Page 56 of Vodka and Chocolate Drops

Amber joined her on the patio, where she was tending to her garden--everything in pots so she could bring it in on cool days and nights up here in the mountains, thereby extending the season. When she saw Amber’s expression, she rocked back on her heels.

Amber sat on the edge of the patio, hugging her legs against her chest. “I’m going to visit Delia on the weekend,” she said. “Would you like to meet her?”

Her mother studied the lettuce in front of her, plucking a dried leaf. “Is she… What’s she like?”

“She’s really nice.” Amber held her breath as her mom watched her for a long moment, deciding.

“Okay.”

“Okay, you’ll meet her?” Amber let go of her legs and stood. She could barely believe it was that easy. All she’d had to do was ask. It seemed too simple.

“I figure if all of Blueberry Springs has met her, then I probably should, too.”

Amber hesitated, wondering how far she should push. Should she take the success and run with it, or could she ask about her father, as well?

Life was short.

It was her right to know. What was the worst that could happen?

“Can I meet my dad, too?” Amber gave her mom a playful look in hopes of easing the bluntness of her question.

“Don’t push it, Amber Lynn. The last thing I need is you running around town trying to figure out who he is. It’s bad enough that you have everyone thinking you hate the man. Word is going to get back to him, if it hasn’t already, you know.”

“I thought he didn’t know who I was?”

Her mother’s lips turned white as she pressed them together. “He doesn’t.”

“Then why would you say that?”

“He’s not a stupid man.”

“So he does know who I am, even though you lied to him?”

“Nobody wants to think they are hated. I raised you better than that.”

“I thought you said he didn’t live in town.”

“I never said that.”

Amber sat on the edge of the patio once again. Her father knew who she was and lived in town. He had seen her grow up and hadn’t stepped forward. He didn’t want her as part of his family. She had disappointed him somehow.

The thought brought tears to her eyes and she jumped to her feet again, heading back into the house.

“Amber?” her mother called, worry lacing her voice.

She needed to get out of here, but couldn’t stop the tears from falling. It had felt so freeing, thinking that her father hadn’t rejected her. That there was a possibility he might still want her in his life even though she was an adult.

“Amber.” Her mother caught up with her at the door, since she was unable to leave without showing the town that she was bawling her face off. “Oh, Amber. I am so sorry.”

“He knows who I am and hasn’t stepped forward?”

“Oh, honey. I wish it were simpler. He’s just trying to respect my wishes. I did what I thought was best for everyone.”

“Tell him I want to meet him,” Amber pleaded. “We’re all adults. Please, Mom. I just want to know.”

“Amber, it will change everything.”

She had thought knowing who her father was no longer mattered, but was beginning to feel as though he was the one thing that mattered most.

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