Look Always Forward (Bellingwood Book 11)

by Diane Greenwood Muir

  He held the door as she and Obiwan walked back inside. "No, but the day isn't over yet. Thanks for listening and not thinking I'm insane."

  Camille Specht had her employees washing down tables and chairs while she polished the top of the counter. She looked up and smiled at Polly, put down her cloth, and crossed the room.

  "I'd like to get to know you better," she said. "I'm staying at the inn until I find a place to live. Would you have time for lunch in the next couple of days?"

  Polly grabbed Jeff's arm and said, "Why isn't she staying at Sycamore House? She could be closer to Sylvie and much closer to this place."

  "I don't know. It was just my go-to."

  Polly said, "I'd love to have lunch with you. And let's do it whenever you have time. My schedule isn't as tight as yours. And please, you should stay at Sycamore House. We have four wonderful rooms available until you find a place to settle."

  Camille glanced at Jeff, the question in her eyes.

  "It sounds good to me," he said. "It looks like you just became part of the family."

  CHAPTER FIVE

  "Now be honest," Sal said. "What did you think of her?" They were at the Sycamore House kitchen table, drinking coffee.

  "Think of who?"

  "Camille. The manager we hired."

  "She seems nice," Polly said. "Jeff moved her into Sycamore House this morning."

  "Thank you!" Sal exclaimed. "Mark's house isn't big enough for a long-term guest and I didn't want her to have to stay at the hotel." She stopped and gave a sheepish grin to Polly. "Not that it isn't fabulous."

  Polly laughed. "I get it. The rooms aren't big enough."

  "Well, the rooms here are a lot bigger and so much..." Sal stopped again. "I'll just shut up now. Thank you for doing that. Can you believe we're about ready to open?"

  "I certainly can't," Sylvie interrupted, dropping into a chair next to Polly. She flicked powdered sugar dust off her apron. "I haven't decided what I want to put in there for the opening yet."

  Polly and Sal watched Sylvie work. They had offered to help, but Sylvie just rolled her eyes and pointed to the table.

  "You need to quit worrying about it. People will like whatever you offer. And it isn't like there's going to be a big rush anyway," Sal said. "We aren't really telling anyone that it's even open."

  "They'll find out soon enough," Sylvie retorted. "And you don't think they're not going to want to test me, to see what I've done?"

  Sal laughed. "I kind of hoped it was going to be about coffee and tea. People in Bellingwood already know how good you are. Aren't you selling bread at the General Store already?"

  "You're right. I know. I worry too much," Sylvie said.

  "It's what makes you good at what you do," Polly offered.

  She looked out the window to the back yard. Andrew and Rebecca were chasing the dogs in and out of the tree line and tossing Frisbees for them to catch. Exhausting all of them was a great idea, but she knew it wouldn't last long. Kayla had Hawkeye's leash and was trying to keep up with him as he chased the older dogs. When he got exhausted, he would flop down in the grass and she'd drop beside him. The rest period never lasted as long as Kayla wanted. Something would catch the puppy's attention and he'd give a tug on the leash and she'd be up and running again.

  Polly and Rebecca had gone to a garage sale one Saturday before Rebecca's art lesson and found an old croquet set. Rebecca had never heard of the game and it had been years since Polly had played. They found instructions online, set the wickets up and it had become quite an attraction for the kids. Several of Jason's friends had also been over to play. Who would have thought that old game would draw kids together again?

  Eliseo talked about putting a volleyball net up in the yard, but until the garden came out, Polly wouldn't let him. She could only imagine the destruction feet and wild volleyballs would inflict on his vegetables.

  "Hey Jeff," Sal said. "How're things? Should I be up at the coffee shop?"

  Polly turned. He had a silly grin on his face. "What's that look?" she asked.

  "It's the look of a man who is content," he said.

  Sylvie jumped out of her chair and ran to the oven just before the timer's bell rang. "A new hot date?" she asked.

  He scowled at her. "No. I think I'm destined to be alone for the rest of my life." He sat down in Sylvie's seat. "No, I hired a manager for the inn."

  "You hired him?" Polly asked.

  "For a month. That worked out so well with Eliseo, I thought we'd try it again. One month and we all agree that he's a good fit, he stays. Otherwise, he'll move on and we'll start looking again."

  Sylvie put two trays of pastries into a rolling rack. "Hired who?" she asked.

  "Go ahead. Tell them," Jeff said to Polly. "It was your idea."

  "That guy you met yesterday," Polly said. "The one who had been in the wreck out front."

  "Victorian guy?" Sylvie asked.

  Polly laughed. "I suppose he does act a little like that. But yes. Alistair Greyson." Polly looked over at Sylvie. "Are you going to be okay with him working for us?"

  "Why do you ask?" Sylvie just rolled her eyes.

  "He was smitten with you and made no bones about it."

  "As long as he isn't a stalker, we'll be fine," Sylvie said. She blushed again. "It was flattering, but he threw me. I know what I looked like and there he was telling me how beautiful I was."

  Sal looked back and forth between the two of them. "He told you that you were beautiful?" She realized what she had sounded like and quickly said, "No. I mean. You are beautiful, but this was the first time he met you and he said that?"

  Sylvie laughed. "I know what you mean. I was a complete mess. It was embarrassing. But we'll be fine. I hope it works out."

  "You just hired a guy who showed up in town?" Sal asked. "Just like that?"

  "Maybe." Polly felt herself blushing. "But when I went out there yesterday, he was pulling weeds and cleaning up the parking lot. And he even figured out how to get into the system to help some of the guests." She looked up and around the room. "It seemed like a good idea at the time. How bad could things get?"

  Sal wasn't having it. "He could be a thief or a murderer or anything. What if you've set your guests up to be killed or have their rooms broken into?"

  "We'll run a standard background check, right Jeff?"

  He nodded. "Of course. Stephanie's working on it right now. Just like we do for anyone that gets hired..." He glanced at Polly. "Anyone that gets hired now that I'm in charge. Polly would just trust people."

  She swatted his arm. "I'd rather trust them than not. But that's why I have you. And hey, I trusted you."

  "Yes you did," he agreed. "Smartest move you've ever made."

  Polly patted his arm where she'd swatted him. "It really was. And I appreciate you every day. Especially when you hire people to do work I don't want to do. Is he moving into the apartment?"

  "As we speak," Jeff said.

  They had furnished the apartment at Sycamore Inn with furniture and appliances from Polly's father's house. It was still pretty sparse, but someone could easily move in on a moment's notice. She was also thankful that it emptied out much of the garage. There were still stacks of boxes left, but maybe when it got cold this winter, she'd make time to sort through them.

  "When are you training him on the system?" she asked.

  "He's coming over this afternoon to work with Stephanie, but he's pretty smart. He had it figured out before I even asked him. He's not afraid of computers or hard work."

  "He said that limp is from an old injury," Polly said. "Did he tell you what that was from? Will it affect his work? It would be nice if Eliseo didn't have to ride the mower over there every week."

  Jeff shook his head. "We didn't get that far, but he assured me that he was quite capable of doing whatever needed to be done."

  Polly sat back in her chair. "It would be great if we finally found someone who would stay for a while."

  Stephanie cam
e into the kitchen with her coffee mug. "Here you are. I thought I'd lost everybody."

  "Come over and join us," Polly said. "You can watch the kids playing." She chuckled. "Just look at those little red faces. They're having a blast. Maybe they'll head over to the pool this afternoon. Do you mind, Stephanie?"

  The young girl nodded. "I have Kayla's swimsuit in my bag. She never knows when Andrew and Rebecca will want to go."

  "I'm terrible at setting up schedules and making plans during the summer," Polly said. "I'm sorry."

  "No, it's okay." Stephanie sat down on the other side of Polly and hesitantly touched her arm. "Speaking of schedules, I need to ask a question."

  Polly turned to face her. "Sure, what's up?"

  "Kayla and Rebecca want to go clothes shopping this Saturday. Since we've been going to Goodwill so much, Kayla has seen clothes there that she wants. It's such a good deal. Would you mind if I took Rebecca Saturday morning? Or would you rather take her to one of the bigger stores?"

  "That would be great," Polly said. "If the girls can find fun things to wear for school, I'd much rather she spent her money that way." She leaned in to speak quietly. "I know they've been saving money from babysitting and working this summer. Is that what Kayla is using?"

  "No. I won't let her. This one's on me."

  "Well, you tell me how much you plan to spend on Kayla and I'll send the same amount with Rebecca. Will that work?"

  Stephanie gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you for letting me do this. We might run to Target after we're done with the thrift stores. I want to get Kayla new underthings too."

  "Rebecca would probably love to do that with you two. Just let me know how much I should send, okay?"

  The girl took a deep breath and let it out. "I was worried it wouldn't be good enough, but Rebecca said she used to shop at Goodwill with her mom. And I know you can afford..." She paused, looked at Sal, and blushed. "Nothing. Just thank you."

  Polly smiled at her. "No problem. The world's an interesting place, isn't it? You never know who you're going to be hanging out with. But I appreciate you taking the girls shopping. They'll have a great time."

  She stood up. "I'm going to round up some young-uns before they get too overheated. The dogs have flopped onto the grass a couple of times. I suspect everybody is ready for something cool to drink.

  "Anybody who is up town this afternoon should stop by the coffee shop," Jeff said. "Either that or give me an order." He looked at Stephanie and she smiled back at him. "We'll be making free drinks while the kids learn the ropes."

  "Helena Black will appreciate being called a kid," Polly said.

  Sylvie's head snapped up. "Helena Black? She's working at the coffee shop?" Then she dramatically clutched her chest and said, "Shoot me now."

  "What's wrong?" Polly asked. She glanced at Jeff, who was watching with wide eyes.

  "Nothing's wrong," Sylvie said, rolling her eyes. "She's just ... busy. And chatty. And interested in everything you're doing, but she never pays any attention, so her interest is always new." She pursed her lips and looked up at Jeff. "But don't worry, she won't last long."

  "That's mean. Don't say things like that to me," he replied. Then he said conspiratorially, "But what do you mean by that?"

  "She comes on strong for about a month or two and then gets bored. By the time she finally quits, everyone is praying for her to be gone."

  "But her references said she was a great worker."

  "She is. She'll work hard and she'll do a great job. But she's worked nearly everywhere in town as well as Boone, Stratford, and Webster City. She worked with me at the grocery store... for a couple of months." Sylvie realized that everyone else was in shock. "Don't worry," she said. "Helena is great with customers. They all like her. It's the rest of the employees that will want her to be gone."

  Polly poked Jeff, "Maybe this one is your first mistake."

  "Hey!" he said.

  "Look. Mine was the guy who was high whenever he deigned to show up. You get to have at least one."

  He gave her a little push. "Yours was a doozie."

  "You're right there." Polly opened the door to the back yard and stepped out, then yelled. "Hey, who wants lemonade? Come in and head upstairs."

  "I want lemonade," Sal said when Polly came back inside.

  "Then come upstairs," Polly retorted.

  "No, that's okay," Sal replied. "I've wasted enough time this morning. I'm going up to the coffee shop and order a crazy drink off the coffee menu and see if I can trip Camille up. She's amazing."

  ~~~

  Jason and one of his friends, Kent Ivers, had agreed to go to the pool with the three kids that afternoon. Polly knew that Rebecca and Andrew could swim. Rebecca had taken lessons this summer and Andrew had been swimming since he was a kid, but Kayla was still a question mark. Rebecca promised to teach Kayla how to float and hold her breath, but Polly was much more comfortable knowing the two older boys would be there.

  Polly had gone the first couple of times, but discovered that it embarrassed Rebecca, so after hovering in the background once or twice, she gave up and let them have fun on their own. They were just across the highway, the pool employed lifeguards, and Jason was in charge. After he'd dropped Joey Delancy a few months ago, his self-confidence had grown. He hadn't become arrogant, but that encounter had served to make him realize that he had important contributions to make in protecting others.

  She walked out the front door and wandered through the garden on the corner, stopping to listen to the burbling of the water in the pond. There were no people there today, but it was a popular spot for people on their evening walks. She crossed the highway to head up town and realized that Alistair Greyson was in front of her. He was dressed in jeans, a white linen shirt, had a straw hat on his head, and was using his walking stick.

  "Mr. Greyson," she called out.

  He stopped and turned, bursting into a huge smile. "Why, Miss Polly Giller. What are you doing out today?"

  She walked faster to catch up to him. "I'm going to the coffee shop to put their new employees to the test. They aren't open yet, but the kids need practice. Would you like to join me?"

  "That would be lovely." He bent his arm for her to take it and said, "And call me Grey. Everyone does. Mr. Greyson is much too formal, don't you think?"

  "Grey it is," she responded. "Jeff tells me that you are moving into the apartment at the inn and will be managing the place for us. Thank you for doing that."

  He touched the edge of his hat and tipped his head to a woman they passed and said, "I understand that it was upon your recommendation he extended the offer. What a splendid idea you had. Just when I was beginning to wonder what this great, big wonderful world had for me to do next, all of a sudden there you are. Has anyone ever told you that you have a special connection with the movements of the universe?"

  She looked at him sideways and realized he was sincere. "I've heard something similar to that in the past, but not put into those words."

  "Hey old man," a high school age kid said. "Hasn't anyone ever told you that this look is out?" Two of his friends joined him and cut Polly and Grey off before they could cross the street.

  "Young men," Grey said. "You are obstructing our passage. Please move aside."

  "Move aside? Who do you think you are? We were here first," the first kid said.

  "Are you kidding me?" Polly asked. "This is ridiculous." She started to step forward and one of the other boys blocked her. She stepped in and got up in his face. "Back away and let us through. I may not know who you are, but once I find out, I can make your lives miserable. Now grow up and back off."

  "You might think you're a big shot, but everybody knows you're nothing." The first kid spat on the ground in front of her and crowded the other out of her way. He stepped in front of her, trying to intimidate her. He wasn't much bigger than Jason, but it was enough.

  Polly refused to give way. She stared at the kid, holding eye contact with him until he
broke it. But then he tried to move in even closer. In a flash, though, he was on the ground. She looked around in surprise. Grey had used the walking stick to sweep the boy's legs out from under him. The other two stared in stunned silence, while Grey remained cool and calm. The only thing that betrayed his anger was the flash in his eyes.

  He tipped his hat at them and said, "Your deportment is severely lacking, young men. You never treat a lady in that manner." Grey took Polly's arm and guided her around the three boys and across the street.

  "That was a smooth move," Polly said, her voice cracking as she worked to regain her composure.

  He chuckled. "That, my dear, was from a former life. In fact, the life in which I damaged my poor, blighted knee. I'm afraid those young gentlemen thought I was easy prey, but mayhap they learned a lesson this afternoon."

  "I don't know what made them think they could get pushy like that," she replied, opening the door to the coffee shop. She stopped to take a breath. The baristas had been practicing, the wonderful scent of brewed coffee filled her senses.

  "The product of too much time on their hands, fears of returning to school soon, and confidence that they had safety in numbers. I'm a stranger in town..." He gestured down at himself. "And might I say I'm like none they've ever met before."

  "That's just not right, though," she said "It isn't as if Bellingwood is a bastion of white middle-class..." Then Polly chuckled. "Actually, I guess it is. I do my best to bring color and interest and some people want nothing to do with that."

  He propped his stick inside a tall umbrella stand just inside the front door and swept his arm toward the counter. "After you, milady. I believe they're awaiting our orders."

  CHAPTER SIX

  "We hardly ever see that girl," Henry said to Polly. This was a recurring theme. "Where is she tonight?"

  "Jessie invited her to spend the night before school started. They're having girl talk," Polly said.

  "It's really just you and me all alone - all night?" he asked, a wicked glint in his eye. He leaned over the sofa and groped her breast.