Through the Storm (Bellingwood Book 8)

by Diane Greenwood Muir

  "I love you too, Sylvie. I'll do what I can to make this all be fine."

  "Thanks so much for everything today."

  "Good night."

  When she and Henry got home, they took Obiwan for a short walk and then went upstairs. She needed to email Rebecca's teacher, so she did that while Henry got settled into bed.

  "Polly?" Henry said, shifting his body out from under hers.

  "Hmmmm?" Polly snuggled in closer to him as he slid down in the bed, pulling the blankets over the top of them.

  "I love you, sweet thing."

  "Love you too. G'nite."

  He wrapped himself around her. "Goodnight.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Restful sleep was a thing of the past. Polly came fully awake and felt a clench in her gut. Today had the potential to be disastrous. If ... no, when ... Anthony Donovan showed up, Sylvie and her boys had to face that problem. And more than likely it was going to happen right here in Sycamore House. That just made her feel sick. Lunch with Jason was an unknown as well. There was every probability it was nothing. Jason had a tendency to make things bigger in his mind than they really were, but there was something going on with him and he asked her to be part of it.

  It would be easy to say that all of this bad behavior of his was out of character, but it really wasn't. He'd been more difficult to get along with all summer. He was sullen with his mother, belligerent with his brother and pretty much just ignored everyone else. The only person who had really maintained any sound contact with the boy was Eliseo. Thank goodness for him.

  Now that Sylvie was finished with school and back in Bellingwood, she had expected to regain some control of her family. Andrew was no big deal. That kid was so easygoing. He didn't get angry at his older brother when Jason acted out, he just shrugged it off. He was Rebecca's true north. No matter what was happening with her mother, Andrew just let it flow over him. He kept her distracted when she needed it and knew enough to step away and let Polly handle Rebecca's emotional needs when those came up.

  She took her phone off the table and swiped it open to check the time. It was still early, so she put it back and smiled to herself. Andrew was a lot like Henry. He just did what he needed to do and had a good time with the rest of his life.

  "You're doing it again," Henry whispered.

  "What?"

  "Thinking loudly. I can practically hear the wheels in your brain turning."

  Polly turned over to face him. "I'm worried about Anthony Donovan showing up here today."

  "He isn't going to hurt Sylvie in front of everyone."

  "Even if he doesn't physically hurt her, he can do a lot of damage. Henry, I've never seen her like she was Sunday night. Sylvie doesn't let fear control her life and he triggered all of her fears. She faces down the toughest, bitchiest wedding moms while stirring up a light soufflé and when she's finished, both turn out perfectly. But this man is really frightening."

  "Do you want me here today?"

  Polly thought about it. She really did. Everything was better when Henry was around, but that was ridiculous. It wasn't like she had any work that he needed to do and he had plenty of job sites to deal with.

  "No. That's okay. We'll be fine. Jeff will be here, Eliseo is just down at the barn and you're right. He isn't going to do anything to her in public."

  "I'm in town this week. You know it will take less than five or ten minutes for me to get here. Just call if you need me, promise?"

  "I'd probably call Aaron first. If anyone is going to wrangle Sylvie's ex into submission it will be him. He's done it before."

  "Then call me after that happens. I'll be here with a huge crew of men, if necessary." He chuckled. "There isn't a one of them who wouldn't enjoy a good opportunity to manhandle a jerk to the ground."

  "You're pretty wonderful." Polly slid her leg between his and nestled her head into his shoulder.

  Henry pushed her hair away from her face and wrapping the palm of his hand around the back of her neck, pulled her closer to kiss her. "Wonderful enough to be late to the barn and maybe even skip breakfast?"

  "I'm not going to the barn this morning and who cares about breakfast," she said.

  ~~~

  Polly was in her office when she looked up and saw Beryl, Andy and Lydia come in the front door. They waved at her through the window and pranced in. Beryl was carrying an easel and an immense tote bag, Andy had her office supplies on wheels and Lydia had a basket covered with pretty kitchen towels. She snagged a chair from the outer office and the three of them descended on Polly.

  "What are you three doing here?" Polly asked. "You look as if you're moving in."

  "We are," Lydia announced. "At least for today."

  "Why?"

  Beryl leaned forward. "If our Sylvie is worried about facing a jerk of an ex-husband, we're going to be the gauntlet he has to go through to get to her. And she can't tell us to go away. We have things to do."

  Polly let out a chuckle. "You do! What kind of things are you doing around here today?"

  Jeff came in from his office. "Oh good, you're here. Andy, let me show you what I need and you can use Sarah's desk while she's in the hospital."

  "I have muffins," Lydia said, pulling back a towel.

  He moaned and took the proffered napkin and a muffin. "You're killing me."

  "Who planned this?" Polly asked.

  Jeff grinned at her. "Lydia texted me last night and asked if I had work for them to do here. I always have things for people to do."

  "I love you," Polly said. "What are you painting today, Beryl?"

  "I'm not sure yet. Something will come up. I'm going to sit right there in that hallway and dare anyone to threaten our Sylvie girl."

  "Does she know you all are here today?"

  Andy grinned, "What do you think?"

  "Okay, got it. Have I told you that I love you?"

  "Let's get to work, girls. We have things to do. And thank you Jeff, for letting me host the women's group in the auditorium today," Lydia said.

  "You're what?" Polly gasped. "When did this happen?"

  "Oh, it's been on the calendar for weeks. They are putting new carpet in at church this week. I've been dying to bring them here and this was the perfect opportunity."

  "What are they going to say about Beryl sitting in the middle of all of the activity?"

  "Hmm," Beryl mused. "Maybe I'll imagine Sylvie as a nude. I can put clothes on her this afternoon."

  "You wouldn't."

  "Damn straight I would if it were anybody but our Sylvie." She reached into the tote and pulled out a stack of canvas panels. "But I could do a random nude just for their entertainment." Beryl grinned evilly up at Lydia.

  Lydia shrugged, "It's fine with me. They all think you're going to hell anyway. It might just garner you some extra prayers during the meeting."

  Sylvie, Andrew and Rebecca came in the front door. She took one look at the crowd in Polly's office and gave them a weak smile, then came around the corner to the office.

  "What are you three doing here today?" she asked.

  "We're working," Lydia said. "It's going to be a busy day at Sycamore House. Now don't you have some food to start cooking? I have a group of ladies coming in today who can't wait to taste food by the new chef in town." She held the basket up to Sylvie. "Muffin?"

  "I don't know what to say. Are you here to protect me?"

  "We're here to work. If protection is part of our racket, then that's what we'll do," Beryl announced. Then she laughed and pointed at Sal and Joss coming in the front door, both of them carrying a baby in its car seat.

  "Are all of you here because of me?" Sylvie asked, her eyes filling with tears.

  "Well, this is quite the crowd," Sal announced as she poked her head in the office.

  "What's your excuse for being here?" Polly asked.

  "The internet isn't working at home and I need to do some writing. I thought maybe I could use the conference room," Sal said and glanced around at every
one. "Will you buy that?"

  Sylvie hugged her and turned to Joss. "And what are you doing here?"

  "We were bored at home. I just don't get enough adult interaction, so I thought maybe I could find some friends here who would like to spend time with me and the babies."

  "See," Lydia said. "Now we all have plenty to do. There are babies in the house." She turned back to Polly. "Do you still have that portable crib?"

  "It's in the basement," Polly said. "I'll go get it. Where do you want me to set it up?" She stood from her desk and waited while the rest of the women made their way out into the main hallway.

  "Why don't I get one of those big fluffy blankets and we can put it on the floor right here in the middle of everything," Lydia said. "That way they'll be surrounded by friends and their mama can relax in one of the comfortable sofas in the lounge.

  Jeff stood up a little taller, then put his hands out in front of him. "Come on, ladies. We're a team. Give me a little love here."

  One by one, they caught on to what he was asking for and put their hands in on top of each other.

  "Who's the team that can't be beat?" he chanted.

  Everyone stared at him. Beryl finally said, "That's lame."

  "Fine," he laughed and then said, "Let's go!"

  They left the office, all laughing. Polly went to the basement and returned with the portable crib, setting it up just at the edge of the large opening to the lounge across the hallway from the office.

  "Where did Andrew and Rebecca go?" she asked, hoping someone would answer her.

  "They went upstairs," Joss said. "When the office was filling up with women, Andrew took her by the arm and dragged her out."

  "I should talk to Rebecca. But first, I'll call the hospital to make sure her mom is doing okay."

  Lydia waved Polly away. "You do whatever you need to do. If I had known Cooper and Sophie were planning to be here today I might even have canceled the women's meeting." She unbuckled Cooper and took him up in her arms. "You are a beautiful little boy. All of those dark curls and those beautiful cheekbones. Joss, do you know what their heritage is? I don't know that I ever asked."

  "They are such an amalgam of America," Joss said. "Their mother's parents are Asian and American Indian and the father's dad is African American and I think his mother is Irish. It's like these kids represent the best of all of us."

  "They're both gorgeous," Lydia said, stroking Cooper's hair. "You are so lucky. Are they sleeping?"

  Joss blinked at her, "Uh huh. Just not all night long. It's getting better, but I've just decided that I'll sleep when they go to school."

  Lydia chuckled. "It will get better soon, I promise. And then it will get bad again and then it will get better."

  "I'm trusting you on that."

  "You just tell me when you want me to come over and take care of these beautiful little babies so you can take a nap. I want them to get to know their Aunt Lydia very well."

  "I'll do that," Joss said, holding Sophia. She dropped down into an overstuffed chair and sighed. "This is nice. I'm not moving."

  The little girl wriggled to get out of her arms, reaching for her brother. "Oh no you don't," Joss said. "I've got you now." She snuggled her face into Sophia's neck and gave her a raspberry, causing the child to giggle.

  Polly shook her head and walked away and into her office. Babies were a lot of work. Oh please, dear God in heaven above, never let it happen to her. She sat down and dialed the Boone hospital, asking for the nurse's station on Sarah Heater's floor. This had to be good news. No one here needed any more bad news. The nurse she spoke with assured Polly that Sarah was stabilizing, but that it was going to take quite some time for them to get her healthy enough to return home. Her blood sugar was all over the place right now and until they got that normalized, she was going nowhere. It was too dangerous.

  The worst part was that they had to stop chemotherapy while they were doing this. Once they got things evened out, they could re-start chemo, so Polly wasn't to worry. And yes, Rebecca was welcome to come down and see her any time.

  Worry, hah. Now to figure out how to tell Rebecca what was going on. She took a deep breath and headed out. Everyone really was working quietly. Andy was sorting through filing cabinets, Sal was typing away in the conference room, Lydia and Joss were chattering over the babies and Beryl had planted herself right in the middle of everything, her canvas on an easel and a palette in her hand.

  "You're really doing this, aren't you?" Polly asked.

  "I am, but I chose a different subject," Beryl whispered. "Tell me there isn't anything more beautiful here today than that young mother and her babies."

  "You are such an old softie."

  "Shhh, don't tell anyone. It's a secret."

  Polly ran up the steps to her apartment and opened the door to the sounds of squealing tires and laughter. She missed having the kids around all day when they were back in school. She gave herself a small chuckle. Babies weren't anything she was interested in, but kids? That was a different story. She loved them.

  "Hey," she said when she went into the media room.

  "Shhh," Andrew replied, not taking his eyes off the screen. Then he threw his hands up in the air, dropping the controller. "She always wins."

  "Rebecca, I called the hospital," Polly started.

  Rebecca jumped off the sofa, "Is she okay. Can we go see her?"

  "She's okay and yes, we'll see her today. I think she'll be in the hospital for a while so they can get her stabilized. Her blood sugar is all out of whack and that's what was making her so sick."

  The girl dropped back down on the sofa. "Thank you. I was so worried." She looked back and forth from Polly to Andrew, then exhaled loudly. "I don't want her to die."

  Andrew looked at Polly in panic and she smiled back at him, then said. "I know you don't, sweetie. This isn't her time yet. It may take some time before she comes home, but when she does we'll make sure she is in good hands."

  "Sometimes she cries at night. I know she thinks I'm asleep and can't hear her. She's really quiet. Do you think she's scared?"

  Polly knelt down in front of Rebecca and took her hands. "I think she's scared. Wouldn't you be if you were her?"

  "I'm scared and I'm me," Rebecca said.

  "This is an awful lot for the two of you to handle, but you know what? You have each other. Do you tell her when you're scared?"

  Rebecca looked at her in shock. "No. I don't want her to worry about me."

  "I can almost promise that she wants you to talk to her. Your mama loves you very much and would rather hold you while you cry than think about you crying all alone."

  "Should I go hold her when she cries?"

  "Oh honey, of course you should. If she isn't hurting physically, you should crawl right up in bed with her if that's what you want. Didn't you used to do that when you had a bad dream?"

  "She always told me that the purple pillow was mine and I could either put it on my bed or on hers. It was the traveling pillow."

  "Where is that pillow now?"

  "I got too old for that. We got rid of it when we moved to Bellingwood."

  "Why don't we look for a purple pillow," Polly said. "I think the two of you need to have another one of those in your lives right now. What do you think about that?"

  "There are fuzzy purple pillows at the Dollar Store," Andrew said quietly.

  "Seriously?" Polly chuckled. "How do you know that?"

  "I dunno. I just saw it there. They have these square pillows in lots of colors."

  "We'll get one of those before your mom comes home."

  Andrew took a deep breath. "I have one."

  Rebecca looked at him, her eyes scrunched up in disbelief. "Why do you have a purple pillow?"

  "I was going to give it to you for Christmas. Mom said you'd like it, so I bought it. She told me that we were Christmas shopping early this year because we had so many more people in our lives. It used to just be us. And now there are a lot of people.
"

  Polly thought she was going to fall apart right there, but she rocked back on her heels and stood up. "You're a wonderful kid, Andrew." She bent over and hugged him tight.

  "Mrumph," he said.

  "What?"

  "Can't breathe."

  "Yeah. Whatever. You just don't like being hugged."

  Rebecca was still staring at her friend. "You bought me a purple pillow?"

  "It's no big deal. It's just ... it's no big deal."

  "You two start another game and Rebecca, you be nice to him. Let him win once in a while or something," Polly pointed at the screen.

  "She can't let me win. It's not fair," Andrew protested. "I want to beat her fair and square."

  Polly headed for the front door, then turned around. "I'll be back for Obiwan later. You don't have to worry about taking him outside today."

  "You're just worried that my dad will show up and take me away again. He's not going to do that, you know," Andrew said.

  "Why's that?"

  "Because he already talked to me."

  "Why do you think he's here, Andrew?" Polly asked.

  "Everybody asked me that last night. I don't know. He said he wanted to meet me and that he had to talk to Mom and Jason. Do you think he's going to apologize for beating them up?"

  "Beating them up?"

  "Yeah. Jason told me a long time ago that he got hit once. I'm glad he didn't hit me."

  "I'm glad too. Well, anyway, I'm still going to take Obiwan out. Did you get the classwork you're missing out on?"

  "Mom's going to the school to get it. She said we have to work all afternoon, but we could play this morning."

  "Okay. We'll go to Boone after you're finished with your work, Rebecca."

  The girl nodded at her, scrolling through the game screen for the next match.

  "I love you two," Polly said and left the apartment.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Once she said checked on her friends who were scattered through the building, Polly went into the kitchen where Sylvie and Rachel were working.