Reflecting Love's Charms (Bellingwood Book 14) Read Online Free Page A

gave a slow shake of his head. "We're going to live in that place for decades before you've finally finished with all of the projects you want me to accomplish."
    "If you're lucky," she said.
    "Whose bones were in that room?" Jeff asked.
    "We have no idea," Henry replied. "Aaron called in the Department of Criminal Investigation. Apparently they have resources." He stepped closer to Polly. "I think she found something really old this time, though. There was also an old still in that room."
    "Still?" Jeff asked. "Like moonshine?"
    Henry laughed. "Could be. Maybe corn whiskey. Who knows, it could easily have been operating during Prohibition."
    "Wouldn't it be crazy if the Bell House was a speakeasy?" Polly asked. "Maybe that's why it didn't last."
    "If it was a speakeasy, they should have been raking in money hand over fist," Jeff said.
    "Not if the law got hold of them," Stu said, coming back into the living room.
    "Tell me you couldn't have been bought with some good, smooth whiskey," Henry said with a laugh. "Did you two find anything?"
    Rebecca held up a teddy bear. "Kayla left Silver. Can I take him home with me? Please? If we find her, I know she'll want him back."
    Polly looked at Stu and he nodded.
    "Of course you can," she said. "But we aren't going to let any of these things go yet. Even if we don't see Stephanie and Kayla for a while, we'll pack it all up and put it in storage for when they come back."
    "I don't think we'll need to come back in here," Stu said, "but if we do, should we contact you?"
    Jeff held out the key. "I have this. I can let you in." He turned to Polly. "I'll check with the landlord. They're probably paid up through the end of the month, so we have some time. If not, I'll make sure they are." He set his jaw. "Those girls are coming home. No matter what. They certainly don't need any more chaos in their lives."
    Stu headed for the front door. "As soon as I find anything out, I'll let you know. And if you hear from Stephanie or Kayla..."
    "We’ll call," Polly said.
    He shook her hand, then Henry's and Jeff's. "Thanks for your help, Rebecca," he said and walked out the front door.
    "Are all the lights off?" Polly asked Rebecca.
    "We made sure." Rebecca moved toward the kitchen. "There's some meat and stuff in the refrigerator. Should we leave it or take it?"
    "Let's plan on coming back in a couple of days if they aren't home yet," Polly said. "We can clean out the fridge then."
    Rebecca's shoulders relaxed. "Thank you. I just can't believe this. Why would they leave without telling any of us?"
    "Because Stephanie wants everyone to be safe from whatever she's scared of," Jeff said.
    "I hope it's not her dad," Rebecca said. "He's a bad man."
    "Yes he is, honey." Henry put his arm around her shoulder. "Let's get out of here. Why don't I take the two of you up to the diner for lunch? Jeff, you're more than welcome to join us."
    He nodded and looked around the room one last time before leaving, as if the girls might just be hiding. "I'd best get back to the office. Thanks, though."
    Polly checked the front door after pulling it closed behind them, then followed Henry and Rebecca to the truck. Rebecca climbed into the back and pulled her seatbelt on. Polly hoped this was fixed before her birthday. Last year, Rebecca hadn't told anyone about the date and spent it quietly with her mother. Sarah Heater was so close to the end of her life during those days that she hadn't had the energy to ask anyone to help Rebecca celebrate. Polly wanted to do something special this year, but with Kayla gone, she wasn't sure how Rebecca would respond. Her daughter had been through so much and she was still a happy young girl. It had to work out. It just had to.

 
    CHAPTER THREE

     
    Lunch was much too quiet. Rebecca was distracted and forlorn, breaking Polly’s heart. How do you accept the fact that your best friend left town with no notice?
    "Do you want to go over to the house and see the hole I fell into?" Polly