Dinner at the Lance house and Amber Ann's Absence
Later that afternoon, Amber Ann had a building inspector and architect looking over the old general store.
On the outside she was calm and collected. On the inside she was bubbling over with true and blinding excitement.
They had already informed her that the general store had a good footprint and foundation, everything else was icing on the cake,
She looked across the lake and saw Brandon already completing repairs on the building he chose for his artisan dairy.
She was rather impressed as she watched him work—shirtless—in the cool spring sun. He picked up stacks of wood like they were nothing. She sat a bit mesmerized for a long time.
She picked up her phone. "Call Daddy". She heard the click and then the ringing.
She smiled when the call connected.
"Hello, princess. How are you?" There was half a pause. "I have been a bit worried about you."
She smiled. "I am fine, Daddy. But I will not be at dinner tonight." She took a deep breath. "I bought the lakefront property outside town."
"Blue Serene? That's a good investment."
"Yes, sir. I quit my position at the lab, and I am going to create a resort with a bakery."
There was silence on the phone. When her father spoke again, Amber could hear and feel his smile.
"Good. I can have lemon pound cake daily now."
"Daily? No."
They laughed, and a weight lifted from Amber that she hadn't noticed had been there. She looked out over the lake and made another decision.
As Amber Ann spoke to her father, Brandon took a short break from his work. He had always had money, and whatever he wanted, he got. This new business venture was just about his passion, and he felt he could be passionate about his new landlord.
Blue Serene was going to be another huge success for him. He could feel it.
His eyes moved to her - his landlord and new neighbor.
She was a very beautiful woman.
Dinner at the Lance home was always a lavish affair: exotic food, expensive drinks, and interesting and lively conversation. Tonight, like last night, was just family—because of Jessica's return.
Everyone was there, except Amber Ann. They were all having drinks—before dinner—in the main living room. Virginia was telling her brothers—loudly—about lunch with their mother and sister. Paul downed his drink.
"You should have called me. We could've gone to the house and gotten Am's clothes before dinner."
"Mommy asked me not to."
The siblings began making plans.
Jessica and Dan were talking in a corner to themselves. Jessica kept her hand on or around Dan, and she continued to kiss him. Angelica slowly walked to them, her wine glass balancing within her fingertips.
She kissed Jessica on the cheek. Jessica leaned into her mother but still kept her hand on Dan.
"Darling. Remember not to speak about Amber in front of your father, and try not to…" Her eyes fell on her daughter's hand on Dan's back. "…Be too affectionate."
Jessica giggled wildly. Everyone looked to her, and Angelica shook her head. Her oldest was just too strong-minded.
The family sat down to dinner and, for the most part, ate in silence. Damon Sr. looked up to see Jessica smiling into Dan's eyes and feeding him something from her plate.
He couldn't take it anymore.
"Dan. Where exactly is your wife?" His eyes moved to Jessica, and she looked away.
"Daddy, you know they only married because…"
"Be quiet, Jessica! I am talking to Dan." His eyes slid back to his son-in-law.
Dan sighed. "I don't know where she is, sir."
"Father, she filed for divorce. Amber decided to leave him."
Damon Sr.'s eyes never left Dan.
"Can you tell me where she is, sir?"
Damon Sr. scoffed. "No. No, I can't."
Dan was miserable for the remainder of the dinner. He told Amber's siblings that he would be too busy to let them come and get Amber's clothing, but the truth was he didn't want to let her things go. He thought she might even come to the house for her things herself.
Jessica had finally left him alone, and now he sat with a large brandy and too many thoughts.
He looked down at his phone in annoyance when a text notification went off. He almost spilled his brandy when he saw the message.
Texts:
"Hey Danny. How you been?"
"I heard bout the Blue Serene project."
"You have anything for me?"
"My company could use a new project."
"Get with me in the morning."
Dan sat staring at his phone. 'Blue Serene projects'?
He looked up with a frown as Jessica entered the room, freshly changed. He rolled his eyes as he recognized Amber's clothes. His eyes opened wide.
Was Amber at Blue Serene Lake?