Page 10 of When Morning Comes Around

She made a face. “We let our membership slide.”

Her dad scowled. “You mean that dopey Dale bitched so much about the cost of it that you decided to let it slide rather than argue about it?”

She closed her eyes and nodded. She didn’t know what was worse – she felt utterly defeated by the truth of her dad’s words, and acutely embarrassed that Dominic was here to witness them.

Her dad seemed to sense that he’d said too much. “Well, it sounds as though your week’s been about as shitty as mine. Bring on the weekend, huh?”

“Yeah. And that’s enough about me, I’m here because of you. Although, if I’d known you were in such bad shape I would have flown instead of driving – I could have gotten here sooner.”

Her dad shrugged. “I didn’t want to worry you. And it’s not as though I’m here by myself.”

“I know, but Savannah can’t be here all the time, and as good as she is, she’s only a girl, it’s not fair to put everything on her.”

Her dad chuckled. “That girl’s all grown up now. She’s more than capable. And she’s not just here during the day. After I took my little tumble, I asked how she’d feel about staying to keep an eye on me. I didn’t know if it was… you know, appropriate… But she didn’t mind. It might have come a t a good time for her, too. She’s working a shift at the diner tonight; she won’t be back till later. Are you two hungry? You should go over there and get some dinner.”

Sadie looked at Dominic; she imagined that he’d be desperate to get out of here just as soon as he could.

“I had my dinner earlier,” her dad continued. “The diner doesn’t officially do deliveries, but Savannah sends one of the dishwasher boys to bring mine when she’s working. Have you eaten?” he asked Dominic.

Dominic glanced over at her before turning back to her dad. “I haven’t.”

Her dad chuckled. “Let me guess, you were starting to think about dinner when Nina called and turned your evening upside down, right?”

Dominic chuckled. “I wouldn’t put it that way.”

“That’s because he’s too polite,” her dad said. “Seems to me that you owe him dinner, honey bun.”

“But I can’t just…”

Her dad waved his hand at her with an air of finality. “I’ve eaten, and I’m about to watch my shows. There’s not much in the fridge, so you can sit here hungry and watch TV with me, or you can do the right thing and take this man out for a thank you dinner.”

She didn’t miss the way that he winked at Dominic; what surprised her was the way Dominic smiled back at him.

“I promise you that my ass won’t leave this chair until you get back, if that’ll help.”

He was right; if she said no, Dominic would leave hungry, and she would spend the rest of the evening staring at the TV while her dad ignored her.

She raised her eyebrows at Dominic, and he nodded.

“Okay. It looks like we’re going for dinner at the diner. Can I bring you anything back?”

Her dad chuckled. “Yeah, one of those sticky toffee things – Savannah will know what you mean.”

She leaned in to kiss his cheek. “I’ll be back.”

His fingers wrapped around her arm; his grip surprisingly strong. “Looks to me like you already are back, honey bun.”

~ ~ ~

“Are you okay with this?” Sadie asked as she closed the front door behind them. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him.”

Dominic had to laugh. “I’m more than okay with it. Your dad’s right; I was just thinking about dinner when Nina called. I need to eat, I’m sure that you do, and I might not know him all that well, but I do know that he doesn’t like anything to get in the way of his shows.”

She gave him a wry smile. “There was a time when they were my mom’s shows, and he used to tease her about watching them.” Her smile faded. “Since she died, I think it’s a way for him to still feel close to her.”

“It is.” Dominic had met Harvey the first time he came over to the garden center. He was still living in Damon’s house – sharing the place with Jake – and making the yard nice was a way of showing his thanks. He’d clicked with Harvey from their first conversation, and if he were honest, Dominic’s frequent trips back to the nursery were more about chatting with Harvey than buying plants or mulch.

When they were in the SUV, Sadie glanced over at him. “I’m sorry.”

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