Page 31 of When Morning Comes Around

“I have my reasons; don’t you worry about it – and don’t go looking at each other like you think I’m some crazy old coot.”

She had to laugh. “Iknowyou’re a crazy old coot. I also know that you’re a wily old fox – you’re up to something, but you’re too smart for me, I can’t figure out what it is.”

He winked at her. “And you don’t need to. Just do as your old dad says, okay?”

“Okay. I’ll take a ride over there tomorrow.”

“Thanks. And what about you, Savannah? Are you around this afternoon?”

Sadie knew exactly why Savannah’s cheeks turned pink as she nodded – she was looking forward to seeing Jake when he brought the minivan back. She’d offered to give Sadie a ride tothe garage so that she could pick it up, but Jake had insisted that he would deliver it to them.

Sadie hadn’t asked how he planned to get home again – of course, she was hoping that Dominic would come with him, but she didn’t know if he would. She shouldn’t even be thinking about it. She’d made a deal with herself that she should put him out of her mind. Perhaps, with time, he might become a friend. She’d chatted on the phone with Nina last night, and it seemed that Dominic was one of her group of friends. So, she’d no doubt run into him again. But there was no point in thinking about – and certainly no point in hoping for – any more than that.

Of course, she was attracted to him – both to his personality and his looks – but there was nothing to be done about it. She wasn’t in a position to pursue anything, and even if she were, he wasn’t. Okay, she was the one who was dealing with the messy end of her marriage, but if the truth were told, she had a feeling that she was more emotionally available than he was.

She blew out a sigh. She had a couple of girlfriends at home in Denver who’d gone through divorces. They’d each told her that meeting someone new was no easy task. At their age, the men who were available were single for a reason, and the good ones were already spoken for, or had some kind of baggage that meant they were unavailable.

She took a big gulp of her coffee. That was a terrible thing to think – she hadn’t meant to describe Dominic’s late wife as baggage.

“What’s up with you?” her dad asked.

She shook her head and got to her feet. “Nothing. I’m fine. I just… You know, trying to figure out what I’m going to do.”

Her dad’s lip curled. “You know what I think you should do – take him to the cleaners. You were the one who built that business. He just rode on your coattails. Don’t let him screw you over. Have you gotten yourself a lawyer yet?”

“No, that’s on my list of things to do.”

She started gathering dishes and took them to the sink.

“I can do that,” Savannah offered.

“It’s okay, I’ve got it. What are you doing today?”

“I’m working a split shift. I’m covering lunch, and then going back later for the dinner rush.”

Sadie had to smile. “That works out well. You’ll be here this afternoon, then.”

Savannah dropped her gaze. “I will. I already had my schedule for the week before…”

Her dad laughed. “You don’t need to justify anything. I’m looking forward to meeting this Jake. Not a single boy around here has managed to turn your head before now.”

Savannah’s cheeks turned pink. “He’s not… I’m not…”

“Leave her alone, Dad.”

He chuckled. “Sorry, Savannah, love.” He turned to Sadie. “Should I start in on you instead?”

She frowned at him. “Don’t you dare. Finish your breakfast instead.”

He grinned. “Okay, I’ll be good.”

She wagged her finger at him with a grin. “You’d better be.” She leaned down and kissed the top of his head. “It’s good to be home.”

He grasped her arm and gave it a squeeze. “It’s good to have you back, honey bun.” He laughed. “But don’t go making yourself too comfortable – I don’t want you staying for good.”

She nodded. They’d already discussed that. She knew he valued his independence, and she valued hers, but in just the few days that she’d been here, she’d started to feel as though this might work.

He squeezed her arm again. “You’ve still got some more living to do, and it’s not with me.”

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