Blossom Street Bundle. Debbie Macomber

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style="font-size:15px;">      Baxter got up from his dog bed and walked them to the stairs, as though that was one of his prescribed duties. He stood silently at the top while the two women climbed down.

      Anne Marie was saying goodbye to the social worker when she noticed a lone figure in the overstuffed chair, her head drooping, hair half-covering her face. The woman appeared to be asleep. Anne Marie glanced at her again, and suddenly realized who she was.

      Her stepdaughter, Melissa Roche.

      Chapter 21

      As if aware of Anne Marie’s scrutiny, Melissa opened her eyes and sat up, looking self-consciously around. Anne Marie wished now that she’d returned her phone call. Even from a distance, she could see that Melissa was in distress.

      For the moment she ignored her and accompanied Evelyn Boyle to the door. She thanked her for the visit and agreed to read over the paperwork—and read it was all Anne Marie intended to do. Evelyn obviously didn’t want to remove Ellen from her temporary custody any more than Anne Marie wanted to let the child go.

      She had to admit she felt ambivalent about this latest information concerning Dolores. On the one hand, she knew Ellen would be disappointed; on the other hand, she herself wasn’t unhappy about the girl’s extended stay.

      By the time Evelyn Boyle had gone and Anne Marie turned back to the shop, Melissa was standing uncertainly beside the chair. She seemed to be waiting for Anne Marie.

      Anne Marie spoke with Theresa for a few minutes about some special orders, then walked toward her stepdaughter. “Hello, Melissa.”

      “You didn’t return my phone call. I left a message.”

      “I was out last night. I didn’t get in until late.”

      Melissa seemed confused. “You’re not dating anyone, are you?”

      Why would she ask that question again? Anne Marie couldn’t even think about another relationship so soon after losing Robert. “No. I was with a group of women friends, although that isn’t really any of your concern,” she said brusquely. “I intended to call back this evening.” Actually, Melissa had phoned more than once. Caller ID had shown three calls, all from her stepdaughter, although she’d left only the one message.

      “Could I buy you lunch?” Melissa asked in a surprisingly tentative voice.

      “Thank you, but I’ve already eaten.”

      Melissa blinked as if she hadn’t expected that despite the fact that it was nearly two in the afternoon.

      “The truth is, I’m not eager to visit another restaurant with you.”

      Melissa blanched. “I said I was sorry about that.”

      Anne Marie nodded. “Yes, you did.”

      “And I am, I really am! Sometimes I do stupid stuff. I don’t know why I thought I should tell you what I saw. Brandon about bit my head off. He said—well, never mind.”

      Anne Marie could see this wasn’t going to be a quick visit, so she motioned for Melissa to sit down again, then took the chair next to hers. The shop wasn’t busy and Theresa was handling what business there was without a problem.

      The two women sat silently for several seconds. Anne Marie was determined not to speak first. After all, Melissa had sought her out. She was the one with the agenda and frankly, Anne Marie was curious as to what it might be.

      “Brandon said he came by a little while ago.”

      “Yes.” She didn’t elaborate.

      “He said there’s a child living with you.”

      “It’s a temporary situation.”

      Melissa acknowledged the comment with a slight nod. “He said that, too, and that—Allie, is it?”

      “Ellen.”

      “He said that Ellen’s a real sweetheart.”

      “She is.” Anne Marie wished Melissa would get to the point. “But I’m sure you aren’t here to discuss my child-care activities.”

      “No,” her stepdaughter agreed, fidgeting nervously with her hands. “Did Brandon tell you Mom and I aren’t getting along?”

      “He mentioned it.”

      “Mom’s really upset with me.”

      “Is there any particular reason?”

      She responded with a shrug. “Several, actually. For one thing, it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to graduate on time.”

      “Melissa!” Anne Marie couldn’t help the gasp of shock. Robert had bragged about Melissa’s making the Dean’s list; Anne Marie doubted that the problem, whatever it was, had anything to do with her grades.

      “I…I dropped out of school.”

      Anne Marie’s mouth fell open. “But…why?” she asked incredulously.

      Melissa didn’t answer.

      Anne Marie saw that the younger woman’s eyes had filled with tears. Gazing down at her hands, Melissa murmured something Anne Marie couldn’t quite hear.

      “I beg your pardon?”

      Melissa raised her chin. She inhaled and then said more loudly, “I’m pregnant.”

      Anne Marie sagged against the back of the chair. “Pregnant,” she repeated, doing her best to hide her stunned surprise. “Mom is furious with me.”

      Anne Marie could well imagine. Pamela had big plans for her daughter. Melissa’s career path had been paved very nicely by her mother, who worked in upper management for an international chain of hotels based in London. According to Brandon, Pamela had secured a middle management position for Melissa as soon as she received her MBA. With the position came the opportunity to live in England.

      “She wants me to get rid of it—that’s how she put it. To have an abortion.”

      Anne Marie hardly knew what to say. She couldn’t believe Pamela wanted to “get rid of ” her first grandchild. Robert would’ve been horrified by that, she thought.

      “The baby is your boyfriend’s? Michael’s?” Anne Marie asked as she tried to sort through her own emotions.

      Melissa nodded.

      “What does he want you to do?”

      Melissa closed her eyes. “I…I haven’t told him yet.”

      Leaning forward, Anne Marie clasped Melissa’s hand.

      Sobbing, her stepdaughter held on tightly. “I broke up with him.”

      In her fear and panic, Melissa suddenly seemed very young to Anne Marie. “Michael has a right to know,” she whispered gently.

      Melissa

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