Page 43 of Vodka and Chocolate Drops

A cluster of onlookers had gathered, their ears tilted toward Delia as though they were afraid they would miss something. Collectively, they all leaned back in apparent awe, before glancing at each other and leaning in again.

No way that could be a positive. Her mother’s secret was going to be revealed to the entire world because Amber had a problem with being impulsive. And so, too, might Delia.

Amber tried to control her anger as she walked toward her sister and the reporter, waving Liz, Mary Alice, and Devon back.

“I’m not local,” Delia was saying. “No, I don’t have an opinion about the town or Amber Thompson or Russell Peaks. I’m here to try the brownies at the Wrap It Up, as I’ve heard they’re to die for.” She glanced at Amber and they shared a look.

“You know Amber?” the reporter asked, noticing the exchange.

“I do,” Delia said carefully.

“In what capacity?” He was eyeing Amber in a way she wasn’t comfortable with.

“We met the other day. She’s a lovely, helpful woman. That will be all. Thank you.” She shook the reporter’s hand, doing an excellent job of removing herself from the interview.

Amber could have hugged her, her relief was so intense. Her sister was her hero. She’d just disarmed a reporter.

As Amber went to join her, wondering how to approach her arrival, she could have sworn she heard someone in the crowd say “related.”

Liz drew Amber to the side before she got to Delia. “Who is she? She seems familiar somehow.”

“Delia Whitehart,” Amber said, with no further explanation. She reached her sister, snagging her by the arm and pivoting them back toward Benny’s restaurant, seeing as she was still on shift.

“Thank you,” Amber whispered as she held the door open for her, noting that the reporter was now badgering Blueberry Springs residents, who were frowning at her, arms crossed.

“I hope I didn’t say anything that could complicate things for you. I had no idea. I was dropping off paperwork in Derbyshire and thought I’d drive through to take a peek at the town.”

“What I heard was perfect. You’re a lifesaver.” Amber settled her sister at a table. “I’m helping out here,” she said, catching herself before she said she was covering for their mother. Too much personal information, and info she wasn’t at liberty to give out, even though she felt Delia had the right to know. “I’m not off for a few more hours, but if you’d like a slice of pie or something I could get you one on the house. Benny, the owner, won’t mind.”

“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to get you in trouble.”

“I’m sure it will be fine. Chocolate okay?”

“Silly question. Of course chocolate. Hit me up!”

Amber went to the kitchen for a slice of pie, automatically including a glass of milk.

“I’m lactose intolerant,” Delia said, frowning at the milk. “Sorry.”

“No, I should have asked.” Amber picked up the glass again, holding it awkwardly. “Um, the pie has cream in it.”

“Don’t worry.” She fished some pills out of her purse. “These will handle the pie. A glass of milk is just a bit more than they can cover.”

“Delia?” Amber perched on the edge of the chair across from her. “Did you know you were going to marry your husband the first time you met him?”

“Nah, I decked him the day we met. He kissed me right there on the playground.” Her sister smiled, her cheeks pinking at the memory. That woman loved her man something fierce. “We had to spend recess indoors, but by the end of our punishment we were friends. He didn’t try to kiss me again until we were thirteen.”

“Scott and I have been best friends since forever.” Amber pressed her fingers to her lips as she thought of their kiss.

Delia nodded encouragingly and Amber hesitated before deciding that what she could use right now was some romance advice from a big sister. Her lucky-in-love big sister.

“I kissed him when we were coming home from the city. I thought he wanted more. Everyone keeps saying he loves me and has since forever.” She paused, feeling embarrassed for outing Scott’s feelings to a woman who was still essentially a stranger. “And sometimes the look in his eyes…” Amber felt the sting of his rejection once again. “He said no.”

“No?”

“He doesn’t think I’m ready.”

“And are you?”

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