Free Riverbend by Tess Thompson Page A

homes are out this way.” She told him briefly of her rental arrangement with Lee and of their shared history, both what brought Lee to River Valley and the story of opening the restaurant, leaving out the part about how much danger Lee had been in when she first arrived.
    He glanced over at her. “I remember the story from the papers. The high tech community was shocked when her husband committed suicide. Matter of fact, I had my eye on Lee Tucker. She was well respected in my circles.”
    “She's a great businesswoman. What she's done with the restaurant is nothing short of amazing.”
    “Your food is the biggest part of that.”
    “Yeah, Mom,” said Alder from the back.
    She smiled. “Well, my point is, she runs the business side of things so I can focus on cooking. I barely know how to turn on a computer and she's a whiz with spreadsheets and all that kind of thing. We're a great team.”
    At the curve in the road before her driveway she let him know to turn. He did so, slowing the car as the road turned to gravel.
    “Would you like to come in?” she asked, glancing at the house. It was an old farmhouse, freshly painted white with black trim and with a sweeping porch in the front. Nothing like the majestic mountain retreat of Drake Webber's home, but home nonetheless for her and Alder. They'd been happy here, both of them grateful to live in a newly remodeled home, especially compared to the small apartments and trailers of their past.
    “I'd better,” said Drake. “Make sure it's all clear.”
    They were all getting out of the car when there was the sound of another car coming down the long dirt driveway. She tensed, anticipating the worst. But it was only Tommy's truck, bouncing in the potholes. Lee was sitting beside him, her strawberry blond hair blowing in the breeze from an open window. Ellie-Rose was in a car seat in the backseat.
    “Who is it?” asked Drake, his eyes alert.
    “It's just Lee and Tommy,” said Alder.
    Tommy pulled up next to Drake's car. Lee hopped out almost immediately, her gaze on Drake, while Tommy opened the back to get Ellie-Rose.
    “We came by to steal some herbs from your garden,” said Lee. “Hope you don't mind.”
    “Not at all.” Annie gestured towards Drake. “You remember Drake Webber.”
    “Of course. My best customer for two weeks there.” Lee smiled in her gentle way but her eyes were distrusting. She didn't like him, Annie could tell. She'd been skeptical when Annie first told her what he'd offered to pay for one day of cooking. It still took Lee a long time to trust anyone outside her tight circle of friends.
    Tommy, with Ellie-Rose on his hip, reached out to shake Drake'shand. “Don't believe we've met, though,” said Tommy.
    “You're the singer,” said Drake. “I recognize you from your posters.”
    “That's right. You should come hear us some time. We play four nights a week in the summer.”
    “I don't think so,” said Drake. “Not my kind of thing.” He was staring at Ellie-Rose, like someone looking at an old photograph, perhaps pained at seeing the past one could not get back.
    “Sure. Of course.” Tommy's face was open and kind, as always, but she could see he was trying to understand this mysterious man.
    “Can you guys come in for a minute?” asked Annie. “I need to talk to you.”
    Ellie-Rose was squirming in Tommy's arms. “Dada. Down. Me play with Alder.”
    Alder held out his hands as Tommy set her on the ground. “Come on, munchkin. You can help me pack.” They headed, hand in hand, towards the house.
    “Pack?” asked Lee, twisting around to look at Annie. “What's he talking about?”
    “Wait,” called out Drake to Alder. “Don't go inside without me.” His voice was loud, almost panicked. Alder jumped and scooped up Ellie-Rose in his arms, standing still in the middle of the yard.
    “Alder, you two stay out here until I make sure everything's all right,” said Drake.
    “Okay, we will,” said Alder.
    “Swing,”