Debbie Macomber_Blossom Street 04 by Twenty Wishes Page A

came, she was surprised to hear Melissa order the same thing.
    “I’d like some coffee, too,” Melissa told him.
    “I would, as well.”
    Once the waiter had left, Melissa nervously reached for her linen napkin, which she spread carefully across her lap. Then she rearranged her silverware.
    “Are you ready to tell me what this is about?” Anne Marie asked. Any exchange of pleasantries was pointless.
    There was a pause. “It’s probably unfair to come to youabout this,” Melissa finally said, “but I didn’t know what else to do.”
    Anne Marie closed her eyes briefly. “Rather than hint at what you want to say, why don’t you just say it?”
    Melissa placed her hands in her lap and lowered her head. “I…I haven’t been doing well since Dad died.”
    Anne Marie nodded. “I haven’t, either.”
    Melissa looked up and bit her lip. “I miss him so much.”
    Anne Marie tried to swallow the sudden lump in her throat. “Me, too.”
    “I thought if I went into his office and talked to his friends I’d feel better.”
    The waiter brought their coffee, and Anne Marie welcomed the distraction. She could feel tears welling up and she didn’t want the embarrassment of crying in front of Melissa.
    When they were alone again, Melissa dumped sugar in her coffee. “Like I said, I decided to stop by the office,” she muttered, scooping up three tiny half-and-half cups and peeling away the tops. “Dad was always so proud of his role in the business.”
    Robert had every right to be proud. He’d worked for the data storage business almost from its inception and much of the company’s success could be attributed to his efforts. He enjoyed his job, although the demands on his time had increased constantly. For three consecutive years, Robert had planned to take Anne Marie to Paris for their wedding anniversary. Each year he’d been forced to cancel their vacation plans because of business.
    “Everyone must’ve been happy to see you,” Anne Marie commented politely.
    Melissa shrugged. “Even in this short amount of time, there’ve been a lot of changes.”
    That was understandable. Robert had died almost ten months ago, and life had a way of creeping forward, no matter what the circumstances.
    “Do you remember Rebecca Gilroy?” Melissa asked.
    “Of course.” The young woman had been Robert’s personal assistant. As Anne Marie recalled, Rebecca had started working for the company a year or so before Robert’s heart attack.
    “She had a baby.”
    “I didn’t know she was pregnant.” Had she learned of it, Anne Marie would’ve sent her a gift. She’d only met Rebecca on a few occasions, but she’d liked her.
    “She isn’t married.” Melissa’s gaze held hers.
    Anne Marie didn’t consider that significant. “It’s hardly a prerequisite these days.”
    Melissa picked up her coffee and Anne Marie noticed that her hands were trembling.
    “Do you remember exactly when you and my dad separated?”
    Anne Marie expelled her breath. “It’s not something I’m likely to forget, Melissa. Of course I remember. He…left on September 18th the year before last.” She lifted her shoulders as she took in a deep breath, feeling raw and vulnerable. “I was miserable without your father. I still am.” She wasn’t sure where this conversation was leading and strained to hold on to her patience. Exhaling, she added, “Despite the fact that you dislike me, we’ve always had something very important in common. We both loved your father.”
    Melissa didn’t acknowledge the comment; instead she stared down at the table. “One night a couple of monthsafter you and Dad separated, I decided to treat him to dinner. He was working too hard and he often stayed late at the office.”
    That was a fairly typical occurrence throughout their marriage. As a company executive, Robert put in long hours.
    “I picked up a couple of sandwiches and some of his favorite soup and went over there to surprise him.”
    Anne Marie