Out of the Shadows (Bellingwood Book 12) Read Online Free Page B

She took in the variety on the table. "Did you lose your mind or find a new recipe website?"
    Polly pursed her lips. "Maybe both. I couldn't stop myself once I got started. Cookies weren't enough and then I had time on my hands while the dough mixed up for the cinnamon rolls, and then I went on a tear. But there's plenty for everyone."
    "Have you taken any of this down to Eliseo?" Kayla stepped closer to the plate on the table. "You should work at the bakery."
    "Not me," Polly said. "I do this once in a blue moon. And no, I haven't taken any of this anywhere." She pointed at the containers on the counter. "If you want to share, that would be wonderful. I'm driving Heath over to Ames, so I can't help, but take a plate to Evelyn and Denis and another to Stephanie and Jeff. Eliseo and his crew would probably like a break, too. Mix and match and share. We certainly don't need all of this in the house."
    Andrew dropped his backpack on the floor and pulled out a chair at the table. "I'm starving," he said. "Do you care what I eat?"
    "I don't care. But will your mother?" Polly asked, scowling at him.
    "I won't tell her. As long as I eat my supper, we're cool."
    Polly chuckled. "Just be careful. It will still be here tomorrow."
    "Is it supposed to be a nice day tomorrow?" Rebecca asked quietly. She slipped past Polly into the kitchen and took down three glasses from the cupboard. Kayla took them out of her hand and Rebecca opened the refrigerator.
    "It should be beautiful," Polly responded.
    "Can we have pop?" Rebecca asked.
    Polly shook her head. "There's lemonade, milk and juice in there. No reason for pop."
    Andrew gave a loud sigh. "Mom doesn't let me drink it either. And I like that Mountain Dew. You drink it all the time, Polly. Why can't we?"
    She lowered the lids of her eyes at him and said, "Seriously?"
    He thought about it, his eyes darting back and forth and then he said, "Yeah. Seriously. Why can't I if you do?"
    "First of all, you don't get to do everything that adults do. I won't be pushed into that game. Secondly, your body is still trying to figure out what comes next. The less garbage you put into it while you're young and adapting to the world, the better. Your brain is building connections that will serve you over a lifetime. Thirdly, it's a rule in your house and you know that, too. Would you like me to keep going?"
    He had hung his head while she spoke. "No, that's good. It isn't fair that you get to have something and nobody else does."
    "Do you see me drinking pop right now, Andrew Donovan?" she asked firmly.
    "No, but you probably did earlier."
    "And because I put a bra on this morning, does that mean you should do that too?"
    He looked up at her, his face twisted up in shock. "No!"
    "Exactly. And by the way, whoever told you that your perception of fair was how life was going to be lived, lied to you. Fair has nothing to do with life, no matter what you might think. Are we done with this conversation yet?"
    "Yes," he said quietly.
    Rebecca and Kayla had stood stock still through that encounter. Rebecca finally made a noise in her throat and said, "Lemonade?"
    Polly burst out laughing and put her arm around Rebecca's shoulder, then took the pitcher of lemonade out of the refrigerator and put it in Rebecca's hands. When she looked back up, Heath was standing in the dining room door.
    "There you are," she said. "Do you want anything to eat before we leave?"
    "No, I'm fine," he responded. He nodded to the plate of goodies on the table. "Did you make all of that?"
    "Maybe." She pointed at the two grocery totes. "Those are for you and Hayden."
    "It's only two days," he protested.
    "You can leave the rest with him. He should have home baked goodies every once in a while, don't you think?"
    "Well yes, but, all of that?"
    "She lost control," Rebecca said. "You just need to go with it. How did your test go?"
    Heath shrugged. "It was okay."
    "What about your speech?" Rebecca asked. "Wasn't that today?"
    Polly had no idea