"What was that all about?" she asked, laughing.
"I don't know!" he said. "She was all nervous about this. She even cried upstairs in my apartment because she was so worried. I told her you weren't scary and that Jason was a good little dude and since she knew you two it would be just fine."
"I've never heard Eliseo say that many words all at once," Polly said.
"Rachel talks all the time to me, but not to someone else. You heard her last night."
"Not very much, I didn't."
"Exactly!"
Jason came running down the stairs and she smiled at him when he entered her office.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"Eliseo and Rachel are already down at the barn," she said. "Go ahead and I'll be there in a bit."
He tore off and she heard him slam open the side door to the outside.
"Sorry!" he called and then there was silence.
"Do you want to go down to the barn with me?" Polly asked a stunned Billy.
"I don't know what to do now," he replied. "I thought she needed me, but she doesn't. I don't want to get in her way."
"Come with me anyway. Both of you might as well get used to being down there."
"I'm not going to be there very often," he said, following her out of the office.
"Bet me," Polly laughed. "You know there's wireless internet down there, don't you?"
"Yeah, but," he thought for a minute. "Oh! I can play games from down there, too!"
"Uh huh."
They got to the barn in time to see Jason pull himself into his saddle. Eliseo lifted Rachel onto Nan's bare back and then swung himself up behind her. She clutched the horse's mane with her fingers and Eliseo reached around her to hold the reins.
"Don't hold too tight. You aren't going to fall and you don't want to pull her mane. If you can, try to sit up straight with your hands on your thighs. I've got you," he said to the girl.
He clicked his teeth and turned Nan so they could leave the barn. Jason followed suit and Polly and Billy stood watching as they left to walk around the large pasture.
"We'll be back in just a few minutes," Eliseo said. "I want her to know what it feels like when you look at the world from this perspective."
Polly shook her head and watched as he took his young protégés out. This really was his home. She wandered to the feed room and brought out a bale of hay to break up in the stalls. She made sure the stalls were ready for the evening.
Billy sat down on one of the benches and then realized he should be a gentleman and asked, "Can I help with anything?"
"No, you're fine, I've got it," she replied, her mind working. She wanted to think about how to turn Eliseo's passion for horses into an opportunity. It would be wonderful if he could spend his days out here rather than scrubbing toilets, washing sheets, and cleaning guest rooms.
They weren't ready to make that change yet and he certainly wasn't complaining. Everything around Sycamore House was done well and he had the time to spend with her horses. Polly wasn't sure when he slept and she hoped he was able to get some work done on the little house he was renting. When she'd negotiated for him to take over her former custodian's rental house, Eliseo was to receive a year's free rent in exchange for massive repair work on the place. The extensive damage was caused by two men looking for loot from a theft committed years ago in Iraq.
She motioned for Billy to join her and they walked out from Nan's stall to the space under the overhang. Demi and Daisy were eating hay from the old tractor tires beside the barn. They glanced up and then went back to what they were doing.
Nat, Nan and their riders were at the other end of the pasture. Eliseo was showing Rachel how to hold the reins, while keeping Jason and Nat in his field of vision. He leaned forward to listen to something Rachel said, then laughed and sat back.
"I think she likes it," Billy said, kicking hay out of the way of his feet.
"I think she does, too. She looks more comfortable on the horse now than she did at first."
Eliseo said something to Jason and turned Nan back to the barn. Jason continued to ride the outer edge as Eliseo and Rachel crossed the pasture. They rode into the far entrance. Billy and Polly went back inside to meet them.
"How did it go?" Billy asked.
Eliseo swung off the horse and then lifted Rachel down. Polly watched her legs hit the ground and buckle for a moment before she caught herself.
"Oh, Billy!" she cried and ran to hug him. "It was the most wonderful thing ever!"
"I'm coming back early tomorrow morning," she said to Polly. "If I can learn to ride Daisy, I can go out with all of you."
"That's great," Polly nodded, smiling. The girl hadn't let go of Billy and he had a small little grin tickling his mouth.
"Rachel is a good learner. She listens real well and knows what I'm telling her.” Eliseo said.
He winked at the two young people, "We weren't on the horse very long, but she's going to hurt a little in the morning. It will be best if you don't let that stop you, Rachel. We'll put you to work and make sure those muscles get strong. I think you’ve had enough for tonight, though."
"I can help," she protested. "Billy doesn't need me around to run his quest."
Billy said nothing, but continued to hold her hand as if he couldn't believe she was being so affectionate in front of other people. "It's okay," he said. "Whatever you want to do."
"Polly has most of the work done in here," Eliseo commented. "Jason and I can bring the horses in when he's finished. Be here at six thirty in the morning and I'll put you to work."
"Really?" Rachel looked at him and then at Polly, who shrugged her shoulders.
"Can I hug her one more time?" the girl asked. She pulled Billy with her and approached the big, black horse. Her arms didn't wrap very far around Nan's neck, but everyone recognized that Rachel had completely fallen for the animal. Nan brushed her chin across the top of Rachel's head and looked at Billy who backed away.
"I don't think I'm cut out to be a cowboy," he laughed. "But I'll buy you a hat, Rachel."
She released the horse and took his hand again. Polly watched his eyes land on the girl's hand in his and then he looked at Rachel in surprise. "Do you want to go down to Boone for supper?" he asked her.
"Don't you have to be online?"
"It can wait. I'll just go upstairs and tell Doug that I'm not going to be there. You have to drive, but I'll buy."
The two of them chattered as they left the barn hand in hand.
"Go on, Polly. Jason and I have this tonight.” Polly heard Eliseo speak to her and nodded. She was still trying to process the strange behaviors people around her had just exhibited.
"Thank you, Eliseo. I think you just changed that girl's life."
"She's a good girl. I'll bet no one has ever given her much to look forward to."
"Well, thank you."
Polly walked out of the barn and up to Sycamore House, still thinking about the change that had come over Rachel. A few moments with Eliseo and a giant horse and she was practically bubbling. Polly was a little proud of Billy for catching on so quickly and rewarding the transformation. She didn't know many boys like that. Maybe he just liked having the girl pay attention to him.
She entered the newly finished covered walkway leading to the side entrance and opened the door into Sycamore House, only to be assaulted with a familiar voice stridently demanding recompense.
"Really," Polly thought. "Recompense. She used that word."
Polly walked toward the sound of Cindy Rothenfuss' voice and was surprised at the scene in front of her. Billy was holding Rachel tightly and the girl's face was hot red. She looked as if she were ready to spring, given the option.
Jeff was standing between Rachel and Cindy, attempting to calm the older woman down, but to no avail.
"Stop it!" Polly said, as firmly as possible. "Now what is going on?"
As soon as she asked the question, she knew she'd made a mistake. Mrs. Rothenfuss rush
ed up to Polly and began yelling. She'd gotten close to her face and Polly stepped back. The woman pressed forward and Polly retreated again. When it happened the third time, Polly put her hands out and physically stopped the woman by grabbing her upper arms.
"Stop talking. Right now." Polly demanded.
"I want to know why this little whore is here. It is enough that I have to put up with the likes of her at the nursing home, but I will not have her destroying these pieces of art. She's worthless, just like her mother."
"Mrs. Rothenfuss, I have told you once before that this behavior in my home is unacceptable. There will be no more conversation with you after this."
"I will call the police about this," the woman yelled.
"Bring the tone of your voice down immediately," Polly said, as quietly as she could. She glanced at Billy and Rachel and questioned them with her eyes. Billy's face was furious. Sweet, shy Rachel looked like a cat ready to pounce. There wouldn't be any answers coming from that side of the room.
"Jeff?" Polly asked and he stepped over to them. "What happened here?"
Mrs. Rothenfuss opened her mouth as if to speak and Polly put her palm up in front of the woman's face. "I want you to be absolutely still," Polly said, "until I’m ready to hear what you have to say. One more word and you will be removed from the premises and not allowed back in."
"I believe," Jeff said, "that she caught Rachel touching the corner of a quilt."
"That little whore's filthy hands could damage these pieces of art."
"That's it. I wasn't kidding," Polly said. "You either leave on your own right now or I will find another way. Jeff, escort Mrs. Rothenfuss to the front door, please. We'll work the rest of this out later."
He looked surprised, but said, "This way, ma'am."
"You haven't heard the end of this!" she screamed back at Polly as she pulled her arm out of Jeff's hand. "I will destroy you!"
Polly took a few deep breaths and found that her eyes were watering. She brushed the tears away and stepped over to Billy and Rachel. The girl dropped to the floor and began to sob. "I hate that woman. She won't leave us alone. Everywhere I go, she's there."
"What is up?" Polly asked.
"She's a horrible, horrible person. She hates my mother and has done everything she can to get me fired from the nursing home. Her father lives there and he likes me, but if I'm anywhere around when she comes, she starts yelling. I've learned to keep an eye out and escape back into the kitchen."
"Why in the world does she hate you so much?" Polly asked. "And what was up with the quilt?"
"I didn't know she was here or I would never have come inside," Rachel said. "I saw that quilt," she pointed to the wall, "and wondered what they had used on the back. All I did was lift a corner to look and she caught me and began screaming. When she started in on my mom, I almost lost it. If Billy hadn't stopped me, I think I might have jumped her!"
Billy hadn't said a word, but he did kneel down on the floor beside Rachel. Polly took a seat on the closest bench, leaning into the girl. She looked up as Jeff came back around the corner.
"Well," he said. "I have no idea what's going to happen next. This is going to be entertaining."
"I'm sorry," Polly said. "But she pushed me over the edge and I wasn't going to threaten her and not follow through."
"Actually, I should apologize to you. I was so concerned with making this all work out, I was ready to put up with crap that no one should take. And there is no reason that any of our guests or family should ever have to take that abuse. She's gone now. We'll see what happens next."
"How many of the quilts are actually up?" Polly asked him.
"I think we have thirty percent of them hung. The rest were going to be taken care of this weekend, with a few stragglers before the show next week." He took a deep breath and let it out, then knelt before Rachel.
"I'm sorry, honey, that you had to experience that. I should have stepped in earlier," he said to her. "That woman has some venom where you're concerned, though. If I were you, I'd watch my back."
Rachel looked up at him and her eyes grew hot again, "She'd better freakin' watch her back with me. I've about had it. Mom and I are tired of putting up with her crap."
"Is she this bad to Caleb?" Billy asked.
"No, she doesn't care about him. It's like he doesn't exist. Do you know that she tried to get her husband to buy the house we rent so she could evict us? We didn't know what was going on until Mom overheard her at the grocery store bragging about it. She called the landlord and he called Mr. Rothenfuss and it was all over.
"Wow, she really wants to hurt you guys." Billy was astounded. His face showed the shock everyone was feeling.
Rachel stood up, "Well, that does it. I'm done with her pushing me around. She can say whatever she wants from now on, I'm not going to put up with it. If I have to get up in her face, I'll do it. But, that old biddy is not going to bully me or my mom again. I don't care what mom says."
She took Polly's hand, "You showed me how to talk to her. That was really awesome."
"I don't think it helped. In fact, it might have cost us some business here. But I won't put up with people messing with my friends."
Jeff cut in, "I don't think it will cost us that much. Let me worry about that. I'll take care of it. You did the right thing. I didn't."
"We'll see," Polly said, rolling her eyes.
"Come on, Billy.” Rachel took his hand. “I need to go home and tell Mom what happened, just in case she decides to do something awful to us. Then, you're taking me out to dinner."
They cut through the kitchen, heading for his apartment and Jeff walked with Polly to the office.
"I have no idea what tripped that woman over the edge, but someone should speak with her husband about counseling or something for her. When I first met her, she was difficult, but this is over the top. I'd have to say that she is insane."
"Do you think it's the pressure of the quilt show?" Polly asked.
"I suppose that could be part of it, but there's something more. Oh well," he sighed. "There's nothing I can do about it."
He followed her into her office and sat down. "I'm going to call Marla Singer and see what she says. The quilters were very happy with this location and most of them tend to ignore her antics."
"I am sorry if I've screwed this up for you," Polly began and he held his hand up to stop her.
"You never know what people are going to do, especially when they're a bit off kilter. That poor woman slipped clear to the other side of kilter."
Jeff went to his office and Polly sat back in her chair and closed her eyes. It had been such a good day. As soon as she thought that, her mind raced off to think about Ruth Ann and the scrapbook in her apartment. She felt her palms get clammy and she tried to think of anything else, but her subconscious was having none of it.
She began seeing the pictures from the pages and the words from Ruth Ann's blog swirled through her mind. She pressed her eyes more tightly together and said out loud, "Nat, Nan, Demi, Daisy, Obiwan, Luke, Leia."
Polly sputtered as she felt something on her lips, opened her eyes and saw Henry grinning at her. He kissed her again and she let him.
"Well, that's better!" He kissed her one more time and she sat up. "What were you muttering about?"
"I was listing my warm-blooded lovelies to get my mind off of bad things."
"How could you have any bad things in your life? I'm here to make them all go away."
"Make Cindy Rothenfuss and Ruth Ann Marshall go away and I'm yours forever." Polly wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned on his belly.
"If you don't want to see Ruth Ann next week, give me her number and I'll make her go away. I can do that for you. As for Cindy Rothenfuss, how did she upset you today?"
Polly told him about the encounter between the woman and Rachel Devins and he sat down across the desk and listened.
"Jeff tells me not to worry," she finished, "but I am afraid I screwed up."
>
"Let him worry about it then. You did the right thing and by the way, this is your house. You get to do what you want."
"Uh huh. So what are you doing tonight?"
"Roy and I are going down to the Drake Diner for dinner. I promised him at least one trip down there. Do you want to join us?"
"No," she scowled. "You two can have your bonding time together. I'll find something to do around here all by myself."
"I was going to talk to you about tomorrow morning. Do you still want to head over to Story City and check out the things in your storage unit? I'm free after all."
"That would be awesome!" Polly perked up. "Thank you. I was tempted to head over by myself, but having you there would be much better. What time do you want to leave?"
"What if I pick you up about nine? Will you be done with the horses by then?"
"You can pick me up earlier than that. Rachel Devins is going to be here to help and I know that Jason will show up as soon as his mother lets him out of the house. Eliseo will have plenty of people to do the work."
"Then let's leave at seven and get breakfast somewhere. We'll figure out what it will take to get your things to Bellingwood and maybe I can talk you into a quick trip down to the new farm store in Ankeny."
"Great! I need to pick up a hat and some boots for Jason's birthday."
"You won’t find that stuff there,” he said. "But, I know a great place in Des Moines. Wear your comfortable shoes. We're going to make a day of it.
CHAPTER NINE
It was the first time since she'd gotten the horses that she didn't even go downstairs and out to the barn to check on them. Andrew and Jason had arrived early with their mother, so Andrew had taken Obiwan out for a walk and Jason had headed to the barn to meet up with Rachel and Eliseo.
When Henry pulled up in front of her garage, she dashed out, ready to go and excited to be free of all her responsibilities for the day. They ended up at a diner in Story City, one that Polly remembered her Dad taking her to a few times. After all that had been going on throughout the last week, she was nearly giddy to be out for a day. A breakfast buffet in a small hometown diner was the perfect way to celebrate.
Secrets and Revelations (Bellingwood #4) Page 10