Delivered with Love Read Free Page A

her family troubles.
    "I know your mother taught you good eating habits, my dear." Geraldine shook her head and clicked her tongue at the contents in Claire's hand.
    "Oh, these?" Heat warmed Claire's cheeks.
    "No need to explain. Every woman needs a little chocolate. "She winked and reached into her purse. "Well, it was nice to see you." Geraldine patted Claire's hand and slipped her a twenty-dollar bill. "I should've helped you sooner when your mother was alive. Give my regards to your sister. She was always such a good girl until she met that fella."
    "Thank you." Claire clutched the money to her chest. She watched as Geraldine shuffled away and climbed into a van with the help of a man she guessed to be in his mid-fifties. The side of the van read Regis Retirement Living. Claire hoped the adult community accepted cats. Geraldine had owned a half dozen when she lived down the hall from her mother's apartment.
    Taking a deep breath, she dropped the snacks into her tote bag, grabbed the coffee, and situated herself in the seat. She reached in her purse and pulled the letter from the envelope.
    Dear Emily,
    Remember this . . .
    Riding the roller coasters at the Boardwalk until our heads were dizzy and our stomachs felt sick.
    Hanging out at the beach learning to ride the waves.
    Late-night walks holding hands. Stealing kisses. Sharing dreams.
    I've never met a girl who can make me smile the way you do.
    Summer was fun. Meeting you was the best part.
    I miss you.
    I love you.
    Claire stared at the letter in her hand. Someone had loved her mother. Someone who signed with only an initial. And according to the return address, someone who lived in Capitola. She folded the letter and tucked it back inside the envelope before slipping it into her purse. Claire opened the glove compartment and pulled out a map. She scanned up and down the coast until she spotted the small town of Capitola near Santa Cruz. She'd head north.
    A smile tugged at her mouth. She had a plan, a destination. She would find a job and a place to live while she searched for the mysterious writer who had captured her mom's heart all those years ago.

 
     
4
     
     
    W ith one hand on the steering wheel, Claire dug inside her bag and retrieved the candy bar she'd purchased at the gas station. She ripped open the wrapper with her teeth and bit into the rich dark chocolate. It wasn't much of a lunch. But she wanted to keep on driving. Santa Cruz was a good eight hours from L.A., and she had three more to go, maybe four if the RV ahead of her continued at a snail's pace.
    The view near Big Sur mesmerized her. She snaked along the winding two-lane highway, sneaking peeks of the beautiful blue ocean lapping against the rocky shore. The San Lucia Mountains towered regally to her right.
    The motor home in front of her gained speed as the road sloped downward.
    Claire pressed on the gas pedal. "Finally, we're getting somewhere."
    Without warning, the motor home came to an abrupt stop.
    Claire slammed on her brakes, but it was too late. Metal crunched as the seat belt dug into her chest. Tears sprang to her eyes. Her car. Her inherited VW bug was damaged. And it was all her fault.
    A burly man stepped out of the RV, his brows furrowed as he rushed to her door.
    Claire searched his face through the windshield as she rolled down her window. Was he angry? Her hands shook and she willed herself to stay calm. She had no reason to be afraid of him.
    The RV driver spat a dark orange wad on the pavement and leaned over to peer through the window. "Looks like you've done more harm to your little car than to my motor home. "His lower lip protruded with chewing tobacco, reminding Claire of one of her brother-in-law's unsightly habits.
    Claire opened her door and slid out to take a look, stepping over the asphalt spittoon. The front end of her car was dented and the hood buckled like an inverted V. She brushed her cheek with the back of her hand. "This is my mother's car."
    "Does she