Riverstar (3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

thigh muscles were evident under his khakis. She averted her eyes.
    The popping slowed. Annie took the pan from the stove and set it on a hotplate. She then scooped two cups of the popped corn into small bowls and sprinkled them with truffle oil and shaved pieces of Parmesan.
    She’d felt hungry, but now, with the aroma of the popcorn intermingled with the smell of Ben’s leather jacket and his cologne, it was nothing but longing in the pit of her stomach. Her hands itched to touch the sides of his face. Or even to just put her nose into the folds of his leather jacket and breathe in his essence like oxygen.
    “Annie, did you get my message I was coming down today?” asked Ben.
    Annie shook her head, her face blank and innocent. “I didn’t.”
    She’s lying , thought Bella. She didn’t want me to know he was coming. She planned this little meeting. Annie was more devious than she appeared.
    “Sorry to arrive unexpectedly. Something came up down here that I have to take care of tomorrow.”
    “It’s no problem. You know this is your home for however long you need it,” said Annie, bringing her hand to her mouth, looking greener than the moment before. Was she feeling sick again? “How was your fishing trip to the Smith River?”
    Ben grinned. “Really good. Used some Bivisible flies that worked great. Love that river.”
    Bella shuddered and pulled her sweater tighter, thinking of the skinny, curvy highway that ran above the Smith River in northern California. When she’d driven it earlier that day she’d gripped the steering wheel tightly and told herself over and over: Don’t look down. Don’t look down.
    Ben glanced at her. “You okay?” Had he noticed her shudder?
    She shifted in her chair, picking up a piece of popcorn. The kernel had exploded into four petals, like a lucky clover. “Yeah. Drove that highway this morning. It was terrifying. Just like the last time.” The popcorn smelled of dank soil and mildew from the truffle oil.
    “Takes courage to do something that makes you that afraid, Bella,” he said, his eyes soft.
    “I guess,” she said.
    She looked up. Annie’s watchful eyes were perceptive, almost shrewd. She sees what’s between us, thought Bella. It’s not just me.
    There was the sound of another car coming up the driveway. “That’ll be my boys,” said Annie, filling two more bowls with popcorn.
    Neither Ben nor Bella had eaten. Annie’s eyes darted to the full bowls but she didn’t say anything.
    Alder and Drake arrived in the kitchen. “Aunt Bella and Ben are here,” shouted Alder, his ten-year-old face as round and sweet as the last time she’d seen. He gave Bella a hug and bumped shoulders with Ben. “Can you believe they’re filming a movie here, Ben?” His big brown eyes sparkled with excitement. Oh, to be ten again , thought Bella.
    “No, I really can’t. Makes Hylink look like nothing big.” He smiled and ruffled Alder’s hair. “You been practicing your blackjack and poker face while I was gone?”
    “Totally.” Alder made his face blank. “Can you read me now?”
    Ben laughed. “I’m not sure what that face means, actually.”
    Drake kissed Bella on the cheek. “Good to have you home, little sister. You get settled already?”
    “Yep. Unpacked and everything.”
    Alder gave his mother a high-five before digging into the popcorn. “Thanks, Mom, I was hoping you’d make this today.” He looked over at Bella. “Truffle oil. I mean, seriously, how cool is my mom?”
    “The coolest,” said Bella, smiling.
    “Take that into your room and get your homework out of the way,” said Annie to her son. “We have guests coming for dinner.”
    “Suddenly you’re not as cool,” said Alder with a sigh. He picked up his bowl. “What guests? Ben and Bella?”
    “Ben, you’re invited to dinner, of course. That goes without saying.” Annie tapped the counter with one finger, looking at Alder with a slight smile. “Some friends of Aunt