Author's note: Thank you so much for everyone who has reviewed! It is good to know that so many people are enjoying the story, though I definitely do NOT believe that I am a better writer than Natalie Babbitt! Anyway, I hope you like this next part. Keep the comments coming.

Chapter Five: Tavern

When Winnie opened her eyes later that afternoon to see the afternoon sunshine filtering in through the trees over her head, her first thought was to panic. Where was she? Had she fallen asleep by the spring? She reached back to feel the satchel beneath her head and suddenly remembered what she had done the night before.

So, this is what it felt like to run away from home, she thought wearily, rubbing the back of her aching neck. Slowly, she rose to her feet and surveyed the forest around her. She had been too tired to notice anything about the woods earlier that morning, but looking at them now, she could tell that they were much like the ones behind her own home. Except for one important detail, she thought with a smile.

Back on the main road again, Winnie felt the pit of hunger gnawing at her stomach. She had not thought to bring food with her. In fact, she had not thought much about anything she would need on what could quite possibly turn into a very long journey. Her escape was an impulse, something that she had never had the courage to indulge in growing up in her mother's household. Despite the obvious lack of comfort that her journey afforded her, she decided that she was enjoying it immensely so far.

As she cleared the next hill, Winnie's breath caught in her throat and she giggled. There, out on the horizon was Maple Bend in all of its late afternoon glory, sprawled out over the landscape just as comfortable as you please with rows upon rows of red and brown rooftops dotting the area like a chessboard. In the center of the town stood a tall brown building with a large bell on top and a gleaming white church beside it. Winnie, who had never left Treegap in all of her life, was amazed at the immensity of such a place.

Winnie stopped walking when she reached the outskirts of town, unsure of how to proceed. After all, she couldn't just walk in and expect to see Jesse and Miles waiting for her at the local tavern. No, she should have a plan, preferably a good one. It would probably be helpful to ask around town in case anyone knew of the Tuck family and, if so, where they could be found. If no one had heard of them, then she could get directions to the next town so she could continue the search there.

Armed and ready for anything, Winnie made her way purposefully into Maple Bend. It was even more amazing up close than it was from the hilltop. The buildings were tall and colorful and packed tightly together. She could see signs for women's clothing stores and the livery. A pub was advertised on the right side of the road next to a three-story inn with blue shutters. She could see now that the building beside the church was the town hall and local jail. The memory of Ma Tuck being held in Treegap's version was enough to send shivers down Winnie's spine.

She decided that the first order of business should be food and entered the first building that looked like they may by serving lunch. The tavern was small and dark, but she was not scared. Anything was better than walking alongside those eerie woods alone at night. Winnie summoned up her confidence and strode up to the bar. The bartender gave her a smirk, but didn't comment on her appearance. "What can I get for you, young lady?"

"I'd like to get something to eat."

"What do you want? We've got bread and cheese and beef cuts."

Winnie's mouth watered at the thought of beef, but she knew that they would be expensive. "I'll have some bread and cheese, please."

The man disappeared into a room in the back of the bar. Winnie glanced around the room anxiously. There were not very many people at the tavern in the late afternoon, only a couple sitting in the corner and a man who had fallen asleep at a nearby table. Winnie considered asking them if they had heard of the Tucks, but decided against it. She turned back in her seat as the bartender came from the back room with a plate of cheese and bread.

"You want something to drink with that?"

"Some water would be nice."

The man scowled, but grabbed a glass from beneath the counter and filled it up with water from a pitcher. He watched her as she inspected it and frowned when she looked uncomfortably at its dingy color. "You get what you pay for, honey," he said and began wiping off the counter beside her.

The water was warm and the bread was stale, but Winnie was so hungry that she would have eaten dirt if she thought it would have helped fill the pit in her stomach. When she was through with her plate, the bartender came by to pick it up.

"Excuse me, sir, but do you know of a family by the name of Tuck? They are…my mother's cousins."

The man thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Never heard of them." He started to leave, but Winnie reached out and placed a hand on his arm.

"Are you sure you haven't? It is very important that I find them."

The man's face softened when he saw the desperation in her eyes. He leaned back on his heels and looked out toward the door. His mouth opened slightly and he sighed. "No, I really don't know them, but there is someone who might. Miss McLaughlin at the inn knows just about everybody that ever came to Maple Bend. If they stayed here, she would know it."

Winnie sucked in a hopeful breath. "Thank you, sir! Thank you very much." Winnie reached into her pocket and fished out a drawstring bag that held her money. She placed a few coins on the bar and smiled at him gratefully. He grunted and turned away, but she could tell that he was pleased.

Winnie jumped down from the stool and nearly ran to the tavern's door, eager to see if Miss McLaughlin had any news of her friends.