She jumped when there was knocking at the kitchen door. It could only be Ben. She didn’t understand why he came over so early when he knew she was going over there. “Good morning, gorgeous,” he said when she finally pulled the door open and leaned on the frame. He stood with his arms behind his back. “Sorry. Did I wake you?” Her hair was not brushed; she tried smoothing it down with her hands, a little embarrassed at her appearance. “Not really. I’m up.” “I should hope so. It’s almost eight. Half the day is wasted.” “Half the day? What are you…some kind of five a.m. freak? I said I’d be over this morning, Ben. I didn’t promise you it would be at the butt-crack of dawn.” He laughed. “I like to get my days stared early. Besides, I had an errand to run. I wanted to make sure you didn’t come over already and miss me.” “Would you like some coffee?”
