Page 73 of Vodka and Chocolate Drops

Three different kinds.

Amber considered the offer. She should stay here and be responsible, suck it up, act like an adult and all that annoying, exhausting business. She should do this family thing and make sure her mom knew she was okay with it. Because once it all sank in, Amber would be. But right now it was just too much load and she needed time away to process it. Gain some perspective.

Exactly what her sister was offering.

I’ll be there ASAP,Amber texted back. She just hoped her mother would understand.

* * *

Amber and Deliahad tucked Blossom into bed, the baby drifting off to sleep with a smile on her face. Perspective for sure. Everything seemed so much more in focus and simplified when hanging out with the little girl. You had food, shelter, and love… then you had everything you needed and every reason to laugh.

Blossom’s parents arrived an hour later and the sisters walked across the dewy grass to Delia’s, where she unlocked the door and turned off the security alarm, Sass barking until they gave him a good ear rub.

“Where is your husband?” Amber asked.

“He’s negotiating a contract in Germany at the moment. He’ll be home tomorrow night.”

“Do you miss him?”

“Like crazy.” Delia flicked on the lights, making her way to a cabinet, where she pulled out a bag of chocolate drops, spilling the contents on the granite countertop. The spotlights above caused the wrappers to glitter like jewels, and Amber turned one over in her palm, not wanting to open it and spoil the illusion.

The two of them had been busy with the baby, taking turns tickling her tummy and making her giggle. It had been a good distraction from all that was whirling through Amber’s mind, but now there was plenty of time to face it, and she was hoping her sister would turn on a movie so she could hide from the emotions.

“In your text you said your parents had reunited?” Delia asked.

“It sounds like it.” Amber wasn’t sure how much she should spill. She didn’t want to accidentally taint her sister’s view of their mother or make Delia feel as though she had to take sides. Amber also wasn’t sure how much Delia wanted to play the big sister role and listen to all her woes.

“A relationship?”

Amber nodded.

“Wow. After all these years.”

“I know. It’s kind of sweet, but I have all this anger. He knew about me all this time and didn’t do anything about it. I understand it wasn’t easy, and he was trying to respect my mom’s wishes while trying to help me, but at the same time…” Amber let out a shaky breath as more anger ripped through her like wildfire.

“We all want a dad who is our own personal hero. Someone who instinctively knows what we want and need, and provides it without question.”

Amber nodded, blinking back tears. She focused on hooking a thumbnail under the chocolate’s silver wrapper, exposing the waxy brown confection.

“I can’t help but feel as though we weren’t enough.” Amber lowered her head into her hands. Just when she’d been feeling as though she was finally whole and didn’t need a dad, this had to come along and poke holes in her bubble.

Delia unwrapped a chocolate drop, smoothing out the foil. “Do you think Blueberry Springs would have accepted the situation if your parents had come forward sooner?”

“There would have been a lot of gossip, for sure. I just--I just feel like I wasn’t important enough.”

Delia squeezed her hand, her own face contorted with emotion as she stood to put the kettle on for tea.

When folks in Blueberry Springs didn’t like something they made it very clear. Given John’s parents’ disapproval of his relationship with Gloria, and his own views on babies out of wedlock--or at least given up for adoption--Amber wasn’t sure how he would have reacted if Gloria had told him right away. It probably would’ve made life very difficult for her.

Maybe Gloria had made the right choice. Maybe both of them had, so they could have something now.

But all those years of silence. Of secrets. He’d taken the easier path--he’d remarried, instead of asking Gloria for a second chance. He’d continued his life instead of fighting to claim a daughter he believed was his.

Easy paths. Amber shook her head wryly. It wasn’t as though she was in a position to judge. She’d taken the easy path with Russell, believing him when she didn’t want to, pretending to love him so she wouldn’t get hurt risking it all with the man she truly loved.

However, understanding that didn’t make the storm of emotions go away.

“Have I told you,” Delia said, placing a cup of tea in front of Amber, “that I believe all things happen for a reason, and when they are meant to? What would have happened if this had all come out earlier?”

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