Read Online Desperately Seeking Dad by Marta Perry - Free Book Online Page B

mostly out west. He hasn’t been back to Bedford Creek in a couple of years.”
    Anne’s heart constricted. Loneliness. She recognized the symptoms. He probably wouldn’t believe her if she said she knew how he felt. He probably wouldn’t believe having wealthy parents who’d stayed married to each other didn’t guarantee a happy family life. Didn’t guarantee you wouldn’t marry someone just like them. She felt the familiar regret that her marriage hadn’t been…more, somehow. Deeper.
    By the time their apple dumplings arrived, most of the crowd had filtered out of the café. Anne took one look at the immense dumpling, served in its own small iron skillet, and swallowed hard.
    Her face must have given her away, because Mitch chuckled. “Somebody should have warned you, I guess. But you have to make a stab at it, because Cassie will be out to see how you like it.”
    â€œThat’s more dessert than I eat in a month.”
    Mitch plunged his fork into flaky pastry, and apple syrup spurted out, mixing with the mound of whipped cream. “Live dangerously. It’s worth it.”
    The first taste melted in her mouth. By the time Cassie appeared, ready to accept applause, Anne had made a respectable dent in the dumpling.
    â€œWonderful, absolutely wonderful.” She leaned back in her chair. “I couldn’t eat another bite.”
    Cassie’s thin lips creased in what might have been a smile. “I’ll wrap it up for you. You can finish it later.”
    There was nothing to do but smile and nod. “I’ll do that. It was just as good as I’d heard it was.”
    Cassie smoothed her apron. “You hear that from Mitch?”
    â€œIt might have been Mitch who told me. Or it might have been a friend of mine who used to work here. Maybe you remember her. Tina Mallory?”
    Cassie frowned. “Little bit of a thing? Big blue eyes?”
    â€œYes, that’s Tina.” She held her breath. Was she about to find out something?
    â€œLet’s see…it wasn’t this past season. One before, I guess. Good waitress. What’s she up to now?”
    â€œI’m afraid she passed away a few months ago.”
    â€œA kid like that?” Cassie shook her head. “You just never know, do you? I’m sorry to hear it.”
    â€œI’d hoped to meet her friends while I’m here in Bedford Creek. Do you know of anyone she was especially close to…a boyfriend, maybe?”
    The woman sniffed. “Got enough to do without keeping track of the summer help’s boyfriends, believe me. Can’t recall anybody offhand. She came in, did her job, got along with the customers. None of my business who she hung out with after work.”
    Anne’s hope shriveled with each word. It looked as if this would be a dead end, like so much about Tina. “If you think of anyone, would you let me know?”
    â€œIf I do.”
    Cassie’s tone said she doubted it. Apparently Tinahad passed through Cassie’s life without leaving a trace.
    She picked up the dumpling pans. “I’ll put this in a box for you.”
    When she’d gone, Anne met Mitch’s gaze. His look was unexpectedly sympathetic.
    â€œSorry. I know you hoped she’d remember something.”
    â€œIt’s a small town. I thought everyone knew everything in a small town.”
    â€œThey do, believe me.” There was an edge to Mitch’s words. “But that’s only regarding the other locals. When the town is flooded with tourists and summer help, you might not notice your best friend on the street.”
    She still found that hard to picture, but apparently it was true. If so, the chances of finding anyone who remembered anything about Tina had diminished.
    â€œYou think I ought to give up.” That was what he had in mind; she was sure of it.
    He shrugged. “I think you ought to leave it to me. But I suspect