The River Rolls On (Bellingwood Book 10) (18 page)

"I'm sure she's..." Polly started.

"No, I know she's busy with work and the baby. She probably doesn't have time to think about me."

"Sweetie, that's not true." Polly reached out and brushed a few stray hairs away from Rebecca's face.

"It's really okay. Everybody has their own stuff to deal with. But if I'm certified, when Molly gets older, maybe I can take care of her so Jessie can go out and have fun." Rebecca smiled. "It would be fun to babysit the twins, too. But maybe Kayla and I should do that together for a while. They're a lot to handle."

"They are rambunctious," Polly said.

"Joss brought them over to see me and Mom last week. Cooper had a cut on his forehead from falling down. Joss said he stood up and tried to walk when she wasn't in the room. He fell down and bumped his head on Sophia's foot. Joss said that he's always trying to get into things." Rebecca's eyes fluttered as she tried to stay awake. "He let me hold him on my lap. Sophia only wanted her mom, but Cooper put his arms up to me. It was pretty cute."

"That's wonderful," Polly said. She was so thankful that her friends were making time to reach out to Sarah and Rebecca. While she was dealing with her own stuff, they had her back.

"Mom says I should say 'I love you' all the time to people that I care about, even if they don't say it back," Rebecca said quietly.

"That's where you get your wisdom," Polly responded. "You should say it any time you want to say it."

"Thanks for letting me come home today. I love you, Polly."

"I love you too, sweet girl." Polly watched Rebecca's body relax as Han snuggled into the curve of her tummy. Luke snuggled against the girl's legs and within moments her breathing slowed and she was asleep.

Polly closed her eyes, Obiwan tucked in against her back. She didn't bother looking for Leia, she was on the bed somewhere.

~~~

Henry put his finger to his lips when he walked into the room. Polly had heard him come up the back steps and hoped he'd not yell out.

Han slid away from Rebecca and jumped to the floor while Polly and Obiwan crawled out of bed on the other side. She looked back at the sleeping girl and followed Henry into the living room, pulling the door mostly closed behind her so the cats could get in and out.

They went into the kitchen and she smiled at a bag from Joe's Diner.

"You brought me lunch," she said. "Thank you."

"I didn't know Rebecca was here until Sylvie caught me downstairs. Mrs. Hastings sent her home?"

"That poor girl has hardly slept in the last couple of weeks. Since there are only a few days left before school is out, there's no reason for her to be there."

He nodded. "That makes sense. How's she doing?"

"Better than I could hope for." Polly shook her head and smiled. "She's so normal about this. She is able to deal with the fact that she wants her mother to live, but at the same time she wants this to be over."

"Wow," he said. "How'd she get to that place?"

"I suspect it has to do with Sarah and Evelyn. They're both down-to-earth. Sarah has wanted to be part of Rebecca's grief, hoping that would help her deal with it after she was gone."

"I can't imagine what that would be like." Henry took two styrofoam containers out of the bag. "I got you a tenderloin. Is that okay?"

She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "It's perfect. I'll only eat half of it and Rebecca can have the rest when she gets up."

"How much do you remember about your mom dying?" he asked.

"It's weird," Polly said. "Some things are there in vibrant color. Others are like a dream, right there on the edge of my consciousness, but if I think too hard about them, they're gone. I remember Dad being sad and I remember Mom trying to tell him it was going to be okay."

She smiled and looked out the window. "I forgot about that until just now."

"Forgot what?"

"I was in the room when Mom told Dad that he was supposed to answer any questions I had and not hide anything from me. I remember he laughed and asked her if that meant every question, even when I was in junior high and high school."

"What did she say?"

"She told him that if he wanted to make sure I trusted him, he could never evade my questions or lie to me, even about the difficult things." Polly laughed. "I never did ask him about girl stuff, but Mary was there so I didn't have to."

"Sounds like your Dad figured that one out."

She nodded. "You know, he let me talk about Mom's death and never told me that I couldn't feel something, even if I was mad. I remember one time I was in high school and I asked him if he was angry because she'd died." Her voice trailed off as she remembered.

Henry prompted her. "What was his response?"

"He told me that he wanted to be angry, but couldn't figure out who to be angry at. It wasn't Mom's fault, God didn't do it on purpose, and the doctors had done everything they could for her. He said that he worried sometimes that maybe Mom had come into contact with something on the farm that gave her cancer, but he knew that wasn't true, it was just an illogical fear." Polly rubbed Henry's arm. "He cried a lot right after she died. He didn't think I knew it, but I did. He'd go to bed at night and cry by himself. Sometimes I sat outside his doorway and listened until he fell asleep."

"Did you ever tell him that?" Henry asked. 'You were so young. How did you handle it?"

"It wasn't every night and after a few months, he stopped. It kind of made me feel good to know that he loved her and missed her. Sometimes I cried into my blanket, but it was okay. And no, I never told him. Actually, I forgot about it for a long time. I didn't remember that he'd done that until I was in college."

"Death does a number on us."

"But it's such a normal part of life."

"Only because we haven't figured out how to stop it. You know, most of us would like to live a very long time. Longer than we have."

"I know I do," Polly said. "I have things to do and all of this crap that is happening in my life right now is wasting good time."

"Speaking of that, how was the ride this morning?"

Polly cut her sandwich in half and took a bite. "It kinda sucked," she said around a mouthful of bread and tenderloin. "I think I saw my truck when we turned into Ralph Bedford's lane."

Henry shook his head and set his jaw. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I needed to be home when Mrs. Hastings called. It all worked out."

They both turned toward the door to the living room when they heard Rebecca's voice, "Polly? How long was I asleep?"

"Come on in, sweetie. Henry brought lunch. Do you want half my sandwich?"

Rebecca came over to the table and sat down beside Henry. Polly pushed the container over to her and tossed ketchup packets across.

"This smells good," Rebecca said. "Thanks."

"You slept for a couple of hours. Do you feel better?"

"I think so." Rebecca turned to look at Henry and said, "Do you know that I love you?"

Polly's eyes filled and she waited.

"I do know that," Henry said, putting his arm around her shoulder. "And I love you too."

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

"Since I have extra time today, would it be okay if I went to your office to see Jessie and the baby?" Rebecca asked after lunch.

"Are you sure?" Polly asked. "I know Jessie would love to have you, but it's going to make for a long afternoon."

"Can I use your phone and call her?" Rebecca asked. "If she says yes, can I go? I'll take a book and my sketch pad. I just don't want to..." her voice trailed off.

"Of course." Polly took out her phone and swiped it to Jessie's phone number and handed it to Rebecca.

Jessie was thrilled to have Rebecca's company. Both girls missed spending time with each other, even though there was such a large difference in their ages. Rebecca scurried around gathering her things.

Henry shook his head and smiled. "That little girl knows her own mind. She's not going to be easy to stop once she gets an idea."

"No kidding," Polly said. "Do you mind running her back to your shop?"

"I have some things I should probably check on anyway."

"Thanks for this, then," Polly said. She wanted to complain about the fact that she couldn't take Rebecca herself, but decided she'd done much too much complaining this last week about the things she couldn't do. It was time to completely move past the frustration.

She chuckled to herself.

"What?" Henry asked.

"Oh nothing. I'm just laughing at myself."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah. I'm being a whiny butt in my head. I'll get over it." She looked at two expectant dogs at her feet. "Say, why don't you take Han with you and leave him with Jessie and Rebecca for the afternoon. I'll take Obiwan down to the office with me."

Henry knelt down and patted his knee. Han put a paw on it and leaned forward. When Henry tapped his own cheek, the dog gave him a quick lick and wagged his tail.

"When did you two learn that?" Polly asked.

"We've been practicing all sorts of things. I told you he was going to be my boy." He spoke to the dog. "Of course I'll take you to the shop. Dad said he likes having you visit. I should take you over there every day so that you don't turn into a lazy mama's boy like your big brother."

Polly laughed. "You're such a goofball. Both of you."

Henry stood back up and said, "Do you want me to take Obiwan o-u-t-s-i-d-e before we leave?"

"No," she laughed. They'd taken to spelling words that the dogs recognized and it cracked her up. "We'll figure it out. This is why I have bodyguards living here, so I can go ... there ... when I want to. And I'm feeling just ornery enough to want to."

Rebecca came back into the dining room. "Thanks for letting me go. Will you tell Andrew and Kayla where I am?"

"Absolutely. I know they've been missing you, but one more day won't make a difference."

Rebecca started to follow Henry to the back steps, then turned and ran back to Polly to give her a quick hug. "It's all going to be okay. Isn't it?"

"Yes it will, sweet girl. Go have fun."

Polly watched them leave and then said, "Okay, Obiwan. Let's go downstairs and see what's happening. Lazy mama's boy. What a brat that man is. You don't need any silly tricks to prove to me how smart you are."

They went downstairs and Obiwan followed her into her office and settled down in a corner so he could keep an eye on her and on the door.

Polly pulled the stack of mail closer to her, once again dreading what she might find. She tossed several items in the recycling bin, separated out the bills and then, just as she got to the magazines and catalogs, found a nine by twelve envelope addressed to her. There was no return address.

Her heart sank and she reached into the drawer for a letter opener and the pair of tongs she'd kept. She slit the top of the envelope open and peered inside, but couldn't see past the fact that there was another envelope and a folded piece of paper. She dumped them out onto the desktop and using the two tools, opened the piece of paper.

It was another letter from Joey. She felt the blood rush from her face and behind her, Obiwan whimpered.

"Silly tricks. Whatever," she said to him. "You're more sensitive than most people I know.

He walked over to her and put his head on her leg.

"Do you want to know what this is?" she asked. "It's absurd. Just about the time I decide that I'm able to deal with this crap, something else shows up to remind me how little control I have."

She swiped her phone open and dialed Aaron Merritt.             

"How are you doing, Polly?" he asked, tentatively.

"I have another letter. I opened the outside envelope and unfolded the letter, but there's a smaller envelope in here that I haven't opened. I don't want to wait for you guys, because you'll take it away before I can see what's in it."

"But you're going to wait for us anyway, right?"

She huffed. "I probably should have opened it before I called if I was going to do that, don't you think?"

"Good girl. What does the letter say?"

She took a deep breath and started to read:

"Dear Polly,

It is difficult to be so close to you, yet be unable to touch your face and hold your hand. I've thought about no one else but you for these last two years and now that we are in the same town, I think you should finally admit that you have missed me too."

She stopped. "How is one person so insane?" she asked Aaron.

"I don't know. Is there more?"

"Yes," she said. "But I don't want to go on."

She heard a car door slam in the background, then another and another. "What are you doing?"

"We're coming up to get the letter," he said. "Go ahead."

"I'm closer than you realize and hope that you will soon be able to rid yourself of the extra people who have chosen to interfere in our love. I look forward to spending time with the real Polly Giller.

"Please hurry back to me, Polly. I don't want to be the man that is doing these terrible things, but I don't seem to have a choice. All I can think of is you. M tells me that this is the only way to get your attention. Please forgive me. You are the only one who can stop me."

"Polly?" Aaron said softly into the phone.

"It's my fault," she replied.

"We've been over this. You can't take responsibility for the actions and thoughts of an insane man. No matter what."

"All those years ago I could have said no, but I was attracted to his mind, to his interest in history and literature. How did it go so badly?"

Obiwan nudged her elbow and she unconsciously rubbed his head. He sat up, put his paws on her leg and lifted up to sniff the papers on her desk.

"I'll see you when you get here," Polly said, swiping her phone closed. "Get down, Obiwan. I don't think they'd appreciate doggie drool on their evidence." She pushed the contents of the envelope away and sat back.

Jeff showed up at her door and said, "Hey, are you okay?"

She pointed at the letter. "I got another one."

"I wondered. Stephanie said she thought you were calling the Sheriff. Is there anything we can do?"

"Nah. They're coming to get this." She pointed at the smaller envelope. "I don't even know what's in that one."

Jeff sat down and Obiwan wandered over for attention. "Where's the other dog?" Jeff asked.

"He went to the shop with Henry."

"That one is all puppy," Jeff said. " I remember when this boy showed up." He bent over and rubbed Obiwan's neck. "He was the cutest pup I'd ever seen."

Polly nodded and glanced at the letter and envelope, then sat up and pounded the top of her desk.

Obiwan looked up and Jeff jumped. "What?" he asked.

"I told myself upstairs to quit being a whiny butt about this. The jerk isn't going to own my emotions any longer. The Sheriff can have it and I'm moving on."

"That's great news." Jeff stood up. "Don't go anywhere. I have something to show you." He patted his leg. "Come on, Obiwan. I have treats for you in my office."

"You're too good to us," Polly said to his back.

He came back and put another piece of paper on the desk in front of Polly, then handed Obiwan a treat.

"What do you think?" he asked. "Sal and Sylvie haven't seen it yet, but I thought maybe you needed a little fun today."

Polly had seen initial sketches of the sign and logo for the coffee shop, but here it was in color. The words 'Sweet Bean' were set into a line drawing of a dachshund.

"They'll love it," she said.

"I wanted this finished so we could advertise. We'll put signs in the window so the curious people will know what we're doing."

"It's great. Thank you." She pushed the paper back across the desk at him.

"No, you keep that. It's yours."

~~~

Polly looked up when she heard voices in the outer office. Stephanie knocked on the door to announce Sheriff Merritt and Marla Lane.

Obiwan wagged his tail at Aaron and as Polly watched, gave Agent Lane a curious look as if he weren't sure what to make of her.

"I'm sorry, Polly," Aaron said.

She didn't respond, but pointed at the envelopes and sheet of paper on the edge of her desk. Agent Lane took several pairs of disposable gloves out of a jacket pocket, handed one pair to Aaron and much to Polly's surprise, handed a second to her. The third she slipped onto her own hands.

"You've already touched this?" she asked Polly.

"Just the outside envelope. I shook everything out onto my desk and used these," Polly held up the kitchen tongs, "to open the letter."

"I see." The woman opened the letter again, slipped it into a clear plastic bag that she pulled from the same jacket pocket and flattened it out. "Is there anything you can see in this letter that gives us good information?"

Polly shook her head. "Just more insane ramblings. That's all I can see."

"Sheriff Merritt," Marla Lane said, "He mentions that he is closer than Polly realizes. Have your men checked the woods behind this place? And what about the barn?"

"The barn is quite active during the day," Aaron said. "Polly's employee is quite familiar with everything happening down there and if someone was hiding, he'd know it."

Using her index finger, Agent Lane slipped the second envelope open. Polly could have done that. The tip of the flap was the only thing sealed shut.

"What's in there?" Polly asked, as the woman peered inside and said nothing for longer than Polly thought necessary.

"It's hair, but it doesn't look like human hair." Marla Lane's brows creased as she peered in the envelope. She held it over to Aaron, who shook his head.

"May I see?" Polly asked. As long as it wasn't another photograph, she could handle this.

Agent Lane leaned over the desk, and bent the envelope open so Polly could see inside.

"It's horse hair," Polly said with a frown. She slipped a glove on her right hand. "May I?"

"Sure."

Polly pulled a hank out and looked at it, then dropped it back into the envelope. "It's not dark enough for the Percherons. We need to ask Eliseo about the donkeys."

She stood up and said, "Am I safe enough if you accompany me to the barn or do I need to contact my bodyguards?"

Aaron smiled at her. "We'll be good. Let's talk to Eliseo."

Obiwan jumped up to follow her and wagged his tail when she headed for the side door leading to the barn.

She held the first gate open for Aaron and Agent Lane, then went on ahead of them. Obiwan bolted for the pasture and ran to greet Nat and Nan who were standing against the south fence line.

"Eliseo?" she called out. "Are you here?"

He came out of the feed room, sweat dripping off his forehead. He drew a handkerchief out of a back pocket and wiped his face, then wiped his hands clean. "I was pulling down hay. How can I help you?"

"This is FBI Agent Marla Lane," Aaron said. "She's investigating the kidnappings. Polly got some strange hair in the mail today and we'd like to check your donkeys. Polly says it isn't dark enough for the horses."