I cottoned on to what she didn’t say. Two words.
Jarod Talley.
The entire town had always been a flutter over sweet, innocent Savannah McAllister and hunky ranch hand Jarod Talley—the ultimate sweethearts of Sandee. They’d dated since they were kids, and everyone knew they were headed for the chapel. Except life didn’t always work out as easily as others perceived it. Look at Dakota and me. No one in the town was going to believe that the two of us, sworn enemies, were hitched.
Dakota nodded. “You heading out today?”
Savannah glanced at Erik.
“Whatever she wants. My jet is ready and waiting,” Erik stated.
Fella owned a jet? Damn. Never dawned on me to look into our own jet. Seemed excessive. Sure would make getting to and from checking in on the fifty-some-odd farms we owned across the nation a whole helluva lot easier. I made a mental note to look into the cost and benefits of purchasing our own jet against all the first class flights we booked throughout the year for myself and our team at large. Most people thought we Goodalls only owned the family farm in Sandee. Not even close, or I wouldn’t have been able to afford the four-million-dollar price tag on Dakota. That was a drop in the bucket. Our family farm wasn’t even our biggest, just the first, which was why we’d chosen to live on it together.
One thing the Goodalls believed over anything else: Family was everything. We stuck together. Literally there were houses on the land for all of us. My parents, my grandad, my older brother, Junior aka Duke Goodall the Second, and my baby sister, Bonnie.
Imagining Dakota in my home, the one I’d built for a family of my own, had me eager to whisk her back to Montana.
The elevator opened, and I noticed the driver I’d hired was waiting with our bags in the lobby.
“You ready to go, darlin’？” I ran my hand up and down Dakota’s back.
Her face turned toward me, and she did something I never thought I’d see in a million years coming from tough-as-nails Dakota McAllister. She pouted. Her succulent bottom lip puffed out and her eyes filled with unshed tears.
Without warning, she grabbed her sister, hugged her tight, and then pulled back, cupping both her cheeks.
“I love you and I’m so proud of you. Yeah?” She nodded until her sister mimicked her, both women with tears in their eyes.
“Call me when you get to where you’re going. And be safe, okay?” she added.
Savannah nodded, big, fat tears falling down her porcelain-doll-like cheeks. The woman was beautiful, to be sure. She just seemed fragile. Like one of those fancy decorated glass eggs they put in museums. My heart and dick paid attention only to the rough around the edges, spittin’ fire like a dragon and venom like a snake type of woman that was Dakota. One you had to wrangle and earn to pin down, making the fight worth the win a hundred-fold.
Dakota kissed her sister’s forehead, put her hands to her hips, and tilted her head as she stared down a Viking. A man twice her size. With absolutely no fear. The woman was nuts, but damn if I didn’t want to crack her wide open and gorge on her for days. Arousal oozed through my veins as I watched my wife not so gently threaten her sister’s fiancé.
“I swear to God, there is nowhere I won’t go to ensure my sister is safe…” she started, but Erik held up his hands cutting her off.
“Mrs. Goodall…” Erik spoke.
She growled through her teeth at her new surname being used while I grinned, wildly pleased.
“Dakota…” He wisely changed tactics. “I have no intention of doing anything other than treating Savannah with the utmost respect and care. She will be treated like a queen. I assure you. You are welcome to come to Norway.” His gaze lifted to mine. “Both of you are welcome anytime. Wherever Savannah is, her family will always have a place with us. ”
I figured that was my cue to get this horse and pony show on the road. I hooked my arm around Dakota’s waist from behind and pressed her against my chest. “Let her go. She’s a big girl.”
Her body bucked, not to throw me off but to hold me closer, as though she might fall to her knees at the sudden onslaught of emotions. She started to tremble, so I turned her around to face me, wrapping my arms around her fully. Dakota’s forehead pressed to the center of my chest, and I could feel her breaking down, her nails digging into the muscles of my back as she held on.
“Go,” I suggested to Savannah and Erik. “If you don’t leave now, she’ll follow.” I lifted my chin to the lobby doors and held my precious package tighter.