"Henry has the house in an uproar. I think he believes you're bringing Lexi home tonight. He wants everything ready. The boys are carrying their toys up to their rooms and he's making them pick up the hallway and the family room. Heath and Hayden are carrying boxes of stuff up to the attic and I'm supposed to be packing. But you had a lot of fabric already in tubs."
"Thank you."
"We're all part of this family. Even Cassidy. She's helping me."
"Really."
"Not really, but she's right here. Cassidy, do you want to say good morning to Mommy?"
Polly smiled when her youngest daughter came onto the phone. "Mommy, is that you?"
"It's me, Cassidy. How are you?"
"Why are you gone already?"
"I have some things to take care of this morning, sweetie. Are you being good for Daddy and Rebecca?"
"I'm helping pack. There's a girl coming to live with us."
"Yes, there is. Does that sound like fun?"
"Daddy says she's sad. I was sad when I came here."
"We loved you no matter what."
"I'm not sad now."
"That's good. I hope you have a good day in school. Remember that I love you."
There was a pause and Rebecca came back on. "She ran out of the room. I better keep working. That husband of yours is a tyrant. He woke us all up early."
"Husband of mine? You aren't claiming him as your father?"
"Not when he's like this. Oh, wait. Cassidy's back with one of her dolls. What's this for, Cassidy?"
Polly heard her in the background. "This is Lulu. Will she help the sad girl?"
"Polly?" Rebecca asked. "What do I do with this?"
"Tell her that Lulu will be a wonderful gift for Lexi. If she lets you, put Lulu in the car and bring her to the hospital."
"Does this stuff destroy you, too?"
"Every single day, sweetie. Give Cassidy a hug for me."
"For me, too. Now I really have to get back to work. Bye. I'll see you after school."
Polly put her phone down on the desk and dropped her head into her arms. Cassidy's dolls were precious to her. She treated them like treasures, always making sure they were safe and secure. She knew what it was like to have nothing and when she received a gift, any gift, she guarded it with her heart and soul.
She sat back up and turned to look out the window again. If she took a moment to think about it, she felt a little guilty for leaving her family this morning. If she'd been there, though, Henry would probably have let her manage the move and no one would have helped. Because they were doing it for her, everyone was glad to pitch in. Funny how families worked.
How was she going to manage this girl into their lives? Polly knew people that would help. She reached behind her for a notepad and pencil. It had been a couple of years since Evelyn Morrow had been an active part of their lives, but if she was available, she'd help. Then, Polly needed to call Grey. If he was too busy to take Lexi on as a patient, he'd know someone. That man had thrown himself into his work. After a long hiatus, he'd come to realize that helping young people recover from trauma was his passion and he was good at what he did. He had done so much for her kids, even if it was only giving them space and time to express themselves.
As soon after eight o'clock as she could, she would call Jessie. Things didn't get busy at Bill Sturtz's shop right away. She should have time to speak with Polly about this Austin character.
Until Polly spoke with Aaron this morning, she'd forgotten that kid had been in her apartment. Thank goodness she was back here again. It's what he would have remembered. Yeah. He'd stayed in a room in this addition. Her eyes shot up and she gasped. It might take a little doing, but they should have a record of his stay. A name, an address. It was long enough ago that the information had been archived, but Edna and Kristen should be able to retrieve it.
She wanted to tell Tab, but it was still early.
Polly flipped her laptop open and powered it on. She needed to check her calendar this week to make sure she wasn't missing anything. Cat's shower was on Saturday and the open house for the B&B was on Sunday. She'd planned to invite Joss, Nate, Andrea, and Kirk to come for dinner Friday evening … she let out a sigh. Jon, Chloe, and Ray were coming into town on Friday. Polly didn't know whether she wanted Lexi to be out of the hospital and safely ensconced in her home by this weekend or not. If she were home, Polly would be able to take care of things while making sure the girl was comfortable. But if she were in the hospital, at least people wouldn't have to walk on tiptoe around the house, worrying that they'd disturb her.
She shook her head. Trying to plan for one or the other was ridiculous. She’d deal with it either way. Her friends would all adjust. They knew what she did.
CHAPTER TEN
One by one, note sheets filled with ideas and thoughts ended up in piles across the top of Polly’s desk. She was watching the horses out her window when she heard a cough. She spun around and smiled at Jeff Lyndsay.
"What are you doing here so early?" he asked.
"Trying to find my normal. What time is it?"
"Eight-fifteen. I saw the car outside and couldn't believe my eyes. How long will you be around?"
"I don't know. I need to make a couple of calls. Then I need to ask Kristen or Edna to dig into archived guest records. Do you remember when we had that band staying here? Then they left and took Jessie with them?"
"Vaguely."
"A kid named Austin was part of the group. If I remember right, he's the one who was the kindest to Jessie. Not like the band leader who was just a jerk."
"Okay?"
"This Austin is the one who dumped that girl in front of Sycamore House on Monday. If we have any information on him, an address, a phone number, anything that might help us find him, it would help Tab."
Jeff shook his head. "He remembered you from way back then? That has to be five years ago."
"I'm just that memorable," Polly said.
"Do you remember the other kid's name?"
"It was Troy or something." She put her index finger up. "Candle, maybe? My memory sees a flame. I do remember wanting to torch him."
"Let me dig into it. If we have his information, we'll find him."
"Thank you. He's caught up in something terrible. It sounds like kidnapping pregnant girls and selling their babies."
"No," he moaned. "How do you get yourself involved in these situations?"
"This one found me," she protested.
"Is there anything you need me to do for the open house on Sunday?" Jeff asked.
Polly shook her head. "I'm not the one managing it. Last I heard, things were moving along. Marie, Betty, and Judy have it well in hand."
"I wouldn't want to mess with any one of them, much less the three of them. I'll talk to Judy to see if she needs anything from us. Don’t you have a baby shower on Saturday? That's upstairs, right?"
"Yeah." Polly shuffled note sheets around and then held up a small stack. "These are my notes for the shower."
"Any I can help take care of?"
"No, I just need to make sure people are in the right place at the right time. It's low-key." She huffed a laugh. "Except for the fact that Jon and Ray and Jon's girlfriend, Chloe, are coming into town on Friday."
"You have to be kidding me."
"Nope. Not kidding. I need to make sure they have rooms at the hotel." Polly whipped another sheet of paper off the notepad and scratched the words, Hotel, Jon and Ray.
"You're very organized," Jeff said, nodding at the desk.
"My mind is bouncing off walls. If I can get the thoughts down on paper, they stop haunting me. I can rearrange them later.
Jeff picked up the notepad and a pen, then wrote something before handing it back.
"Call Rachel?" Polly asked.
"Ask her to make dinner for you Friday night. You have enough going on."
"She'll be busy with a reception. We'll make something simple."
He scowled down
at her. "Cater your freakin' dinner. Your name isn't Diana Prince and you don't have a magic lasso. You aren't Wonder Woman. Good grief."
"Aren't you the bossy one."
"You know I'm right. You'd enjoy your friends so much more if you weren't busy trying to prepare a meal and then clean up afterwards."
"I have kids for that."
"Let your kids enjoy the meal."
Polly nodded. "Maybe we'll take them out to eat. I can hire babysitters. It would be nice to not have to rush around."
"Now you're talking like the smart woman I know that you are. What else can I fix for you this morning?"
"This is helpful."
"I'll look for that band's reservation. What was the name?"
Polly scratched out his note and wrote her own. "Troy Candle and Austin something-or-other."
"Perfect. We'll get back to you. Make your calls, go take care of your latest rescue."
"Thank you, Jeff," she said quietly. "I do appreciate you."
"If you do, please finish the plans for the renovation of the storage area on the north side of the building."
"Got it." She took up the notepad again. "I'll take care of it."
Jeff left and Polly swiped through her contact list, looking for the Sturtz Construction phone number. Jessie would be in her office by now. She hoped that five years was long enough for the girl to be able to recall that trip with those boys without all the pain.
"Sturtz Construction. How may I help you?" Jessie's voice was bright and happy. Oh, please let her stay that way.
"Hi, Jessie, this is Polly."
"Good morning. I haven't seen Henry yet."
"No, that's not it. He's still at home. I need to talk to you."
"Did I screw up numbers again for month-end? I thought I finally had that ironed out."
"Oh, no. That's not it. I need your memory to go way back."
"How far back?"
"To when you first came to Bellingwood."
Jessie laughed. "That might hurt my brain. I barely remember what I had for lunch yesterday. What are you asking about?"
"A kid named Austin. He was in that band that stayed here."
Jessie had fallen silent.
"I'm so sorry. I know that was a rough time for you. I hate bringing it up again."
"That's okay," Jessie said, her voice much more sober. "What do you need to know?"
"Do you remember his last name?"
"Wheeler."
"Do you remember anything else about him?"
"He was a good guy. Remember? He protected me when the rest of the band wanted to hurt me. He's the one who made sure I turned around and came back to you." She gave a strained chuckle. "We talked a lot about you that night. About how you rescued people and that I screwed it up by leaving. I remember he was so impressed by that. Why are you asking about him?"
"Have you ever heard from him again?"
"Yeah. He was back in the area a year or so ago. That whole band thing with Troy fell apart. Troy fell apart. I think he got arrested for dealing at his concerts. What a jerk. I can't believe I fell for that. I was so young and stupid."
"You were young and impressionable," Polly said. "Do you remember why Austin was back here?"
"Looking for me. I don't know what he thought I was going to do. I didn't want anything to do with those guys. Just because he tried to protect me that one time didn't mean he was somebody I wanted to date."
"He wanted to go out with you?"
"Yeah. I guess. I'm trying to remember everything he said. I was so surprised to hear from him."
"He came to the shop?"
"No," Jessie said. "He was somewhere and asked if anybody knew me. Maybe at Davey's or the diner. I don't remember. It's been a while. Anyway, he called and asked if I'd meet him for lunch. We were really busy that day and I didn't want to go out with him, so I told him I didn't have time. But we talked for a little bit. I couldn't be rude."
Polly smiled. She understood that.
"And that was the last time you heard from him?"
"No," Jessie said. "He called again a few weeks later, trying again. I'd told Marie about it and we both thought it was weird, so I begged off. That was the end of it."
"And you don't remember why he was in the area?"
"Yeah, I guess I do. Something about a relative dying. There was a whole big inheritance thing with his family. He didn't get much, but I don't remember the details."
"This relative lived around here?"
"Polly, I'm terrible with knowing places in Iowa. If Henry doesn't have a job site there, I don't know anything. It's not like I have time to travel. Marie keeps telling me to take Molly exploring, but I don't want to get lost. And I'd totally get lost. I figured out the way to Boone, Ames, and down to Des Moines. That's plenty right now. Maybe when she gets older. I'm sorry."
"That's okay. This is helpful."
"Why are you asking about Austin?"
"He helped another girl find me, but this time she nearly died."
"What do you mean?" Then Jessie gasped. "The girl who showed up at Sycamore House with blood all over her?"
"The stories get around, don't they?"
"Henry and Bill talked about it yesterday. That was Austin?"
"Pretty sure."
"Why wouldn't that idiot take her to a hospital?"
"I have no idea. The funny thing is, Lexi looks like you."
"No way."
"Same shape, same brown hair. Her face is even similar to yours."
"He has a type? That's just creepy."
"I have one more question for you."
"It can't get any weirder," Jessie said.
"Well, it can. Did you save any of your maternity clothes?"
Jessie laughed out loud. "You know I did. They're in a box in my closet. Some of those things were really cute. I'm not sure why I kept them. When will I ever get pregnant again?"
"It could happen. But what if I tell you I need them?"
"Is that girl pregnant?"
"She was."
"What do you mean? Is she okay? Wait, no. You said she nearly died. Was it because of the baby? What did he do?"
"She's been through a lot. She has nothing and I'd like her to feel like a human being, not just a patient in the hospital."
"You can't tell me anything."
"Not yet."
"Yes, you can have my clothes. You're taking her into your house, aren't you?"
"I hope so."
"You hope so. Polly, you're amazing. It doesn't even occur to you that most people would never consider taking someone into their home. They just look at a person who's in trouble and assume someone else will help. You're the helper."
"Thank you. If someone has to do it, then I will. Can I pick up the clothing tomorrow? You could just take it to work with you."
"Yes. Are you sure she's close to my size?"
"I'd say so."
"Molly and I would be glad to go to Boone and pick up some other things for her. She's going to need underwear and bras and maybe a nightgown."
"You don't have to do that."
"Yes, I do," Jessie said. "If nothing else, you saving me from my own stupidity gave me a reason to pay it forward. When do you think she'll leave the hospital?"
"I'm not sure yet. It will be a few days."
"Can I visit her? She's going to need a friend."
"Let me ask," Polly said. "Thank you."
"Wait," Jessie said. "Is she still pregnant?"
"No, she isn't."
"Is the baby alive?"
"I assume so, but she doesn't have it with her, so not only is she physically a mess, but emotionally she's been through hell."
"Austin did that to her?"
"Jessie, if you hear from him or see him, please run away. He's not a good person."
"What happened to him? He wasn't awful. He just wasn't …" Jessie paused. "Okay. I'll be careful."
"And if you see him again would you call me or Deputy Hudson? The sheri
ff's office is looking for him."
Jessie released a long breath. "I will. What makes people do something bad like that?"
"Money, fear, power. Who knows? Thank you for the clothing."
"I'm glad to help and I wasn't kidding. If she needs someone to talk to or if you need someone to stay with her while you do other stuff, let me know. I can handle it."
"Thank you, Jessie. I appreciate it."
Polly put the phone back down on her desk and shuffled through the notes, taking two out to set aside. She'd make sure to find out Lexi's sizes later today. As much as Polly did to help people, sometimes she forgot that giving others the opportunity to participate was also important. Lydia, Beryl, Andy, and Sylvie had forced their way into her rescues more than once. But now there was a younger generation, or two or three, if she considered Rebecca and her friends, who wanted to be part of helping others.
Austin Wheeler. Where was he from? Maybe she should start charging the sheriff's department for her investigative time. That made her chuckle.
"Knock, knock?"
Polly grinned. "You're up early this morning."
Beryl Watson stood in her doorway, dressed in bright yellow leggings. How she found a pair that were tight on those skinny legs of hers was beyond Polly. She had on a lime green sweatshirt over a red plaid flannel shirt and her neck was encased in a bright red fuzzy scarf.
"I had a text from your daughter. She gave me a reason to get up and moving."
"Did you look in the mirror before you left the house?" Polly leaned to look over the desk and shook her head at the pair of red sequined tennis shoes on Beryl's feet.
"I look amazing. What's wrong with my ensemble?" She said the last word with a French accent - en-sem-bleh.
"It's bright."
"And bushy-tailed." Beryl started to turn around and Polly's mouth dropped open. "You were going to look."
"I wasn't sure what to expect."
"No tail today, but I have some things in my car for you."
"Things in your car?"
"Rugs and a cute bedside table with an adorable lamp. Rebecca said you didn't need any bedding, but I brought a couple of my very favorite fuzzy blankets. Everything is washed and fresh and if I never see it again, that will be too soon. This is a gift, so don't even consider trying to return it to me. Come on. Come outside and see. We'll put it into your tiny car. Why aren’t you driving that beast when I need it?"
An Offering of Hope Page 10