Riversnow by Tess Thompson

Author:Tess Thompson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tess Thompson
Published: 2017-04-17T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

THE TRIBE GATHERED in the dining room of Drake and Annie’s house, searching for their names on place cards written by eleven-year-old Alder in uneven handwriting. He’d spelled out her full name, Genevieve, but had run out of room on the small card, so the last three letters were squished together like sardines in a can. Below her name, he’d added a smiling face and a “sorry.”

An open concept, the front room was both sitting and dining areas. Tall windows gave view to the yard and river below. Standing near the window, Gennie basked in the rays of the sun, letting them warm her as she absorbed the view like a painter released from a dark dungeon. Snow-covered mountains stretched out across the landscape, displayed against the brilliant blue sky in jagged peaks. Below, the swollen river, a ribbon of green, wound with winter fury through the gully. Just beyond the patio, a sparrow hopped from icy branch to icy branch, as if unsure where to land during this unexpected freeze.

When it was time to gather around the table, Gennie took her place between Stefan and Sarah. Her mom sat on the other side of Sarah. Stefan squeezed her knee under the table. Alder, Annie’s son, sat directly across from Gennie, sneaking covert glances at Sarah. Tommy and Lee sat with their toddler, Ellie-Rose, who banged a plastic-coated spoon against her sippy cup. Linus, dressed in a perfectly draped silk shirt the color of a pink sunset, had his arm draped around John. Verle, sitting next to Ellen, mentioned how beautiful the table looked as he tucked his napkin into his shirt. Like newlywed bookends, Bella and Ben sat on one end of the long table, with Drake and Annie on the other. Bella’s diamond wedding ring flashed under the lights as she pointed to the mound of mashed potatoes near her plate. Annie’s blond curls bounced as she draped a napkin over her pregnant belly.

Drake clinked a fork against his wine glass to get everyone’s attention. “Mrs. Banks and Sarah, welcome. We’re so glad you could join us. We’ve been blessed to have many celebrations and meals at this table with our friends, and have developed a habit of long toasts before our meal. Normally, it’s Tommy and Linus who carry on, but tonight I’m moving out of my comfort zone to give a small speech.”

“Hail to the king,” Linus said.

“Quiet as a church mouse here.” Tommy made a zipping motion over his mouth.

“Annie, thank you for cooking during your day off, especially given your condition. We all know how lucky we are to have this meal made by the best chef in the world.”

“Totally,” Alder said, beaming with pride.

Annie blew them both a kiss.

Drake continued, “Words could never express how thankful I am for my wife and son, and the baby that will soon make us a family of four. Annie, I love you more every day. Alder, you’re just the best son a man could ask for, no matter that we got a late start together.

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