Free Unexpected Riches (Bellingwood Book 13) by Diane Greenwood Muir Page B

much."
    "This isn't necessary," Camille said. "You've already paid us."
    "I just paid for Polly's coffee and a little extra. You took care of me today and I appreciate it."
    Polly smiled up at Camille and shrugged. "You try to fight with her. It's a losing battle."
    "Then I'll say thank you." Camille patted Polly's shoulder and walked away, picking up mugs from a table whose occupants had just left.
    Lydia looked down at the box in front of her. "It's time to enter the fray. I can think of a thousand things I'd rather do with Beryl today." She looked at Polly, pleading in her eyes. "Do you want to come with me?"
    Polly took a slow sip from her cup. "What's in it for me?" she asked.
    "My undying love and one of Sylvie's muffins?"
    "You already love me and I know the baker," Polly said.
    Lydia put her hand over her mouth and coughed. "I'm coming down with something and I should send you over with this food."
    "Why don't you want to do this?"
    "Were you not listening?" Lydia scowled at Polly. "Beryl has insensitive brothers who are mean to her."
    "It can't be that bad. But of course I'll go with you. I don't have anything important to do this morning. The research on Bell House can wait."
    "Bell House?" Lydia asked. She stood up and took her coat up from the back of her chair.
    "I haven't had a chance to tell you yet," Polly said. "We found an old title to the house. The original title. The son of one of Bellingwood's founders originally built the Springer House as an inn. It's one hundred years old this year."
    Lydia smiled. "Are you going to celebrate that with the sesquicentennial?"
    "Maybe," Polly said. "It all depends on whether or not Henry can find time in his schedule to do the renovation work. We'll do something this summer but I'm not sure what it will be."
    She waved goodbye to Camille as they walked out the front door.
    "I'll see you there," Lydia said. "And don't you dare drive off and leave me. I'm counting on you now, you know."
    "Got it. Straight to Beryl's house and no detours." Polly climbed in her truck, took her phone out of her pocket, and dialed.
    "You have a better offer, don't you?" Jeff Lindsay asked.
    She was perplexed. "What?"
    "You aren't coming into the office this morning. I know you, you're a slacker."
    "Why, yes I am," she said with a laugh. "I did think to call and let you know, though."
    "Spending the morning at the Springer House?"
    "Bell House," she corrected. "No. I'm going over to Beryl's for a while. If you need me, though, call."
    "I'll let Stephanie know," Jeff said. "I'll be out most of the day. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow."
    "Okay." Polly backed out of the parking space and drove the few blocks to Beryl's house.
    Two pickup trucks were parked in Beryl's driveway, so Polly pulled in behind Lydia's Jeep in front of the house. She was immediately transported back to the days when they'd rebuilt Beryl's studio. Neighbors were upset at the extra traffic. She inadvertently turned around and glanced back at Larry Storey's house. He'd made sure that Polly knew how offensive the extra vehicles were around Beryl's house.
    There he was, peeking out of his front window. He'd pulled the curtain back to see the activity.
    Polly got out and walked around the back of her truck, looked up again and waved at him before going to the front door. The poor man waved back, then left the window altogether.
    She put her hand up to knock, but Lydia was right there and opened the door. "Polly Giller," Lydia said. "It's good to see you. What brings you out today?"
    "Ummm..." Polly was at a loss.
    "That's wonderful," Lydia said. "I'm sure Beryl would like you to meet her brothers. Come on in."
    Polly followed Lydia into the living room and hugged Beryl when the woman jumped out of her seat and rushed over to her. "How are you this morning?" Polly asked.
    Beryl nodded. "I'm fine. Let me introduce you to my brothers. Melvin, this is Polly Giller. She owns Sycamore House and the Sycamore Inn."
    The older of the two men