Dakota Steele never was a man who had a lot of friends.
But the few that he did have, he kept them close. He'd do anything for his small circle of friends, and today (and for as long as he was needed), he planned on going to any length he could to show his loyalty to a friend who was in great need.
His buddy Jake Duncan had been bucked off his horse, and ended up spending an untold amount of time in the freezing elements before Erin found him.
Quite a while back, Jake had been kind enough to give Dakota a bit of work when he was hurting for money. A friendship was born, and although Dakota hadn't had the chance to visit with Jake in quite some time, he still considered him one of his best friends.
When Erin told Dakota about Jake's accident, he didn't think twice about offering whatever help he could in keeping Jake's ranch going while he was laid up. Rena Cronin, also a friend of Jake and Erin's, made a similar offer, knowing quite a few people who could help keep things going.
As he approached the house, with his faithful Rottweiler by his side every step of the way, Dakota couldn't help but be amazed at the beautiful piece of property that Jake owned. Truth was, Jake was the cowboy Dakota always wished he could be. Yeah, he wore a hat and jeans, and spoke with the same drawl as ol' Jake. But he didn't have the true grit inside his soul that it took to do the everyday work that Jake did. Make no mistake, when it comes to helping his friend, he'll break his back to do whatever work needs to be done. But if he had to do this kind of work to support himself, he knew there'd be no way he'd last at it. If he can do something for someone he cares about, then go home to a ratty one bedroom apartment with a cold beer in the fridge, then it's been a good day.
Today was going to be a good day.
It was a brisk day, somewhere around the mid-30's, and he was dressed for a hard day's work. He wore a thick black and red flannel shirt on top of a couple of t-shirts, jeans with holes ripped in the knees, and brown work boots. His red bandanna was wrapped tightly around his head, and he had a pair of black gloves in his back pocket.
Slowly stepping up the front porch, he took a moment to finish off his cigarette. Luke sat himself down on the porch, as calm as a dog could be. A strong bond had grown between Dakota and his dog since their paths crossed several months ago. Every time Dakota tried to open his front door, Luke was right there, hoping he'd get to go too. Dakota didn't plan on bringing him today, but after he largely ignored Luke yesterday during his move into his new apartment, Dakota felt pretty guilty about leaving him behind today, so here they were.
Getting his last drag in, Dakota knocked on the front door, knowing Erin would be there to answer. Erin was a good girl, and she wasn't going to leave Jake's side for anything. Jake got him a good one when Erin came into his life.
He quickly formed his hands into a ball and breathed into them in a slight attempt to keep them warm as he waited for Erin to answer.
But the few that he did have, he kept them close. He'd do anything for his small circle of friends, and today (and for as long as he was needed), he planned on going to any length he could to show his loyalty to a friend who was in great need.
His buddy Jake Duncan had been bucked off his horse, and ended up spending an untold amount of time in the freezing elements before Erin found him.
Quite a while back, Jake had been kind enough to give Dakota a bit of work when he was hurting for money. A friendship was born, and although Dakota hadn't had the chance to visit with Jake in quite some time, he still considered him one of his best friends.
When Erin told Dakota about Jake's accident, he didn't think twice about offering whatever help he could in keeping Jake's ranch going while he was laid up. Rena Cronin, also a friend of Jake and Erin's, made a similar offer, knowing quite a few people who could help keep things going.
As he approached the house, with his faithful Rottweiler by his side every step of the way, Dakota couldn't help but be amazed at the beautiful piece of property that Jake owned. Truth was, Jake was the cowboy Dakota always wished he could be. Yeah, he wore a hat and jeans, and spoke with the same drawl as ol' Jake. But he didn't have the true grit inside his soul that it took to do the everyday work that Jake did. Make no mistake, when it comes to helping his friend, he'll break his back to do whatever work needs to be done. But if he had to do this kind of work to support himself, he knew there'd be no way he'd last at it. If he can do something for someone he cares about, then go home to a ratty one bedroom apartment with a cold beer in the fridge, then it's been a good day.
Today was going to be a good day.
It was a brisk day, somewhere around the mid-30's, and he was dressed for a hard day's work. He wore a thick black and red flannel shirt on top of a couple of t-shirts, jeans with holes ripped in the knees, and brown work boots. His red bandanna was wrapped tightly around his head, and he had a pair of black gloves in his back pocket.
Slowly stepping up the front porch, he took a moment to finish off his cigarette. Luke sat himself down on the porch, as calm as a dog could be. A strong bond had grown between Dakota and his dog since their paths crossed several months ago. Every time Dakota tried to open his front door, Luke was right there, hoping he'd get to go too. Dakota didn't plan on bringing him today, but after he largely ignored Luke yesterday during his move into his new apartment, Dakota felt pretty guilty about leaving him behind today, so here they were.
Getting his last drag in, Dakota knocked on the front door, knowing Erin would be there to answer. Erin was a good girl, and she wasn't going to leave Jake's side for anything. Jake got him a good one when Erin came into his life.
He quickly formed his hands into a ball and breathed into them in a slight attempt to keep them warm as he waited for Erin to answer.