A Big Life in a Small Town (Bellingwood #2) Read online

  "Don't sell yourself short, Polly," Henry interjected. "You did too."

  Polly smiled and shook her head. None of this was ever supposed to have been about her. She was happy that her friends were having fun and she got to be a small part of their lives.

  Lydia walked up behind them and put her hands on the backs of Henry's and Polly's chairs, bent in and said, "Word around town is that our resident hot, young veterinarian is a dance teacher and will be holding court here tonight. Who's in?"

  Polly glanced at Henry's face and there was no change in his demeanor, he simply remained stoic.

  "Well, since I talked him into it, I'm going to be here," she said. "Are you and Aaron coming over?"

  Lydia laughed out loud and said, "That'll be the day. He was miserable when we made him dance at Marilyn's wedding. When Jill got married, he offered her two thousand dollars to elope. She made him dance and be miserable, too."

  She pushed Henry's shoulder. "If I come tonight will you dance with me?"

  Polly snorted with laughter and Henry broke out into an immense smile. "If you come tonight, I will be here and dance with you, Lydia. I haven't done any dancing since I was in college, but I can probably get you around the floor without dropping you on your ..." he looked at Polly, and then said as an aside, "Huh, I walked into that one with no way out. Anyway, yes Lydia, I will dance with you tonight. But, you tell Aaron he had better be here. There might be a whole lot of men who want to dance with you."

  Lydia patted his back and said, "If it would keep him off the dance floor, I think he’d be fine letting the entire cast of South Pacific dance with me."

  She walked away humming "There Ain’t Nothing Like a Dame" and Henry turned back to Polly. "This sounds like it might be bigger than your friend expected."

  Polly punched him in the leg and said under her breath, "He's your friend too. Stop it," and then out loud, she replied, "I suppose I should text him so he's ready for a crowd. That might be a bit of a shock." She pulled out her phone and did just that. In a few moments, her phone rang.

  It was Mark, who asked, "What? A crowd?"

  "Well, you told me to let people know. That’s what I did."

  "You know more people than I expected, Polly."

  "I might have had a little help from Lydia," she giggled. "But you can handle it, right?"

  "Right!" He drew the word out and then said, "Okay. I gotta go. I'm calling Lisa for help. What have you done to me?"

  Polly laughed at him, "The town is going to know more about you now. Be prepared!"

  "Great," he said and hung up.

  She looked around the table and shrugged. "He knows now!"

  Sylvie had brought out two large, lined waste cans and said, "When you're finished, drop everything in here, but if you want more to eat, we have plenty."

  People at the tables stopped talking and Polly began to clap for her friend. Henry picked it up and began to hoot and holler. The entire room erupted into applause and Sylvie smiled and blushed, put her hand out as if to stop them, and then backed away and ran out of the auditorium.

  Lunch soon ended and everyone returned to their tasks. Sylvie found Polly and said, "People are trying to give me money to cover the cost of the food today. What am I supposed to do?"

  Polly said, "Well, since they're here helping me out, I don't want them to pay for anything, but if they insist, let them know that any money which comes in between now and the end of Saturday night will be split between the Bellingwood Food Pantry and Habitat for Humanity. There are going to be mason jar banks on the tables Saturday night because you're right, people want to be able to give something. Thanks, Sylvie."

  The afternoon passed quickly. Polly finished washing linens and placed the folded items into the wardrobe she had set up in a corner of the upstairs hallway beside her apartment. She decided to go ahead and remake the front room's bed, in case Elise returned, so pulled a set of sheets out and finished that task before heading back down to her office.

  Polly saw Sylvie pulling her coat on as she headed for the front door and ran out to catch her. "Do you need something? I could pick it up if you need help. I know you have a million things going on back there."

  "I was going to get the boys from school," Sylvie said.

  "Let me get them for you, unless you need the break."

  "I can use the break, but you could come with me."

  Polly ran back to her office and grabbed her jacket, then joined Sylvie and they walked out to her car.

  Sylvie drove up to the school and pulled in to a line of vans and cars.

  "This is kind of nuts," Polly said looking at the chaos of vehicles parked everywhere around the school.

  "I suppose it is, but the boys know to look for me if the weather is bad. Otherwise, they walk home."

  They waited and chatted for several minutes and soon Sylvie said, "There they are and ..." she paused and watched, "now they see me. Here they come!"

  The two boys ran to the car and stopped when they saw Polly in the front seat, then scrambled to get in back.

  "Why are you here, Polly?" Andrew asked.

  "I wanted to ride along with your mom today, is that cool?"

  "Cool!" he said. "Mom, I got a hundred in spelling!" He thrust a piece of paper with a bright red 100% circled on top.

  "Congratulations!" she said. "You only need two more of those and I will take you to Joe’s Diner for Saturday breakfast. How was your day, Jason?"

  "Fine," the older boy said.

  "Just fine?" Sylvie asked as she turned around to look at him.

  "It was fine," he replied.

  Sylvie checked her mirrors and then eased back out into the street and drove a block to make a turn and head back to Sycamore House. "Didn't you have a geography quiz today? How did you do on it?"

  "I did okay," he said.

  "Did you bring it home? Can I see it?"

  Jason pulled his backpack up into his lap and zipped it open. He fumbled around inside and pulled out a piece of paper. When Polly put her hand out, he gave it to her and said, "It's not a big deal."

  She turned the paper over and showed it to Sylvie. The grade in the top corner of the sheet read, "100%."

  Sylvie smiled and reached around to pat his knee. "I'm proud of you, Jason. That's great. It looks like all three of us will have breakfast soon."

  Polly handed the quiz back to Jason and, as he shoved it down in his backpack, she said, "You've got a couple of bright boys, Sylvie."

  "I'm proud of them. We keep a record of all their A's and every time someone gets ten of them, we celebrate with a Saturday morning breakfast. Andrew needs two more and Jason needs ... how many more do you need, Jason?"

  "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 he
lping 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," B
eryl 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?"

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  "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."