The Lakeside Inn, Leeanna Morgan [rosie project TXT] 📗

fill an entire house. “The dresser is right at the back of the room behind an old wardrobe.”

Diana appeared from behind another piece of furniture. She shone her flashlight toward the back wall. “It was too heavy for us to pull out, but it has the same scrollwork along the top edge.”

Wyatt studied the dresser, comparing it to the photo he had in his pocket. “It’s identical. If this isn’t the dresser, it must have been made by the same furniture maker.” He moved out of the way so Penny could see what they were talking about.

“It looks as though no one’s touched it since it was left here.”

Diana moved another box out of the way. “I don’t think anyone has. Everything was covered in drop cloths and dust.”

Penny borrowed Wyatt’s cell phone, shining his more powerful flashlight toward the top drawer. “There’s definitely a lock, but we can’t open it while the dresser’s stuck between the wall and the wardrobe. We’ll have to move all the other furniture.”

Wyatt looked over her shoulder. “It doesn’t look as though it’s resting on the wardrobe. I’ll try to slide it along the wall before we move everything else.” He changed places with Penny and placed his hands either side of the dresser. Planting his feet against the wooden floor, he pulled the wooden frame toward him. It moved an inch. “It’s heavier than it looks.”

Diana sighed. “I guess that means we’re moving the rest of the furniture.”

Barbara was already one step ahead of her. “We don’t have to move everything out of the room unless we want to take the dresser home. For now, all we need is enough room to put the key into the lock. If we move the furniture in front of the dresser a few feet forward, that should be enough.”

Wyatt had a feeling it would be easier said than done. If the other large pieces of furniture were as heavy as the dresser, they could be here for a while.

Forty sweaty, dust-filled minutes later, they’d finally made enough room for Penny to squeeze between the dresser and wardrobe.

She looked at the large wardrobe and frowned. “Are you sure I won’t create a domino effect and knock the other furniture over?”

“Just keep your bottom pulled in,” Barbara said seriously. “If the furniture starts wobbling, Wyatt will pull you out.”

It was just as well Barbara had complete faith in him. Penny didn’t seem so confident.

She looked at him and frowned. “My life could be in your hands.”

With a smile, he lifted his arm and flexed his bicep. “I’ll take care of you.” He wasn’t sure if his display of manly muscle made her feel better or worse.

With one last look at the rows of furniture, Penny wiped her hands on the back of her jeans. “Okay. I’m ready.”

Barbara took the key out of her pocket and handed it to her sister.

Wyatt didn’t know how Penny and her sisters were feeling, but he was more anxious than excited. If the key didn’t fit, they’d decided that Penny and her sisters would drive to Polson and talk to the lady from the museum.

Even if the key did fit, they didn’t know what they’d find inside the drawers.

“The suspense is killing me,” Barbara said from behind him. “What’s happening?”

Penny wiggled a little farther into the cavity. “Three of the drawers are locked. I’m putting the key into the top one.”

Silence filled the room.

Then, click.

“It unlocked the drawer,” Penny said excitedly. “I’ll open it now.”

Wyatt held his breath, waiting for what Penny had to say.

“It’s empty.” He didn’t need to see her face to know she was disappointed.

Barbara and Diana sighed.

“I’ll try the others.”

One after the other, each drawer opened to reveal nothing.

Penny appeared from behind the wardrobe. “I can’t believe the dresser is empty.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Diana said. “At least we found it.”

“What are we going to do with it?” Barbara asked.

Wyatt looked at the other pieces of uncovered furniture in the room. “Everything is in good condition. You could leave it here.”

Penny bit her bottom lip and looked hesitantly at Wyatt.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I want to take it home.”

Barbara groaned. “You can’t be serious? It took us more than half an hour to move everything so you could squeeze between the furniture. It will take us hours to pull the dresser into the hallway.”

“I can’t explain it, but this dresser needs to come home with us.” Penny looked at Wyatt and her sisters. “If you don’t want to stay, I could ask Pastor John if he has anyone who could help me move the furniture.”

Diana’s gaze traveled over the carefully placed rows of bookcases, tables, and chairs. “I’m happy to help. But finding more people to give us a hand is a good idea. Otherwise, we’ll be here all day.”

“Okay,” Barbara grumbled. “I’ll stay, too. But you owe me an enormous mug of hot chocolate.”

“I’ll stay,” Wyatt said.

Penny frowned. “What about your paintings?”

“If John can supply a few extra people, it won’t take long to remove the dresser.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

“In that case, thank you.” Penny looked at her sisters. “I know it would be a lot easier to leave it here, but I can’t.”

Barbara wiped her hands on her T-shirt. “I’ll find Pastor John and asked him if he has anyone who can help.”

“I’ll start moving the boxes in the front row,” Diana said. “Don’t worry, Penny. We’ll have the dresser home before you know it.”

It wouldn’t be that easy, but Wyatt was impressed with Diana and Barbara’s attitude. And he would be even more impressed once the dresser was on the back of Penny’s truck.

That evening, Penny knocked on Wyatt’s front door. She inhaled the rich, sweet scent of the pasta sauce he was cooking and smiled. It reminded her of the amazing meals she’d had with her grandparents.

The door opened and Wyatt grinned. “Hi. How are your arms?”

“Still a little sore from moving the furniture. Something smells yummy.” She handed him a bottle of red wine.

“It’s