Read A Big Life in a Small Town (Bellingwood #2) for Free Online Page A

hurt his back last year, though, and we had to change beds for him. Rather than wait until we died, I figured I would see if I could find it a new home or two." She reached over and touched the dresser. "It was a wedding gift many years ago, but it would make me happy if you could enjoy it." Her smile seemed a little strained, but she smiled all the same.
    Polly opened a couple of drawers in the chest. The scent of lavender greeted her nose. "I would love to put this into one of the rooms at Sycamore House. It will be my favorite room!"
    The woman smiled and her eyes filled. "I'm glad you want to keep everything together. Now, there aren't any rails for the bed, but we were able to use it with our queen mattress."
    "Don't worry," Polly said. "I've got just the carpenter to make sure this goes together perfectly." She pulled her checkbook out of her back pocket. "Will it be okay if it takes a day or so for me to get a truck and some people to pick this up from you?" She wrote a number on the check and said, "Tell me if you think this is fair for the entire set?"
    "That's more than I was asking. Are you sure?"
    "I'm positive. I have been looking at furniture for several months and if you think it is a good number, it is fair for both of us," Polly responded.
    "Thank you, and you can pick them up whenever you are able. Adam is going to be glad I finally have a plan to get his garage back. He thought it was unfair I got my house all put back together only to disrupt his little sanctuary."
    She turned to the door leading inside. "If you give me a couple of minutes, I will put the dogs into our bedroom. I'd love for you to come in and have a cup of coffee. I made sweet rolls this morning."
    Polly wasn't about to make that decision on her own and turned to look back at her three traveling companions.
    Beryl looked around and said, "We never turn down coffee and homemade sweet things. It will be the perfect way to close this deal!" She marched up to the door and said, "We're not afraid of a couple of dogs, now, are we, girls?"
    The door led directly into the kitchen. Polly and Beryl both cleared the door so the others could join them and immediately went down on their knees to accept the onslaught of puppy dog love. Polly looked up, "It's easier if you just take the love first and they won't jump up on you as much if you get down to their level."
    "Well, listen to the expert!" Beryl laughed. "But, she's right."
    Andy chuckled. "Beryl, you go ahead and love the dogs all you want." She turned to the woman of the house. "I'm sorry, I didn't get your name."
    "Oh!" the woman said, "I'm Vera Lucas and these are Sampson and Delilah."
    Andy blinked. "Those are big names!"
    "Yes, our son thought it was funny. His children were learning about those characters in Sunday School when he got the dogs for us." Vera said. "Adam and I are pretty sure we are nothing more than fodder for his entertainment. But then, that's fair. He always made us laugh. Now, come in! Sit down! I want to hear all about this Sycamore House and what you are doing down in that little town. Did I hear you found bodies in the ceiling?"
    Vera put her hands on Sampson, "Down, Sampson. Sit. Down." He wiggled a little and Beryl stood up, then he sat and waited while Vera pulled a treat out of a container on the counter. "You too, Delilah. Sit." The other dog obeyed and received her treat while Polly and Beryl walked over to the table to join Lydia and Andy.
    "Can we help you?" Lydia asked.
    "Sure," Vera said. She pulled mugs out of the cupboard, handing them to Lydia who had jumped up to help. They passed everything around until plates, napkins, forks, mugs, coffee and sweet rolls were laid out. "Adam is going to be sorry he missed this! When he read about the bodies in the ceiling, he remembered the whole thing. I was busy with a wild toddler. I think I missed everything that was going on in the world until our son was in Junior High. "
    Polly said, "Lydia's husband," and she