Diane Greenwood Muir - Bellingwood 06 - A Season of Change by Diane Greenwood Muir Read Free Book Online Page A

felt like it was much too early to close the library, but the last of the patrons had gone home and someone’s mother was waiting. She waited for Joss to shut off the computers and lights and they walked outside together.
    “I’ll be glad for more light in the evening,” Joss said. “I’m considering asking the board if we can stay open a few evenings during the summer. I’d like to sponsor some events to keep kids reading when they aren’t in school.”
    “If I can help, I will,” Polly said.
    “Oh you have plenty to do. We’ll figure this out.” Joss followed Polly and Obiwan to the truck. “See you in a little bit?”
    “I can’t wait to see what you’ve done with the nursery,” Polly responded. “Are you sure we can’t bring anything?”
    “Nope. Nate’s grilling and everything else is ready.”
    “See you later.” Polly opened the door and Obiwan jumped up into the truck. She drove back to Sycamore House and pulled into the garage, then opened the truck and let Obiwan run. He took off for the back tree line and she stood in the doorway of the garage and watched as he sniffed around the patches of snow still covering the grass.
    Henry drove in and parked beside her.
    “You’re here early,” she said when he got out of the truck.             
    “I have a huge favor.”
    “What’s up?”
    “I need to cancel dinner tonight and then ask you to do something for me tomorrow morning.”
    “Okay. What’s up? Let me call Joss first, though, so she doesn’t get any further on the food.”
    Polly quickly called Joss, who assured her they would reschedule. When she hung up, she yelled for Obiwan and he ran back. “Do you have time to come upstairs?” she asked Henry.
    “For a few minutes. I have to go to Omaha tonight.”
    “What’s in Omaha?”
    “Let’s go upstairs.”
    Polly opened the door and followed the dog up the steps. Before he could get too far into the apartment, she grabbed his collar and stopped him. She pointed to the bed and said to Henry, “Sit there and tell me what’s going on while I dry him off.”
    “It’s not a big deal. The architect for the lodge is flying in to Omaha and they want to have a breakfast meeting tomorrow at six thirty. He’s taking another flight back out at ten o’clock. J. J. says there are some changes I need to see and they want me to meet the guy.”
    “Wow. Omaha. Tell me they’re putting you up somewhere nice.”
    He chuckled. “Yeah. We’ll be downtown. I would love to take you with me, but I’m going to head over, crash, get up and do the meeting. I’ll be back in the afternoon.”
    “Are you taking your computer?”
    “Sure.”
    “Then we’ll video chat tonight after you get settled. No worries.”
    “That would be great. But now comes my next question. If I give you keys to the trailer, could you open it tomorrow morning before seven? Ben and Leroy are going to start setting it up, but I haven’t gotten keys for them yet. Would you mind?”
    “Of course not. Do I have to wait for them or just unlock it?”
    “Just unlock it. I’ll call Leroy and tell him that it will be open.” He handed her a key. “Thank you. I feel terrible asking you to do this.”
    “Don’t you dare. Of course I will. Are you leaving now?”
    “Yep. I won’t get in until after nine as it is, and I’m exhausted. I’d better get on the road.”
    “Did you talk to your dad?” Polly followed him back down the steps.
    When he got to the bottom, he turned around and reached up to her, then pulled her in for a kiss. “He’s flying to Des Moines on Friday. He was so excited. He’ll go back next Friday and drive Mom north.”
    “I’m glad. Andy said Len would love to work with your Dad if you want him.”
    Henry took a deep breath. “It’s really going to be okay, isn’t it.”
    “I think so. Okay. You go. Call if you get tired on the road. I’ll talk you in.”
    He kissed her again. “I love you so much. Thank you for taking