The River Valley Series

by Tess Thompson

  “I love you.”

  They heard Alder approaching from the other room. Drake moved away from her. Alder, dressed already for the day’s adventures, popped onto one of the stools at the counter. “What’s up, peeps?”

  “Peeps?” asked Annie.

  “Slang for people,” said Drake, sounding distracted, still in the mode of the previous conversation.

  “I’m well aware of what peeps means,” said Annie, laughing. “I’m not that much of a square.”

  “A square?” asked Alder. “What’s that mean?”

  “Old fashioned. Out of it,” said Drake.

  “Ah, well, Mom, sorry, but that’s kinda you.” Spotting oatmeal cooking on the stove, Alder groaned. “Oatmeal? I hate that gooey stuff.”

  “One day won’t hurt you,” she said. “Full of fiber.”

  Alder sighed, heading for the pantry. “Can I put cinnamon and brown sugar in it?”

  She nodded, only half paying attention to what he said, thinking about the coyotes and the danger she might be putting herself and Alder in with this notion that they should not be trapped as they were. No, they should be able to roam about, to live as they were made to live, free, without manmade constraints. Instead, they were all trapped here on the side of this mountain while the world went on without them.

  Drake stopped pacing and stood at the kitchen window. Annie dished up three bowls of oatmeal and asked them both to sit at the counter. Drake refused, taking his bowl and standing again at the window, his eyes continuously roaming the yard.

  Annie handed Alder a spoon for the brown sugar. “Two scoops only. And you have to stay inside today.”

  “Why?”

  Annie, feeling slightly ridiculous, told him her theory about the coyotes. As he did so often, her son surprised her. “Mom, that’s totally it. They need to find their pack. Just like we have our pack.”

  “Our pack?”

  “You know, the gang.”

  Our gang of misfits. Our pack.

  Alder looked over at Drake. “Now we have a new member. Right, Drake?”

  “Yep, that’s right, bud.”

  “How will we know if they get out or not?” asked Alder, apparently back to the subject of the coyotes.

  Annie, joining Drake at the window, searched the yard. “I don’t know.”

  Drake, his gaze still outwards, ate several bites of his oatmeal before crossing the kitchen and tossing his bowl into the sink. “Regardless, and I hate to be a hard-ass, but the fence is going back on at six o’clock.”

  “Drake said a bad word, Mom. Aren’t you going to get on him for his potty mouth like you do me?”

  Annie, turning from the window, threw up her hands in a gesture of helplessness. “He’s a grownup.”

  “The seriousness of this whole potty mouth thing is highly exaggerated,” said Drake, smiling for the first time that morning.

  They spent the majority of the day in the front room, reading and playing cards. Drake was quiet, his shoulders and face tense, his gaze more often than not scanning the yard outside the windows. Alder, perhaps picking up on their fear, wasn’t his usual talkative self. Annie’s mouth was dry, despite numerous glasses of water. At noon, she made them all sandwiches, which no one but Alder ate. The day dragged on; Annie looked at her watch at least a hundred times, until finally six o’clock came. Drake, apparently watching the clock as closely as she, immediately went to his office. A few minutes later, he returned to the front room. “Fence is back on. And I talked to Fred. He didn’t see any traffic up this way all day, so I think we’re in the clear.”

  “Does this mean I can go outside?” asked Alder, standing and stretching.

  “No, not until tomorrow,” said Drake.

  That night, while Drake slept in her bed, Annie sat in one of the chairs in her room, watching the yard until the sun rose at dawn. No one came, neither man nor coyote. Marco had not gotten in. The coyotes were out. Despite the success of her mission, she felt sad, knowing she might never see them again. And she could not help but ask herself, when would her entrapment end?

  Chapter 29

  A week later, she was wrapped in Drake’s arms while he slept, the morning sunlight peeping between the shades of her room. She needed to use the restroom but hated to disentangle and wake him, so she remained, one ear listening to the beat of Drake’s heart, the other to the musical chirping and tweeting of the birds outside the windows. The past week had been the best of her life, despite the fear of Marco’s arrival. With each day, the threat dimmed in her mind. Perhaps he would not come. According to Peter Ball, the police in Los Angeles still could not locate him. But surely he would have shown by now if he were going to? It had been two months since his first phone call. Maybe he’d found something else to occupy his rage. Or perhaps he was dead? This was something Annie hoped for more than anything else.

  Drake shifted in his sleep and then she felt his lips resting on the top of her head. “You awake?” he asked.

  “For a few minutes now.”

  “Those birds are amazingly loud.”

  “I agree.” She moved to look up at his face. How she loved the way his eyes were slightly puffy in the morning.

  “What time is it?” He moved so that he was on top of her. “How long until Alder wakes up?”

  She glanced at the clock. It was not yet eight. “We have a few minutes. But I have to pee.”

  “By all means,” he said, teasing, as he rolled off of her. “I’ll wait.”

  She scampered out of bed and used the restroom, brushing her teeth as well.

  When she got back in bed, there was something on her pillow. It was a small, blue box—the kind that held jewelry. Had he gotten her something? She looked at him questioningly.

  “Go ahead and open it,” he said.

  She climbed onto the bed, sitting cross-legged, opening the lid of the box with shaking hands. It was a diamond ring, princess cut, the edges catching the sunlight and making patterns on the wall behind the bed. “What is this?” she asked, her voice catching.

  “I want to marry you, Annie. Make it so Alder will have a family. I want you to know how committed I am and that I have no plans to hurt either one of you. I couldn’t think of a better way to do that than to give you a ring and set a date.”

  She watched him, trying to read what was in his eyes. Did he really want to marry her or was it just his way of rescuing her? “Are you trying to save me?”

  He reached for her, pulling her onto his lap. “I love you. You’ve given me a life again. I want more than anything to have you here with me, to move forward together as a family. Not because I want to rescue you but because I want you.”

  “I don’t know what to say. It’s so sudden. And unexpected.”

  “Just say yes.” He took the box from her hand and slipped the ring from it, holding it in front of her. “Just say yes,” he repeated.

  “Yes.”

  He took her left hand and put it on her finger. “It looks great on your hand.”

  “It’s ginormous.”

  “And badass.”

  They laughed. “Yeah, that too.”

  “Where did you get this?” she said, her eyes back on the ring.

  “Last week. When I left. I went to find you a proper diamond. That’s impossible in River Valley.”

  “I thought you went to see Esther’s parents.”

  “I did. And then I went to a jeweler.”

  “I can’t believe this is happening.”

  “Believe this. I’m not a stupid man. I know when something wonderful has been handed to me despite the fact I don’t deserve it. Whatever time we’re given together on this earth, I’ll be grateful.” He kissed her then before pushing her back on the bed and using the next fifteen minutes to make her forget the ring she wore on her finger.

  That afternoon, Drake drove her to work, with Alder in his usual spot in the back seat, reading. He’d moved on from Huck Finn to Tom Sawyer, devouring it with his usual focus. Fro
m the passenger seat, Annie stole glances at Drake. He was relaxed, even rested looking, despite the fact that they’d stayed up most of the night making love for weeks now. Finally. She knew what it was to be loved all night.

  As they approached the restaurant, Alder looked up from his book. “So, when are you guys going to tell me?”

  “Tell you what, bud?” asked Drake, glancing up at the rearview mirror.

  Annie shifted in her seat to look at her son. “Yeah, tell you what?” she repeated. But she knew already.

  “That you two are in love.”

  Drake coughed and two bright red spots appeared on his cheeks. Annie stifled a giggle. She couldn’t decide if she was nervous or embarrassed. Or both. Yes. Both. Definitely both.

  “What’re you talking about?” she asked Alder.

  “Oh, c’mon, Mom, I wasn’t born yesterday. Don’t you think I know you two have been sneaking into one another’s rooms all month?”

  She was speechless. How did he know this?

  “Mom, I’m not that heavy of a sleeper. I hear you when you have nightmares. A couple of times I got up to check on you and saw Drake go into your room.” He sat back, folding his arms over his chest with a mischievous look in his brown eyes. “So, Mr. Webber, are you going to make an honest woman out of my mother or what?”

  Drake tugged at the collar of his shirt. “Um. What exactly would constitute honest?”

  “You know, marriage and all that,” said Alder as they pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot. “My mom needs a happy ending and you’re just the guy to give it to her.”

  Annie, wanting to sink into the expensive leather seat, studied her hands as if an important recipe were written there. Drake reached over and took one of her hands in his and brought it up to his lips. His face was calm now, all the nervousness from a few moments ago seeming to have disappeared. “What do you say, Annie? Want to have a happy ending with me?”

  “Yes,” she whispered, lost in his eyes, forgetting for a moment that her son was in the back seat watching them.

  He turned to Alder in the backseat. “May I have your permission, Alder, to make your mother my wife?”

  “That depends,” said Alder, looking very serious indeed.

  “Name your demand,” said Drake. “I’ll make it happen.”

  “Can I be your son?”

  Drake’s eyes filled with tears. “I know it’s a privilege to be someone’s father and the fact that you want me as your own makes me very proud.” He wiped tears from the corners of his eyes.

  Annie looked over at Alder. He was crying too. Her own eyes were wet with happiness, too.

  “I’ve wanted a dad for a long time now,” said Alder. “I’ve been asking God every night for years now and then suddenly there you were. I knew you loved my mom but I knew something made you sad and I didn’t think you could get over it enough to see that my mom loves you.”

  “Alder, the sadness will never go away, unfortunately.”

  Alder nodded, his eyes solemn. “I know. Just like I’ll always be a little sad after what I learned about my real dad. But we have each other and that might make it a little easier.”

  Drake’s eyes filled again. “It’s the only thing that can make things less painful, loving new people, accepting new people into our lives. It doesn’t mean we forget, just that we allow a new love to come, despite our pain.”

  Alder’s eyes were soft and brown and round. He scooted forward in the seat until he was touching Drake’s shoulder over the seat. “I’m very, very sorry for whatever makes you sad.”

  “Thanks, bud.”

  “But my mom makes you smile, doesn’t she?”

  “She does. And so do you. I never thought I’d be able to smile again.”

  “What about a ring?” asked Alder. “You should get her a big fat one.”

  Annie reached into her purse, where she’d hidden the ring, and pulled it out, dangling it in front of Alder. “He asked me this morning and gave me this ring. We were just waiting to tell you.”

  “Wow, that thing’s ginormous,” said Alder.

  Annie laughed. “That’s what I said.”

  “Put it on, Mom.”

  She did and they all watched it sparkle in the front window light. Then, with a start, Annie glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to get to work, guys.”

  “Can we walk you in, Mom? I want to tell Billy the news.”

  “Sure.”

  As they walked up the steps, she felt the now familiar pang at the empty space that had once been Otis. Rest in peace, my friend, she thought. I miss you.

  Inside, Billy was prepping for the dinner special. “Billy, guess what?” said Alder.

  “What’s that, A-Man?” said Billy.

  “My mom and Drake are getting married.”

  “You’re kidding? That’s awesome.” Billy eyed Drake skeptically. “You get it this is the best woman in the world, right?”

  “I do,” said Drake.

  Lee came out of her office, looking tired but excited. “Did I just hear what I thought I heard?”

  “Yes,” shouted Alder. “We’re becoming a family.”

  Lee, bursting into tears, took Annie in her arms. “I’m so happy for you.”

  Annie held her out, examining her face. She had dark circles under her eyes. “Are you all right?”

  “Exhausted. But I had to get payroll done. Ellie-Rose’s been up all night for two nights in a row with a fever. She’s still sick but I had to leave her with Tommy. We thought we might have to take her to the emergency room last night. You know what a nervous ninny Tommy is about her. But never mind that. She’ll get better soon.” She turned to Drake. “Congratulations.” Just then her cell phone rang. “Oh no, it’s Tommy.” She answered it, speaking softly into the phone. “Right, I’ll meet you there.” She hung up and looked over at Annie. “He took the baby to the E.R. Her fever spiked.”

  “Go meet them,” said Annie.

  “I hate to leave you here without me. And we have no hostess if I go. It’s Amanda’s night off.”

  “I’ll call her in. Just go.”

  Lee grabbed her purse from the office and was out the door in less than thirty seconds. After she left, Drake motioned towards the door as he put his arm around Alder’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s get out of here so your mom can get to work.”

  Alder whispered in her ear. “Mom, you’re a great chef and a great mom.”

  “Thanks, baby. You’re a great boy and a great son.”

  Drake kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll pick you up tonight.”

  Billy tightened his apron around his waist. “I can take her home.”

  “Thank you, Billy, but I want to do it.”

  “I understand,” said Billy. “And don’t worry, we’ll keep her safe.”

  As they went out the door, Alder said to Drake. “Maybe we should go to Dairy Queen to celebrate.”

  “Great idea,” said Drake, glancing back at Annie, his eyes sparkling. “But don’t tell your mom.”

  After they left, Annie gazed for a moment at the sparkling diamond on her hand before sliding it off and slipping it into her jeans pocket. She didn’t want to risk it slithering off her finger and into one of the sauces. From now on she would take it off before coming in for her shift.

  Amanda was able to come in and cover for Lee. And although the girl wasn’t the brightest of their employees, she was gracious and uncomplaining about having to come in on her night off. However, the dishwasher, a high school student who for the most part was quite reliable, called in sick with the stomach flu at the last minute. The restaurant was booked solid that night so Annie had to have one of the prep cooks, Tiffany, take over washing dishes and Billy take over her work as she scrambled to send all the meals out the door in a timely fashion. They were so busy they didn’t have time to chat as they usually did. The night flew by, and all three of them were in a full sweat. Finally, the last customer left. The wait staff filed out shortly thereafter, and aft
er the last dish was washed, Annie sent a flushed and tired Tiffany home. Then it was just Billy and Annie doing preparation work for the next night. Cindi was in the front closing up her bar while Amanda noted the reservations in the book for the next day.

  “What a night,” said Annie. “I’m exhausted.”

  “Me, too. I forgot what it was like before we had Tiffany to help us.” Billy wiped his hands on his apron and reached for the box cutters they kept in one of the supply drawers. “We had a bunch of stuff delivered earlier. I’ll get it unpacked before we go tonight.”

  “Great. Thanks.” Annie reached into her pocket for the diamond ring, marveling at its feel. Drake. Her love. Finally. Before she could pull it out, she heard Billy curse. She turned to look. His finger was gushing blood. She rushed to the first aid kit and was at his side in seconds. The cut was deep. Feeling light-headed, she pressed gauze into the wound; it almost immediately bled right through. “You’re going to have to go to the E.R.”

  Billy’s face was white. “Yeah. It’s bad.” He swayed a little, like he might faint.

  “I’ll get Cindi to drive you.” She brought him over to a chair and told him to put his head between his legs until he felt better.

  Cindi was working through receipts at the bar. Annie filled her in quickly. “I’m afraid he cut through to the bone.” She put her hand on her heart. “There’s a reason I’m a chef and not a nurse. Makes me woozy just thinking about it.”

  “Not me,” said Cindi. “Stomach like steel. I’ll get him to the hospital and fixed up, no problem.”

  Amanda was still at the front podium. “Make sure you get that nitwit to stay until your ride gets here,” said Cindi under her breath as they sprinted towards Billy.

  After they left, Annie finished unpacking the deliveries, washing the blood off the box cutters in the stainless steel sink by the dishwasher. The blood mixing with the water in the bottom of the sink sent a shiver down her spine.

  Her cell phone rang in her apron pocket. It was Drake.