Desperately Seeking Dad by Marta Perry Page B

either work at the furniture factory or you make money off tourists. And Cassie is a good cook. You’d better come back for that chicken-and-dumpling soup.”
    â€œI guess I may as well sample the local cuisine while I’m here.”
    â€œAnd chat with her about Tina while you’re at it?” That was obviously in her mind. “Maybe you should let me bring the subject up.”
    She pierced him with an intent look. “Would you, if I didn’t push? Or would you ignore it?”
    â€œI said I’d work on it, and I will.” He couldn’t keep the irritation from his voice. Persistence was a good quality, but he didn’t appreciate having it turned on him. “I’ve already started a couple of lines of inquiry.”
    She looked as if she’d like to believe him. “What did you find out?”
    The clink of coffee mugs announced Cassie’s return, and Mitch shot Anne a warning glance. Cassie might not be the yakker Wanda was, but he still didn’t want her knowing his business.
    Cassie slapped down the mugs, more bluebirds fluttering on the white china. She took a step back, then looked at Anne.
    â€œFresh apple dumplings tomorrow. Get here early if you want it.”
    He suspected laughter hovered on Anne’s lips, but she didn’t let it out. “Thanks, I’ll remember.”
    When Cassie was safely back in the kitchen, he shook his head in mock amazement. “Apple dumplings. Believe it or not, you’ve made an impression. Cassie doesn’t offer her apple dumplings to just anyone.”
    Amusement lit Anne’s eyes. “Dumpling soup and apple dumplings? I’d look like a dumpling if I ate like that.”
    He let his glance take in her slim figure, sleek in dark slacks and a sapphire sweater that matched her eyes. “You don’t look as if you need to worry.”
    She couldn’t meet his eyes. “I didn’t know investigating was so calorie-intensive.”
    â€œMaybe you ought to leave it to the pros. I can tackle the apple dumplings for you.”
    She shook her head, smiling but stubborn. “Whatwere you going to tell me before Cassie came back out?”
    Right. The message was clear: he’d better keep his mind on business.
    â€œI did some preliminary checking on Tina Mallory. She lived in town for six months, worked for Cassie from June to October. Once the tourist season ended, Cassie let her go. Far as I can tell, she left sometime the following month.”
    â€œWhy Philadelphia, I wonder? She never told me that.”
    So, he could tell her something she didn’t know about her friend. “Turns out she lived awhile in Philadelphia. I’d guess when she realized she was pregnant, she wanted to go somewhere familiar.”
    â€œFamiliar? Do you mean she still had friends or family there?”
    Fear probably put the sharp edge in Anne’s voice. Maybe it hadn’t occurred to her that Tina might have family. Family that could possibly have a claim to Emilie. He shook his head quickly.
    â€œNot that I can tell. Apparently it was always just her and her mother—no father in evidence. And her mother died about four years ago.” He curled his fingers around the warm mug. “She’d apparently lost touch with any friends she once had. But there certainly had to be more job opportunities in Philadelphia than anywhere around here.”
    â€œThat makes sense. I just wonder why she nevertold me she’d lived there. In fact, I’m sure she said she was from Los Angeles.”
    â€œSounds as if Tina was a little careless with the truth at times.”
    She gave him a level look, one that said she knew just what he meant. “She was young,” she said finally. “She tried to make herself interesting. But that doesn’t mean I should discount everything she said.”
    He’d better not let himself enjoy the way Anne’s eyes lit up when she smiled,