by Jean Oram
“You must be Amber Thompson,” the woman said, before Amber could apologize for the interruption and move along.
“Yes, sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb your meeting,” she said, standing again.
“Not at all,” said Mandy, perking up. “Actually, you know how to make computers go, right?”
Amber tried to hold in a sigh. What was it with everyone thinking that her database job meant she was a techie? “I work with databases. Whatever your computer problem, you probably just have to turn it off and on again. Think of snarky computers as a man who’s in a mood. Reset his processor to make him more cooperative.”
“I need spreadsheet, database stuff,” Mandy said. “I’m up to my eyeballs in paper and need to implement some serious efficiencies.”
“I can totally help with that if you pay me in brownies.”
“Deal,” Mandy said, with a relieved ghost of a smile. Her friend was seriously working too hard again.
The woman with Mandy extended her hand, a slight smile that looked a lot like respect and amusement tweaking her perfectly colored lips. “Blair Diggs. I’m one of the restaurant chain owners Mandy works with.”
“Pleased to meet you. I interrupted—I’m sorry.”
“I’m not.” Blair leaned forward, one hand on Amber’s arm, preventing her from making an escape. “I heard what you did to Russell Peaks and I have to admit it’s even better than what I did to him.”
“I’m sorry―what?” Amber had lowered her voice and immediately searched the pub for eavesdroppers. She spotted Scott standing in the doorway, talking into the walkie-talkie clipped to his lapel, and laughing. His jaw looking as sharp and angular as his broad shoulders.
“Smashing his writing office?” Blair said. “Good on you. It’s about time someone hit him where it hurts. Again.”
“You dated Russell?” Mandy exclaimed, her eyes round.
“Where did you hit him?” Amber asked.
“In the leg.”
“With what?” Mandy demanded.
“A bullet.”
Amber glanced over her shoulder, on the lookout for Scott, who seemed to have left the building. She was starting to wish she’d taken Moe up on that shot.
“Sadly, not the middle leg?” she asked.
Blair rewarded her joke with a deep chuckle. “No, not that one. My aim was off.”
“He said he got shot getting a story,” Amber stated, her voice low. Was Blair yanking her chain? Russell wasn’t a faultless prince, but she’d seen the awards on his wall.
“He lied,” Blair said simply, flipping her hand palm up as if the untruth didn’t bother her in the least.
“Why?” Mandy asked, leaning forward. She inched her chair closer, then swept her long mane of blond hair off her shoulders. “Why did you do it?”
“He cheated on me. Used me.”
Amber mulled that over. Russell was probably already cheating on his editor. She had a pretty good feeling he was using Sabrina to try and get his book the best shot at the charts. Amber was certain she hadn’t been the first woman Russell had hooked up with in anticipation of his next career move and what she could provide. Which left her wondering where Blair fit in. What was her piece in the Russell puzzle?
“What did he want you for?” Amber asked. Blair’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “I mean, he dated me because he wanted my story—even though it’s not me in the book. No, really,” she told Mandy, who gave her a “yeah, right” look. “Then when he had the story he cheated on me with his editor, because he wanted the book to get the best chance at making it. He’s probably already lining up his next victim to help him with his next plan. So? What did he use you for?”
Blair sat back, arms crossed, assessing Amber. “You’re shrewd. I like that. You’ve pushed the emotional stuff aside and are already moving forward. Very business minded. Do you run your own company?”
“No.”
“You should. You’d be good at it.” Blair took a sip of her wine. “Me? I fell for Russell’s song and dance.”
“It’s a pretty good song,” Amber admitted.
“But in the end, I was the one shooting at his feet, making that chicken dance to a whole new beat.”
The women sat silently for a moment and Amber and Mandy shared a look. Amber would bet Mandy was currently reconsidering any plans that might upset Blair.
“I was married to the TV station’s owner at the time,” Blair said, her manicured finger idly tracing the rim of her wineglass until the glass started to sing.
“You had an affair? Last time I ask you for relationship advice,” Mandy grumbled.
“Oh, I have all the advice because I’ve made all the mistakes. Keep asking, sugar.”
“And so?” Amber pressed, eager for details.
“And so I made a fool of myself. I got Russell his promotion and he turned my life upside down. I didn’t like being used or lied to, so I met up with him in whatever forsaken country he was in. It was so hot and dry. Hard on the skin, I remember that. Anyway, long story made very short—I shot him. And he turned it into a tale of bravery.” She let out a bitter laugh.
Amber thought about Blair’s story for a moment. Both of them had been cheated on. Which meant Amber had likely been “the other woman” for someone Russell had dated between her and Blair.
Amber stood. “Pleasure to have met you.” She turned to her friend. “Watch out for this one. She knows how to aim a gun.”
Mandy choked on her drink, shooting Blair a worried look as the woman leaned over to pat her on the back.
Amber headed for the door, seeking a quiet place where she could pause and think about Russell and his get-ahead strategies. There was something she could use from that conversation. She was sure of it.
A hand reached out and grabbed her by the arm as she passed the second last table between her and solitude. It was Wanda, who ran the bridal store in town, sitting with Liz.
Gossips.
“I heard you’re looking for your father,” Wanda said, still gripping her as though Amber was in danger of running away.
Smart lady.
“I am.” Amber hunched down so she could lower her voice and avoid others overhearing them. “Do you know who he is?”
Both women shook their heads.
“Well, if you find out, tell him I don’t like him.” Amber straightened, ready to make her exit.
The women gasped, asking about fifty questions at once as Amber turned, almost slamming into Scott. She placed her hands against his chest, sparks zipping up her arms as she made contact. He smelled like heaven and looked as fit and manly as ever in his police uniform.
He gallantly touched the brim of his hat. “Ladies.” He looked at Amber in a way that made her “Hey, Scott,” come out all breathy.
She needed to school her brain. He was her best friend. Just because everyone thought they should be together and they’d almost-kissed on Valentine’s Day didn’t mean she should start swooning. It was ridiculous. Utterly.
The two women made room for Scott at their table.
“Sorry, ladies. On duty, but another time.”
“Amber was just telling us she doesn’t like her father.”
Scott glanced at Amber, who gave a small shake of her head.
The jukebox began playing Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love” and Amber cringed. It had been her and Russell’s song. Why had he bothered going through all the motions of a relationship if he didn’t care and had only been using her? Had any of it been real? She had a feeling that for men like Russell it was always just a game.
“Amber, may I have this dance?” Scott asked, already ushering her away from the ladies.
“I don’t dance.” The last thing she wanted to do was dance to this stupid song with a man who made her feel as if… as if love might actually be possible one day.
“You look like you’re going to rip someone’s head off, so just shut up and let me distract you. Telling those ladies stuff about how you’re f
eeling is not going to go well for you in the long run.” He placed a palm on her hip, holding out his left hand, waiting for her to take it. She stepped into his shadow, the heat radiating from his body wrapping around her, his touch sending shock waves of longing through her.
So much for schooling her brain. It was running through the gutters, splashing and yelling “Yippee!” as it daydreamed of all the things her body could do with this hunk of male specimen cozied up against her.
“Besides, you danced with me in February.” Scott’s lips curved into a slow smile, his tone teasing.
Yeah, they’d danced. And then she’d almost kissed him. Kind of like what she wanted to do right now.
Which was silly. Kissing her best friend would just make things messy and complicated.
Scott two-stepped them onto the empty dance floor and the heat of his hand began to leach through her light sweater, making her aware of how close he was. She lost track of where her feet were supposed to be and nearly fell into Mandy’s table, but Scott caught her, swooping her up as though she’d meant to do a grand dip. He handled her with care, making her feel as though she was graceful. She wanted him to do it again. And again.
Naked.
Okay, she really needed to get out more. She was lusting after Scott in ways that twisted her brain.
“When are you two going to kiss?” called Wanda over the music.
Great, she saw it, too. In fact, the whole quiet pub probably did seeing as they were the only two dancing.
“She’s going back to the city. They’re not going to kiss,” Liz grumbled.
“Scott’s leaving, too,” Wanda pointed out.
“Ladies, enough,” he said. “Just because it was their song doesn’t mean I can’t dance with her.” He gave them a look as though to say, “How do you think she feels?” His tone was light, authoritative and protective, making Amber struggle with the desire to rest her head against his shoulder and never let go.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “But don’t you think it’s better to just ignore them?”
Scott studied her for a long moment. “Ignoring problems doesn’t work.”
“Fighting gossip just fuels it.” She ran her hand over his shoulder, taking in its size.
“Were you finally going to come to the city with me?” she asked, referring to Wanda’s earlier comment about him leaving. He’d possibly assumed, rightly, that as soon as Russell broke up with her she’d take off again. But so far, she hadn’t quite gotten there.
Too many things to clear up first.
Scott slowed their dancing as a call came through over the walkie-talkie clipped to his lapel.
Her hand drifted down to his name tag, tracing the letters over his breast pocket. She loved that even now he held her tight and wouldn’t let her drift away. She should stop touching him, stop enjoying his attention and how good it felt dancing with him, but couldn’t seem to force herself to let go. He was definitely going to get the wrong idea.
“Sorry. I’ve got to check this out,” he said, after getting a code through his walkie-talkie. He released her, leaving her feeling abandoned and cold. As he backed off, he pointed at her in a way that pinned her to the spot. “You still owe me a dance if I don’t come back.”
“Yeah,” she said weakly. “Any time.”
Her mind was fuzzy and her body was sending messages that were definitely earmarked for the beyond-friends forbidden zone. She needed to get her life together. She needed to overcome the hopeless feeling that she would never have true love with a man as wonderful as Scott. The despair that needled her was causing her to take notice of any men who were 100% all male—such as him. She looked toward the bar, where Moe was drying a glass. He was cute. Maybe she could latch her lusty need onto him.
Problem was, he wasn’t doing a thing for her.
There was just something so right about Scott. Every inch of her body that he’d brushed or touched during their impromptu dance was burning, waiting to feel him again. Their history and his gentle kindness were making him an easy target for her melted mind. Right now, the way she was feeling, if the man had had groupies following him every time he was in uniform it wouldn’t have surprised her. In fact, she’d ask to join the club.
He was going to make some woman lucky someday. Very lucky. But until he found someone she was going to take advantage of his attention.
* * *
Her mother had left. Signed up for a cruise and taken off, just like that. And it wasn’t the fancy cars show ’n’ shine, cruise around town that Frankie Smith and his parts store buddies had planned again for this June. It was off to see the world on a giant ship. Alone. Immediately.
Amber didn’t like it. Her mother knew Amber needed answers and yet she’d run off for ten days in hopes of finding herself.
It didn’t help that Amber already had two emails back from possible siblings saying they’d already found their families. The emails had brought with them a strange mix of anger and sadness that left Amber down in the dumps for days. She couldn’t take much more uncertainty. She needed answers.
Although maybe if her mother found herself she would see that she needed to unbury her secrets and spill her guts—completely. Both to Amber and Amber’s father.
But waiting another ten days sounded a lot like torture. Patience was not all that and more, as everyone said. Good things came to people who waited? Yeah, maybe. But even better things came to those who went out and snagged it for themselves. They got a bigger chunk of that pie, not the leftover crumbs that were missing the chocolaty middle goodness.
Great, now she wanted a slice of Benny’s chocolate maven pie.
Opening her laptop, Amber checked the job queue to see if there was any work waiting for her, then headed to Benny’s in the golf cart. One slice of pie with a tall glass of milk coming up. Being back in Blueberry Springs had definitely been hard on her hips.
She parked out back of Benny’s and let herself in through the delivery entrance. “Hey, Benny!” she said as she passed his office on the way to find Leif.
“Oh, I’ve been meaning to call you today.”
“Well, here I am!” she said brightly.
He joined her in the hall, moving out of the way of a waitress heading for the kitchen, and pulled Amber in for a one-armed hug. Was he her dad? He’d always been paternal. Somehow she just couldn’t see Benny’s family causing interference with his love life. Plus he’d been married for about thirty years and lived in town. Not her father.
“I know I’ve said this before, but your mother sure is happy to see you home. It’s astounding how similar you two are. I don’t know many mothers and daughters as close as you. ”
Except for the secrets, of course. That was acting a bit like a pry bar at the moment.
“She is a pretty awesome mother.”
“Awesome waitress, too. With her finally asking for some holiday time I couldn’t say no, although it’s left me in a bit of a pinch. I don’t suppose you’d consider helping out? I know you have a job and all, but maybe a little extra to help you save up for moving back to the city again? Your mother makes astounding tips.”
“Um…” The look on Benny’s face was going to do her in. His double chins, his big round eyes pleading like a puppy’s.
“Think about it.”
The man had been there for her with hugs and food for eons.
“Leif’s in the kitchen and I have it on good authority that he just made another batch of pie.”
Oh, the pie. She always got free pie.
Talk about giving her a ticket to guilt express.
He needed help.
But it was waitressing.
If Amber said yes, she’d effectively become her mother. She’d never get out of town.
She couldn’t do it. She’d promised herself. Move upward. Obtain more—all those things her mother hadn’t.
Benny gave her chin a gentle chuck, then stepped back toward his office.
But it was just for a few
days. Part-time. Helping out a family friend.
She had to do it. She couldn’t let Benny down.
“Okay, fine,” she said quickly, the pressure getting to her. “I’ll do it. Only part-time, though. I still have my full-time job to contend with.”
Benny squeezed her in an extra large, cushiony hug. She could handle someone like him being her father. All those pillowy hugs.
He released her, holding her out in front of him. “Thank you.”
“Just while she’s away.”
“She has about six months of holiday time banked.”
“What?”
Benny laughed. “Worry not, young one.” He tapped the end of her nose. “She’s only gone ten days.” He headed to his office, triumphant. “This time.”
Amber walked slowly to the kitchen, shaking her head. Taking off to travel the world. Her mother was becoming a force to be reckoned with, wasn’t she?
Either that or she’d found an easy way to run from Amber and her secrets.
Amber grabbed a slice of pie and a glass of milk from Leif, sitting in the staff room to eat her snack as she had so many times as a kid. She allowed her mind to wander while she ate.
She dropped her fork suddenly. She had it! The one thing that might cause Russell to back off.
She dialed John’s cell phone, leaving a voice mail. “John, it’s Amber. I have it. Send Russell my counteroffer asking him to drop the trailer thing. And then let it slip that I was talking to Blair Diggs and she told me an interesting story set in a hot, dry climate.”
Amber hung up, smiling. She’d bet anything that Blair’s story was legit and that Russell wouldn’t want the truth of how he got his limp being leaked, causing him to go from hero to zero in no time flat.
Sure, it was blackmail, and John might not go through with it, but she had nothing to lose.
Her phone binged with an incoming email and she checked it as she finished the last of her milk, just about choking. It was from a woman who thought she might be Amber’s long-lost sister.
