The River Valley Series by Tess Thompson

Author:Tess Thompson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tess Thompson

Chapter 27

A week later, on a Monday afternoon, Annie and Drake were at his river spot watching Alder jump from the rock, careful not to touch one another in front of the boy except for the moments he was under water. At one such point, Drake leaned over and gave her a quick kiss.

“You smell like one of those fruity drinks they serve in Hawaii,” he said.

“That sounds good.”

He reached into the cooler and pulled out a turkey sandwich wrapped in plastic and handed it to her. “Eat this?”

She took it from him and unwrapped it, taking a bite, knowing he worried about her.

“I have to go out of town this afternoon,” said Drake. “I won’t be back until tomorrow afternoon.”

“Overnight? But why? Where?”

“Just some business I need to take care of.”

She felt the anxiety start, rising from her belly up to her chest. Why would he leave? What business could he possibly have? “But we’ll be here alone.” She pulled the plastic wrap over the uneaten sandwich and threw it into the cooler. “You should close the cooler. Things can go bad in this heat in a matter of moments.”

“No one can get in here. You two will just have to stay put.” He took her sandwich out of the cooler and tossed it onto her lap. “Eat this.”

She didn’t say anything, swallowing air despite the ache at the back of her throat, and tossed the sandwich back into the cooler. “I’m not hungry.”

“It’s nothing for you to worry over.” He closed the lid of the cooler without meeting her gaze. “Just something I have to take care of.”

“And none of my business. Is this how it is again? More secrets?” She got up from her chair, hot and angry, and waded into the river.

He followed her into the water. Alder waved to them from the rock. “You guys coming in?”

“In a minute, bud,” Drake called out to him. To her, he said, his voice low, “Don’t be mad. It’s not what you think.”

“What do I think exactly?”

“That I’m bailing on you.”

“I just want you to tell me the truth.”

“I always do. I always will. It’s just this one time I can’t. But it’ll all be clear soon.”

She waded farther into the water and dove deep, letting the cool water wash over her. But it did nothing to soothe her broken nerves. He was leaving her. Maybe he’d never come back. Why had she allowed him in?

When she swam to the surface he was still standing in the same spot. “Annie. Please. You’re overreacting.”

“Am I?” She pushed wet curls from her face, talking quietly so Alder wouldn’t hear them. “Or is it that I shouldn’t trust you?”

He shook his head, his expression both frustrated and miffed. “You can choose to trust or not. I’m the same man this afternoon as I was this morning. You can count on that.”

“If you’re leaving, we should get back up to the house. It’s noon already.”

Looking helpless, he turned towards the shore. “Fine. But I’m telling you, it’s not what you think.

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