Free Patrick's Promise (Cloverleaf #3) by Gloria Herrmann Page A

authority. “I’m the principal at Birch Valley Elementary.”
    “Really? Mr. Anderson finally retired,” Amber responded. She wasn’t all that surprised; the man had been in charge of that school since she was a student and had to be well into his seventies.
    “Yes, I started after the first of the year,” Rachel added, and then her cheeks blushed a pale pink. Amber quickly did the math in her head and realized right away that Rachel hadn’t been in Birch Valley more than six months. And she was already engaged? It must have been love at first sight.
    “And you’re getting married to…Liam?”
    Rachel nodded, a happy smile playing across her lips. “Yes, actually in two weeks.”
    “Wow, well, congratulations. A Fourth of July wedding, how neat is that?”
    Lynn and Mary remained quiet as Rachel and Amber continued to chat. Maggie finally joined in the conversation, asking, “So, why did you come back home, Amber?”
    The question, though well intended, felt like a swift punch to her gut. She looked at her mother, her expression marred with panic. They had agreed to keep her father’s illness quiet for awhile. With the way the town spread gossip like a raging wild fire in the dead of summer, they weren’t ready for all the comments, suggestions, and endless food that would more than likely be brought over. It was best to not to say anything until they knew exactly what they were up against.
    “Do you have any children?” Maggie asked, taking a sip from her glass of ice water.
    Amber stood there and carefully answered her. “Well, I came back to help out around here. My son and I, well, we lost my husband, Peter, a couple of years ago.”
    Maggie’s eyes dropped down toward the table, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she lifted her glass and took a sip.
    Mary frowned sympathetically. “Oh my, I remember when your mother told me. I’m so terribly sorry for your loss. He sounded like a wonderful man.”
    Rachel quickly chimed in and steered the conversation in another direction, but she wore a confused look on her face. “How old is your son, Amber? Does he attend the elementary school?”
    “No, junior high. He’s going to be thirteen soon.”
    “I have a little girl, Melanie, she’s six. We’re expecting another little one this fall.” Maggie’s head pointed down to her belly, but the table was blocking the view of her stomach.
    “That’s wonderful news. Congratulations to you as well,” Amber chirped. She glanced at her mother, almost asking permission to join the women at their table.
    “Amber, dear, come sit. Lynn, you could do with getting off your feet for bit as well,” Mary insisted sweetly.
    “Don’t mind if I do,” Lynn replied, motioning for Amber to take a seat as well.
    The women sat and visited until customers started to trickle in for dinner. Amber felt like she’d hit it off with Rachel fairly easily; they were the same age and found they had quite a bit in common. Maggie seemed a little reserved and distant, but friendly enough, and asked Amber if she would like to grab coffee sometime. Maybe she just needed to warm up a little to her, but Amber hoped they could get to know each other.
    It felt odd, sitting there with this group of women. She had lost contact with most of her friends after Peter died, since she’d retreated so far into her cave, only venturing out to get food and to take Dylan to school; she’d become somewhat of a hermit. She hadn’t realized how much she missed having friends. Just some female companionship to chat with about normal stuff. Maybe moving back wouldn’t be so awful if she could make friends again.
     
    ***
     
    Patrick
     
    The family was all seated around the large table, all in their usual places. It was loud, slightly chaotic, but suffused with love as the O’Brien family celebrated Father’s Day. Mary had prepared an incredible feast, almost Thanksgiving-like. She roasted a turkey to absolute juicy perfection, and she’d