“Yes, I do. The reason I came here, my cousins own the Tanner Vineyard here. My mother and their late father were siblings. We used to visit when I was young but I hadn’t been back here since I was in my early teens. But when my cousin, Chase, called to ask if I’d consider managing their vineyard, I jumped at the chance for some peace in my life.”
Dakota wished she had a close family. Her family was in Seattle. Well, what little of a family she had. She only spoke to her sister on holidays when she’d go home to visit. Dakota couldn’t understand why her parents hadn’t been honest with her about Neil not being her biological father. Her dad told her he respected her mother’s wishes never to speak of it. Her mother basically told her that her biological father was a no-good bum and a one-night stand that had no interest in being a dad. Dakota left it at that. She knew how difficult her mother could be. They were never really close. She always felt Sabrina was her mother’s favorite. They did everything together. They had the same tastes in clothes, social gatherings, and being taken care of. Dakota was down-to-earth, genuine, didn’t care about money, and thrived on her independence.
“I’m here for peace too. I’m quite happy to leave the city life behind.”
Dakota didn’t speak of her family too much to anyone. If asked, she simply said she moved out when she finished high school and visited on holidays. She definitely didn’t want to indulge the real reason for her coming to Vinegrove. Dakota checked her watch.
“I’m sorry I’d love to chat more but I should check in with my boss to let her know I’ve arrived.”
“No apology needed. I didn’t mean to hold you up. I enjoyed our chat. I’m sure our paths will cross again shortly in this small town.”
He reached out for her hand and lifted it to his lips.
“It’s been a pleasure, Miss Country Girl.”
Tristan hopped in his truck and tilted his Stetson to her. Dakota watched him drive away. She sighed deeply and walked toward the entrance to Vinegrove Country Hospital.
You’re definitely a pleasure, Mr. Stetson.
Chapter Two
Dakota’s step had bounce in it as she entered Vinegrove Country Hospital. She set her purse down at the nurses’ station and waved to the woman across the room.
“Good morning, Dr. Miller.”
“Good morning Dakota, and please call me Becca. How was your first night in Vinegrove?”
Becca poured a cup of coffee and offered it to Dakota.
“I slept like a baby. It was so peaceful and quiet. I thought I’d have difficulty falling asleep without sirens and all the noises of the city.”
Dakota’s smile made a soft sound that made her shoulders shake and her eyes twinkle.
“Get used to that. Not much happens in Vinegrove. I came from New York so I know what you mean about the city noises. But you couldn’t pay me to go back there. I love it here.”
Becca lifted her coffee cup in the air as a silent cheer and then took a sip. Dakota lifted hers. “I’m with you. I don’t miss it one bit.”
The quiet of the emergency room was interrupted and Dakota turned to see a woman pushing a trolley.
“Denise, come meet Dakota,” Becca called out and the woman waved one finger in the air. She parked the trolley in a nearby workroom and moseyed toward the nurses’ station. The emergency room only contained a few curtained beds and the nurses’ station, no bigger than the den at her old flat. From the nurses’ station, a small corridor led to three closed doors. She’d been used to a non-stop large department but she knew she’d appreciate the slower pace. The peace and serenity Vinegrove offered was exactly what she needed.
“It’s great to have you join us Dakota. I’m Denise.” She surprised Dakota with a warm embrace.
Everyone she’d met so far had been so friendly. She felt genuinely welcomed. It just felt odd after all her years in the city, and more so, the lack of sincere humanity from her mother and sister. She loved them. They were her family. But they weren’t her only family. There was one missing link. The one she’d yearned to find for the past ten years. At least her dad—or Neil as she now referred to him—had been honest with her. She’d dreamt and searched for her biological father for years. Her mother wouldn’t reveal any more information than she’d initially given. Dakota had accepted her mother’s ignorance and investigated on her own.
“Thanks, Denise. I love it here already.”
“It may not be as exciting as the big city but every once in a while we get a little action.”
Denise turned to Becca and her eyebrows shot up under her blonde fringe. She winked and let out a light hearty chuckle.
Becca snorted and turned to Dakota. “You’ll get used to Denise. She says what’s on her mind.”
Dakota joined in the laughter that filled the empty room. Becca then excused herself and wished Dakota luck on her first day. Denise called out to remind Becca about lunch. Becca waved her hand in the air as she started down the corridor and then turned to Dakota.