After putting up with Bunny's self-centered behavior at lunch and then her whining for the rest of the afternoon, Polly prayed she'd be better was out with a large group. They had gone to a sports bar in Boone. It was the same place that she'd gone with Joey when he had been in town, but it had gone through several different owners and the Giggling Goat was now some generically named bar. The food was fine and the alcohol still got them tipsy, but it wasn't as much fun without the crazy name.
When they were seated, Bunny managed to arrange it so she sat beside Mark Ogden. All through dinner, she flirted with him - playing with his clothes and his hair. She kept sliding closer and closer and when he moved away so that he could put his other arm around the back of Sal's chair, Bunny didn't stop.
Mark's face had been priceless. He was so worried that Sal would be upset. He had yet to learn that Sal simply didn't play games with other women. When she was in a relationship, she just plain didn't worry. Sal Kahane was so fully confident in herself that she knew someone as silly as Bunny couldn't compete. She had flicked Bunny's hand off his back a couple of times and when Bunny, a little drunk, had climbed into Mark's lap to get to something across the table, had pinched the girl's backside.
Drea, Henry, Joss and Nate Mikkels had all tried to ignore what was happening. Sal waved Polly off once, quietly shrugging her shoulders and patting Mark's arm. The others tried to have fun. Drea and Joss had hit it off and everyone was fascinated that Polly and Henry were driving his classic Thunderbird on their honeymoon. They were even more surprised that Joss and Nate were planning to go with them in their 1962 Chevy Impala. The two couples were driving to Joplin to pick up Route 66 and head for the Grand Canyon. What better way to travel on the "The Mother Road" than in classic cars? When they got to the Canyonlands in Utah, they were renting Jeep Wranglers, but until then, classic vehicles were their mode of travel.
Drea asked about air conditioning. Especially since they planned to drive through Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. It was the middle of June, for heaven's sake. Polly had batted her eyes at Henry. This wasn't a new conversation. They had gone back and forth between taking his truck with all of its conveniences, and taking the car. But it was something he wanted desperately to do, so she'd relented and purchased lightweight clothing and several fun hats. If they were driving in the heat of the summer, they were driving with the roof down.
Then, Bunny climbed into Mark's lap and Polly went ballistic. She physically lifted the girl off of a very surprised Mark and dropped Bunny back in her own chair, then stood over her, shaking her finger.
"You stupid, selfish, bitch," Polly had said. "It wasn't enough that you made everyone carry your crap and wait on you today. We also had to listen to you go on and on about yourself. Now you embarrass yourself by coming on to someone who is obviously not interested. I've had it. You should apologize to every single person at this table, but you won't because you believe the world revolves around you. So, keep your damned hands to yourself and keep your mouth shut."
Bunny had the grace to look chagrined. She muttered "I'm sorry" and then pouted the rest of the evening. Polly knew her outburst had effectively killed the fun, but the strain on everyone's faces while Bunny was out of control was apparent. Bunny sniffled and snuffled in her seat and pushed back from the table, in order to make it obvious that she wasn't getting close to Mark. Every once in a while, she sent a grim look Polly's way.
After Polly took a few deep breaths and calmed herself, she apologized. "I'm sorry for coming unglued, guys. I didn't mean to wreck the evening."
Since no one was willing to make it any more difficult for Bunny, they had simply acknowledged Polly's apology and pretty soon, the evening broke up. Drea and Bunny rode with Polly and Henry in his truck and the ride home had been silent, except for texts constantly coming in from Sal and Joss, who were apparently laughing hysterically at what had happened.
Bunny had sulkily gone to her room and Drea had given Polly a hug, telling her that the little fool had it coming and Polly was the only person she knew who had the balls to say it out loud.
Polly crawled up and put her head on the pillow beside Henry's, then caressed his face. "Maybe I was mad at her because this weekend was supposed to be for us and she was intent on stealing the limelight. It's not like I don't know that about her. She always has to be the star. Maybe I was just jealous."
"Honey, you don't do jealous. At least not like that. She was making all of us uncomfortable and Mark wanted to crawl under the table. Since she was your friend, he wasn't sure how to handle it. I suspect he breathed a huge sigh of relief when you shut her down. A little sulky behavior on her part isn't going to destroy the weekend for me, don't let it affect you, okay?"
"Them's easy words to say," Polly remarked. "Them's not so easy words to live."
"Tomorrow, you're going to be busy with your friends. If you let Bunny ruin your weekend, you'll be sorry for a very long time. Just ignore her and act like her bad behavior doesn't even exist."
"You say that like it's a new idea. Bunny doesn't let people ignore her, but I'll try. At least I have a lot of people around here who don't care about her."
"Exactly. If you want more entertainment, sic Sylvie on her. You know how she puts up with bad behavior."
Polly started laughing and let out a snort. "That's perfect. She's managed more than her fair share of nasty wedding behaviors." She hugged him. "I love you and I'm sorry that I screwed up the evening."
"I keep telling you - you didn't. Bunny did. No one is mad at you."
Then Polly sat straight up. "I didn't tell you what happened this morning! I had to call Aaron."
Henry groaned. "I'd have heard about a dead body. What happened?"
"This guy showed up who knew Dad in college and he needs my help finding his runaway daughter."
Henry pulled back. "He needs your help? How do you plan to manage that with a party and a honeymoon?" He raised the right side of his upper lip and growled. "You aren't going to try to talk me out of this trip again, are you?"
"No, I won't do that. At least I hope not. That's why I called Aaron. Hopefully Anita finds enough information so they can track the girl down."
"Good." He breathed a sigh of relief. "How did he find you?"
Polly told him everything she knew about Curt Locke and his daughter, ending by saying that the man was staying at Sycamore House until they knew something more.
"I swear, Polly," Henry said. "They come out of nowhere to find you. I don't understand how this happens."
She chuckled. "I keep telling people that it isn't my fault."
"It might not be your fault, but I'm beginning to wonder if you weren't implanted with a rescue magnet."
"But you love that about me, right?"
Henry reached across and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him. "I love everything about you. Now, have you calmed down enough to be able to sleep?"
"I'm almost there," she grinned. "I might need a little more attention from you, though."
"But there are people sleeping right next door," he said in a stage whisper.
"I know how you insulated these walls. And I promise to be quiet."
"You're a bad girl, Polly Giller."
"You said you loved everything about me. Were you lying?"
"Not at all."
CHAPTER FIVE
"Are you awake? Do you smell that?" Henry whispered to Polly the next morning.
"What? Smell what?" She turned over and pulled the sheet over her head. "I don't want to smell anything. Let me sleep."
"Somebody's cooking in your kitchen," he said in a singsong voice. "Don't you think you should find out who?"
"I don't care. I don't have to get up today. Eliseo told me that it was the beginning of my vacation and I didn't need to come to the barn or do anything." Polly growled from beneath the sheet. "Why won't anyone ever let me just sleep in?"
Henry peeled the sheet back and grinned down at her. "You're the one w
ho invited your girlfriends to stay here rather than rent them a room in Boone."
When he leaned over to kiss her, Polly licked his lips instead. "It's not my fault the inspectors haven't sent the certification for the rooms over at Sycamore Inn." She pulled the sheet back over her head and whined, "I just want to sleep in one morning. Just one morning." Then she sat up. "You and Nate aren't going to let us sleep late this week either, are you? You're going to make me get up early every morning so we can drive somewhere else."
"There's no air conditioning in the T-bird, honey. You'll want to get up early. We'll get off the road and into an air conditioned hotel room every afternoon before you turn into a beast."
"Why didn't we just go to a resort in Cancun or something?" Polly felt a full-blown whine coming on.
"I offered. You told me you'd be bored on a beach. This was your idea."
"Hmph," she groaned and swung her legs to the side of the bed. "It's your job to tell me when I have bad ideas. You're supposed to love me that much."
Obiwan jumped to the floor, wagging his tail and the cats followed suit.
"I love you more than that," Henry said, laughing. "I love you enough to save my own skin."
Polly tossed her pillow at him and stood up, then put her robe on. "Do I look presentable enough?" she asked.
"You're my pretty Polly, no matter what you look like."
"That's not the right answer, but thank you. Can I go out there looking like this?"
"Yes. You're fine. A little messy, but you did just wake up and it is still early. I'll take the dog outside. You go find out who's making good smells in the kitchen."
Polly opened the door of the bedroom and both cats skittered out. "I'll feed them while you take the dog out. And thanks," she said, pulling the door closed.
Padding across the living room to the kitchen, she realized Henry was right. Something smelled wonderful.
"Good morn ..." Polly stopped in surprise. Bunny was standing at the sink, washing dishes by hand. "What are you doing?" Polly asked.
"Making breakfast. I figured I owed you all something since I was such a ninny yesterday." Bunny dried her hands on a towel she'd tucked into the belt of her pants, crossed the room, and drew Polly into a hug. "I'm so sorry. Everything was making me jealous and you know how I can be. I promise to be good for the rest of the weekend. I didn't come all the way out here to act like a whiny crybaby. Will you forgive me?"
"Of course. Already done. What are you making? It smells wonderful."
"I didn't know how to get to the grocery store, so I rummaged around in your refrigerator and cupboards. Is that okay?"
"For smells like this, you can do anything you want." Polly followed her back into the kitchen and opened the cupboard door to get cat food. "I didn't know I had enough food to make anything that smells this good. What did you come up with?"
"You had bacon and sausage in the freezer and plenty of eggs and cheese. Can it be a little surprise?" Bunny giggled a little.
"Absolutely. But that is your sausage gravy in the pan, right?"
"You're going to love it."
"Oh, Bunny, you've always been the best cook of all of us. Someday you're going to find a man who loves you and treats you right."
"I know. I'm just tired of being a bridesmaid. Then I come out here and you don't even need me to do that."
"I'm sorry, sweetie. I really am. But I couldn't not marry Henry. You know that, right?"
"I do. And I'm really not complaining. I promise."
"How long until breakfast is ready?"
Bunny looked at the timer on the stove. "Just a few more minutes."
"Let me start the coffee and I'll knock on Drea's door to see if she wants to get up this early."
"These will wait, too. Don't hurry anyone."
Polly wasn't sure what had happened to her friend overnight, but she was grateful for the change in attitude. She went back across the hall and knocked on Drea's door and said quietly, "Are you up yet? Bunny made breakfast."
Drea opened the door, dressed in a pair of hot pink pajamas with her hair bundled on top of her head. "Bunny?"
"She's acting almost human this morning," Polly whispered. "I'm encouraging it."
"I'm going to the bathroom and then I'll be ready to eat. Really?"
"I know!"
They walked back across the living room laughing. Drea gave a little wave to Bunny, who was setting plates out on the dining room table. She escaped into the bathroom as Obiwan came tearing in the front door. He pulled up short when he saw Bunny moving around, then turned and looked at Polly.
"I know, bud," she said. "It's breakfast. I think there's room for you though." The cats had retreated into the office and were perched on their ledges, keeping an eye on the activity both inside and out.
Henry strode in and took in the situation. "It smells wonderful. Miss Bunny, did you get up early and make breakfast?"
She giggled again, "Yes I did. I thought it was fair payment."
"Can I help with anything?" he asked.
Polly stepped over Obiwan to get his food and fill his bowl. When she was finished, she handed the coffee pot to Henry. "Bunny, you still don't drink coffee, do you?"
The girl looked at her in shock. "Not that horrible stuff. I can't bear it. I'll be fine with juice. I made a fresh pitcher. It's in the refrigerator." She reached into the oven and took out a pan of round balls of dough, then scooped them into a basket she'd lined with a dish towel.
When everything was on the table and they were all seated, she said, "These are breakfast biscuit drops. They're filled with bacon, scrambled eggs and cheese. And this is my specialty." She pointed at a steaming bowl of sausage gravy." They waited a moment, staring at her until she said, "Eat up!" and passed the basket of biscuits around.
Henry ladled gravy over his biscuits and then put his finger in it to taste it. "This is like yours, Polly."
"She taught me," Polly said. "Bunny was always the cook."
"It's nothing," Bunny said. "I love blending flavors ..." she glanced down at her outfit, a hot pink t-shirt under a floral blouse and a pair of turquoise shorts. It all seemed to work well together. "And colors, too, I guess."
When they finished eating, Polly picked up plates to take them to the kitchen and Bunny stopped her, "No. I'll take care of it."
"But you cooked," Polly protested.
Drea stood and said, "Bunny and I will clean up. You two get ready. Today is all about you."
Henry and Polly looked at each other and put their plates back on the table. "Thank you." She walked around the table and bent over to hug Bunny from the back. "I'm so glad you came out to Bellingwood and I'm sorry I was so hard on you last night."
"I deserved it. I was being selfish," Bunny said. "But I'm going to try to be better for the rest of the weekend. I promise."
When they got back in their bedroom, Henry sat down in a chair. "Well, wouldn't it be nice if a good talking-to would fix everyone!"
"No kidding," Polly said, laughing. "But trust me, it didn't fix her. It just slowed her down. She won't be able to help herself and before the weekend is over, I'll be glad to see her get on a plane and fly out of here. I love her, I really do. She acts like a brat, apologizes and does something wonderful like this, then acts like a normal human being until she just can't stand it any longer."
"Well, it was still nice to see her try this morning."
"And I shouldn't be so hard on her. I do love her."
She sat down beside him. "So, who's taking the first shower?"
"We could ..." he looked at her and grinned.
"No. Not with my friends out there."
"They'll understand," he pleaded. "We're celebrating our wedding today."
Polly laughed at him. "You go ahead, you nut. I'll find something to keep me occupied."
With a big sigh, Henry stood up and slowly loped across the floor. He got to the hallway leading to the bathroom and turned back to give her a last, sad-faced look
. "You're sure?"
"I'm sure," she said, laughing. "Now get moving!"
He smiled back and went on in to the bathroom. She heard the water turn on and reached down to pat Obiwan's head. "It's nice having him live here with us, isn't it, Obiwan?" The dog's tail thumped as he wagged it back and forth.
Polly sat down at the secretary. She unplugged her phone and swiped it open, wondering what might have happened overnight.
There was a text message from Anita Banks, the young woman who worked in the Sheriff's office. She was an amazing whiz with computers and Polly had tried to set her up with one of the young men living in the apartment over the garage - Doug Randall. There had yet to be a productive date between the two of them and the last time Polly tried to pin Doug down as to what was going on, he brushed her off and changed the subject. She wished she knew what was happening. Oh well, none of her business.
Good morning, Polly. Give me a call sometime this morning if you could. I have some information for you. I'm working in the office today but I can't wait to see you tonight.
Polly made the call.
"Hi Polly," Anita said.
"Good morning, what's up?"
"The Sheriff told me I should call you about Dennis Smith."
"You have something already?"
"I think so. There are a bunch of Dennis Smiths in Iowa, but after doing some digging, I found one that is the right age. He lives in Oelwein. I talked to a friend over there and this guy was living in Colorado for a while and came back a few months ago, but she wasn't sure whether or not he had a woman with him."
"What do you think I should do about this?" Polly asked.
"If it were me, I might call him first. And all of this information is available on the internet. You could have found it, maybe paid something for the search. Just call and ask if the girl is there."
"I suppose that wouldn't hurt," Polly said. "If he doesn't know who she is, he'll tell me."
"Exactly. Unless he's done something wrong, I don't think you want to get the police involved yet. I'm glad to help you get this far, but ..."
Tomorrow's Promises (Bellingwood Book 7) Page 4