Page 30 of When Morning Comes Around

He automatically reached for his ring, and his heart leapt into his mouth when he realized that he wasn’t wearing it. He hadn’t put it back on after his shower. He swallowed. He never forgot to put it back on.

Damon raised his eyebrows, but Dominic shook his head. No matter what he might be ready for, he wasnotready to talk about his wedding ring.

Chapter Eight

“Your breakfast’s ready whenever you are, Dad,” Sadie called from the kitchen.

It was only Tuesday, but she already felt like she had a better handle on things. She’d woken early this morning – well, that was nothing new, she’d been awake before dawn every morning since she left home. She was hoping that with time, she’d start sleeping better. She frowned. While she was on the road, she’d tossed and turned every night thinking about what she was going to do. For the last few nights, however, it wasn’t her future or even Dale and the past that had been on her mind. As guilty and confused as she felt about it, what was keeping her awake –whowas keeping her awake – was Dominic. And if that wasn’t ridiculous…

“Morning, honey bun.” Her dad appeared in the doorway. “You don’t need to go to all that trouble,” he said as he eyed the table.

“It’s no trouble. I want to take proper care of you.” She smiled when Savannah came down the stairs. I know you’ve been doing a great job, but you shouldn’t have to. I can take over now – and I can take care of you, too, sweetie. I enjoy it.”

When they were all seated at the table, she smiled as she watched them dig in.

“What are you doing with yourself today?” asked her dad.

She made a face at him. “I think you already know the answer to that – I’m going to see if I can get you an appointment with the physical therapist.”

He groaned. “That’d be a waste of your time. I already told you that. Last time I went there, the little girl was next to useless. Don’t get me wrong, she was nice enough. But I don’t see the point in wasting their time or mine.”

Savannah gave Sadie a wry smile. “I can’t help you on this one,” she said. “I fought the same battle and lost.”

“I thought you were going to find out about that trainer fella at the gym for me – I’d go and see him.”

“Oh! I forgot about that, Harvey.”

“Who’s this?” asked Sadie.

Her dad grinned. “You know that new gym over in town? Well, there’s a trainer who works with people there. Max Douglas goes to him every week, and he says it’s doing him a world of good. I’d go and see him.”

“Do you know his name?” Sadie asked Savannah.

“Sorry, I don’t. I was going to look into it but…”

“But you have enough on your plate; Sadie can do it, can’t you, honey bun?”

“I can, I’ll get on the phone after breakfast.”

Her dad frowned. “I think you should go over there and talk to them.”

She gave him a puzzled look. “You do?”

He nodded his head emphatically. “I do. That way you can explain better that I’m not some doddering old fool.”

She laughed. “You’re far from it. Do you want to go with me, so that…”

“No. I don’t want to ride over there and back just for the hell of it. I can wait until I have an appointment – you can go in and set it up for me.”

“I will, but it’ll have to wait until tomorrow – I’ll have the minivan back by then.”

“All right, but make it a priority tomorrow, will you?”

“I can give them a call today if you’re in that much of a hurry. We could maybe get you an appointment for tomorrow.”

“No. Like I said, I think you should go in there.”

She exchanged a puzzled look with Savannah, and her dad laughed.

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