Free Pages of the Past (Bellingwood Book 9) by Diane Greenwood Muir

forward ahead of her, but drew back, remembering Kayla's initial response. "Go ahead girls, follow Mariah." She nodded to Jessie to go ahead and then took Henry's hand.
    "There are a lot of females at this table tonight," he said.
    "You're good for us all," Polly said. The restaurant was busy and Mariah led them to a large room in the back. Polly waved at Lydia Merritt, trying to catch her friend's attention, but Lydia was staring at her salad, unaware of the activity around her. However, the only large table available was right next to Lydia and Aaron.
    Polly slipped in beside them and said, "Looks like you've got company tonight."
    Both Lydia and Aaron glanced up from their plates in surprise. Lydia jumped up and hugged Polly. "I wish we'd have known you were coming. You could have joined us."
    "We practically are," Polly said.
    Aaron had stood with her and shook Henry's hand, then took Polly's. "How are you this evening?" he asked stiffly.
    "I'm good. How are things with the case? Rumor has it that you know the man who was killed." Polly sat down and continued. "Why didn't you say something to me? There I was acting all girly and scared and it was someone you knew."
    "You were alive and it was too late to do anything for him. Simple priorities," he said.
    Polly hadn't seen much of Aaron after he'd escorted her to the back of the caretaker's house and now that she had a chance to look at him, she was shocked at what she saw. He'd lost weight and he looked drawn and exhausted. His eyes were dark and his skin sallow. Gone was the easy laughter that came to his face. His entire demeanor had changed. She didn't know the man standing in front of her and was glad that Lydia had said something earlier so she was at least prepared.
    "What's good tonight?" Henry asked. "I'm feeding a crowd."
    "I'm sure the kids will find something that interests them," Aaron responded and sat back down.
    Lydia took a deep breath and gave Polly a sad smile. "It's just a salad for me tonight. I don't feel much like eating. Benny's your waiter. He'll tell you the specials. I've forgotten what he said. I think there was a chicken strip meal, but I must not have paid much attention."
    Polly took her hand, squeezed it, and gave Lydia another hug before the woman re-took her seat. "You two enjoy yourselves and forgive us if our table gets too loud. I think poor Henry is about to find out what it means to take four women out to dinner."
    "Enjoy your evening," Aaron said, effectively dismissing her.
    Henry held Polly's chair for her and sat down. He took her hand under the table and squeezed it, his eyes asking what he couldn't say out loud. She gave a slight shake of her head and turned to the table.
    "Okay girls, what'll it be? Shall we get some appetizers?"
    Rebecca nodded furiously and Kayla took a cue from her and asked "What do they have?"
    "We like the platter. It has onion rings and fried mushrooms and cauliflower, cheese sticks and a cheesy dip with veggies. How does that sound?"
    "Great," Kayla said.
    "Jessie? Anything else?"
    "No, that's wonderful."
    Kayla and Rebecca pulled their menus down in front of them and chattered about the various offerings.
    "Should we order off the kids menu?" Rebecca asked.
    "Do you see something there you'd like to have?"
    "I want chicken strips, if that's okay," Kayla said. "I can share with Rebecca if it's too much."
    "Oh no," Rebecca assured her friend. "Polly and Henry will let you order your own meal, won't you, Polly?"
    "You bet. If we have that big appetizer platter, maybe I should order off the kid's menu, too."
    Polly tried to ignore the uncomfortable silence that had settled between them and the Merritts. It was completely unnatural. Any other time they would have all been laughing and telling stories, mostly to entertain Jessie, Rebecca and Kayla, but tonight Polly and Henry both felt the deathly quiet behind them.
    Fortunately, the rest of the table had no idea that things weren't normal. Jessie's baby was