Page 49 of Vodka and Chocolate Drops

“This is…” Gloria said quietly, taking a few small steps away “…this is a lot to take in.”

Amber wasn’t sure if her mother was mad, indignant, relieved, or none of the above.

“She’d like to meet you, if you’re ready for that,” Amber said, trying to keep a leash on her mouth. “But I’ll do whatever you want me to. I’ll tell people she’s a cousin. Tell them the truth. I can wait. Or introduce you. Never see her again. Whatever you need.”

She struggled with her emotions, not ready to give up the sister she’d only just found. But if finding her sister meant losing her mother, she’d choose her mom any day of the week from now until the end of eternity.

“I would have liked to have discussed this, Amber.” Her mother’s voice was careful, controlled.

“I know. I’m sorry. I should have waited. I should have asked you first. I honestly didn’t think this would happen. Not so fast.”

“I didn’t, either,” Scott added helpfully.

Her mother gazed at Scott for a long moment, then sighed and nodded, her expression softening.

“Amber, my Amber.” She wrapped an arm around her, looking so much older than she had only minutes ago. “How do you manage?”

Amber bit her bottom lip. This was the moment. The tipping point where Gloria would make her decision. The decision that would alter everything.

A sister.

No sister.

Her mother finally began walking again, slowly, so she could stay connected with Amber.

“I’m glad you found her, but I fear I’m not quite ready for this.”

* * *

Nobody was talking to her.

Her mother had been silent for two days and Amber hadn’t dared try to broach the subject or even say hello, for fear of interrupting whatever her mom was working out in her mind.

There was nothing from Russell about the trailer--John had passed on the message about Blair days ago.

And there was nothing from Scott about whether he thought she was ready, and Amber was at a loss about how she could prove her love to him.

She had nothing, nothing, nothing.

She didn’t even have waitressing to eat up her spare time, and oddly enough, she missed serving at Benny’s. The place had always been like a second home to her, and the staff and regular customers like family. Working there had been similar to a homecoming once she’d gotten over her initial feeling of being overwhelmed. At Benny’s she’d been an expert. She’d had authority. People took her suggestions and trusted her. She was somebody.

In the least likely of places--Blueberry Springs, as a waitress--she had found what she’d always been seeking. Well, a good portion of it, anyway.

She still hadn’t fully wrapped her head around it, but she understood why her mother had stayed. And the tips had been pretty good, too. Although part of that may have been people believing Amber had not only lost her boyfriend, but her job, too, and were trying to express their sympathy and support.

But she was still missing a piece in her understanding of herself, her life, and she didn’t know how to find it. Fix it. Get what she wanted.

Scott.

Her family. Sister, father. The works.

She needed a plan. She needed…

Amber sighed.

She needed Blueberry Springs.

She didn’t know what she was looking for, only that she’d likely find it in town.

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