Taking Tiffany by MK Harkins Page A

genes.
     When I eventually moved out, he’d probably take it pretty hard. I’d need to make sure he started a new hobby—one that didn’t include hovering over me.
    “Nothing a couple gallons of coffee won’t fix.” I raised my cup and plopped down on the stool in front of the long, granite-topped island. My mom remodeled the entire kitchen last year in the farmhouse style, with whitewashed cabinets and an apron sink. It was cozy and understated. I loved it.
    “Are you working at the house today?” Dad asked.
    He knew my usual Sunday plans. Wake up, go to church, and work at the ALS/Habitat Home until dinner.
    “Yep. I have double-duty because Jain had her baby. A girl. Yay!” The warm, happy feeling from last night came back with a big whoosh. After work today, I’d be right back at the hospital.
    “Give her my congratulations, will you? I’m headed out. I have a date with a fishing pole.”
    My mouth dropped open. “What? Who? Where?” My dad never fished in his entire life. This was a good thing, his new hobby. Now I wouldn’t have to find him one.
    “Braydon Decker’s dad, Brian,” he answered.
    “You two sure hit it off at Jain and Braydon’s wedding.”
    “He’s a great guy. Anyway, he invited us out for a day of fishing with his girlfriend, Jennifer.” His next words almost toppled me off my stool. “Your mom is going also.”
    “Mom. You mean my mom?” I don’t think I’d witnessed my mom out in public without a pair of high heels in my entire life.
    He laughed and rubbed my head. Oh, dad. I’m not five .
    With my sternest tone, I said, “Dad, I’m not—”
    “Five. I know, but you’re still my baby. You can’t get out of that.”
    Yeah. Totally a daddy’s girl. No denying it. But I loved him. He was the greatest dad any girl could ever want.
    I grabbed a bagel and my coffee to-go and headed out the door. “See you for dinner. Don’t fall off the boat!”
    “Don’t fall in a can of paint!”
    “Deal.” I stopped. “I’m glad to see you and Mom doing something fun. You two work too hard.”
    His expression softened. “Thanks. We know things won’t stay the same forever.” Oh no, he looked like he was about to tear up. “So, your mom and I decided to pick up a few hobbies. I picked fishing. She’s chosen shopping.” He laughed softly. “We’re still negotiating.”
    “I’m glad, Dad.” The truth hung in the air, unspoken. We all knew I’d be moving out soon. But it didn’t make it any easier.
    “I’ll see you tonight, honey. It’s great what you’re doing for that family.”
    He meant the Anderson family. The father lost everything after his health started to fail from the effects of ALS. We couldn’t give his health back, not yet, but we could give him and his family a lovely place to live. Along with hope and the knowledge the community supported and cared about them.
    I loved working on this project.
    “Thanks, Dad. You’ve spent the better part of your life doing the same and are a great example for me.” I went around the kitchen island and gave him a big hug. “Enough of this. I need to get going.” I smiled and grabbed my purse off the counter. Resigned to a long, uneventful day without Jain, I headed out to the worksite.

Chapter Ten
    Todd
    LOVE.
    I FELT IT. Savannah. The emotion, smooth and rich, coursed through my veins. She lay next to me, her hand over my heart. It skipped a beat as I looked into her beautiful, green eyes. She smiled her dimpled grin and said, “I’ll love you forever.”
    Groaning, I tossed the covers back and rolled over. I sat forward and ran shaky fingers through my sweaty hair. I asked God, or the Universe, anyone or anything, to make the dreams stop. They were going to kill me. But they weren’t just dreams, were they? They were stronger and more painful than any dream I’d ever had. 
    It had been four long years, and the dreams still haunted me. I remained frozen, a prisoner to emotions I couldn’t shake. In my