An Offering of Hope

by Greenwood Muir, Diane

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  "Stop worrying. I'll check on her," Rebecca whispered as she passed behind Polly at the dining room table. "Your friends are here."

  Polly took Rebecca's hand and mouthed, "Thank you." Her daughter had given up her Friday night to stay home with the family.

  Hayden, Cat, and Heath were spending the evening at the Evans home. Since Ella and Heath were getting serious, Ella's parents, Marnie and Dave wanted to get to know Heath's older brother and his wife. They'd extended the invitation to Polly and Henry and had been chagrined when Heath told them friends were coming in from out of town. He'd spoken with Henry and offered to reschedule, but there was no reason for that. It was hard for Polly to realize that her family was expanding outward. It wouldn’t be long before Heath and Hayden had lives that were separate from hers. She wasn't looking forward to that adjustment at all.

  The decibel level in the dining room went up and down as everyone had stories to tell. Jon Renaldi had been in Bellingwood often enough these last few months that the kids were comfortable with him. His brother, Ray, was a natural with kids and the boys adored him. Cassidy couldn't take her eyes off him. Jon's girlfriend, Chloe, was a nice young woman, who, though she barely knew Polly's family, was confident and comfortable in her own skin. She mostly sat back and let things happen.

  Even as quiet as she was, the young woman paid attention to everything that happened. This was why she'd risen in her career. She missed nothing. If she had something to offer, she spoke up, and was always witty in her comments. Chloe touched Jon a lot throughout the meal. Sometimes it was a comfort thing, sometimes it was to remind him that one of the children had asked a question and he'd gotten off track.

  Henry had everything well in hand for dinner, which was a good thing because it was later than Polly expected when they finally left the hospital in Boone. Rebecca came over after school again, letting Cilla and Kayla bring her car back to Bellingwood.

  Lexi had been afraid she might not make it up the stairs to her new room, but they'd taken it slow. Polly's family cleared out of the kitchen, even though food was in the oven and guests were on the way, so Lexi wouldn't have to face an onslaught of excited faces. She heard the chaos return to normal when they were at the halfway point up the steps. Lexi heard it too and turned to Polly with wide eyes.

  The poor girl was exhausted by the time she got to the bedroom and sank gratefully into her bed, then fondled the soft, fuzzy blankets that had come from Beryl.

  Polly assured her that meeting the big, noisy family would happen, but not tonight and maybe not even tomorrow. When she was ready, they'd be ready for her.

  During the drive home, Rebecca talked to Lexi about books she might want to read, describing the family’s library in detail. Polly was often astounded at the insight her daughter had into people. The conversation had distracted Lexi from her fear of meeting a slew of new people, and at the same time, gave Rebecca an idea of which books to take upstairs.

  Rebecca had decorated the bedroom beautifully, but assured Lexi over and over that she could do whatever she wanted. She pointed out the bedside table and talked about how important Beryl was, not only to Rebecca, but as an artist in the real world. She'd also framed the sketch she'd drawn of Lexi that first day. It was now hanging over the headboard of Lexi's bed. When Polly asked where she'd come up with the frame, Rebecca told her not to go looking for the sketch she'd done of Noah and Elijah when she met them the first time. She'd replace it, but this was more important. When Polly left the two, they were talking about books as Rebecca put Lexi's clothes into the dresser.

  As Polly watched the evening unfold around her dining room table, she wondered what Lexi must think. There was no way that Polly would let her go out into the world, alone and afraid, but it suddenly occurred to her that Lexi might wonder if they were some strange cult, taking in people from every walk of life. She laughed to herself.

  "What?" Jon asked.

  She chuckled and shook her head. "I was just thinking about us being a cult."

  He frowned. "Why would you be a cult?"

  "Well, Lexi is upstairs. She's only met me and Rebecca. We're a wonderfully loud and wild family and she's plopped down right in the middle of us with no sense of how we came to be. I imagine Henry as the handsome cult leader who has everyone in his sway. You know, with extra women in the house that make him feel virile and important."

  "Am I one of those women?" Agnes Hill asked.

  "You're the one who makes me feel like a king," Henry answered.

  She nodded toward Ray. "He's better looking."

  Chloe nearly choked. "Are we your newest recruits?"

  "Only if you turn over all your money and resources to us," Polly said. "We'll assure you that it's for expanding our reach to others in Bellingwood. Of course, you'll be expected to move to Iowa."

  Agnes waggled her eyebrows and leaned toward Ray. "This one can move in with me. Wouldn't we be the talk of the town? Talk about December - May. We could change our last names to that instead of me becoming a Renaldi. Ray December-May. It even rhymes.

  He turned his head to peer down at her. "Aren't I a little tall for you?"

  "You're right," she said. "It would never work. Maybe I'll take Henry off Polly's hands and you can move in here with her."

  Henry stood up. "My kingdom for a faithful woman. Boys, how about you help me clear the table."

  "You made dinner," Polly said. "I'll clear."

  Jon stood and nodded at his brother. "I don't feel like a guest in this house any longer. If Mama knew that I sat here while you worked after the week you've had, she'd lop my head off and feed it to the dog."

  "That's right," Polly said. "She got a new dog. Is everything working out with them? I've seen pictures and it seems like your mother is having fun."

  Ray picked up Agnes's plate and utensils, then picked up his own before standing. "It's pretty cute." When Chloe tried to stand and help, he frowned at her. "Men's work tonight. Tell Polly about Mama and Belle's evening walks."

  Chloe laughed. "Mrs. Renaldi would never tell this story on social media, but her evening walks with Belle are the most amazing thing a person has ever seen."

  It didn't take Elijah long. "Belle? Like Beauty and the Beast?"

  Ray stopped. "No. It's Belle like Bellingwood. My mother is addicted to everything that comes out of this little town, even its name. I'm sorry, go on, Chloe."

  "One evening, not long after Belle moved in, Jon and I drove over to the house. We were about a block away and saw a woman running down the street, being dragged by a little black fluffball that looked a lot like Belle. I gasped when I realized it was his mother. I knew she could move fast in her house when she swatted one of the boys with a wooden spoon, but running down the street? Her dress was flying, her hair was out of its properly ordered coif, and those old black shoes she wears were clomping as fast as they could. When we pulled up beside her, she didn't even stop to say hello, she just kept running toward home. Jon made me get out and ask if she needed any help. Polly, she says they do this every afternoon."

  "Mama runs," Jon said, laughing out loud. "Once a day, she runs. And it's only once a day. When she takes Belle out in the morning, it's all very sedate and calm, but Mama decided that Belle needs the exercise, so she lets her go like the wind. I've never seen my mother run in my entire life. Not even when Drea fell off her bicycle and there was blood everywhere. Mama just walked over with a cloth, wiped Drea's knee clean, checked that it wasn't a life-threatening injury, then walked back home. And now she runs. We tried to convince her that she needs new shoes if she's going to do this every day. Who knows what she'll come up with next?"

  Ray came back into the room to gather more plates. "We blame you, Polly."

  "Me? How is this my fault?"

  "You're the reason she got a dog. You're the reason she is online all day. Do you know that she's reading books based on your recommendations? My mother is using her library card. She walks to the
library and chooses books because you are reading them. She's never read science fiction or fantasy before. Mama says she sleeps better at night because she reads rather than watch television. We all believe she wishes you were her daughter, but it's hard to be jealous because we love you, too."

  "It is a cult," Chloe said. "Even Mama Renaldi bought into the Polly-cult."

  "Not funny," Polly retorted.

  Henry patted her back. "Just a little?"

  "Nope."

  Rebecca came back in through the kitchen and sat down beside Polly.

  "How's she doing?"

  "I helped her get back and forth to the bathroom. She's a little freaked out because she still can't understand why you invited her to come here."

  "What did you tell her?"

  "Not much. I told her that you had the biggest heart of anyone I knew. When she called out for you, she became part of your life."

  "Polly scoops us up off the ground and we join the cult," Agnes said. "It's her magic touch." She smiled at Polly. "Honestly, though, you made me feel like I belonged to your family, even though you barely knew me. You trusted me to be around your little girl. I wasn't expected to be anything but who I was. No one ever treated me like that before."

  "That’s her magic," Henry said. "When do you plan to introduce Lexi to the rest of the family?"

  "As soon as she feels like venturing out of her room," Polly said. "So, tell me, Jon. What are your plans for the rest of the weekend? Please know that we want you to spend as much time with us as you can, but I don't want you to feel like you have to just because you're in Bellingwood."

  "Spending time with you is why we're here," Jon said. He sat back down beside Chloe. "If we'd realized that there was so much going on, we might not have come, but I’m glad we did. Otherwise, it might not have happened until January or February."

  "We have the baby shower at Sycamore House in the morning. Chloe, I'd love to invite you. You'll meet more of my friends."

  "Are you sure?" Chloe asked. "I don't want to intrude. It's Cat's special day and I didn't bring a gift."

  "There will be plenty of gifts. It will be a pleasant morning with friends. And just imagine the stories you'll have to tell Jon's mother when you get back."

  "That’s always a bonus. She loves hearing tales from Bellingwood."

  Polly laughed. "I'm not comfortable with the image of her running down the sidewalk with that dog. I'm going to laugh every time I think about it."

  While Polly and Chloe talked, Ray pulled up a chair beside the boys. They all stood close to him as he spoke quietly. Even Cassidy was giving him her rapt attention.

  "What's going on over there?" Polly asked.

  Ray looked up. "It's a secret. Are you kids ready?"

  All five were practically bouncing up and down in their excitement.

  "Jon, you coming?" Ray asked.

  Jon nodded and they left the dining room.

  "What's going on?" Polly asked Chloe.

  The young woman shook her head. "I have no idea."

  Ray poked his head back into the dining room. "Would you all consider going to the living room? It will take a few minutes for us to get everything together, but it would be more fun down there. Henry, could I talk to you?"

  Polly and Chloe frowned at each other as Henry followed Ray into the kitchen.

  "Come on, Polly," Rebecca said. "If we go now, we can get the good seats."

  Henry walked back in with a smile. "I'm going to light a fire. Let's go, ladies. We'll have dessert later."

  "Rebecca?" Ray called out. "Could I ask you to help?"

  Rebecca preened. "Now I'm in on the secret. See ya later." She danced off to find Ray as Henry escorted Polly, Chloe, and Agnes to the living room, the dogs and several cats following along.

  "What did he tell you?" Polly asked Henry.

  He held the door open for them to walk through. "All he did was ask me to light a fire and make sure you were comfortable. I told him not to tell me anything else because you were a master torturer and I couldn't be trusted."

  "You have no idea?" Polly looked at Chloe.

  "None. If I'd thought I needed to pay attention, I would have listened harder."

  "You two girls need to quit worrying," Agnes said. "If boys want to play their little games, let them. It's the only time they ever get any real power."

  Chloe laughed out loud. "You don't like men?"

  "I like men just fine. After all, without them, we'd only have half the necessary equipment to propagate the species. Otherwise, who needs 'em?"

  "I'm good for a few things," Henry said. "Look at me, lighting this fire and making it nice and homey in here."

  "You're a good boy, Henry Sturtz." Agnes sat down beside Polly. "When are you going to introduce me to your latest rescue?"

  "Maybe next time you're here. I want her to be comfortable with everyone that's part of this family."

  "See there, Mr. Sturtz? Your family keeps growing and we didn't need your seed."

  He had just bent over to add wood to the fireplace and had to put his hand on the brick to hold himself up while he laughed. They heard giggling and noise outside the door, and Henry said, "Thank the lord, I'm saved from that one."

  The first person through the door was Elijah, who solemnly walked over to the piano. He took a seat and began to play. Before Polly could focus on the song, Rebecca came in, holding a cell phone up as though she were recording the room. She panned around the space as Caleb and JaRon walked in, both carrying a red rose. They stood on either side of Chloe. She glanced at each boy, but they refused to look at her.

  Noah entered, walked over to Chloe, and put his hand out. She took it and stood. He took the two roses from the younger boys and presented them to her with a bow.

  Cassidy came in, holding a little blue pillow out in front of her. She stopped beside Rebecca and waited. Then Jon came. His brother was behind him, carrying another cell phone held up and recording. Ray stood beside Polly and Jon took Cassidy's hand, leading her across the room to Chloe. He went down on a knee and plucked an engagement ring off the pillow that Cassidy had been so carefully holding still.

  Agnes grabbed Polly's hand and squeezed it as Chloe gasped and held the roses to her nose, sniffing them while her eyes glistened with tears.

  Jon held the ring out as he gazed up at the beautiful young woman. "Chloe, I could make a big speech about how important you are to me and how much I love you, but we both know that I'd make a mess of it and turn this into a slobbery tear fest. You are an amazing person. You’ve given me so much life this year and I love you very much. Will you marry me?"

  She smiled as she looked around the room, then knelt in front of him. "Yes, yes, yes. I love you, too." Chloe wrapped her arms around Jon's neck, and he held her for a moment before standing up.

  "Wave to your family," he said, pointing at the cell phones.

  "My family?" Chloe waved at Rebecca and Ray.

  "Ray is sending this to your parents and Rebecca is sending hers to Mama and Drea. I found the perfect woman and I finally asked her to marry me, Drea. Now, stop teasing us."

  Rebecca laughed. "She says it's about time. And your mother is crying."

  "I couldn't think of a better way to do this," Jon said. "I could have taken you to a fancy restaurant and dropped the ring in a glass of champagne, but I had wonderful helpers, good music, and some of my closest friends right here in this room. When I asked Ray if he'd help me figure it out, he came up with this. I spoke with your Dad two weeks ago."

  "Don't tell me you asked his permission," Chloe said. She glared at the phone Ray was holding. "You know I don't approve of that, Dad."

  "I didn't. Neither of us are that naive," Jon said. "But I wanted to make sure they were available tonight."

  "Congratulations," Polly said. She hugged Chloe and then Jon. "Why didn't you ask for help?"

  "Because you would have made a big production out of it and I wanted it to be simple and honest," he replied. "Yo
ur boys were my perfect flower-bearers and who could have asked for anyone more adorable than Cassidy to carry in the ring."

  "I'm so happy for you." She released him to a clamor of kids who were thrilled to be part of his special moment and turned to Chloe. "Did you realize that you were going to be part of a family with no blood ties to the Renaldis?"

  Chloe nodded. "You are their family. It feels like the ties have grown stronger over the years from everything they've told me. I'm glad that I have a chance to spend time with you all this weekend, even though you’re so busy and we’re intruding on that."

  "That's the thing with family," Polly said. "You just drop in to whatever is going on. I promise not to make you wash floors or do laundry for a while, though."

  "Or clean bathrooms," Chloe said with a laugh.

  Elijah took her hand. "Congratulations. And cleaning bathrooms is my job."

  "You get in trouble the most?"

  "Pretty much."

  "Thank you for playing tonight. You're very talented, but I'm sure you hear that all the time. You made this even more special."

  He tipped his head, suddenly shy. "You're welcome. Uncle Ray asked if I knew anything romantic. I just played some Chopin that I've been working on."

  "It was perfect." Chloe sat and put her arms around Caleb and JaRon who had been waiting for her attention. "Thank you for the roses, boys."

  Agnes plopped down on a sofa. "This is an awful lot of excitement for an old lady. She's going to need to catch her breath before there's another big announcement."

  "Do you know something?" Henry asked her.

  "I know a lot of things, but you're safe. I don't think your daughter is ready to announce an engagement or a pregnancy."

  "Agnes," Polly scolded.

  "Like I said. I don't know anything."

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  "Thank you for making this a fun evening." Jon Renaldi stopped Polly in the living room as the others headed out.

  They'd made a party of it, bringing quilts and tablecloths to the living room so everyone could gather around the fireplace for cake and ice cream. Cassidy fell asleep, tucked up against Henry, while Caleb and JaRon had done their level best to stay awake. The warmth from the fire was stronger than their will to be alert. When Henry carried Cassidy upstairs, he'd taken the two youngest with him. Noah and Elijah were still up, because they'd negotiated extra time with the family on Friday nights. As long as they went to bed on time and got up without an argument four out of the five days during the school week, they were allowed to stay up later on Fridays. But even their Friday bedtime had come and gone. They were exhausted boys and their protests were weak.