When Morning Comes Around (Summer Lake Silver #13)

Chapter Nine

When they arrived at the diner, Dominic hurried around to the passenger seat to help Harvey down. Sadie had tried to help him to get in, but he’d been short with her. Dominic understood it; he didn’t like to depend on anyone. He was frustrated by his physical limitations.

The way Sadie shot him a grateful smile as he opened the passenger door told him that she understood.

“What can I do to help?” he asked.

“Just let me lean on you, would you, son?”

Harvey grasped his shoulder and swung his legs around so that his feet were on the door sill. He looked down and then gave Dominic a wry smile. “It’s a long way down from the tallest tree in the woods.”

Dominic chuckled. “Yeah, it works for me, but normal-sized people sometimes need a hand, even when they’re not banged up.”

“I know you’re only trying to make me feel better, but yeah, I could use some help.”

“Tell me what’s going to work best for you. I don’t know how bruised you are – I don’t want to make things worse.”

Harvey chuckled. “My pride says we should work this like a piggyback. My achy old bones vote that you lift me down like you’re carrying a bride across the threshold.”

“I’m not going to hurt your back if I do it that way?”

“Nope. Let’s do it.”

He gently slid one arm under Harvey’s legs and the other around his back. “Ready? On three?”

Harvey nodded. “One, two, three. Let’s get it over with.”

Dominic lifted him down as gently as he could and kept an arm around his waist until he was sure that Harvey had his balance. Sadie stepped forward with his cane.

“Thanks,” Harvey said gruffly and started making his way toward the entrance to the diner.

Sadie shot Dominic a grateful smile as he fell in stride beside Harvey. She rushed ahead of them to get the door.

Once they were inside, he scanned the diner and wasn’t surprised to see Jake sitting in a booth, with Savannah standing beside him. She had a notebook in her hand and a pencil at the ready, but whatever they were talking about, it didn’t look as though she was taking his food order.

Harvey grinned at him. “Doesn’t look like I need to do a thing – I’d say that match is already made.”

Dominic nodded. He was going to have to have a word with Jake. He liked the idea of him and Savannah getting together, but he’d hate it if Jake let her down somehow.

She turned and waved when she saw them. “Hey, guys. I thought this would be best for you.”

Harvey chuckled and pointed at the booth where Jake was sitting. The bench seat on one side was much higher than normal. “I can get myself in and out of there without causing too much of a ruckus.”

He was right. Dominic watched him shuffle in and lower himself just a couple of inches. When he was sitting, he rested his feet on a foot rail. “Perfect,” he pronounced. “Why don’t you step out a second, Jake, and let Sadie scoot around so that she’s next to me?”

Dominic knew what he was up to – Harvey wasn’t worried about Sadie sitting next to him, only that Jake would still be able to sit on the end – to be closer to Savannah whenever she came by.

He followed Sadie in, and she shot him a rueful smile as they sat down. She knew what was going on, too.

Savannah handed out menus and when she’d taken their drinks order, Harvey said, “Would you do me a favor, Jakey? Would you go with her and bring my soda back? I need to take my pills before I eat.”

Jake obliged, and Sadie gave Harvey an inquiring look. “Are these some pills that I don’t know about?”

Harvey chuckled and winked at Dominic. “Yeah, they’re magic young love pills. Want some?” He took a pack of TicTacs out of his shirt pocket and flipped it open.

Sadie shook her head at him. “I’m fine, thanks. And I think Savannah and Jake will do just fine without your help, too.”

Harvey shrugged. “Maybe so, but they don’t seem to mind.” He jerked his chin to where Jake was standing, watching Savannah while she fixed their drinks.

Dominic couldn’t help but agree with Harvey’s assessment – they seemed totally smitten with each other. He was going to have to talk to Jake, to ask him how he felt. He’d been avoiding the matter because he didn’t want to talk about Sadie – at least how he felt about Sadie. He knew that if he talked to Jake about Savannah, he’d be opening the whole can of worms.

He exchanged a smile with Sadie when Jake came back with Harvey’s soda. Harvey popped two TicTacs into his mouth and chased them down with a big gulp of soda.

As the evening went by, it dawned on Dominic that he was having a great time. His cheeks were aching from smiling and laughing so much. Harvey was a hoot, and it turned out that he and Sadie were like a comedy double act.

Jake was always up for a laugh, and even Savannah, who stopped by their booth far more frequently than was necessary, dropped a couple of one-liners that left them all in stitches as she walked away.

He looked around the diner; to the other customers they probably looked like a family. Maybe they didn’t. Maybe that was just his imagination. Maybe it was… Wishful thinking. He hated himself for thinking that. He and Polly had decided early on that they wouldn’t have children, but he wondered how many times, while she was here and after she died, he’d sat in a restaurant and watched families enjoy each other’s company, while feeling maybe a tiny bit envious.

“… But what nights do you work?”

He came back to the moment when he realized that Harvey was directing that question to him.

“Only Wednesdays and Thursdays lately,” he replied.

Jake laughed. “You know Taryn’s still mad at you, right?”

He chuckled. “She’s not really mad – she just plays it that way. Your dad and I are too old to enjoy working weekend nights in the busy season. She’s better off testing out her options now, while it’s quiet.”

He realized that Sadie was looking puzzled, and he turned to her to explain. “Damon used to work pretty much every night at the restaurant. Do you know Taryn? She owns the restaurant in the lodge at Four Mile Creek.”

“I don’t. I’ve never been in there.”

“Oh, okay. Well, Damon used to bartend full-time for her. When I moved here, he’d just met Jo and didn’t want to spend all his evenings working behind the bar anymore. I offered to step in to cover the nights he wanted to give up.”

“But it turns out that Uncle Dom doesn’t want to spend all his evenings behind the bar, either,” Jake chipped in.

He shrugged. “I enjoy it, but…”

Jake slapped his shoulder. “It’s not as though you need to do it, is it?”

Dominic shook his head and shot a look at Sadie. It wasn’t that he was trying to hide anything, but he hadn’t told her about the money that he and Damon had inherited. There was no reason that he should have told her – it wasn’t something that he went around sharing with just anyone. Not that she was just anyone – far from it. But…

He swallowed when Harvey met his gaze and held it. He thought that maybe the old guy was going to put him on the spot, ask him why he didn’t need to work.

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.

~ ~ ~

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 home to 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.

She felt defensive when Dominic chuckled. “I know, it’s a silly, girly drink. Can I get you a soda or anything?”

“I’m fine, thanks.”

She kept her back to him as she fixed her drink.

“Hey.”

The note of concern in his voice made her turn around slowly.

He met her gaze and held it. “I wasn’t laughing at you. I don’t think it’s a silly, girly drink. I love the stuff. That’s why I was laughing.”

“You do?”

He nodded. “I admit that it’s not what I’d expect them to serve at that big man convention you were talking about, but I enjoy it. The point is that I wasn’t laughing at you.” His eyebrows drew together. “Dale used to laugh at you?”

She made a face. “Not so much laugh. He didn’t like it. So, I ended up not buying it most of the time. It was easier to go without something I liked than to have to listen to him tell me why I shouldn’t like it.”

Her heart leapt into her mouth when he took a step toward her.

“I… I’m not blaming him; it’s my own damn fault.”

He took another step, and she had to tilt her head back to look up into his eyes.

“Damn, how tall are you?” Way to kill the moment , Sadie, she berated herself.

He smiled as he looked down at her. “Six four. How tall are you?”

“Five eight.”

He smiled. “That’s what I guessed.”

She raised her eyebrows, and his smile faded.

“I mean… I…”

She chuckled. “It’s okay. Guessing at a woman’s height is perfectly fine. Weight, age, and finances can be touchy subjects, but I think height is fairly safe, in general. You don’t need to worry. I’m not offended.”

He was standing so close now that there were barely inches between them. “I… I wasn’t worried about offending you. At least, not by guessing your height.”

He looked so conflicted, and she didn’t understand why. She reached out to touch his arm, hoping to make him feel better. Instead of relaxing, her touch made him tense.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

His throat moved visibly as he swallowed. “I was worried about what you’d think since I kind of gave myself away.”

She gave him a puzzled smile. “You’ll have to forgive me, if you did give yourself away, I didn’t pick up on it.”

He rested his hand on her shoulder, and the weight of it there sent goose bumps racing over her skin. She reached up to cover his hand with her own.

“I’m making a mess of this.”

She squeezed his hand. “I think I’m the one doing that, but please explain?”

He closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, her tummy flipped over as she met the intensity of his gaze.

“When I told you that I’d guessed at your height, I thought I’d given myself away.”

She shook her head slowly. “If you thought that was a problem, then you’re safe – I’m still not following.”

“I thought you’d figured out – I thought my saying that gave away the fact that I’ve been thinking about you.”

Her heart thudded to a halt. “Thinking? About me ?”

He nodded slowly. “If you want to know the truth, I can’t stop thinking about you.”

She stared up at him, not knowing what to say. He couldn’t stop thinking about her? “I…”

He stepped back and shook his head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I…”

She followed him. “Hey! Don’t take it back – please. I’m not reacting badly. I’m just… I’m shocked. In a good way. I…”

He folded his arms across his chest and leaned his head to the side. “A good way?”

She smiled. “Yeah, of course. I… I imagine that you already know that I… Oh, screw it, I’m just going to say it. I’m the same, Dominic. I can’t stop thinking about you.”

His eyes widened, and a big smile spread across his face. “Yeah?”

She nodded emphatically. “Yeah. I keep trying to tell myself that it’s a terrible idea.”

His eyebrows drew together. “Why?”

She let out a short laugh. “For starters, I wouldn’t have believed that you felt the same way. And even apart from that, I’m not exactly in a position… Well, there’s no reason that I shouldn’t be, but it seems… I don’t know. Ten days ago, I was still… I can’t say happily married, but definitely locked into the routine that was my marriage. And that’s just me.”

“Meaning?”

She let her hand fall to her side. “I think you know what I mean. I might be fresh out of the disastrous end of a bad marriage, but you? I think you’re still more married than I am.”

He closed his eyes and cupped his hand around the back of his neck as he looked up at the ceiling.

“You know my deal. Polly died a long time ago.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean you’re ready for anything new.”

He met her gaze and held it. “I didn’t think I was. Didn’t think I wanted to be. But… Now, there’s you.”

She swallowed hard. Was this really happening?

As if to answer her question, he nodded. “Will you be my friend?”

Her heart sank. Of course she wanted to be his friend, but his words had made her hope for something more than that. She should know better. In her life, glimmers of hope only flashed for a moment before disappearing back into the darkness – they didn’t become sparks or light fires.

She gave him a sad smile. “I’d like that.”

“I think I want more than that.”

She waited, not wanting to tell him that she wanted more if he was only about to explain why he couldn’t.

Her heart thundered in her chest when he leaned in close. Their noses were almost touching before he spoke again. “I don’t trust myself not to screw up.”

Her hands had reached for the front of his shirt before she even knew what they were doing. She grasped two fistfuls of material as she breathed, “I trust you.”

He rested his hands on her shoulders. She ran her tongue over her suddenly parched lips, and his gaze tracked the movement. “I want to kiss you.” His voice was low and ragged.

She tugged on his shirt, pulling him to her. “I want to kiss you.”

Her eyes closed, and her knees turned to Jell-O as he brushed his lips over hers in a barely-there touch.

They sprang apart guiltily at the sound of her dad laughing loudly at the TV. She let out a short laugh, and he chuckled.

“I should go and get Jake.”

Her heart sank.

He reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Not because I want to go, but because we both need to think about this.”

“Okay.”

“Do you want to have dinner tomorrow? Shit! I’m working the next two evenings at the restaurant. Friday? What are you doing on Friday night? Can we have dinner and talk about it?”

“I’d like to. I… I’m sure Dad will be fine.”

“I can come over here. We don’t need to go to Summer Lake. I can bring takeout. We can eat with him and then sit out back while he watches his shows, if that’s best.”

She had to smile. “That’d be wonderful.”

“Okay. I should go. I’ll see you then, but I’ll call you.”

She nodded, wishing they could get back to the part where their lips met, but he was already on the move.

“I’ll say a quick goodnight to Harvey on the way out.”

Her dad bid him a brief farewell, barely taking his attention off the television.

Sadie let them out and closed the front door behind them. Her heart sank when he gave her an awkward smile and said – “Goodnight then” – before jogging down the steps.

When he reached the bottom, he turned back, and the struggle on his face was easy to see.

“Fuck!” He hurried back up the steps and when he reached her, he cupped her face in his hands. “I don’t want to screw this up. If I do, it won’t be intentional.”

She reached up and gripped his wrists. “I know. We can take it slowly and see if there’s anything worth exploring.”

Shivers ran down her spine when his fingertips stroked her scalp. “There’s something here. Something between us.”

He lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers, more firmly this time. She felt as though she needed to hold on to his wrists to keep herself upright.

When he lifted his head, his eyes shone in the reflection of the porch light. “I’ll call you tomorrow. We’ll have dinner on Friday.”

“Okay.”

This time, his kiss landed on her forehead, but it felt just as intimate.

“I have to go.”

“Goodnight, Dominic.”

“Goodnight, Sadie. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

He straightened up, and the way he smiled warmed her insides. This time, he didn’t stop at the bottom of the steps. He climbed back into his SUV, but as he pulled away, he put the window down and gave her a two-fingered salute.

She held up her hand as she watched him drive away. She stood there long after his taillights had disappeared. She shouldn’t get too excited. They’d have maybe a dinner or two and that would be it. But even that would be more excitement and more intimacy than she’d shared with a man in who knew how many years.