Page 37 of When Morning Comes Around

Rather than asking about his finances, Harvey winked. “I’m just glad that you’re not spending all your time working. You need time to yourself, to enjoy life.” He brought his hand up to his mouth to cover a yawn. “Pardon me. I think that’s my sign that I’ve enjoyed life a little too much for one evening. Would it be too much trouble to give me a ride home?”

“Of course not! Just let me get the check and I’ll…”

Harvey shook his head. “I already took care of it. I didn’t drag you over here to buy me dinner. I wanted to get it, as my way of saying thank you to you both.” He nodded at Jake as well. “And you know, young fella, you might as well wait here. Dom’s going to have to drive back past this place after he drops my old ass at home.”

Jake raised his eyebrows at Dominic, and Harvey laughed. “You’re a good lad, checking in that he’s okay with it. I have an ace up my sleeve, though. If he tries to make you come with us instead of sticking around here with Savannah, I could always claim that I’m embarrassed to have you see me trying to climb up into that big old SUV of his.”

Dominic narrowed his eyes at Harvey but couldn’t help laughing.

Harvey just shrugged. “There’s a lot I don’t like about getting to be an old man; would you begrudge me taking advantage of the few benefits?”

“Never,” Dominic told him with a smile. He turned to Sadie, and she shook her head.

“I’m staying out of it. I’ll just go with the flow.”

“Well, you can flow off home with me,” said Harvey.

Savannah hurried over when she saw that they were getting ready to leave. Dominic was tempted to see if he could pay for dinner, but Harvey caught his gaze and shook his head. Overriding the old guy was the last thing Dominic would want to do.

As he and Sadie walked slowly to the exit on either side of Harvey, Dominic glanced back over his shoulder. Jake had already moved to a stool at the counter. From the way he and Savannah were leaning in talking to each other, it seemed that he didn’t need to worry about this just being a passing interest for Jake. The kid was smitten.

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When they got back to the house, Sadie was puzzled by the way that her dad kept hold of Dominic’s arm. She could understand that he needed the help getting up the front steps, but he didn’t let go even once they were inside the house. This evening must’ve tired him out more than she thought. When he’d said that he was ready to come home, she’d suspected that he was just trying to give Savannah and Jake more time together.

As she followed him and Dominic inside, she realized that he was heading for the living room. “Are you ready for bed, Dad?”

“Nope. We made it back just in time for me to watch the second run of my shows.” When they reached his armchair, he finally let go of Dominic’s arm and lowered himself to sit before pressing the button on the remote to lower the chair.

Once he was settled, he smiled up at them. “I reckon the two of you might want to sit out back for a while. You know, give Savannah and Jake a little time before you drag him back hometo Summer Lake. I mean, you can sit and watch my shows with me if you like, but you’ll have to be quiet.”

She had to laugh. “What am I going to do with you?” she asked.

He shrugged happily. “If you need to do something, you can fetch me those toffees if you like.” He covered his mouth with his hand, and she knew damn well what he was doing. He proved her right when he took out his dentures and set them in a dish on the end table beside him.

He grinned at Dominic. “Those things are all right, and I kind of need them when I go out to eat. But it’s different at home, around family. There’s no need to stand on ceremony, is there?”

She was relieved at the way Dominic smiled. “No, no need at all.”

Her dad nodded at her. “See? So, if you’ll fetch me my toffees, I’ll sit here and gum them to death while I watch my shows.”

After she’d brought him his toffees and made sure that he had what he needed, she led Dominic into the kitchen.

“Sorry about that. Do you want anything?”

“There’s nothing to apologize for – he’s just being himself, and I like who he is. And no, thanks. I’m good.”

She looked around the kitchen. “You’re sure I can’t get you anything?”

He chuckled. “I’d love a drink, but I won’t have one – I have to drive home.”

“Right. Of course. Sorry.”

“Don’t let that stop you, though.”

She blew out a sigh. “If you’re sure that you don’t mind, I think I will.”

She went to the fridge and took out a bottle of Bailey’s. She’d bought it when she stopped in the grocery store. It had always been her favorite, even though Dale hated the stuff, so she rarely bought it.

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