Source One

the door.
    Once inside, she made a sandwich and gathered up the pile of mail. She shuffled through it. Half of it was bills. A few Christmas cards. No doubt telling Amber how sorry they felt for her.
    Amber sighed and stared blankly out the kitchen window. What was she going to do for Christmas?
    Her uncle and aunt had invited her down to San Diego.
    But Christmas was in the middle of the week this year. Amber didn’t think she should take time off.
    Her job was still new. And Mr. Sumner had already said he’d be busy with year-end reports. That meant she’d be busy too.
    Yet she had to do more than just sit home. Amber thought of Second Street Mission. Maybe they needed help this time of the year.
    And she’d be volunteering at the same place Michelle did. It was perfect. Amber smiled. She’d phone Second Street in the morning.
    Her call the next day was put through to the director, Sherry. Sherry’s voice had a warm tone as she asked Amber if she was available on Saturday.
    That Saturday, Amber sat in Sherry’s office.
    She had just agreed to help Sherry coordinate a job fair.
    “I didn’t tell Michelle I was meeting with you,” Amber said. “I haven’t had a chance to call her.”
    “Michelle Lowell?”
    “Yes,” Amber said. “She’s the Second Street volunteer that was assigned to me.”
    “Michelle doesn’t volunteer here any longer.”
    Amber frowned. “I didn’t know that.”
    Amber thought about Michelle on the way back to her car. It wasn’t like she had a lot of free time, with her long hours and trips to L.A. Amber made a mental note to call and wish her happy holidays.

CHAPTER 10
     
    On a Saturday in late January, Amber was shopping in a department store downtown.
    “Daddy!”
    Amber heard the s mall, distressed voice again and rushed toward it.
    A little girl stood facing away from Amber as she rounded the corner of a display.
    Amber quickly walked in front of her. Knelt down.
    She blinked. It was Brian Nichols’ daughter. The same little girl whose picture was on his desk.
    Amber looked into the little girl’s eyes and spoke in a gentle voice. “My name’s Amber and I’m going to help you find your daddy. What’s your name, sweetheart?”
    “Katie.” The little girl’s voice quavered.
    “What a pretty name that is.”
    The little girl bit her lip and gave her a shy smile.
    ***
    Brian rounded the corner and stopped short. Katelyn stood in the center of the aisle with Amber Clark.
    Amber was crouched down. Her hands grasped Katelyn’s.
    Brian steadied his breathing as he listened to Amber reassure Katie.
    Katelyn looked up. “Daddy!”
    Brian knelt down and opened his arms as she ran toward him.
    He scooped her up and straightened. Hugged Katie tightly and looked at Amber.
    “I wanted to see the toys, Daddy,” Katie whispered into his ear.
    Brian kissed her. Then his gaze returned to Amber’s face.
    Amber rose, met his stare and wet her lips.
    Brian watched her let out a breath.
    “I was trying to help,” she said quietly.
    Then she frowned. Shook her head. With a last glance at Katie, she turned and walked away.
    Brian watched her retreating form.
    What a number he’d done on her. He’d judged her. Made assumptions about her. And he’d been miserable to deal with.
    It was no wonder she couldn’t stand to be near him .
    He sighed. It was time to finally make things right.
    “Come on, baby,” he whispered to Katie.
    He held Katie tightly as he followed Amber.
    Brian waited with Katie by the exit as Amber stood in line to pay.
    Brian’s lips pressed into a tight line as the guy at the counter flirted with Amber.
    But Amber didn’t seem to notice the extra attention. She handed the cashier her card and signed the terminal. Thanked him as he gave back her card and handed her a shopping bag.
    Amber stopped short as she turned and saw Brian waiting for her.
    A wary expression settled on her face before she started toward the door.
    Brian quickly gripped her arm as she tried to pass.
    Amber frowned down at his hand before she looked up into his eyes.
    God, she was beautiful. Even now, when she was obviously pissed off at him.
    He took a breath. “Amber, we were just going to get some lunch next door. Would you like to join us?”
    Brian watched her blue eyes widen.
    It was a moment before she spoke.
    She licked her lips. “Thank you, but I can’t.”
    Katie, still in Brian’s arms, joined in. “Please, Amber?”
    Brian watched Amber’s expression soften as