Read Drawing Deep for Free Online Page A

so much as looked at her wrong.
    “There you are,” Melinda swept into the dining room with a bright smile that reflected in her sparkling hazel eyes. A warm, welcoming expression that made Ria once again uneasy. She got that hospitality was Melinda’s business and people paying to stay at the bed-and-breakfast expected such a reception, but Ria wasn’t exactly here for pleasure.
    She wondered if that smile would falter if she told the other woman her secret, or blurted out that she knew exactly what her husband and sons really were.
    No. She just couldn’t do it. She found she rather liked being the recipient of that smile. “Here I am. Breakfast was wonderful. Thank you.”
    Melinda pulled out a chair across from Ria and sat down in a graceful flow. “Our pleasure.” She nodded at Ria’s empty plate. “There’s plenty more if you want seconds.”

“No. I’m good. Thanks.” Ria brushed her hands over her khaki-colored bush pants. “Besides, I should probably get going. Lance said something about towing duty?”
    “Hmm. Yes. We were able to gather many of the items requested and have them loaded in a small trailer. Have you ever driven a quad runner before?”
    Ria blinked. Ah. That’s what Lance meant. “I have actually. We use them in places a larger vehicle can’t go. They’re great for hauling.” Or hurriedly pulling several buried items free from their underwater grave to the side of a forested river bed before a rival group of treasure seekers could hunt them down.
    Melinda nodded and looked Ria over. “Good. Do you have a jacket and a hat. It will warm up later, but it’s still a bit chilly out and I wouldn’t want you to catch a cold.”
    The motherly concern nudged the edge of Ria’s heart. “In my bag.” She glanced down at the floor by her chair where she’d set her backpack before taking a seat.
    “All right, then.” Melinda stood and reached for Ria’s empty plate, waving off her objection. “The maintenance shed is behind the crop shop where Porter’s hooking everything up. We’ll go through the kitchen as it’s faster, and then I’ll show you the way.”
    Hearing the sound of footsteps from the foyer and the unmistakeable chatter of children as other guests grew close to the dining room, Ria snatched up her pack – and one of the wrapped muffins – and hastened after Melinda through the butler pantry. “Oh. You don’t have to do that. I remember where the shop is.” It wasn’t like the big, tan metal building was hard to miss.
    Pushing through the still-moving swinging doors that separated the kitchen from the dining area, Ria jerked to a stop, eyes goggling at the sight of Rome wielding a rather sharp looking knife at the counter. He sent her a quick nod over his shoulder, not ceasing in his task of cutting carrots. Annie was working some dough not far from him.
    “You know Rome and Annie.” Melinda said, crossing behind a young blonde woman at the kitchen sink washing a large pot. Ria’s hostess placed the dirty plate and utensils in the dishwasher, not bothering to rinse them first as Ria had pretty much licked it clean.
    “Yes. Good morning.”
    “This is Sarah. She is, for lack of a better term, one of our maids slash prep cooks. She assists Annie in whatever needs to be done to keep the b&b running smoothly and our guests happy.”
    Sarah turned her head to give Ria a shy smile. “Hi.”
    “Hello.”
    “Ria is one of our special guests.” At Melinda’s words, Ria’s brows puckered. What did that mean?
    Luckily Annie spoke before the blunt question could make it to her lips. “Did you enjoy breakfast?”
    Ria’s features smoothed out. “Yes. Very much. Thank you.”
    The elderly woman set the dough into a large metal bowl and covered it with a towel. “I hear your men left you alone to do the grunt work. I must say, I don’t approve.”
    “Annie.” Melinda scolded.
    “Actually, I got the better end of the deal.” Ria grinned at the show of