Page 34 of Riverbend Gap (Riverbend 1)

She recognized the clean citrusy scent of Beth from the timethey’d spoken two weeks ago. It was pleasant and subtle, probably a body wash or shampoo instead of a perfume.

Katie went about her work, taking the time to surreptitiously observe her mother. Crow’s feet fanned from the corners of her eyes. Her lashes were short and light, her eyebrows nicely arched. Her nose was small and dainty like Katie’s, but her lips were thinner. Had Katie gotten her full lips from her father? Katie had her mother’s square shoulders and thin build, and the woman’s skin tanned to a warm golden brown the way Katie’s did. What else had she inherited from this stranger who was also her mother?

“Everything okay?”

Katie jumped. She hadn’t moved the stethoscope for a while. Her face grew warm as she curled the instrument around her neck and backed away. “Everything’s fine. The doctor’s running on schedule, so she should be in shortly.”

Eager for escape, she headed to the door.

“Katie...”

She turned and tried for a smile, but her lips wobbled, and the rest of her face felt masklike.

“I was wondering if you might like to grab a coffee sometime. It can be difficult coming into a little town where everyone knows everyone. When I got here I didn’t know a soul, and it took me a while to find friends.”

“Oh.” Katie blinked. Beth must be trying to befriend her. Alcoholics Anonymous was a supportive group, and the woman did head it up after all.

And a coffee date would give Katie a chance to find out just who her mother was. Find out if she might welcome her long-lost child back into her life before Katie risked rejection by telling her who she was. This was the chance she’d been waiting for, wasn’t it? Why was she suddenly so nervous? So hesitant?

“I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.” Beth laughed, a suddentinkling sound. “Look at me, coming into your place of business and pushing myself on you.”

“No, not at all.”

“Listen, no pressure. You have my card. Give it some thought, and if you decide you’d like to grab a coffee, give me a call.”

If she gave it some thought she’d chicken out for sure. “No, that’s okay. I—I’d like to grab a coffee sometime.”

Her mother’s eyes lit up. “Wonderful! Are you familiar with Millie’s Mug and Bean? It’s just on this side of the bridge.”

“I go there almost every morning.”

“Perfect. What day would work best for you?”

“I’m off on Saturdays, but I have plans this weekend.”I’m scattering your dead son’s ashes.Did she even know Spencer had died? Would she even care? “But I’m free next Saturday. Maybe nine o’clock?”

The woman’s wide smile reminded her so much of Spencer’s, her knees almost buckled.

“Wonderful. It’s a date.”

***

Cooper shifted in his desk chair. He was almost finished with his paperwork, hands down the worst part of his job. There’d been a domestic situation on Cherry Street. The woman had a bruised cheek but refused to get checked out. Said she’d hit herself with a cabinet door. That she’d accidentally dialed 911.

Cooper scowled at the memory of her husband’s smirk and condescending tone. The human in Cooper wanted to slug the guy. The professional knew he could only advise the woman of her rights and acquiesce when she insisted it was an accident.

The couple was only visiting the area, staying in a rental. They were from Asheville, and Cooper could see there’d been two other“accidents” in the past. Times like this, his job sucked hard-boiled eggs.

“Getting all trained for your cushy job as sheriff?” Rodriguez strolled into the office, appearing every bit the confident deputy.

“If being a sheriff means more time behind a desk, kill me now.”

“You should be so lucky. Why the sour face? You’re off this weekend, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, just finishing up here.”

“Heading up the mountains on your bike?”

“You know it.”