Page 37 of Vodka and Chocolate Drops

“Do you have a sister?” Delia asked.

Amber froze and she could feel Scott watching, waiting for hints on how to proceed.

“She does,” he said finally, turning to face the woman. “A half sister. Named Delia.”

“Oh. My. Word.” Delia elbowed Scott out of the way and threw herself on Amber, giving her a massive hug that made her spine pop. “You’re Amber Thompson! I just knew it. You came and found me.”

“Delia Whitehart?” Amber said meekly into the woman’s glossy hair. Her cloud of expensive perfume was enveloping Amber in a way that made her feel a bit like Dorothy must have when entering Oz.

“I’ve wanted to meet you so badly since our emails. Waiting to see if the government gives us a confirmed match iskillingme. Look at Sass--Sasquatch. I think he knew who you were. He won’t leave your side.” She held her hand out beside Amber’s. “We have the same hands.” Her eyes became dewy. “I’ve never looked like anyone in my family. This is such a strange feeling. I can’t believe you found me.”

Amber gave a sheepish smile. “Yeah, um, surprise?”

* * *

As Amber allowedher possible-sister to lead her down the street and into the largest entry she’d ever seen on a single family home, she tried to talk herself down. Delia might not actually be her sibling. They had the same hands and the dates lined up, but it didn’t mean they were sisters for real.

There was still a possibility it was nothing more than coincidence.

But what were the chances? Theyhadto be sisters.

All Amber’s visions of her and Delia being best buds flew out the window as her sister--her slim sister, who obviously had better genes--began talking about the success of her husband, and the many trips they took. She had perfect everything and the confidence to go with it.

Amber felt immensely out of place.

“Try some of this tea,” Delia said, settling Amber in at her kitchen counter. “It’s grown at an altitude that gives it more caffeine. It gives you an awesome kick.”

“Really?” Amber peered into her cup. So far, Scott had remained quiet, sitting beside her on a stool while Delia used a ridiculous amount of gadgets before handing Amber what was essentially a mug of hot water with tea leaves drifting to the bottom.

“I have no clue. That’s what the salesperson said.”

Scott chuckled.

Delia watched expectantly as Amber took a tentative sip of the steaming liquid. “What do you think?”

Amber lowered the cup and gave a noncommittal nod. “Mmm. I like it.” It was actually pretty decent, although she wasn’t sure about a kick. “Have you tried walnut green tea?”

“It’s my favorite.”

“Mine, too. Do you like peanut butter on Ritz crackers?”

Her sister opened a cupboard door and waved at several boxes of the crackers in question. “I do.”

“That’s really specific,” Scott said.

“This is so incredible.” Delia sat across from Amber, shaking her head in wonder. “So amazing. It just blows your mind and makes it stop working, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, kinda,” Amber said, sipping her tea. She didn’t know what to think, how to react. She wanted to know everything, but at the same time needed some room to process it all. Her sister. She had a sister. And they had stunning similarities despite their vast differences.

They had to be related. If they weren’t, the universe had a twisted sense of humor.

“Scott,” Delia asked, “what about you? What do you do?”

“I’m a police officer.”

“Such a tough job.”

“It has its moments. Blueberry Springs is pretty good, though.”

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