Read Online Diane Greenwood Muir - Bellingwood 05 - Life Between the Lines by Diane Greenwood Muir - Free Book Online Page A

this.”
    “What did you do?”
    “Just open it.”
    The package was simply wrapped in brown kraft paper and she tore it off, then laughed. “This is cool! I love it!”
    “It isn’t every day that you have a First Anniversary Celebration and I thought we should commemorate it. I was going to give it to you the night of the ball, but I thought maybe today would be better. I like to see you smile.”
    Polly kissed him. “Oh, this makes me smile!”
    Henry had framed the full page advertisement for the masquerade ball. She couldn’t wait to hang in the outer office downstairs, where everyone could see it.

     
    Polly had spent time one Sunday afternoon dreaming up the text and was proud of the invitation. Jeff’s eyes lit with possibilities when he saw it. He was friends with one of the costume designers at Iowa State and planned to ask for her help in rounding up costumes for the event. Some people in town had pooh-poohed the idea and others had jumped on board and begun planning their outfits right away.
    The gown Polly had found online was gorgeous. She wasn’t too sure about the corset and petticoat, but for one night, it would be fine.
    “Thank you for this, Henry,” she said. “I would never have thought to do something like it and you’re right, it should be commemorated.” She set it up in a chair and looked at it. “It’s been a whole year, Henry. A year!”
    “It’s been a good year.”
    “Do you remember putting this floor in for me? I wasn’t even in town when you brought all of my furniture up from downstairs.”
    “That was a fun night. We were all so glad you were safe. That’s the night you got Obiwan, too.”
    The dog heard his name and padded over to sit between them. Polly reached down and scratched his head. “When Lydia came in my front door with Beryl and Andy, I couldn’t begin to comprehend the changes that were about to happen in my life. It’s not as if I had a big plan, but somehow Lydia knew that I was supposed to be her friend and she made it okay for me to be part of the community.”
    “She’s a pretty big presence in town.”
    “You warned me,” Polly laughed. “You told me that things weren’t ever going to be quiet once I became friends with them.”
    “I was right, wasn’t I!” he said.
    “It’s been a year,” she said again, taking a bite of pie. “Wow. So, when did you decide to ask me out?”
    “I was getting close when Joey showed up and made a mess of everything. Then, you were so busy with finishing the renovation and then Jeff showed up and you made all these Christmas party plans.” He took a breath. “I finally just figured I had to do it or I’d never get the opportunity.”
    “Can we go back to that same restaurant to celebrate our first year?” she asked.
    Henry reached out and took her hand. “Of course we can. That was a great night. I knew I was in love with you then.”
    Polly pulled her hand out and laid it on top of his, squeezing it. “It took me a long time to admit it, but I knew that I wanted something with you.” She sat back and took another bite of pie, watching as he ate. “Do you ever think about how many things had to align for us to find each other? Do you believe in fate?” she asked.
    “I believe that if we pay attention, good things have a tendency to show up. You showed up and I paid attention and I wasn’t going to let that blasted Mark Ogden get a chance at you.”
    Polly had been a bit smitten with her veterinarian’s extraordinary good looks. After spending a wonderful evening with him learning to dance last winter, she’d realized, though, that she really wasn’t interested in him. It had always been Henry.
    “You never had anything to worry about, you know.”
    “I didn’t know. But I did know that for the first time in my life I wasn’t going to be the nice guy and let someone else push me out. I was in love and I wasn’t about to let you go.”
    “Thank you,” Polly said. “I really do love