Secrets and Revelations (Bellingwood #4) (20 page)

"He certainly did. He didn't approve at all. He thought your father was spending much too much money on something as trivial as a child. But he promised to remain quiet about it. I was able to be out and about quite a lot without anyone knowing I was pregnant. When it got to be too noticeable, I stayed away from Story City and spent most of my time in Ames. Your mother faked a pregnancy so that when you arrived, people would simply assume she'd given birth."

"That seems like a lot of work."

"It was a strange time in history and your parents did what they could with what they knew."

"Does the reason you left have anything to do with my father traveling to England and France? I found his passport."

Ruth Ann shook her head. "No. As far as I knew those were business trips. They had nothing to do with me. Your mother told me he was investigating some European seed. If it was anything other than that, I have no idea."

"So why did you reach out to me now?" Polly asked.

"I wanted to see what you looked like. I wanted to find out if your parents had ever talked about me, if your mother missed me. I wondered if they had ever gotten past things. I wondered if your father had finally decided to offer me anything from those years we were together. He’d always said I would be in his will and I wondered if, when you read my name there, he might have been generous to the woman who gave you life. I can see now that I'm going to have to carry their rejection with me for the rest of my life. It isn't fair, but there are no other options left open to me. You haven't found anything that either one of them might have written or said about me or anything they intended for me to have?"

"What?" Polly asked, surprised at the question.

"I thought maybe one of them might have written something out so that I could know things were better between us."

Polly knew her tone was snide, but she said "I just began looking through my father's things. We packed everything into a storage unit. He never told me that there was anything I should look for and I'm sure that if my mother had written anything ... twenty years ago" she looked directly at Ruth Ann, "he would have dealt with it one way or
another then. There was nothing in his will about you. You waited thirty years to come back into our lives ... my life … and you expect them to have made some grand gesture? Why would you have waited so long? Was it so you could eliminate negativity from your psyche?"

She recognized her own return to bitchy behavior
. Ruth Ann looked at her in shock. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Polly rolled her eyes. "I found your blog."

"Oh," Ruth Ann said and dropped her head. "You saw that."

"I didn't really appreciate you talking about me as if I wasn't in the room. That was rude."

"You weren't in the room, Polly. That's written for my readers."

"Your readers are the entire world, so everyone is in the room or don't you understand how the Internet works?"

Henry tightened his grip on her knee and Polly tried to push his hand away.

"I felt exposed and threatened by that blog post and you never thought about what I might feel if I found it, did you?" Polly demanded.

"I suppose that I didn't. I certainly didn't expect you to search me out."

"Are you kidding me? You enclosed your business card and the blog address is printed right there
. It wasn't like I was deliberately searching. You gave me the address." Polly's voice had gone up in pitch and she coughed, trying to bring her temper under control.

"Maybe it was a subconscious gesture on my part," Ruth Ann said. "My underlying soul was trying to reach out to you as best it could."

"Oh bull. You don't think about anyone except yourself, do you?"

"That's not true and I am offended at your accusation. I gave up a lot so that your parents could have you in their lives. I did that because your mother needed me."

"Really? How much did you give up? You lived in their home and go ahead, tell me that my dad didn't pay for all of those outings you took. Tell me that you paid own your way when you went to concerts and plays and when you traveled to Minneapolis and Chicago. Did you?"

"I don't know what you mean. I wasn't working at the time. Your parents knew that. And once I became pregnant with you, I couldn't work. Your father wouldn't let me."

"How much did my father pay you to be a surrogate?" Polly asked, her tone low and flat. "Is that why my Uncle Clyde wasn't happy with the situation? Because Dad was giving you money to bring me into the world? How much?"

Henry had taken a quick breath when Polly asked the question and she could feel the tension flowing from him. She knew this to be true now and was practically certain that this was the reason the woman had finally left Story City.

Ruth Ann said nothing. She pushed food around on her plate, then looked up. "The contract I had with your parents has nothing to do with the reason I did what I did. Your mother was desperate to have a child and this was the best way for them. I gave them a gift and your father believed it was priceless."

"I'll bet you were able to put a price on it," Polly said. "How much?"

"If you don't have paperwork, I don't want to talk about the money. That is crass and beneath you."

"Fine. If you don't want to talk about that money, then tell me why you left so abruptly and why my parents never talked about you again. Tell me why I never heard of you until just now and why my father completely eliminated any trace of you from our lives? Was it about money?"

Ruth Ann swallowed and took a drink from the glass of water at the table. "I think I'm ready to be finished with this conversation. You aren't the same, generous, loving person your mother was. I'm sorry I bothered trying to get to know you."

Polly practically snarled. "You came up here trying to see if you could worm your way into my life just like you did with my parents, didn't you. You thought you might be able to play off the fact that you gave birth to me and get money from me. I'll bet that you discovered I had my father's inheritance and thought you could talk me into sharing it with you since you had been so instrumental in the beginning of my life."

"I don't have to sit here and listen to this," Ruth Ann said and stood up.

Henry cut her off. "Yes you do. You initiated this entire thing. You will finish it. If any of what Polly says is true, you have a responsibility to her to be honest and forthcoming. Sit. Down."

He hadn't said anything through the entire conversation and Polly's heart tried to burst out of its shell. She loved this man.

Ruth Ann sat back down and took another drink of water. "Your father accused me of attempting to steal from him. He didn't know the whole story and he wouldn't listen to what I had to say. When your mother found out, she acted so disappointed. She wouldn't listen to me and kept telling me that Everett Giller wasn't a liar. She wouldn't listen. She kept asking where all of the money had gone that they had already given me. When she told me to get out, I packed my bags and left that night. That was the last I ever spoke to either of them."

The woman looked as if she had aged ten years in the few minutes it took for her to confess. Then, her face got hard. "There. I've told you everything. Does it make it any easier on you? Do you feel justified now?"

"Justified? What do you mean?" Polly was astonished.

"You can live in the pretty ivory tower that your daddy built for you. You don't have to worry about making a living. He did it for you, just like he did for your mother. But he couldn't be bothered to take care of the woman who gave you life and gave your mother all she ever wanted. No. He kicked me out of your lives with nothing to show for it."

"I
don't believe that," Polly said. "You are a sad, bitter woman and I'm glad you have your motivational seminars to keep you happy. I don't care if you tell the world that I brought negativity into your life. That's all you have left and I'm sorry for you. I would have liked to know the woman my mother loved as her best friend, but it seems as if she left before my mother told you to get out. However, now I can look at those pictures and not be upset or angry. My parents did what they had to do and made the best of their lives. They loved each other, they loved you when they didn't know how awful you were and they loved me more than any girl could expect. I have an amazing life, not because my father gave me money, but because he loved me. I'm sorry you don't have that."

Polly stood up and Henry rose with her. "I'll take care of the check at the front counter. You can stay or leave as you like, but please don't ever contact me again. Thank you for telling me the truth about my past, but I don't think I want to know you any more than I do right now."

She turned to leave. "Good-bye."

They found the waiter and paid the check, then left the restaurant, saying nothing to each other. Henry opened Polly's door and waited as she climbed in, then he stepped in close to her and wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm sorry, Polly. I'm so sorry."

All of her anger turned to sorrow and Polly began to cry. He held her while she sobbed. When she stopped and opened the console to grab a couple of napkins and blow her nose, he stepped back.

"Can I do anything at all for you?" he asked.

"You can take me somewhere for lunch. I'm starving."

He chuckled and then doubled over as laughter overtook him. "Oh Polly, I love you so much. Okay, what sounds good?"

"Just take me to McDonalds. I want a Big Mac and fries. Then take me to Quick Trip or something. I want an immense Mountain Dew."

"I'm on it." He trotted around to his side and climbed in. "Comfort food?" he asked.

"
Absolutely!”

"
Right now. Call Lydia," Henry said as they drove. "She's going to be in a panic."

"You're right!" Polly reached into her back pocke
t, drew the phone out and dialed her friend.

"Hello Lydia!" she said brightly.

"Polly, you sound great. Was it a good reunion?"

Polly chuckled. "Not really. But I'm better now."

"Oh honey, what happened?"

"I ate McDonalds and had a Mountain Dew."

"That means you didn't eat any barbecue. What in the world happened? Is she really your mother?"

"She really is. She was a surrogate for my parents because my mom couldn't have babies. But, she's nothing more than a money grubbing bitch. She left because Dad found her trying to steal more money from him. She wouldn't tell me how much he paid her, but if I want to know, between his accountant and his brother,
I can find out."

"I'm so sorry
, dear. I know you were worried about this. I just can't believe it."

"Lydia, I'm almost certain that she was reaching out to me to see if she could get more money from me. Don't you think, Henry?"

He nodded. "Henry thinks so too."

"Were you glad he was there?"

"He was my hero," Polly laughed. "The stupid woman tried to get up and walk out when I confronted her and he stood in her way and backed her down. We got to be the ones who left the table."

"Tell me you made her pay for lunch."

"No, I decided that I could do that much. She did give birth to me. But, she is no mother at all. I'm glad she wasn't around any longer than she was and I'm glad that Dad chose to live as if she never existed. I understand it all now. I wish he'd talked to me about it and explained it so I didn't have to hear it from her, but at least I know and that's so much better than not knowing."

"I'm glad to hear your voice.
You and Henry be safe and I'll see you tonight at the party."

"Thanks, Lydia. Love you!"

"I love you too, dear."

"There,” she said to Henry, stuffing the phone in her back pocket. “Thanks for reminding me. I would have been in such trouble if I hadn't called her."

"Your friends worry about you, Polly."

"I know that. I have a terrible habit of letting them worry longer than I should. I just forget."

"You need to make better use of your notes application on your phone. It has reminders and everything."

"Why Henry Sturtz. Do you use it too?"

"Maybe. Leave me alone," he chuckled. Polly had encouraged him to use the digital program and he'd ignored her, teasing her about her easy acquiescence to new technology.

He reached over and took her hand, "I'm so sorry that you had to go through this today, but I'm glad I was there. You're a little fierce."

"All of a sudden I saw who she was. I knew she was here to sweet talk me into giving her money. I just knew it. One of these days I'm going to have to ask Uncle Clyde how it all came about. I can't believe Dad let her stay. I'll bet he knew who she was from the beginning."

"Polly, I would give you the world if you asked. Your father probably felt the same way about your mom."

She felt tears threaten her eyes again. He couldn't be serious. Could he? She looked at him and he seemed to be focused on driving. There was plenty of traffic on the highway and they were getting close to Boone.

"I guess I'm glad that she was around or I wouldn't be here. It's kind of creepy
to know that I have her DNA crawling through my body though."

"How do you feel about your
dad right now?"

"I'm not angry with him any longer. I think part of that was just terror over what she was going to tell me. I can’t stand not knowing what's going to come next."

Henry looked at her sideways. "No kidding."

"Stop it, you brat," she said. "Umm, would you mind?" She pointed to the Farm & Home store as he passed it.

"Did you want me to stop?"

"No, I guess not. I feel this overwhelming sense of relief that it's over and I lived through it and I want to spend money. You probably should get me out of Boone before I lose my mind."

Henry flicked the locks on the doors open and closed. "There, you are locked in. I'll drive through town and we'll come out on the other side safe and sound."

She laughed. "You have no idea how light my heart is right now. I can't believe how much
this terrified me."

"Oh, I think I can imagine."

"Now that it's gone from me, what were you trying to talk to me about this morning?"

"Never mind, the moment's gone. It will come up again sometime."

"That's not fair. Are you punishing me because I told you to stop?"

"No, not at all. I’m sure I was reacting to your stress and felt the necessity to do something permanent and lasting. Now that we're back to normal, I feel back to normal too."

"We're a pair, aren't we?" she sighed.

"I kind of like it, you know."

"Me too."

He drove out of Boone and
on to the highway going north.

"How was Roy this morning at breakfast?" Polly asked.

"About the same. The boys are still in the area. Someone reported seeing them purchasing groceries at Hy-Vee."

"They were buying groceries? That seems weird."

"Roy thought it was pretty funny. He’s talked a lot about being responsible with what money they have, so rather than spend money on fast food, the boys are buying groceries."

"This just doesn't sound like two boys who ran a woman off the road and then painted a bad word on the back of her car."

"It doesn't at all. Roy relaxed a bit knowing that they were alive and still around. He was much more hopeful today."

"We'll have to press Aaron tonight to see what he knows."

"He's not going to tell you, Polly. This is a murder investigation."

She winked at him. "I know. You're probably right, but I can still try."

Henry pulled into the back of Sycamore House and up to her garage. "I'm going to come back later. There are a couple of other projects my guys are working on and I want to check on them."

"You mean I'm not your only job site?" Polly asked. She batted her eyes at him and chuckled. "That's fine. I will see you later." She leaned over and kissed him. "Thank you for being there today."

"I will always be there." He cackled menacingly, "Even when you least expect it."

Polly went in through the garage and found Andrew at his desk, his head buried in another book.

"Hey there, Andrew." she said.

"Hey Polly."

"What'cha reading?"

He held the book up for her to read the cover. "Hardy Boys?" she asked. "Where did you find Hardy Boys?"

"They were at the library. They're kind of cool. A little old fashioned, but cool. Wouldn't it be fun to find clues and figure out mysteries?"

"I always wanted to do that when I was your age. I read those books and The Happy Hollisters and Tr
ixie Belden. Oh, and Nancy Drew."

"These books don't take very long to read. I have a stack." He patted a pile of books beside him.

"You certainly do! Have fun. I'll see you later." She started to walk away, then turned around. "If I were to put a patio out back with a porch swing and maybe a big umbrella would you go out there and read?"

"
Maybe. I like it here though. There aren't any bugs."

Polly nodded. He was right. Mosquitos would certainly detract from an enjoyable reading experience. At least she was trying to find a way to get him outside.

"Have you taken Obiwan out this afternoon?" she asked.

"Mom told me you were out at lunch somewhere, so I took him out before I started this book."

"Thanks, bud. I appreciate it. I'm going to owe you another trip to the bookstore in a couple of weeks."

"Really? Thanks!" His little body erupted in its enthusiasm and he knocked the stack of books so that it spread across his desk. He gathered them back into a neat pile and smiled at her. "I can't wait! Maybe we'll find something like we did the last time!"

"No more bodies, Andrew. My heart can't take it."

"Maybe I should help the Sheriff investigate this one. You know, like the Hardy boys. I could do some digging around."

"If you uncover anything interesting, I'm sure he'd like to hear about it. Is your mom in the kitchen?"

"She's making fried chicken! She never makes fried chicken except on the most special days ever. We haven't had it in forever!"

"Wow. I can't wait. See ya later."

"Okay." He turned back to his book and Polly followed her nose into the kitchen. Sylvie was furiously working back and forth from the stove to the prep table. Polly watched for a few minutes and finally said, "Can I help you?"

"Polly! You're back!" Then Sylvie giggled. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to hear you say a few words you would never let your boys say."

"Oops! I got a little behind and am cursing myself for making this meal for so many people. I could have done this a little easier, but no, I had to make it all from scratch."

"So, can I help you?"

Sylvie sighed. "I think I have it in hand. And I have a couple of hours before it has to be on the table. I'll be fine. How was lunch?"

Polly reached behind her in the storage room and took an apron off the hook. "It was interesting."

"Is she really your mother? How did you get along? Why did she leave?"

Sylvie jammed her hands in the sink and washed them up to her elbows. She was covered in wet flour and spices. Polly gathered up dishes that had been scattered around the kitchen and turned on the water to fill a deep sink.

"She is my mother. She was a surrogate. We didn't get along and she left because she is a money-grubbing leech who tried to steal money from my father."

She thrust the first bowl down into the sink with a healthy whoosh and followed that with several others.
It felt good to do something normal, so she told Sylvie the story while cleaning dishes. As she was wiping off the last remnants of flour from the prep table, Sylvie wrapped her arms around Polly.

"You had a day. I'm so glad we're having a party tonight. I'm so glad you are here. And I'm so glad you just helped me clean up my mess!" She laughed and released Polly.

"What are you doing for cake tonight?" Polly asked.

"Jason wanted a chocolate cake and made me promise I wouldn't decorate it. He says he's too old for that. Crap, Polly, my boys are growing up!"

"Do you want more homemade ice cream? I could get that going."

"It's already taken care of. Doug and Billy offered to make it. The first batch is in the freezer. We're going to have corn on the cob and watermelon and the potatoes are boiling. Lydia dropped off some fresh beans that she'd already snapped for me and Andy has been brewing tea in the sun for the last couple of days. Hannah and Bruce are coming over with their kids and she's bringing macaroni and cheese that she says is to die for. I can't think of anything else we might need."

"If I run upstairs, I could have several batches of rolls ready to go for the evening. Let me get that started and I'll be right back."

"I don't expect you to do anything more," Sylvie said. "With all
the rest, we don't need bread."

"We always need bread. I want to. Let me do it. The machine does most of the work."

"I suppose I could have done that down here as well," Sylvie mused, checking the potatoes on the stovetop.

"No, you don't need to think about one more thing. I'll be back in a bit." Polly ran through the storage room and up the steps to her apartment, surprising the animals who were stretched out in sunbeams on her bed.