Page 108 of When Morning Comes Around

Harvey laughed. “No, you got no worries there.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am. I’m glad you mentioned it because for one thing, that means you’re smart enough to pick up that there’s something going on. For another, it means that you’re prepared to speak up even at the risk of me being pissed at you. So, do you want to know what’s going on with them?”

“I do.” Dom glanced at his watch. Of course, he wanted to talk to Sadie, but he didn’t see the point in calling her and spoiling her time with Jo – she’d be home soon enough. And this conversation with Harvey was important, too.

“They want to buy the garden center from me.”

“They do?” That took him by surprise.

“Yeah, they’ve wanted to buy it for a while.”

“But you don’t want to sell.”

“I didn’t, but I’m starting to think it might be time. I know I bitched and moaned about having to sit on my ass after my fall – and if I sell, I’ll have to find something to keep me busy – but I found, going back to it after that break, my heart isn’t in it like it used to be.”

“Wow, you surprise me.”

Harvey chuckled. “I surprised myself. And don’t say anything to Sadie yet. She’ll be more than surprised. I told her that I wanted to get back to it because I didn’t want to just sit on my ass and wait to die. I don’t want her to think that I’ve changed my mind about that. It’s not that I want to sit on my ass – it’s that I want to do some more living before I die.”

“That sounds like a plan to me. And if there’s anything I can do…”

Thanks. I’ll figure it out. First, we need to make sure that we get rid of Dale and that he doesn’t leave Sadie penniless in the process.”

“He won’t. That’s not going to happen. Even if it came down to it, she doesn’t need to worry. I can take care of her.”

Harvey cleared his throat. “I know, son. You know, when you first came in to buy some plants, I wished that she could have met someone like you. Now, I feel like I can die happy.” He chuckled. “Not that I plan on kicking the bucket anytime soon.”

“Good, I reckon if you’re going to sell the nursery and retire, you can have some fun years ahead of you. And I give you my word, you don’t need to worry about her. I’ll take care of her.”

“I know. And you can start by telling her that Dale’s in town and making sure that she doesn’t let him pull the wool over her eyes.”

“You can bank on it.”

~ ~ ~

Sadie couldn’t help smiling to herself as she pointed the remote at the gate and it swung open. It might seem like a little thing to anyone else, but that fancy gate seemed to sum up just how wonderful her life was now – her life with Dom.

As she drove up the driveway, she spotted him standing on the front steps and waved. He was wonderful! She was surprised that although he waved back, he didn’t look happy.

She parked inside the garage and checked her watch as she climbed out of the minivan. She was back later than she’d said she’d be – was he mad about that? She hoped not. So far, he seemed so easy-going. She loved being with him; it was easy and fun, but every now and then – like now – she found herself waiting for the worst to happen, for the shine to come off.

By the time she closed the door, he was there, standing beside her.

“What’s wrong?”

He shook his head and dropped a kiss on her lips. “Nothing, come on in.”

She let him take her hand and lead her into the kitchen, but there was definitely something wrong.

When they reached the kitchen, she held onto his arms as she raised up on her toes to peck his lips. “What is it?”

She relaxed a little when he slid his arms around her waist and hugged her to him.

“Your dad called.”

“Oh no! Is he okay?”

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