Page 15 of Vodka and Chocolate Drops

He could be somewhere right now, wishing he had a daughter… and here she was.

She had to find him. Had to.

She hustled through the back of the restaurant with renewed purpose. If he wasn’t in Blueberry Springs, no harm, no foul. She could find out who he was without him even knowing. Nothing more perfect than that.

Benny walked by and, seeing Amber, said, “Your mom’s working a double today. I think I just saw her take an order out.”

“Thanks.”

“You okay?” he asked, stopping Amber from entering the dining room.

“Yeah. Fine.”

“You sure? You look… happy.”

Amber did a double take. “Shouldn’t I be happy?”

Through the dining room’s swinging doors she spotted her mother handing a young couple crayons and coloring mats for their kids, settling people in, doing her job. She didn’t look happy. Far from it. She looked scared and worried.

Amber couldn’t ask her for more. She couldn’t push Gloria through this, but had to find another way. Which meant she had to keep a secret from her mom.

A secret for a secret.

“You didn’t have to turn that smile upside down,” Benny complained.

“Benny? My mom didn’t ever tell you who my father is, did she?”

The restaurant owner stroked his double chin, watching her. “Can’t say that she did.”

Amber sighed.

“In time, kid.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Say, did you hear Scott’s leaving town?”

“What?” Blood rushed in Amber’s ears.

“He’s applying out. A promotion of sorts. I’m surprised he didn’t tell you.”

Amber’s mind stuck in neutral. Secrets.

More secrets.

She’d even asked him if he had secrets and he hadn’t told her he was leaving.

What was she going to do in town without him? He couldn’t leave her here. She was supposed to be the one going.

“Sorry about Russell,” Benny said quietly, looking uncomfortable.

“The book isn’t true,” Amber replied automatically. “It’s not about me.”

The older man smiled, relaxing. “Oh, good. Well, have a nice day, Amber. Enjoy that sunshine.”

Right. She’d do that while she went and gave Scott a piece of her mind for keeping his secret from her. The man was supposed to be on her side. He was supposed to be different.

* * *

“Scott?”Amber tapped his shoulder and he popped out of the bush, fumbling his radar gun.

“Amber, never sneak up on an on-duty officer. I’m armed and trained to kill.”

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