A Big Life in a Small Town (Bellingwood #2) (20 page)

"Just one," he said.

"We end up going out to breakfast every couple of weeks. They stay pretty close to each other and if they're within one, we make it happen, don't we!"

Andrew was bouncing in his seatbelt. "I like pancakes the best, but sometimes I get scrambled eggs and bacon. Have you taken Obiwan out to walk this afternoon? Can we play with the kittens?"

Polly chuckled. "I saved Obiwan's walk for you."

"Yeah!" he shot his hands up in the air.

Sylvie said, "We're going to be here a while tonight. Make sure you take your backpacks in and you can do your homework on Polly's dining room table."

"With the cats!" Andrew announced.

"With the cats," she agreed as she pulled into the parking lot.

Within a heartbeat of her turning off the car, both boys were out and running toward Sycamore House.

"The apartment is unlocked, boys," Polly called out. "Make sure you shut the door behind you when you leave with Obiwan."

"No problem, Polly," Jason said and followed his brother in the door.

"I love your boys, Sylvie," she said as they walked across the gravel and up the steps. "I'm going to enjoy having them around."

"I love 'em too and I'm glad they have you around. I couldn't have done this if you weren't helping me with them." Sylvie squeezed Polly's arm. "Thank you."

They approached the front door just as it crashed open and two boys and a dog flew out. Polly laughed, "It looks like everyone needed a good run this afternoon."

By five o'clock, Sycamore House was empty again. Bruce had driven over to get his wife and Polly could hear him in the hallway complaining, without much success, as Hannah reminded him they were staying for dancing lessons. Henry and Jeff came in and sat down in the chairs in her office.

"We should go get some dinner," Jeff said. "Do you want to go to Davey's?"

"Let's go!" Polly said and jumped up. She invited Bruce and Hannah, and went upstairs. Sylvie had already run up to check on the boys and their homework.

When she walked into her apartment, Andrew met her at the door with his index finger over his mouth. "Shhh," he said. "Mom fell asleep."

Polly smiled. Sylvie had curled up on the sofa and both cats were tucked in behind her knees. Polly walked over and pulled a blanket from a pile beside the couch and placed it over the sleepers, then whispered to Sylvie, "We're going to Davey's. I'm taking the boys. I'll bring you something back."

"What? What?" Sylvie's eyes opened. "Oh, I didn't mean to fall asleep. Now, what?"

"Go back to sleep," Polly said. "A bunch of us are going to Davey's. I'm going to steal your boys and bring something back for you."

Sylvie snuggled into the pillow. "Really? I'll let you and pay you back later. I haven't been this tired in years."

Polly motioned to the boys to get their coats on and they followed her out. She glanced back and Sylvie's face had already relaxed back into sleep.

"Let's go," she said as they got to the bottom of the steps and everyone left for dinner.

When they got back to Sycamore House after dinner, there were quite a few cars in the driveway and more were pulling in behind them. Henry, who had ridden with Polly and the boys to the steakhouse, said, "Looks like your friend is going to have quite the class tonight."

"You're going to be good, right?" she asked.

"Probably," he laughed. "But, I'm not making any promises."

Polly wasn't sure what that meant, but hoped for the best. They went inside and when she walked into the auditorium, there were already fifteen people moving through line dance steps in front of the stage. Mark saw them come in and whistled. Sylvie was at one end of the group and broke away.

"Thanks, Polly. I couldn't wake up when you were upstairs, I was exhausted!"

"Here's Chicken Parmesan. Amber said you order that when you're there."

"She remembered? It's my favorite. Thank you! Boys, you can stay down here and learn to dance if you want." Sylvie tucked herself in to a table by the wall and opened up the takeout container. "This smells great. I'm hungry." She looked up and said, "Shoo. You dance. I can eat by myself."

People were continuing to come in to the auditorium and before Polly knew it there were close to thirty people on the floor listening as Mark gave instructions. Several young people were at the front with him and after he counted them off to get started, he walked over to Polly and Henry.

"Lisa was still teaching, but she asked some of her older students to help me out. They thought this would be fun, so here they are. Do you remember what to do, Polly?"

"I hope so, or I will make a fool out of myself."

The song finished and he took Polly's arm and led her to the front of the group. Then he announced that they were going to work on the basic box step. He walked through the steps, and his sister's students placed themselves around the room, mimicking his movements. Polly followed along and when she looked up, saw that Lydia and Beryl had walked in and surrounded Henry. They were moving with him and she could see them all laughing.

Mark said, "Grab a partner and if you happen to be the same sex, make sure you choose which one is going to lead. Men, that should be your job and don't let her forget it." He scowled at Polly, who had the grace to blush.

He pressed play and took Polly in his arms. She was immediately transported back into the sensation she had experienced Tuesday evening. He knew how to make this easy and once she relaxed, he swept her up in the beauty of the dance. The song wound down and he asked, "How did it go?"

There were a few complaints and moans and groans, but the students moved in and began correcting things. After a few more songs, Polly had the capacity to look up and around the room. People were enjoying themselves. Then, Mark announced they were going to waltz. He set the music playing and just as he was about to move her into the middle of the crowd, a couple she didn't know bumped into them and sent her sprawling to the floor. Polly was stunned and very thankful she was wearing jeans. Henry and Beryl were nearby and he managed to stop laughing long enough to help her to her feet while Mark attempted to untangle himself from the couple.

Henry said, "How about we switch. Beryl needs a little help." He winked at Beryl and swept Polly off around the room before anyone could protest.

"You didn't send them crashing into me, did you?" Polly laughed.

"Nope, just excellent timing," he replied.

A few turns around the room and she said, "You told me you hadn't danced since college. You're very good!"

"I am, aren't I?" Henry said as he let go of her hand and spun her, then pulled her back in. "Let's say I wasn't a stupid young man and recognized that girls liked boys who could do something other than sway on the dance floor. I took a few lessons."

"Why didn't you tell me that before?"

"A man has to have a few surprises up his sleeve," Henry said. Then he said in a low whisper, "And I have more surprises than sleeves."

He tightened his arm and pulled her in close and they danced until the music stopped. Mark played two more waltzes and Henry kept a tight grip on Polly's hand. Lydia stepped in for a waltz around the room with Mark and Polly saw that Sylvie and Jason were dancing across the floor. Marnie had shown up and was doing her best to keep up with Andrew, who was concentrating on his feet. Finally, one of Lisa's students rescued her and she tapped on an older woman's shoulder to get an opportunity to dance with Jeff. Polly watched him smile at Marnie in relief and she chuckled.

Mark taught them how to do the fox trot from the basic box step and then let the students go through some beginner's line dances again. He made his way to Henry and Polly and said, "You stole my dancer from me," to Henry.

"I'm sorry," Henry laughed. "I guess I did!"

"And you're pretty good, too!"

They both laughed at that and Henry said, "Didn't expect that of an old carpenter, did you."

"I guess not. Polly, do you think you're ready for Saturday night and won't be embarrassed to dance in front of everyone?"

"It wasn't that hard once you taught me how to relax," she said. "Now I can't wait. I feel like I could go dancing every night!"

Jeff came up beside them and said, "Some of the people were talking about the days when they hosted dances here on Friday nights. Maybe we should do that every once in a while."

Polly shook her head, "It sounds like a great idea. You figure it out though. I'm too tired to think all of a sudden."

Henry looked at his watch. "It's nine thirty. You've had a long day."

"I have and I think I'm going to call it quits," Polly said. "Jeff, are you going to be here much longer?"

"Don't worry. I'll close the place down tonight."

Mark laughed. "Well, I have to be on the road by six thirty tomorrow morning, so I'm going to get going as well. I'll tell the kids you're in charge," he said to Jeff. "Start kicking 'em out whenever you want." He went back to the front and pulled one of the girls aside. She nodded and moved back into the steps. Mark picked up his coat and shrugged into it while walking toward Polly and Henry.

"I'll see you on Saturday," he said. He picked up Polly's hand and laid a kiss on its back. "Thank you for a wonderful evening." He walked out and Lydia and Beryl joined them.

"That was a helluva romantic gesture, that was," Beryl said. "What do you have to match it, old man?"

Henry laughed. "I have this!" He grabbed Polly around the waist, bent her over backwards and kissed her.

She came up sputtering and blushed as several people applauded. Sylvie and her boys approached them and Andrew said, "I thought they only did that in movies."

Sylvie laughed, "And sometimes in real life. Let's go upstairs and get your things. It's time to get home and to bed. Good night, Polly. Thanks for everything."

Polly was still flustered, but managed to wave at them as they left the auditorium. Others walked past and said goodnight.

"We'll be back in the morning, Polly. Be good tonight," Lydia said as they all walked into the hallway. She and Beryl pulled their coats on and went out into the evening.

Henry said, "I'll walk you upstairs," and followed Polly up the steps to her apartment. They said good-bye to Sylvie and the boys who passed them on their way back down. When they reached the top, Polly looked over at the front room and saw a light under the door.

"I didn't realize I turned that light on," she said. "Just a second."

They walked over and she triggered the lock and went in the room, then jumped back, bumping into Henry.

Elise was huddled in the far corner of the room, her knees up to her chest and a gun in her hand. Her hair was dirty and her eyes looked as if she hadn't slept in days.

"It's just me," Polly said. "It's Polly. What are you doing?"

"Stop! They might see you!" Elise’s words halted Polly’s entrance into the room. She lowered the gun to the floor and wrapping her arms around her knees, dropped her head and began to weep.

"Who might see me, Elise?" Polly asked, even as she knelt down on the floor. Henry stayed in the doorway and watched Polly crawl to the sobbing girl.

"What's going on?"

Elise didn't say a word, just continued to cry. When Polly touched her hand, she pulled in on herself even tighter.

"Elise, you can't stay on the floor in here. If you don't want to be seen, come with me to my apartment."

"I know I can't stay here on the floor, but I don't know how to get away from them. They're watching for me."

Polly asked, "How do you know you're being watched?"

"I saw them in Boone. They must have been here first, especially since they called you. I don't want you to have any more trouble than I've already brought."

Polly heaved a sigh and said, "I suppose I can handle a little trouble. Come with me. Let's get you to my apartment. You can take a shower and change your clothes and get some sleep. We'll figure things out. I have a lot of great friends who are experts at that." She threw a sideways glance at Henry who smiled.

Elise picked the gun back up and then handed it to Polly. "Take this, please."

Polly pulled back as if it were a snake. "I don't want that. I won't use it."

"Take it and I'll come with you to your apartment. Otherwise I'm staying here."

They were obviously not going anywhere without it, so Polly slipped her finger into the trigger guard and made her way back to the doorway where she immediately handed it to Henry. He helped her stand up and they waited as Elise crawled through the doorway. He pulled the door shut and Elise stood up, then they walked along the wall to the back by the bathrooms and across to Polly's entryway. Polly walked in and was met by a very happy dog.

"Have a seat, Elise. Can I get you something to drink? Have you eaten lately?" Polly took Elise by the arm and led her to the sofa. The girl dropped down and absentmindedly began rubbing Leia's head when the cat snuggled up to her.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for anyone else to get involved. I'm so sorry," Elise kept repeating.

"Elise. Stop it," Polly said.

When there didn't seem to be any response, except repetitive stroking of the cat's head and murmuring, Polly put her hand on Elise's knee and sharply said, "Elise!"

The girl looked up and said, "I'm sorry, what?"

"Henry is going to boil water for tea and run downstairs to get leftovers from lunch today and I'm going to get you into the shower. You're going to eat and drink something and then you're going to crawl in my bed and sleep. When you wake up tomorrow morning, we're going to figure everything out."

Polly walked with Henry to the front door and stepped outside with him. "Would you call Aaron and tell him what is going on here? I think we'll be fine tonight, but I want him to know."

"Sure," Henry said. "And I'll bring up food and make tea for her, but I can't leave you two girls alone here tonight."

"We'll be fine, Henry, but I'm not asking you to leave right now anyway. Help me get her settled and then we'll talk."

"I'm calling Aaron, but you're not going to talk me out of staying here. You don't know how to use that gun and if your friend in there is afraid enough of someone to think she needs it, that worries me."

"Whatever. I'm not talking about this now. She needs to clean up and eat before we make any other decisions, now go." She pushed him a little and gave him a small smile, "And thank you."

Elise was still sitting in the same position and Polly walked back over to her. "Come on. Let's start with a shower." She held her hand out to the girl, who took it and stood up. Polly walked with her into the bathroom and turned the shower on. Elise flipped the lid down on the toilet and sat there.

Polly tested the water and said, "It seems fine. I'm going across the hall to find you some clothes ..."

"No! You can't go in that room. If they see you moving around in there, they'll know I'm here."

"Elise, don’t worry. I've been in and out of that room all week long. I’ll make sure that if someone outside sees anyone in there, they know it's me. Now, you get into the shower. I'll be back in a few minutes. The door to my apartment is locked and the only people who can get in tonight are me and Henry. You're safe."

Elise nodded and stood up, kicking her shoes off. She bent down to pull off her socks and then as she reached to pull her shirt over her head, Polly walked out and shut the door.

She went across the hall and walked in front of the windows, checking their latches and bending over as if picking things up. She filled a laundry basket with clothing for Elise to wear for several days, kicked the basket across the floor to the door, reached up and turned out the light. She bent over to pick the basket up and heard footsteps on the stairs.

Henry came up the last set of stairs. "I talked to Aaron. He's coming over to watch your place while I run home to take care of things so I can spend the night. He said he'd be back in the morning to talk to you and Elise, but if anything comes up to let him know."

They walked together back to the door of her apartment and Polly said, "You know, rather than feel like a helpless little girl who needs all of these men around to take care of me, I think I'm going to choose to be thankful for you in my life."

Henry laughed. "Well, that's a start!" He held the door open and she walked in with the basket in her arms and headed into the bedroom. She heard him opening cupboard doors and stuck her head out and said, "The teapot is in the cupboard over the stove, mugs are to the right of the sink and dishes are in the one beside that cupboard. Silverware ... oh, you've got it. Thanks."

She heard him drawing water as she shut the door.

"Elise? How are you doing?" Polly asked through the door. "Are you still in the shower?"

"I'm fine. I'll be out in a few minutes."

"I'm coming in to set out fresh towels. I'll lay them on the counter," Polly said. She quickly went into the bathroom and pulled one of her big sage towels out of the linen closet and put it beside the sink. Then it occurred to her Elise might need a few other things and she dug around looking for a fresh toothbrush. There were two unopened combs in her travel kit, so she pulled those out as well and set them on top of the towel.

"Elise?"

"Yes?"

"There's a basket of your clothing on the bed. When you're ready, come on out into the living room."

"Thank you, Polly."

Polly left the door open between the bathroom and bedroom. The cats scurried into the bedroom and she left them there as she pulled the door shut and walked into the living room. She dropped to the sofa, put her feet up on the coffee table and asked, "Has everyone gone home?"

"I saw Jeff's car pull out when I went down," Henry replied.

"Good. That was kind of fun tonight, wasn't it?"

"Which part?" he asked snidely.

Polly chuckled and said, "The whole thing, you nut, though that kiss was a little more than I expected."

"I told you. More surprises than I have sleeves."

He brought over a mug with steaming water and put it in her hand, then held out the basket of bags. Polly selected one, opened it and dropped it in water, dunking it in and out as she took in the aroma of Chamomile. Henry pushed her feet off the table and she giggled, then kicked her shoes off and rearranged herself, tucking them under her. When they heard the water turn off in the shower he went back into the kitchen and started the microwave.

"I didn't mean for you to do all of this," Polly said. "You've had a longer day than me."

Henry said, "Don't worry. I've got it. You sit there and relax and don't worry," he said. "I have a long memory and a lot of patience."

Polly rolled her eyes, then shut them as she held the mug to her face and allowed the steam to warm her.

The bedroom door opened and Elise walked out, dressed in sweats and a fresh t-shirt, holding a pair of thick socks in her hands. "Thank you," she said. "I feel much better."

"Sit here," Polly patted the sofa. "I think we have Henry as our waiter tonight. Sylvie made a terrific Shepherd's Pie for lunch and he's reheating some for you."

Henry walked over with another mug of hot water and placed it in front of Elise. He also put two saucers and teaspoons on the table between the girls.

"Wow," Elise said, "I have never been pampered by a man. If you don't want him, can I have him?" She bent over and slipped her socks on her feet.

Polly looked up at Henry, who simply grinned at her. "Can she have me?" he asked.

"I'm not giving away men tonight," Polly said. "Just a bed and a shower."

"I shouldn't be taking your bed from you, Polly. I can sleep on the couch."

"You look like you haven't slept in several days. It's fine, as long as you don't mind a couple of cats sharing your space."

Leia had jumped up between them and was rubbing her head against Elise's leg. Luke was perched at the far end of the sofa back licking his front paw as if nothing else was happening in the world.

"I don't mind them being in the bed," Elise said. "Leia always slept with me."

"Then, it's settled. Now, eat something."

Henry had put the plate of food on the table and Elise reached over to pick it up. He pulled his phone out of his back pocket and said, "Hello? Okay, thanks."

"I'm going to run home. Aaron is across the street in Lydia's Jeep. He'll keep an eye on things until I get back. Why don't I take Obiwan with me. Then you won't have to go out with him again tonight."

Polly unfolded her legs and got up. She pulled Obiwan's leash off the table beside the door and snapped the hook onto his collar, then handed it to Henry.

"Thank you."

Henry took her by the elbow and guided her out into the hallway, then nudged the door shut without latching it. "We're going to be a while. I told Aaron I was going to walk the perimeter while he's here to make sure you're safe. Don't go anywhere, okay?"

He kissed her on the cheek and headed down the steps. Polly followed him to the top of the second landing and watched as he put his coat on and went out the front door with her dog.

Her phone rang, "Hello?" she said.

"Hi Polly," she recognized Aaron Merritt's voice.

"Hey Aaron. You missed the dancing fun tonight."

"Actually, I don't believe I missed anything fun at all tonight."

"You’re going to be okay with your gorgeous wife dancing around the floor with other men?"

He had a deep, hearty laugh. "If it means I don't have to make a fool of myself, she can dance with anyone in town. How are you doing?"

"Good, I guess. I'm not sure what to do with all of this added excitement. I thought that raising a barn was enough, but apparently I was wrong."

"Have you found anything out from your guest yet?"

"No, not yet and speaking of finding anything out, have you been able to uncover anything about that note and those pictures?"

"We're still waiting, but when I can, I'll let you kn
ow. Now, you be careful tonight."

Polly said, "Thanks Aaron. I'll see you Saturday, right?"

"I'll be there. It isn't every day something this exciting happens in Bellingwood."

Elise had found the remote and turned the television on. She looked up and asked Polly, "Is everything
okay?"

"I think so," Polly replied. "Henry's walking the dog and is going to run home to get some of his things. He'll spend the night here.

"Where's he going to sleep?" Elise asked and then as soon as she thought about it, she said, "Oh, I should sleep on the couch. You two can have the bedroom."

Polly threw her hands up and said, "No, No! It's not like that. We're not like that."