LITMIR.BIZ

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her pen on the paper, not sure what was the best solution. In a few minutes, she would call her mother. She wanted to tell Denise the good news and ask her advice on the transportation issue.

      In the meantime, she could review her shopping list. Not only would she need diapers and a couple of blankets, there was the issue of formula. Dakota didn’t know very much about babies, but she was relatively sure switching formula could cause an upset stomach. Hopefully, the person traveling with the little girl had brought plenty.

      She crossed to the phone by the sofa, but before she could pick up the receiver, there was soft knocking on her front door. She changed directions and opened it, only to find Finn standing on her small porch. He had take-out coffee containers in each hand.

      “What are you doing here?” she asked. “It’s early.”

      He handed her the coffee. “Nonfat, right?”

      “Yes. Thank you.” She stepped back and shook her head. “Sorry, I’m a little fuzzy this morning. Why are you here?”

      “You’re keeping the baby.”

      “How do you know?”

      He smiled. “I know you. You talked about the fact that you can’t have kids and you’re a kid person. Given the chance to adopt, you will.”

      “Oh, you’re right.” Unexpected insight, she thought. But nice.

      He followed her into the house.

      “I don’t know what I’m doing,” she admitted. “I didn’t get much sleep and it seems like there are a thousand things to do.”

      He followed her into the kitchen. “Sure there are. Most people get nine months to figure out what to do about a baby. You’ve had what? Nine hours?”

      All of which was true, she thought. But she was still surprised to see him. He’d taken off so quickly the previous night.

      “I’m doing the list thing,” she said, pointing to the pages on the kitchen table. “I’m going to call my mom in a few minutes. She’s had six kids. If anyone knows what to do, it’s her.”

      “Have you picked a name?”

      She smiled. “I was thinking of Hannah. It’s the name that came to me when I saw her picture.”

      “Hannah Hendrix. I like it.”

      “Me, too,” she said. “Everything is so surreal. I don’t know what to think even.”

      “You’re going to be fine,” he told her.

      “You can’t know that.”

      “Sure I can. You’re the kind of person who cares about other people. And isn’t that what you’re always telling me? That kids want to know you’re there for them?” He smiled. “I’m really happy for you, Dakota.”

      His support was unexpected, but very nice. She was close enough to the edge that it could’ve made her cry, but she was determined to maintain control.

      “For a guy who isn’t interested in having a family,” she said, “you’re pretty sensitive and understanding.”

      He winced. “Don’t let word get out. I have a reputation to uphold. How are you getting to L.A.?”

      “To pick up Hannah? I can’t decide. That’s what I was going to talk to my mom about. Flying is faster, but I’m afraid to take an unfamiliar baby on a plane. Which means driving makes more sense, but it’s kind of long. I don’t know how she’ll feel or what she’s like. She could be really scared.”

      “Let’s fly,” he told her. “I’ll rent a plane. She’s coming into the international terminal, right?”

      “Yes, but you can’t fly me to Los Angeles.”

      “Why not? Don’t you trust me?”

      Her concern wasn’t about his flying abilities. She was sure he was very good. “Isn’t renting a private plane a big deal? And expensive?”

      “Not that big a deal. It’s going to cost more than flying commercial, but I’m talking about a four-seater plane. Not a jet. It’ll be faster than a car, and when you consider going through security and having to get there two hours before your flight, faster than flying commercial. There’s an executive airport just east of LAX. We’ll land there and take the shuttle to the international terminal.”

      “That sounds perfect,” she said, relieved to have her problem solved. “Thank you. This is a huge relief. How do I pay for the plane? Do you want my credit card number?”

      “We’ll work that out later,” he told her. “Let me go arrange for the rental.”

      They decided on what time they were leaving in the morning, then Finn kissed her lightly. “Congratulations,” he said.

      “Thank you for everything.”

      “I’m happy to help.”

      After he left, Dakota stood in the center of the room, holding her coffee. She was still surprised by his offer of help, although very grateful. She wasn’t sure why he was getting involved, but she knew better than to ask questions.

      A quick glance at the clock told her it was time to call her mother. She only had one day to get her entire life rearranged. In less than forty-eight hours, she would be a mother.

      BY NOON, her house was overflowing with well-wishers. Dakota had called her mother. Denise had called her other daughters, along with most of the people they knew in Fool’s Gold.

      Nevada and Montana had shown up first. Then her mother had arrived minutes later. Liz and Jo were joined by Charity and her new baby. Marsha, the town mayor, arrived with Alice, the chief of police. Friends and neighbors filled Dakota’s small house.

      She’d already printed out the pictures of Hannah the adoption agency had emailed, and they were passed from hand to hand.

      “Are you excited?” Montana asked. “I would be terrified. The dogs take the best of my maternal skills. I’m not sure I could manage more.”

      “I am terrified,” Dakota admitted. “What if I screw up? What if she doesn’t like me? What if she wants to go back to Kazakhstan?”

      “The good news is, she can’t talk,” Nevada told her. “So asking to leave is out of the question.”

      “Small comfort,” Dakota muttered.

      Her mother joined her on the sofa and put her arm around her. “You’re going to do just fine. It’s going to be difficult at first, but you’ll get the hang of it. Your daughter is going to love you and you’re going to love her.”

      “You can’t know that,” Dakota told her, fighting panic.

      “Of course I can,” her mother said. “I guarantee it. And the best part of all is I finally get a granddaughter.”

      Nevada smiled. “Because it’s all about you?”

      “Of course.” Denise laughed. “Not that I don’t love my grandsons, but I’m dying to buy something pink and frilly. Please don’t turn my only granddaughter into a tomboy, I beg you.”

      “I’ll do my best,” Dakota promised.

      She looked around her crowded living room. Most of the women had brought food for the impromptu gathering. A few had brought casserole dishes that she could use later in the week. That was the way of life here. Everyone took care of their own.

      A very pregnant Pia and her husband, Raoul, Dakota’s boss, moved toward her.

      “So typical,” Pia said hugging her as tightly as her huge belly would allow. “Jumping to the front of the line. Here I am nearly two months away from giving birth and you’re getting a baby first.”

      “Congratulations,” Raoul said, kissing

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