A Big Life in a Small Town (Bellingwood #2) (26 page)

BOOK: A Big Life in a Small Town (Bellingwood #2)
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Henry cocked his head and the left side of his mouth turned up in a grin. "Which friend is that? Because if he or she could see what happened to me here, I might be done with them as a friend."

"Your teacher. Fred whoever. He caught me at the barn and told me to break your heart fast because some witch walked out on you."

"Oh." Henry smiled. "Oh," he repeated. "Well, Fred doesn't know everything about me and he certainly doesn't need to take care of my love life." He interrupted himself and put his hands up as if in protection, "Not that I have a love life or anything. That's not what I'm saying. But he should keep his nose out of things, and you don't need to take responsibility for any broken heart I might have had in the past or might have in the future. I'm a big boy and can take care of myself."

"I'm not ready for all this stupid relationship drama, Henry."

"Then let's forego the drama and enjoy the relationship, wherever it takes us."

"That's
good with you?"

"That's fine with me."

"I don't want to feel like everyone is watching me and judging whether what I do is right or wrong or watching to see if every move I make is going to hurt you."

"Polly, you're being ridiculous. Of course everyone is watching and judging you. That's what people do, but you can't let it affect your behavior."

"I know. Most days I get it."

"Are we okay?"

She nodded. "We're okay, but we both need to hurry now. You have to go."

"I'm going, I'm going. Promise me you won't go
all Polly on poor Fred tonight."

"Go all POLLY?" she asked.

"Yeah. You know. Yell at him until he wonders how long it will take for him to find his masculinity."

"Go all POLLY?" she repeated. "Get out of here and take your masculinity with you." Then her voice softened, "And thanks. I'll see you later."

Henry left and she headed for the bathroom. All of that extra time she had was now compressed and she needed to hurry. After a quick shower, Polly put on a little makeup and tied her hair into a pony tail with a red bandanna. She'd found a great red western style blouse with silver and black embroidery and rhinestones. She pulled her well-worn short black boots on under her jeans and whirled around in front of her standing mirror. Now she was ready for the evening. She pushed the phone into her back pocket and said to the animals on her bed, "Will I do?"

Obiwan was the only one paying attention. Both cats were cleaning themselves and effectively ignoring her, so she rubbed their heads, snuggled Obiwan and said, "I'm going down early. Don't want to miss my own party."

Jeff wasn't in his office, but Polly heard noise in the auditorium and saw that the band was setting up on stage. The back door was open and Jeff was watching as they worked. He saw her and strode across the floor. He looked especially nice in an ivory shirt, yoked in black with embroidered patterns sewn throughout.

"You're looking mighty good tonight," she said as he approached.

"Thank you ma'am" he said, taking a quick bow. "And you look delectable. The boys will all be panting to dance with you."

"Let's not go there," she laughed. "What’s the name of the band?"

"It's a local band called Buckles and Spurs from east of Ames. I went to hear them at a country bar down there and they are great. Their cover stuff sounds fantastic and two of them write very well. They're ready to boot, scoot and boogie."

"I don't think those are the right words, you city boy, you," Polly laughed.

"Well, they should be. No one asked me," he replied.

"I'll be sure to call 'em up and inform them. Have you checked on Sylvie?"

"Her crew is just coming in now," he said, pointing to people walking through the hallway. "They're going to set up one line through the kitchen and a second through the new classrooms. We're putting the coats in the hallway and offices."

Three men came into the auditorium with large galvanized wash basins and began setting them out on both sides and the back of the room. Polly recognized Helen Randall, pulling a cart filled with bags of ice. She was followed by several young people who filled the basins and then began pressing more of the handled mason jars into the ice.

"What do you suppose is in the jars?" she asked Jeff.

"It is just pink lemonade or iced tea. Until we get a liquor license, I'm not walking us into any trouble."

A couple walked in with bags and stands. Jeff took Polly's arm and led her to them. "Polly, this is Chris and Debbie Johns. They own the photography studio here in town and are going to set up to shoot pictures both here at the barn," and he proudly pointed to the barn set he had created that afternoon, "and will shoot some video and stills of the evening."

"Wow. Thank you!" she said.

As they walked away, she asked, "That had to be expensive."

"Actually, I struck a deal with them. They are going to get a lot of exposure tonight, so they're kind of excited about that. Everything they shoot will be available on their website and if people want to buy prints, they handle it. They're also offering a Barn Raising discount package for studio sessions and talked to me about handing out advertisement about that with the web address." He handed her a postcard with the information on it. "I didn't think you'd have a problem with it."

"No problem," she said. “It’s a great idea.”

Polly walked into the kitchen and saw that Sylvie was organizing teams of young people, dressed in black pants and white shirts. "Waiters even?" she asked.

"I just want to make sure we can get things going at the beginning of the evening and then clear the tables so people have freedom to move around. They're not going to wait tables. People can feed themselves tonight."

"Awesome. Just when I think it can't get any better, you find a way to make me wrong. Who are these kids?"

"This is the Bellingwood 4-H team. When I contacted them, I found out they're raising money for some programs."

"You knock me out, Sylvie. That's terrific."

"Now, you get out of here. I've got to keep these people moving!" Sylvie waved them out of the kitchen and turned around to give instructions to four kids standing beside a cart.

Polly smiled and pulled her phone out to check the time. Six thirty. It was nearly show time.

Jeff stopped her before they went back into the auditorium. "I have a huge favor to ask, Polly."

"Okay?"

"I want you to stay out of the auditorium until seven o'clock."

"Why?"

"Just stay out here and greet people as they come in. I want to see your face when you walk in that door. Promise me?"

"But, I've already seen everything," she protested.

"I know, but I want to watch you take in the whole effect. Please?"

"I'll wait," she said. "But, you're killing me here."

He gave her an evil grin, walked into the auditorium and pulled the door shut behind him. Polly went into her office and sat down at her desk. The waiting was the hardest part.

She didn't have to wait long, though, before she saw cars pull into the lot.

One of the first couples to arrive was Vera and Adam Lucas. Polly walked out to greet them and said, "I'm glad you made it! Are you ready to dance tonight?"

Adam took her hand and shook it, saying, "I don't know about that funky dancing kids do these days, but I will take any opportunity I can to hold my little lady tight."

Vera said, "Oh you, you're incorrigible."

"I have the room all set up with your furniture and it looks wonderful if you'd like to go upstairs."

"Do you have time? Surely you have things you need to do to prepare for this evening. We can come back another day," Vera said.

"No! I've been ordered to stay out of the auditorium until seven o'clock and I can't think of anything else I need to be doing right now. Come on!"

They walked in and Adam said, "You've done a lot of work on the old school. Do you remember coming here when we were young, Vera?"

"It looks wonderful. The perfect upgrade for the old place. It sure would be nice if I could have someone move in and restore me like this!"

Polly opened the door to the Walnut Room and turned on the light.

"Adam," Vera exclaimed. "Look at this. It's perfect!" She ran her hand across the front of the secretary as she passed it and took hold of the post of the headboard. "I'm glad these pieces will stay together for another generation." Vera walked over to the window looking out toward the grove of trees. "What a peaceful, happy room. Don't you think so, dear?"

Her husband nodded as he took it all in. Polly could have sworn she saw his eyes mist, but he turned away from her. "Come on, Vera. We need to leave the girl alone so she can make her seven o'clock entrance." He held his hand out and his wife walked over and took it.

"Thank you for showing us this, Polly."

"I'm glad you like the room. We'll take good care of it."

They left, Polly turned out the light and pulled the door shut, then followed them down the steps. She still had several minutes before she was allowed in, so she wandered back to her office, saying hello to those who passed her. She sat in the outer office, bouncing her leg, biding her time. Finally she decided she'd waited long enough. She checked the time and it read 6:57. That was close enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

 

“Exactly the reaction I was hoping for,” Jeff said when Polly opened the doors to the auditorium and gasped. She blinked as the photographer's flash caught her off guard.

"I'm glad I was able to meet your expectations," she said. "But, oh my, this is beautiful."

As he escorted her to the front of the room she was glad for his hands on her arm, because she trying to take in the whole effect instead of paying attention to where they were walking. The main lights had been dimmed, and the room was lit with strings of white lights draped from the overhead beams in glorious, shimmering rows. Candles on each table added a golden hue to the faces of people leaning in to talk to each other. More candles glimmered in between the cupcakes on the tiered centerpieces. The three sixteen-foot lengths of tables, one on either side and at the back, were covered in muslin with white lights twinkling from underneath. Four lanterns highlighted each of those tables and more light came from the glass cases on the walls, which held items from the crates they had found in the basement last fall.

Music was coming through the sound system and the band was wandering around the room. She watched as two of them stopped to have their pictures taken in front of the barn. The 4-H kids were scattered throughout the room and, at Jeff's nod, began inviting tables of people to move through the food lines. Jeff took Polly's arm and said, "Tonight you eat with me. No more missing meals because you're busy with people."

"Okay, boss," she said.

They walked into the hall and Polly was again thankful for the people with whom she'd surrounded herself. Sylvie had prepared a wonderful casual meal. Polly had her choice of barbecue pork or beef and giggled when it was placed in a pie tin. A scoop of baked beans with chunks of bacon, another of cheesy potatoes, and she nodded yes to the salads. When she and Jeff made their way back to a table, she found baskets filled with biscuits and sliced bread.

"I think Sylvie is going to sleep for a week after today," he laughed.

She smiled and kept eating, then looked up and around. She hadn't seen any of her friends when she came in and wondered where they were. Finally her eyes landed on a table in the middle of the room where Beryl was holding court. She was standing with her right leg up on a chair, showing off her red cowboy boots under a flared denim skirt. The skirt and bandanna around her neck were the quietest part of her outfit since the scarlet blouse she wore was covered in sequins and rhinestones. Polly watched as Lydia giggled and Aaron looked desperately uncomfortable. He was saved any more embarrassment when one of the 4-H kids stopped at their table and pointed to the food line.

The room quieted as people began to eat. Sylvie and Jeff had created a great traffic flow and everyone had been served relatively quickly. Jeff got up and asked, "Tea? Lemonade?"

"I'm fine with the water I have here," she said, pointing to the mug at her place. "Thanks."

He wove in and out of people and came back with a mug of tea, dripping from the ice in the basin.

She looked up at a touch on her back and then stood up to hug Lee Geise. "I'm so glad you came!"

"We couldn't get up for the barn raising, but we had to see what you were doing up here!" Lee said. "How are the kitties?"

"So you're the ones responsible for the beginnings of Polly's zoo!" Polly laughed as Mark Ogden joined them.

"They're only responsible for the cats. Those boys," she pointed at Doug Randall and Billy Endicott, "gave Obiwan to me." Then, she said to Mark, "You're the vet in town, how long do I have to wait to get a horse?"

He said, "Whenever you find one you want, I guess. That's an awfully big barn for one horse, though."

"I like to plan ahead when I can. I'm going to be here for a long time and animals seem to show up when I least expect it."

"You finish your dinner," Lee said. "We'll see you on the dance floor, right?"

"Right," Mark said for her. "She's almost a pro at it by now."

Polly pushed him away and sat back down. He bent down and said, "I'll be back in a minute with my food if you save me that seat beside you."

Before she could say anything, he was gone. "Well, that's going to be interesting," she muttered.

"What?" Jeff asked.

"Nothing. If I'm not downstairs on Monday morning, look for me at the nearest insane asylum. I'll have checked myself in."

He crossed his eyes at her and said, "I probably shouldn't ask, should I."

"No. Just watch the entertainment tonight."

A few minutes later, Mark sat down with his plate. He reached into the pail for silverware and then jumped up to get something to drink. "Do you want anything else?" he asked pointing at her water glass.

"No. I'm good," she said. Polly watched him walk away and thought to herself that it wasn't fair. He was flat out gorgeous. Working with animals all day long had done plenty for his physique. Tall and lean with strength oozing from his arms and legs and she remembered the sensation of those wiry fingers warm against her back.

"Polly. Be good."

"What?"

Jeff was watching her. "You're nearly drooling. Stop it. It's embarrassing."

"Well, dammit. He's beautiful."

Jeff watched Mark return to the table. "You're right, but still. Stop it."

"Stop what?" Mark asked.

"Nothing!" Polly snapped and stood up grabbing her water glass. "I'll be back in a minute."

She heard Mark ask Jeff what it was he had done and didn't wait to hear Jeff's response. She found one of the kids and said, "I need more water."

"Is your pitcher empty?" he asked.

"What pitcher?"

"The one at the table."

Polly looked back at the table and there, right in front of Jeff was a pitcher of water, still quite full.

She pursed her lips and said, "No, it's not empty. I'm just blind. Thanks." She decided to take the long way back to the table and walked out into the hallway. People were still going through both lines and she tucked herself into a line of people re-entering from the classroom.

As she wove through the tables, she acknowledged some of the people she knew and smiled at others. Her UPS driver was there and touched her arm, asking to introduce her to his wife. Sarah, the EMT, smiled up at her as she walked by, and little Sammy and Emma jumped out of their seats to hug her when she stopped to say hello to Bruce McKenzie and his family. She was glad to see that both of his parents were there with him.

When she sat down between Jeff and Mark, Jeff picked up the pitcher and handed it to her. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Yes, I did," she announced, then asked Mark, "Is your sister here tonight?"

"No. Sick kids, but she told me to ask you if you'd be interested in coming over for dinner some Sunday night. Dylan closes the restaurant at eight and then they invite friends in to create their own pizzas. It's always fun."

"What restaurant?"

"He owns Pizzazz, the pizza place downtown."

"I've ordered out from there, didn't know who that was. Sure. We should do that sometime."

"I'll tell her to call you."

Polly reached into the centerpiece and pulled out a cupcake. A small white flag on a toothpick read "Spice." Sylvie thought of everything.

Mark touched her hand and said, "Can I take you away for a minute? I want to introduce you to someone."

"Sure. Who?"

"Just come with me."

Polly followed him to a table at the far side of the room and a man stood up, his hand outstretched. She shook it and he said, "Hi Polly. I'm Dan Severt." He touched the woman who was seated with him and continued, "and this is my wife Leona. I'm awfully sorry about your dog."

"Thank you," she said.

"I've had such trouble with coyotes, I thought I could help clear some out, but I never thought to hurt anyone or their animal."

She smiled. "Thanks. I don't know if the sheriff told you, but one of those traps helped catch a couple of kidnappers this morning."

"He did tell me. I guess sometimes decisions are good and sometimes they're not. But, the trapper will be in tomorrow to pull the rest of them out of the creek area bordering your property. And I told Mark here to send me th
e bill for fixing up your dog."

"That wasn't necessary, but thanks," she said.

"We live down the highway in the big blue house. If you ever need anything, let us know."

"It was nice to meet both of you," Polly said and took his wife's hand. "And thanks again."

Mark nodded at him and as they walked back to the table, she noticed that band members were walking around the stage. Polly pulled her phone out to check the time: it was eight fifteen already. There was an alert that she had a text, so she opened up her messages and saw that Henry had sent a text twenty minutes ago. How had she missed that?

"Don't worry, I'm going to be late. My neighbor needed me to check her furnace. Save me food and a dance."

She felt guilty since she hadn't even noticed that he wasn't here. Polly honestly figured he was lost in the crowd somewhere, but now she felt terrible. She texted back:

"I ate all the food, now no one wants to dance with me. No worries."

She got a smiley face back from him and relaxed. Guilt assuaged.

The kids were clearing tables and checking water pitchers. They dropped extra napkins in the pails at the tables and quietly made their way back to the kitchen with no fanfare. Jeff stood up and looked around the room, then sat back down.

"Do you want to talk to the crowd or would you like me to do it?"

"I should probably say thank you for the work that has been done. We should both say something."

"Come on, then. Let's get this party rolling." He took her arm and they went to the stage. A microphone was handed down and he said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming out this evening!"

It took a few moments for the noise level to die down and when it did, he handed the microphone to Polly.

"I hope you’ve all had fun today," she started and a mild roar went through the room. "I can't begin to thank you for all of your help. I don't know what will happen next here at Sycamore House, but I look forward to it because I get to have fun with all of you. Now, I can't let any time pass before I tell you that I didn't do much except surround myself with great people. Jeff Lyndsay put everything together, Sylvie Donovan is a wizard in the kitchen and though he isn't here yet, Henry Sturtz was the one who never says no to me when I have a wild idea; he finds a way to make it happen. These are the people who made today a tremendous success."

She handed the microphone back to Jeff, who pointed out the photography opportunity at the back of the room and then said, "I have learned that you don't bring a group of people together in this state without them expecting to have someone pass the plate. We aren't asking you to pay for anything that has happened here today, but those mason jar banks on the tables are there if you'd like to fill 'em up. Everything that comes in will be split between the Bellingwood Food Pantry and our county's Habitat for Humanity. We've eaten and we've built today and it seems appropriate that we support these two groups. And now, the band Buckles and Spurs is here to play us into the night. Enjoy your evening and it's time to dance!"

The band kicked off, Jeff pulled Polly into his arms, and they started around the area they'd set aside for a dance floor.

"I would have killed you if you had done this to me without Mark's intervention," she said.

"I know," he smirked.

"What do you mean you know?"

"Who do you think asked him to figure out a way to teach you how to dance?"

"What?"

"I might have called his sister last week and found out that he was as good a dancer as anyone and I might have talked to him on Monday."

Polly punched him with her free hand. "You rat!"

"Don't call me a rat. You were so freaked out about this I had to find a way to settle you down. Look at this room. They want to see you be a part of the fun. Imagine how awful you would have felt sitting out the whole evening."

BOOK: A Big Life in a Small Town (Bellingwood #2)
11.51Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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