Page 63 of Vodka and Chocolate Drops

“Scott?” she asked, placing a finger against his lips before he could pull her in for another smooch. “Why do you love me?”

“I’ll answer that when you’re ready to tell me the same,” he replied.

“I’ll tell you everything,” she promised, giving him a light kiss that had her desperately wanting more. “But I’m not sure you’re ready for me yet.”

He pulled her into a heavy kiss that left the strength in her legs waning. Under her palm she could feel his heart beating, steady and strong. Reliable.

“Amber Thompson, you’re a big tease.”

“I’ll show you I’m not.” She went to say the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

I love you.They were there, but her throat was heavy. Her head spinning.

He loved her. He was staying in his hometown for her. She wasn’t leaving.

They were going to be here in Blueberry Springs. Forever.

Once she said those three big words there would be no turning back. She was locking herself into a life. Here. With one man. Forever. She’d never be someone else. She’d never…

She couldn’t do it. She wasn’t ready. She was still one step away.

She rested her forehead against Scott’s, wanting him so badly her fingers dug into his shoulders, afraid to let go and yet so afraid to say yes, so afraid to trust her heart and the words it was whispering.

I love you, Scott. Now and forever.

9

Amber hurried down Main Street, hoping to catch her mother on her walk home from her early shift at Benny’s.

“Amber!” Liz called as she popped out of the town office. “Wait up!”

Amber complied and Liz, wrapped in a fuzzy robin’s-egg-blue pashmina, hurried to her side.

“Do you know if John’s heard back from Russell?” Amber asked.

“Nothing yet as far as I know. So, how’s the new sister?”

“Good.”

“I heard she and your mom are inseparable.”

“Yeah.”

“You must feel left out.”

“They have a lot to catch up on.” She pointed toward the town office, hoping to move away from what was still a tender subject--and one she didn’t want to be part of the local gossip. “How is Nicola doing? Did she talk to Jen about helping her with tours?”

“She’ll be leading the one-hour nature hikes on Saturdays.”

“Great. Well, I’ve got to catch up with Mom.” Amber hustled away before Liz could pump her for gossip, just about slamming into Russell. Her ex was looking uncomfortable as he shifted on the sidewalk, glancing every so often over his shoulder.

Amber went to move around him, but he caught her arm. “Amber, I need to talk to you.”

“Yeah? Do it through my lawyer.” For whatever reason, right now she wished she could add “my dad.” A lawyer dad would definitely give a girl a certain level of protection.

“Please. I need to talk to you.”

Now there was a tone she hadn’t been expecting.

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