Page 62 of Wild Hearts

"That's right. It's a program we do every year."

"I wonder if there's some way the ski resort could be involved. I think we'd like to do something since social service helped Dakota in her situation.”

"I think that would be lovely. We have several businesses that donate money or offer scholarships to foster kids."

"We already have a scholarship program, and I’m sure we can add one for foster kids too. That shouldn't be a problem, butI think we'd like to do something more hands on. Would we be able to offer ski lessons and equipment, or is that too much?"

"That would be very generous. You don't have to do something that involved, but if you want to, the kids will love it."

"I want to do something to give back."

"We can work together on organizing it. Most businesses are more interested in their name being on a donor list then being hands on. I know it's because you have a personal connection, but it's nice to work with a business that wants to be involved."

"I've been gone for a while, but I know my cousins are interested in community outreach. They don't just want their name on something because they donated money."

"Kylie does a lot to raise money for various groups."

"Yeah, that's taken off in a way that no one expected. She doesn't work for the resort as much as she used to."

We worked for a while packing the bags with art supplies to paint the ornaments we'd also placed in the bags.

Addison lifted the ornament. "These are great. Kids will love them."

"I don't remember as much about my childhood when I lived with my parents."

Addison gave me a sympathetic look. "That's not uncommon when you've been through something traumatic."

"Who knows who I would have been, or what I would have done if my parents hadn't died in that crash? But I told Dakota everything happens for a reason."

"Sounds like you should follow your own advice."

I bumped her shoulder with mine. "I wouldn't have met you."

"That is a happy result. What else?" Addison prompted.

It was nice to think of the positive things that came out of their death and not everything I'd lost. "I enjoyed living with my cousins, even if I didn't always show it."

"They are pretty great."

"The military straightened me out and gave me purpose. I'm more disciplined for the experience."

"And you got Dakota," Addison said softly.

"I hadn't thought of it like that." If I'd stayed with Addison, I might have a child with her, but who knows what our future would have been like? We might have broken up later for a different reason. "I wouldn't want to wish Dakota away. She's the best thing that ever happened to me."

"She's so lucky to have you," Addison said, and I let those words seep into my soul.

14

ADDISON

After we finished working on the trees, we grabbed some hot chocolate and picked up sandwiches on the way to the resort.

"Scarlett wants to know if I can come over for a girls' night? It will be her, Caroline, your aunt, and me," Dakota said from the back seat.

"What are you going to do?" Walker asked her.

"She said we're going to do manis and pedis, eat junk food, and watch sappy movies. Can I go? Please?"

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