. She quickly remembered her ways and rambled.
“Yes, I’m headed to Vinegrove Country Hospital to start a new Chapter in my life. The countryside is beautiful. I believe I made the right decision.”
She chuckled and silently confirmed it wasn’t just the countryside that was beautiful. She felt like herself again, no matter how strikingly handsome Tristan was.
“Welcome to Vinegrove. I’m sorry that your first encounter almost forced you into the ditch. Please forgive me. I should know better to keep focused; especially when a beautiful woman should have distracted me instead of work.” He winked. It almost threw her off balance again.
She smiled. “I forgive you, Mr. Hart. You are kind. I like that. There isn’t a lot of kindness from where I come from.”
Dakota laughed as she remembered the city life she’d left behind.
“A city girl, I assume? And please, call me Tristan.”
She nodded. “Yep; well, I used to be. Now I’m a country girl.”
“Welcome to Vinegrove, Miss Country Girl.”
Dakota liked the sound of that and the sound of his voice. She could listen to him talk forever but she knew she had to get on her way. The hospital expected her arrival and she wanted to settle in early before her first shift.
“Thank you, Tristan. I must be on my way. I have an early start tomorrow.”
She began to walk back to her car when she felt him pass her and open her car door.
Startled at first—this never happened in Seattle—but she liked it.
“Thank you. I think I’m going to like the country life more than I’d imagined.”
Dakota nestled into her seat and he closed her car door. He leaned down and rested his arms along the open window.
“Would you like an escort into town?”
“I’d like that, thank you. I’m headed to the hospital first.”
“Allow me then to escort the beautiful lady to the hospital.”
He tapped his hand on her door and stood. Dakota watched him through her side mirror as he climbed into his truck. He drove past her slowly and tipped his Stetson to her. She inhaled deeply and slowly began to follow him. Her mother would have scorned her for talking to strangers, let alone follow one. But Dakota knew she could take care of herself. She knew Vinegrove was only a few miles ahead and she was safe in her own car. She knew she was safer here than she’d been in the city.
The small charming town she drove through welcomed her. She watched the townspeople smile and talk to each other outside the shops. Only a few cars moved along the main street slowly and quietly. She’d been used to endless traffic, horns honking, and people cursing at each other. This was completely different. It relaxed her. She finally felt peace had drifted into her life. She followed Tristan’s lead into the parking lot at the hospital and parked beside him. By the time she turned off her car’s ignition, he had her door open. He held out his hand to help her out.
“Thank you again, Tristan. I’m not used to so much kindness.” She chuckled.
He joined her laughter. “I understand. I only moved here a few months back.”
“Do you have family here?” Dakota wondered if he grew up in Vinegrove. His mannerisms certainly didn’t label him a city boy.