Free Room at the Inn (Bellingwood #5.5) by Diane Greenwood Muir

when he read it."
    "He didn't have any idea who this might be? His family has lived in the area for a long time."
    "He didn't say anything. He thought maybe Simon at the Antique Shoppe might remember where he got the dresser, but I figured if anyone might know something, it would be you."
    " I don't remember this, but it probably happened before I was born. I can ask some of the older ladies that I know. Someone is going to remember an accident that killed four people. Especially when two of them were little boys and there was a baby girl who lived through it. We have to find out what happened to her."
    "I'll ask Henry to call his mom. Maybe she'll remember something, too," Polly said.
    "You should bring all of this to the women's meeting Tuesday morning. It's our Christmas party." Lydia laughed at the horrified look on Polly's face. "It's not that bad. Okay, maybe you wouldn't have quite as much fun as we do, but still, you might be able to get some good information. These women have been around a long time and they know everyone's history in all the surrounding counties. Trust me, they're better than the CIA and the FBI together when it comes to holding on to secrets."
    "That doesn't make me feel any better about showing up, you know," Polly chuckled.
    "You already know some of them. I always invite Beryl, but she knows better than to come. I dragged her to something years ago and she had one of the meanest old biddies in the group backed into a corner in the kitchen after the woman had torn into some poor young woman for using the wrong dishtowels to dry dishes. It was the young woman's first time in the kitchen and the rest of us should have paid more attention. Old Mabel was a terrorist and we generally kept her occupied, but somehow she escaped us and before anyone knew what had happened, Beryl was on the offense. Looking back, it was pretty hilarious, but I thought I was going to have to call for the cavalry to separate them."
    "Still not helping."
    "Oh, after Mabel died, there were a few more ladies who wanted to run the kitchen with an iron fist, but that's calmed down a lot over the years. However, they would be one of your best resources for tracking this Marian Jeanine down."
    "If I don't get inform ation from nearly anyone else, I'll call."
    "There is a program at ten and then luncheon begins at eleven. If you give a presentation, they'll mull it over during the meal and I can guarantee you'll have an answer before we leave."
    "I'll think about it. You aren't giving up on this, are you?"
    "If you tell me you'll come, I'll invite Beryl."
    "You are really sick and twisted, aren't you!" Polly laughed.
    "Aaron says it's my best attribute. Being dull, boring and sugary sweet all the time isn't much fun."
    "Well, I love you this way. You always surprise me."
    "That's what my sweet baboo says and I like being able to surprise him after thirty years of marriage." Lydia looked through the photos once more. "So, you'll come on Tuesday?"
    Polly grimaced, "I'm not going to get out of it, am I."
    "Not if I can help it."
    "You're kind of mean."
    "And manipulative. Don't forget manipulative. Whenever Beryl thinks I've backed her into a corner, that's what she calls me. Just because I'm always thinking and planning and involving and organizing, she gets huffy."
    "You're one of the smartest people I know," Polly reached over and hugged her friend, "and I'll bet that brain of yours never turns off when it's looking for the best way to make something happen."
    "See. You get it," Lydia laughed. "My kids and Aaron finally figured out that if they pay attention to what I'm saying, it will be the easiest way to do something."
    "What you’re telling me is that I'll get my answers on Tuesday."
    "That's exactly right, dear! And you'll meet people and get a good lunch."
    Andrew and Jason showed up after Lydia left that afternoon, since their mother was in the kitchen. Both boys were carrying a small bag and when Polly asked what they had,