Page 75 of Vodka and Chocolate Drops

“You didn’t imagine having a pile of kids, in-laws and a small town that felt like one big family?”

Gloria’s eyes filled with tears again.

“And you didn’t imagine having a man who loves you tremendously coming back to you, like the hero in some cheesy romantic flick?”

Her mother sniffled, tucking Amber’s head into the crook of her neck as she pulled her into a hug.

“Who cares how you got the family,” Amber continued, hugging her tightly. “The thing is that youhaveone. Two healthy daughters who get along. A man who loves you. Plus John’s kids who seem willing to be a part of this crazy thing. This is family, Mom. We’re lucky, you know that, right?”

“We are.” Her mother had let go again and was unsuccessfully blinking back her flood of tears.

“Delia got a letter from the government, Mom. She’s ours. For real.”

Gloria smiled through her tears. “Thisisa bit overwhelming, isn’t it?”

“One big happy family.”

Her mother held her at arm’s length, studying her, her mascara smeared beneath her eyes.

“Are we really okay, Amber?”

Amber knew without a doubt, right then and there, that the buck stopped here. This was it. Her mother and her. Nothing and nobody could wedge their way between them. They had too much history to be shoehorned apart. Kind of like Amber and Scott. There was room for others to be part of their lives, but together they created an unbreakable core.

“We’re going to be just fine, Mom, and so is this new family. We’re going to create a new, common history. It’s going to be even better than anything you could have ever imagined as a kid.”

“Promise?” Gloria asked.

“Promise.”

11

Amber straightened her T-shirt and ran a hand through her hair, wishing she’d opted for a jacket now that the sun was down. The air was cool and damp, Scott’s front step illuminated by his porch light.

Familiar uncertainty was leeching in, undermining her courage. She’d come here to claim Scott completely. To revel in the timing of the universe, the luck of finding true love. She wanted to tell him he had her forever. Not just today, tomorrow, and next week. But forever.

The neighbor called out, “You’re in luck! I saw him come home about five minutes ago.”

Scott’s front door opened. “Are you coming in? Or are you waiting for it to rain so you can look like a drowned rat?” He gestured to the darkening clouds bunching up behind her, collaborating to bring in a good storm.

She scurried inside as the first drops fell.

“In a hurry to see me?” he joked.

Suddenly feeling nervous and as though she had about three limbs too many, Amber stood in Scott’s entry, wishing she’d done more than pop a few breath mints on her way over. Her stomach rumbled and Scott tipped his head, his eyes quiet, giving nothing away.

“Supper?” he asked at last.

“I haven’t.”

He checked his watch. He was wearing a well-worn waffle shirt and a pair of loose 501s that hung low on his hips. He was broad, powerful, and intoxicating.

And her best friend.

“It’s after ten. Better get you fed.”

He lifted his jacket off the hook. Outside, lightning flashed and thunder boomed as rain landed hard on the roof of his house.

She was supposed to come to him and prove she was ready to make their relationship more than just good intentions and conversations. She was supposed to wow him and feel as though they had made a real commitment as girlfriend and boyfriend.

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