Page 29 of When Morning Comes Around

“She… She was at a loose end while she waited for a ride back home. I…” He smiled, knowing that what he had to say next would no doubt divert Damon’s attention. “If you want to know the truth, the girl who brought her over to the garage – Savannah – she and Jake seemed to take a shine to each other the moment we introduced them. Sadie and I both had the same idea – that we should leave them alone and see what might happen.”

Damon grinned. “Really? That’s interesting. What’s she like, this Savannah?”

“Obviously, I don’t really know her, but from what I’ve seen of her she seems like a good kid. She helps Sadie’s dad out, and she works at the diner over in Hidden Valley; she’s not just a waitress, it seemed to me more like she was in charge.” He stopped when he realized that Damon was staring at him. “What?”

“You’ve seen her at work? You’ve been in the diner over there?”

Dominic huffed out a sigh. “Shit! I’ve never been good at hiding things.”

Damon chuckled. “So don’t. Why not tell me about it?”

Dominic folded his arms across his chest and stared out at the water. “Because I don’t know what to say. Because I don’t know what to think.” He pursed his lips. “I guess, if I’m being honest, it’s because I don’t know how I feel.”

“Then, how about instead of telling me any of those things you just tell me what happened?”

“Okay. When I went to pick Sadie up on Friday night – after you called me...” He gave his brother a wry smile. “Now that I come to think of it, this is all your fault.”

Damon smiled back at him. “Maybe so, but somehow, I can’t make myself feel guilty about it. But go on…”

“Right. So, when I went to pick her up, I was surprised – maybe that’s an understatement; I was shocked.”

“Why? What do you mean?”

“I’d already seen her that afternoon. We hadn’t spoken or anything, but I was standing talking to Dalton and Cal in the entrance to the grocery store when she came in. We… I dunno.”

“You didn’t speak to her, but you noticed her?”

“Yeah, I guess that’s it.”

“And she noticed you, too?”

“I guess. Anyway, I’m only supposed to be telling you what happened. So, like I said, I went to pick her up, I gave her a ride over to her dad’s place. I told you Harvey’s her dad. Shecame home because he had a fall. Well, that’s part of it. She’s here because Harvey fell, she left home because her husband was cheating on her.”

“Damn!”

“Yeah. Her minivan was packed full of her belongings. We transferred them into my SUV, and I said I’d hang onto them for her – she didn’t want to worry Harvey by showing up on his doorstep with her whole life packed into a bunch of trash bags. Anyway, Harvey figured out what was going on – he doesn’t think much of the husband. We ended up having dinner at the diner – Sadie wanted to say thank you, and Harvey didn’t want us under his feet.”

He looked at Damon, who nodded and said, “But there’s more, right? None of that explains why you were walking on the beach with her yesterday.”

“No. I still had her things in my SUV. I arranged to meet her at the garage so that I could give them back and she could meet Jake and see her minivan. And I explained the rest – we made a quick exit when we saw the way Jake and Savannah reacted to each other – and by the way, I think you should be more curious about that situation.”

Damon chuckled. “I’m curious as hell, but Jake taking a shine to a girl? That happens all the time. You, on the other hand…”

Dominic dropped his chin, and the scent of Sadie’s perfume filled his nostrils again. He sighed. “Is that what this is? Have I taken a shine to her?” he asked in a low voice.

Damon grasped his shoulder. “You’re the only one who can determine that, but from where I’m standing, it sure looks that way. When are you going to see her again?”

He shook his head slowly. “I’m not. I mean, I don’t know. I’m sure I’ll see her around – this is a small town as we both know, but…”

“You could call her.”

“Why would I do that?”

“To arrange to see her?”

“I don’t… I’m not…”

Damon gave his shoulder a shake. “Maybe not. Then again, maybe you are. And if you are – ready, that is – then there’s nothing wrong with it, you know.”

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