Ethan saw Dakota safely into the car before he went into the trunk to retrieve the surprise he’d purchased for her. He had to laugh at himself. He’d never felt this giddy over anyone.

      Ethan slid into the driver’s seat, holding the candy apple down, with a piece of red ribbon curled around the stick, at his left side, which made it difficult to close his car door. Turning to face her, he brought the candy apple out and handed it to her. “I got this for you. I hope you enjoy it.” The smile she cast him made his insides tremble.

      Leaning over the console, she kissed his cheek. “So this is why you disappeared earlier. You are too sweet. I can’t believe you remembered I told you it was a favorite.”

      “Oh, I only go over in my head everything you say at least a couple dozen times a night.” He reached over and slid the back of his hand down the side of her face “Maybe I shouldn’t be telling you all that.”

      She laughed. “Please keep it up. I’m enjoying the flattery. I feel like I’m in a dream world when I’m with you.”

      “It’s not a dream, Dakota, but I know what you mean. It’s for real. I’ve never felt anything so real.”

      Dakota went into Ethan’s arms without any prompting from him. She pulled slightly back and looked into his eyes. “It feels real to me, too. And I’m feeling you.”

      Dakota hadn’t revealed to any man her deep, complex layers. Ethan just might be the one male she could open up her heart to. If he kept being so attentive to her, treating her like something fragile and beautiful, she felt like she could really let herself go with him.

      Chapter 2

      Dakota looked up at the dreary gray concrete complex, wishing she didn’t have to come here by herself. If her parents had survived a fatal car crash several years ago, she wouldn’t be here alone. The couple had been coming home from the theater late one evening when a semi jackknifed into their car, killing them instantly. Shortly after their deaths, her parents’ employer-paid medical coverage had been terminated.

      Dakota had been left in charge of her eight-year-old sister, Danielle, who had Down syndrome, after their guardian/ grandparents had both passed away three years ago, her grandfather dying first. Everything had fallen solely on Dakota’s shoulders, just as the young woman had turned twenty-one. She was sixteen years older than Danielle.

      Danni now resided at the Center of the Courageous Heart, a renowned specialized facility in Carson that treated a variety of complications arising from Down. Medicare and Medicaid paid for a good portion of Danielle’s care. Because Dakota had insisted on a private facility for the child, she was responsible for all medical services the government agencies didn’t cover.

      Dakota stopped outside Danielle’s door and said a silent prayer, asking God to keep her anxiety-free. She visited her sister practically every day, but she was overly tired this Friday evening. Working and going to school took a toll on her, but she didn’t want her adorable sibling to feel any negative vibes from her. The place was as cheerful as the staff could possibly make it, but there were times when an air of gloom presided.

      Just in case Danielle was napping, Dakota quietly stepped into the private room, looking straight ahead at the double bed. Her heart instantly leaped for joy. Danielle was awake and her face was lit up with the same brighter-than-gold smile she always wore for her kin. These were the kinds of moments that took away Dakota’s breath.

      “Kota,” Danielle cried, opening her arms wide.

      Scooping up Danielle into her arms, Dakota gave her a huge hug, receiving in return loving embraces and jubilant kisses. This sweet, warm child was superaffectionate. If Danni hugged or kissed someone, they knew she had handed out a little chunk of her loving heart. Dakota didn’t believe her sister would ever run out of the pieces of her authentic self she exuberantly shared with others.

      Dakota smiled at Danielle, lodging into her sweet little arms the brown teddy bear gift she’d brought along. Danni had quite a collection of stuffed toys and she loved each one. However, she did have a favorite: Daisy Dolly, a freckle-faced, red-haired rag doll had been Danielle’s companion for years.

      “Thank you, Kota.” Kissing and hugging the bear, Danielle held it close.

      Although Danielle had Down syndrome at birth, some of the more serious physical complications hadn’t appeared until she was nearly four years old. Then all of a sudden, Danielle got sick more frequently, her health compromised to the point where she eventually required constant skilled nursing care. Home health-care nurses cared for Danni at home as long as it had been possible. Then the younger girl started to need the kind of professional assistance the older sibling was hardly equipped to provide.

      Danielle called out Dakota’s name again, pointing at the cabinet where the DVDs were kept. “Happy Feet,” she exclaimed, giggling softly.

      Dakota retrieved the movie, smiling as Danielle took the disk from her hand and inserted it into the DVD player. Dedicated professionals worked hard to help her be as independent as possible. She attended school within the facility, also participating in field trips and other special events when her health permitted.

      “Can I have an orange soda, too?” Danielle spoke well. Although she sometimes had difficulty with pronunciation of complex words, she was able to communicate effectively. It was rare for her to not get her point across. Danielle was learning American Sign Language and Dakota had taken the class, too. It felt good to spend that kind of time with her