by Jean Oram
She nodded reluctantly.
“You know it’s funny, I met an Amber just the other day,” Delia said thoughtfully. “It’s not a common name.”
“Neither is Delia,” she said, staring at the cracks in the sidewalk. Fancy places shouldn’t have cracks, but this one did. The idea was strangely comforting.
The Lunts said goodbye and continued their walk.
“Well, we should go,” Amber said quickly.
“Right. Good luck with your dog,” Scott stated.
“You look familiar,” Delia said, stopping Amber.
“Oh, just a common face.”
“No, I saw you on the news! That’s where. What was it? You’re an author or something?”
“I get that a lot. Nice to meet you.” Amber began hurrying to the truck, but found the dog following her, blocking her way with his body, allowing his owner to catch up.
Scott opened the door for Amber, and Delia, as if sensing she was about to lose them, blurted out, “But it’s something else, beyond the book. You’re familiar, like I’ve met you before.”
“Yeah, weird, right?” Amber was feeling the same way and it made her uncomfortable, only she knew why.
She gave Scott a look. It was supposed to be a drive-by. This was definitely more than that and it was all his fault.
“Do you have a sister?” Delia asked.
Amber froze and she could feel Scott watching, waiting for hints on how to proceed.
“She does,” he said finally, turning to face the woman. “A half sister. Named Delia.”
“Oh. My. Word.” Delia elbowed Scott out of the way and threw herself on Amber, giving her a massive hug that made her spine pop. “You’re Amber Thompson! I just knew it. You came and found me.”
“Delia Whitehart?” Amber said meekly into the woman’s glossy hair. Her cloud of expensive perfume was enveloping Amber in a way that made her feel a bit like Dorothy must have when entering Oz.
“I’ve wanted to meet you so badly since our emails. Waiting to see if the government gives us a confirmed match is killing me. Look at Sass—Sasquatch. I think he knew who you were. He won’t leave your side.” She held her hand out beside Amber’s. “We have the same hands.” Her eyes became dewy. “I’ve never looked like anyone in my family. This is such a strange feeling. I can’t believe you found me.”
Amber gave a sheepish smile. “Yeah, um, surprise?”
* * *
As Amber allowed her possible-sister to lead her down the street and into the largest entry she’d ever seen on a single family home, she tried to talk herself down. Delia might not actually be her sibling. They had the same hands and the dates lined up, but it didn’t mean they were sisters for real.
There was still a possibility it was nothing more than coincidence.
But what were the chances? They had to be sisters.
All Amber’s visions of her and Delia being best buds flew out the window as her sister—her slim sister, who obviously had better genes—began talking about the success of her husband, and the many trips they took. She had perfect everything and the confidence to go with it.
Amber felt immensely out of place.
“Try some of this tea,” Delia said, settling Amber in at her kitchen counter. “It’s grown at an altitude that gives it more caffeine. It gives you an awesome kick.”
“Really?” Amber peered into her cup. So far, Scott had remained quiet, sitting beside her on a stool while Delia used a ridiculous amount of gadgets before handing Amber what was essentially a mug of hot water with tea leaves drifting to the bottom.
“I have no clue. That’s what the salesperson said.”
Scott chuckled.
Delia watched expectantly as Amber took a tentative sip of the steaming liquid. “What do you think?”
Amber lowered the cup and gave a noncommittal nod. “Mmm. I like it.” It was actually pretty decent, although she wasn’t sure about a kick. “Have you tried walnut green tea?”
“It’s my favorite.”
“Mine, too. Do you like peanut butter on Ritz crackers?”
Her sister opened a cupboard door and waved at several boxes of the crackers in question. “I do.”
“That’s really specific,” Scott said.
“This is so incredible.” Delia sat across from Amber, shaking her head in wonder. “So amazing. It just blows your mind and makes it stop working, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah, kinda,” Amber said, sipping her tea. She didn’t know what to think, how to react. She wanted to know everything, but at the same time needed some room to process it all. Her sister. She had a sister. And they had stunning similarities despite their vast differences.
They had to be related. If they weren’t, the universe had a twisted sense of humor.
“Scott,” Delia asked, “what about you? What do you do?”
“I’m a police officer.”
“Such a tough job.”
“It has its moments. Blueberry Springs is pretty good, though.”
“He’s very good at it,” Amber said, resting a hand temporarily over Scott’s. “Really. And he runs an animal shelter, too. Every spring and fall he always finds good homes for all the unwanted kittens.”
Scott’s cheeks became tinged with pink.
“Do you have any kids?” Amber asked her sister. She had a feeling she didn’t, but still hoped there were little nieces and nephews she could spoil. She’d always assumed it was a privilege she’d never have.
“No, but we’re thinking about it.”
“How long have you and your husband been together?”
“Darren and I have been sweethearts since high school. We dated all through college over in Oxford—I love England—then we came home, got married and started our own business.”
“Wow.” Someone had definitely hogged the family’s lucky-in-love good juju.
“How long have you two been together?” Delia asked, flicking a shiny nail between Amber and Scott.
“Oh, we’re just friends.” The heat that poured into Amber’s face was probably telling Delia stories she didn’t want revealed. Assuming there were stories. Which there weren’t. They were friends. Friends who kind of had inappropriate thoughts about each other. Or at least she did. Increasingly often.
“Sorry. You must be very close friends. You’re obviously very comfortable around each other.”
“Best friends since the day I moved to town as a kid.” Scott gave Amber an affectionate ear tug. “Amber stayed in at recess and made me a valentine so I’d have one.”
“He moved on Valentine’s Day,” Amber added.
“That’s sweet,” her sister said. “Blueberry Springs sounds incredible.”
“It is pretty nice,” Amber agreed. “I’m hoping to move back to the city soon, but the town’s pretty good. It’s where I grew up, and there are festivals and fairs. Stuff like that. And the people look out for each other and make it feel like home, I guess. You know small towns.”
“Why would you move back to the city?” Delia asked. “The place sounds sweet.”
“Well, I just think…” Amber paused. How could she explain to her sister that she felt as though there were more opportunities to be someone other than she was, without making it sound as if she was ungrateful for all their mother had done?
“Why do you want to move back?” Scott asked quietly.
“Uh, jobs?”
“You don’t like yours any longer?”
“What do you do?” Delia asked.
“Database management. And the job is fine. I can do it anywhere. I just like the fact that nobody is in my business in the city, I guess. There’s freedom to reinvent yourself frequently.”
Not that she was eager to reinvent herself again, seeing as last time she’d ended up in a book. Sometimes it was just easier to be herself. Which was the nice thing about Blueberry Springs. She had the same old routines. Everyone knew her and could predict when she’d want a slice of pie, and she didn’t have
to explain anything to anyone back home. They already knew, and there was surprising comfort in that.
Plus the people in Blueberry Springs really weren’t so bad. They meant well and had been pretty supportive about the book. Mary Alice had even stopped selling it in her store once she realized how much it bothered Amber.
She’d moved to the city in hopes of becoming someone “big.” And she had. Although making it “big” in Russell’s book hadn’t been great so far. She’d prefer to feel important, valued, and as though she made a difference. She wanted to be someone people counted on, wanted, and needed. Someone who would be missed.
She hadn’t had that in the city. In fact, none of her friends there had contacted her after the book had come out other than to send a few texts asking if she wanted to come to a party. Amber had seen them for what they were—not asking if she was okay or how she was doing, simply wanting to leech her semi-fame. Well, they could have it. She wanted to be more than a pawn, where once her service was over she’d get knocked off the game board and they’d all continue on without her.
“We should probably go,” Scott said, standing. “Thank you for the tea. It was a pleasure meeting you.”
“What’s our mom like?” Delia asked, stepping forward, her eyes so full of unexpected need that Amber leaned into Scott, looking at him to guide her through this.
“She’s…” She couldn’t say a “great mom,” because what if that made Delia feel as though she’d lost out? Amber didn’t want to say “waitress” and have Delia judge her for that. “You’ll have to meet her. She’s nice.”
“I would love that so much. Can I meet her soon? Does she know we’re emailing? I’m free tomorrow. I know that’s sudden, but after all this time waiting and hoping, it’s just so hard to wait any longer.”
“I know, but, well, it’s… complicated.”
* * *
As they drove out of the gated community, Amber let out a sigh of relief. “I didn’t screw that up too badly, did I?”
“You were great.”
“Thanks for coming with me.” There was nobody she’d rather have with her. Amber reached over and squeezed Scott’s hand, a fissure of electricity rolling up her arm at their touch.
“Do you think she’s your sister?”
“Yes. Although she was nothing like what I expected.”
“What did you expect?”
“I don’t know. Me, but different.”
“I think she is you, but different. You both light up in the same way when you’re excited.”
Amber cut him a glance. What did that mean? And why did she feel jealous? Was this sibling rivalry? If so, that was mighty quick and she wasn’t sure if she liked it. In fact, she knew she didn’t.
“Milkshake?” Scott asked, pulling into their favorite drive-through burger joint in Dakota.
“Yeah.” Her stomach rumbled. She’d missed supper with their excursion. “And a cheeseburger.”
“Two large chocolate milkshakes and two cheeseburgers,” Scott said into the microphone.
“She has everything.”
“Who? Delia?”
Amber nodded.
Scott scooted off his butt so he could dig his wallet from his back pocket. His thighs were tensed as he twisted, his hips so narrow, yet powerful. She focused on the line of cars in front of them so she wouldn’t get caught checking him out, or the bulge… wow. Yep. She needed to get her brain checked. Her eyes were drifting to zones that were marked Lovers Only.
“I didn’t realize you were looking for a senile dog and a husband who works away a lot,” Scott said, letting out a chuckle.
“Ha ha. But look at her. She’s gorgeous. Skinny. Amazing house. Successful life. She’s confident. Perfect.”
“Not being perfect is what makes you so darn likable.” Scott gave her a smile so warm it made her stomach feel funny. In a good way.
“When it comes right down to it, Officer Malone, you’re not that far off a truckload of ‘not bad’ yourself.”
As they waited for their milkshakes Amber wondered if her sister represented the life she herself could have if she managed to pull it together, started believing in herself and stopped making stupid man choices.
She said, “When I saw her neighborhood I thought she couldn’t be anything like me and that we’d hate each other. But I could kind of see hanging out with her. Even though she kicks my butt in terms of pretty much everything other than having excellent hips for hip checking.”
“Ah, the trash-yourself segment of today’s show. Why do you do that?” Scott turned in his seat, gripping her headrest as he took her in. It almost felt as though he was prepping to lean in and kiss her, but she knew better. He knew she didn’t think of him in that way. Still, she couldn’t help but notice that he smelled wonderful and that his chin had a slight five o’clock shadow that would feel sharp, yet pleasing against her skin.
“She kind of brought out some of my insecurities.” Amber rubbed her thighs with the heels of her hands.
“You were great with her dog. You were kind and sensitive when dealing with her, too. Thoughtful and considerate. There’s nothing to berate yourself over.”
“Do you think she’ll like me?”
“It sounded as though she wants to see you again, so yes. And who couldn’t love Amber Thompson, anyway?”
She almost asked, “Do you?” Instead, she said, “What should I do about my mom?”
“Tell her the truth.”
“But…”
They were handed their milkshakes and burgers. Scott drove toward the edge of the city, where they would take the highway to Blueberry Springs.
“But what?” he finally asked.
“How do I explain doing all of this stuff behind her back?”
“Just tell her.”
They passed a police station near the edge of the city and Amber wondered if it would be the one Scott would be working out of when he transferred. When he left. He hadn’t said anything about an interview. Hadn’t said anything about applying, either.
“I really screwed up, didn’t I?” she said, unwrapping her burger. She was losing so much, so quickly. It was as if she was finding the things she loved best just in time to lose them.
“Be careful,” Scott advised, taking a sip of his milkshake. “Don’t give Delia too much personal information. She’s still a stranger even though we believe she’s your sister.”
“Yeah. Might be too late for that.” Her sister knew where she lived and Amber had opened the door for “pop on by” with her accidental visit today.
Scott’s brow furrowed as he stopped in a line of traffic waiting at a road construction site. He twisted in his seat again, facing her, her body half cocooned by him with his arm across her seat back. Outside, the sun was setting, the spring air giving the green foothills a glow.
“Do you think there’s a chance she’ll come by to check out the town before your mom returns?”
“She is my sister.”
Scott was openly admiring her and Amber wondered what it would be like to allow herself the opportunity to change things between them. What would happen if she gave in to her restless thoughts about him?
She slowly leaned across the console that separated them, watching him carefully. He looked curious, but not at all as if expecting her to graze his lips with hers. She kissed him, almost drawing away before he began reciprocating, his mouth cool and sweet from the milkshake. Heat flooded through Amber, touching areas she hadn’t even known existed. Still kissing, she placed her hands on either side of his mouth, wishing she could climb into his lap and continue this forever.
Just when she thought she’d become lost in him, he broke the kiss, leaning away.
“I thought you wanted this,” she said, trying to ignore the slice of rejection that had cut her open.
Scott was silent for a moment before gently cupping her cheek, caressing it with a rough thumb. “Amber,” he said softly, “you will always be worth waiting for.”
“You’re not.”
“I am.” Her voice became soft, her tone begging.
“You’re not ready, Amber, and both you and I know it.”
She stuck out her chin. “I’m ready, Officer Malone.”
He swallowed, his gaze darkening with something she couldn’t identify, but she knew it wasn’t anger. He wanted her, and yet he was saying no.
“I’m not good enough?” She would never be a mayor or a beauty queen or any of the amazing women Scott had dated. But she’d always secretly hoped, way back in the furthest reaches of her mind, that she would be enough for him. She’d been wrong.
“Amber, don’t go down that road.” His eyes were like fire. “You know you’re not ready. I can see it in your eyes.”
“No. I want you.”
“You don’t.” His voice was harsh.
She did. She wanted him. Her best friend. She wanted to fall into his strength and shelter. And that kiss… it had been the beginning of something. Something she’d never felt before. How could he not see that?
“This is too important to mess up,” he said. “When you’re ready we’ll start something good.”
“No.”
“No?” He quirked a brow, leaning on the console, practically daring her to argue.
“I’m ready and I demand you be my boyfriend. Now.” She pointed at the floorboards of the truck.
Scott’s lips turned up.
“And you love me?” he asked, his tone half teasing, half full of some sort of magical heat that turned her mind to mush. The pads of his fingers grazed the back of her neck, sending shivers through her core.
Amber tried to form words. Love. She loved the way he was touching her. His voice. The way he made her feel when he was around.
“As a friend?” he offered. She nodded, before catching herself and shaking her head. No. That wasn’t right, was it? That wasn’t what he was looking for.