The River Rolls On (Bellingwood Book 10) (27 page)

Evelyn nodded. "It will be important for her to see me for a few months. Then, as her life gets going again, she'll need me less and less. I'll call next week and see if there's an opportunity for lunch."

"Please do," Polly said. "And thank you again."

Evelyn moved off and Polly caught Jessie waving at her. She was sitting at a table with Bill and Marie Sturtz. Bill's sister and her husband were there as well. Marie was holding the baby and looked up with a smile when Polly and Henry joined them.

"That looks good on you, Mom," Henry said.

"I like having this little one around," Marie replied. "If being a grandma means that I can love on a baby and not worry about the hassle of raising the child, I think that's the best job ever." She rubbed Molly's nose and then looked up in shock. "I'm not pressuring you. Please don't think I meant anything by that."

Polly felt Henry breathe deeply beside her.

"Good," he said under his breath.

She sat down beside Jessie. "I haven't had any time in the last couple of weeks. How are things with Molly?"

"It's good," Jessie said. "I'll be glad when Rebecca and Kayla can babysit. I'm ready to get out of the house by myself one of these days, but Marie tells me not to be in a hurry. She's right. Molly won't be a baby very long."

Polly felt a horrible desire to tell Jessie that she'd watch the baby while Jessie went out, but the truth was that scared her to death. She knew there was no way she'd feel comfortable taking care of a baby for several hours. Marie was so natural with Molly and as Polly watched, she had no urgent desire to hold the little girl.

The first night in the hospital after the birth, a nurse had put the baby in Polly's arms. She kept waiting for some overwhelming nurturing sensation to flow over her and ... nothing. But she watched Jessie's face every time she held her daughter and saw the power of a mother's love settle in.

Lydia whispered into Polly's ear, "You don't have to feel guilty, dear."

Polly stood up and grabbed Lydia's hand, pulling her away. "How do you do this?" she asked. "How do you know what's going on in my head?"

"It's all over your face." Lydia took Polly's hands in hers. "You are an incredible woman. You've handled so many things these last two weeks that would send nearly everyone here over the edge of sanity and yet you're worrying because you don't want to be a mommy to babies. Give yourself a break. Jessie has a healthy and happy baby because you helped her pull her life together. Marie has a baby at her house for that same reason. Rebecca is having the best time today celebrating her mother's life because you helped make their dream come true for today. Look at the lives you have touched. You've given people jobs when they needed to work, you've encouraged your friends to be more than they ever could have imagined, and you've given people freedom to be themselves. And you do it without reservation, without judgment."

"It's no big deal," Polly said.

"Oh my friend, it's a huge deal, but you will never ask for anything back for all that you've given. But I'm going to be right here beside you to remind you that you are special just the way you are." Lydia pulled Polly into a hug and she could feel the woman's chest rise as she began to sob. "I am so thankful that you are safe. I've been absolutely terrified that something horrible would happen to you with those awful men in town. I haven't been able to talk to Aaron about it because I've been so scared."

She and Polly held on to each other as Lydia cried into Polly's shoulder. Then Lydia said, "So don't you ever feel guilty for living your life the way you want to live it. You hear me?"

"Yes mom," Polly said. "I hear you."

Lydia pulled away and then swatted Polly's shoulder. "And don't call me mom. You make me feel old. Even though you could be my daughter. Don't do it."

Polly gave her a quick hug. "I'll be good. Thanks."

She turned back to find Henry and saw Doug Randall stride across the room to her.

"Hey Doug," she said.

"Did they tell you?" he asked.

Polly grinned. "Tell me what?"

"I'm getting a dog. I get to pick him up after work on Monday."

"A puppy?"

"Yeah. He's a cute little thing. He's a mix. I think he's got bits of everything in him, but he has this big ole nose and you should see his feet. I think he'll be a big dog..."

Polly half-listened as Doug continued to tell her about his new dog. Life did just keep moving on, no matter how much it felt as if things had stopped for her. Babies were growing, lives were changing, and kids were getting older. She was entwined in the lives of everyone in this room in one way or another. It seemed that every time she turned around, the list of her friends grew exponentially.

Music played in the background, she wasn't even sure what she was hearing now. Doug was talking about his trip to the pet store yesterday, Marie and Jessie were laughing over the baby, Rebecca was chasing Kayla on the dance floor, Sylvie and Rachel were sitting down together to eat, Beryl had thrown her head back in laughter, Joss leaned over to say something to Cooper, and Sal was whispering to Mark. All around the room, people were alive and happy to be here.

This was life. This was her life.

I’m so glad you enjoy these stories about Polly Giller and her friends. There are many ways to stay in touch with Diane and the Bellingwood community.

You can find more details about Sycamore House and Bellingwood at the website:
http://nammynools.com/

Join the Bellingwood Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pollygiller

for news about upcoming books, conversations while I’m writing and you’re reading, and a continued look at life in a small town.

Diane Greenwood Muir’s
Amazon Author Page
is a great place to watch for new releases.

Follow Diane on Twitter at
twitter.com/nammynools
for regular updates and notifications.

Recipes and decorating ideas found in the books can often be found on Pinterest at:
http://pinterest.com/nammynools/

And, if you are looking for Sycamore House swag, check out Polly’s CafePress store:
http://www.cafepress.com/sycamorehouse

Don’t miss all of the books in
Diane Greenwood Muir’s

Bellingwood Series

All Roads Lead Home – Bellingwood #1
A Big Life in a Small Town – Bellingwood #2
Treasure Uncovered – Bellingwood #3
Secrets and Revelations – Bellingwood #4
Life Between the Lines – Bellingwood #5
Room at the Inn – Bellingwood #5.5
A Season of Change – Bellingwood #6
Tomorrow's Promises – Bellingwood #7
Through the Storm – Bellingwood #8
A Perfect Honeymoon – Bellingwood #8.5
Pages of the Past – Bellingwood #9

A short story based
on the Biblical Book of Ruth (Kindle only)
Abiding Love

The world has exploded with life and color. Spring threw off the browns and greys of winter and summer arrived with lush tree canopies and thick grasses. Farmers planted their crops and perfect rows of corn and beans popped up from dark, black earth. I am grateful every day for the opportunity to pour out my stories while living in the midst of Iowa's beauty. If I can give you just a small look at why I love the Midwest, that's momentous for me.

A quick note. You will read a scene in Chapter Twenty-Two that happens under a bridge. The photograph on the cover was taken one day this spring by my photographer husband, Maxim Muir, from that bridge. How fun is that?

Thank you to Rebecca Bauman, Tracy Kesterson Simpson, Linda Watson, Carol Greenwood, Alice Stewart, Fran Neff, Max Muir, Edna Fleming, Dave Muir and Nancy Quist for all they do to make these books happen.

These people will never know how much they mean to me. I trust them with my words and they make me better. They encourage me, while also correcting my work and asking me to rethink what I’ve written. With each edit, unique issues are discovered and my books get better and better. I appreciate their gift of time and attentio
n
.