Page 95 of When Morning Comes Around

He chuckled. “There’s nothing to forgive, and I know that we don’t have long. So, why not move on?”

She tightened her arms around his waist. “I was thinking that I should replace my minivan as soon as I get my finances sorted out. But I’m having second thoughts. I feel like I should keep it forever.”

He gave her a puzzled smile, not sure why she was talking about the minivan right now.

She laughed. “Damn! I sound like a crazy woman again, don’t I? I’m not just going off on a totally unrelated tangent, I promise. I’ve never been particularly fond of that minivan; I bought it for practical reasons for the business. Now, I couldn’t be more grateful to it because if it hadn’t broken down on the hill that night, we wouldn’t be standing here. We might never have met.”

He cupped his hand around the back of her neck and captured her mouth in a deep, lingering kiss. He didn’t know how long it lasted; all he knew was that he didn’t want it to end. When he finally lifted his head, he had to lean back in and brush his lips over hers again.

“We would have met somehow. I know we would. Life has a way of leading you where you’re meant to be – even if the journey isn’t what you expected.”

“Aww. That’s lovely.”

He shrugged. “I believe it’s true. I never would have expected to end up here in Summer Lake. I didn’t think I’d ever want to meet someone new. And you, it’s not that long since you were still living your old life, still in a marriage that didn’t make you happy. And yet, we’ve ended up where we’re meant to be – together.”

Her arms tightened around his waist, and tears shone in her eyes as she looked up at him. “Whether it was fate or a minivan that got us here, I’ll always be grateful.”

Chapter Twenty-One

“Would you stop hovering, go and get dressed, and leave me in peace?”

Sadie scowled at her dad. “I’m not hovering. I’m trying to make sure that you’re going to be alright while I’m out.”

He scowled back at her. “I’m going to be a whole lot better after you leave than I am right now. I’m tired of it, honey bun. I want to watch my shows and have some peace. You know I love you, but I think it’s time you find yourself a place of your own.”

She took a step back. She knew he was right. He was almost back to his usual self. If she was hovering, it was because she felt guilty about leaving him home alone while she went out for the evening. Maybe the night – that was what she felt guilty about. Dom had picked up the keys to the house today, and she couldn’t help hoping that after their evening at The Boathouse with everyone, he might take her home with him.

Her dad reached out and gripped her arm. “I’m not going to kick you out, don’t look so stricken. But if you’re staying here because you think I need you, think again.”

She leaned down to kiss his cheek. “I know you don’t need me anymore, Dad. I’m sticking around because I love you and because … because …”

He chuckled. “Want me to say it for you?”

“Say what?”

“That you’re staying here because you’re too chicken to move right in with Dom.”

Her eyes widened. “What do you know about that?”

He tapped the side of his nose. “I know more than you think I do about most things. I think you should shack right up with him,” he said with a chuckle. “But if you think it’s too soon. If you need space for yourself. Time to become your own woman after Dale, then you do that. I’ll pay your rent if I can have my home back to myself.”

She raised her eyebrows. “You want me out that badly?”

He lifted a shoulder.

“What about Savannah?”

He shrugged again. “She’s different. She comes and goes and does her own thing. And sheneedsa place to stay where she’s not by herself. I asked her to stay with me after my fall because that house share deal she was in was bad news. I don’t reckon she’ll want to be here much longer anyway.”

“No?”

“No. I reckon young Jakey’s working his way up to asking her out.”

“That doesn’t mean that…”

He chuckled. “Maybe not, but if you want to make a wager, I’ll be happy to take your money when she moves in with him.”

Sadie had to laugh. “You’ve got us all figured out, haven’t you?”

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