Sweet Surprises by Shirlee McCoy Page B

forgetting.
    She tugged her hand away, lifted her coffee as if that were the only reason why she’d wanted to free it. “I’m picking something up for my sister.”
    â€œAdeline? I’ve got a meeting with her this morning.”
    â€œIs she helping you with the. . . .” She didn’t finish. There were people in the diner who knew Belinda, and she didn’t want anyone spreading rumors about the financial trouble she was having.
    River nodded. “Yes. Hopefully. If you want me to, I can bring the stuff to her.”
    â€œIt’s okay. I haven’t seen her in a few months, and I’m looking forward to catching up.” She also didn’t want to go back to Chocolate Haven.
    She’d have to be there before it opened, but for right now...
    She’d use whatever excuse she had to stay away.
    Angel rushed out of the kitchen, a Styrofoam carry-out container in one hand and a white bakery box in the other.
    â€œLaurie is checking on a delivery, so she asked . . .” Her voice trailed off as she caught sight of River. She didn’t look pleased to see him. He didn’t look all that happy to see her either.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” she snapped.
    â€œBelinda said you forgot to take these this morning.” He pulled a bottle of prenatal vitamins out of his pocket and set it on the counter. “She was worried, so I brought them.”
    â€œThanks,” she said begrudgingly as she set the box and carry-out container in front of Brenna. “Laurie says this is on the house because it’s your first day back in town.”
    â€œI can’t—”
    â€œNo sense arguing. Laurie calls the shots here, and if she says you’re getting it free, you’re getting it free.” Angel snatched up the bottle of vitamins and swallowed one without water. “I’ve got work to do, so see you around.”
    She flounced off, her hips swinging, her belly bouncing. She looked like a kid, and she acted like one, and something about that made Brenna feel sorry for her.
    She took out one of the twenties Byron had given her and set it under her coffee cup.
    â€œNice tip,” River commented, and she shrugged.
    â€œShe looks like she could use it.”
    â€œShe can. Belinda helped her get insurance coverage for the kid, but Angel doesn’t want to go on welfare. She’s been working hard so she can provide for both of them. She’s still not making enough. If Belinda hadn’t taken her in, she’d be on the streets.”
    â€œShe’s one of the guests?”
    â€œUnfortunately.”
    â€œI don’t think it’s unfortunate for her.”
    True.
    Very true, and River wasn’t so much of an ass that he didn’t realize it. He watched as Angel cleared off a table, handed menus to a group of older men, poured coffee for an elderly couple. She did her job well and she worked long hours. He knew she was making decent money, but she wore the same pair of jeans almost every day, the same faded shirt. Every cent she spent was on stuff for the baby.
    So maybe he was an ass, because he’d been so caught up in worrying about Belinda that he hadn’t spent more than a few minutes worrying about Angel.
    He pulled three twenties out of his wallet and set them with the one Brenna had left.
    â€œNice tip,” she murmured, grabbing the box and carry-out container and standing. She looked just as thin as she had the night before, her eyes just as hollow and tired. She had a smear of chocolate on her neck and one just under her jaw.
    â€œShe looks like she could use it.”
    She smiled. “You’re a quick learner, River. I’d better get this over to my sister’s. Chocolate Haven opens at ten and I need to be back by then.”
    â€œWant a ride?”
    â€œTo Adeline’s?” She looked surprised and maybe a little appalled.
    â€œThat is where we’re both going, right?” He