“It’s so cool,” Charley squawked, looping an arm through hers. “Hand-tailored outfits!”
“Yes,” Poppy said, pleased that her friend was enthusiastic. “Anyone who wants to come back with Charley and me, they’ll have their clothes provided too, whatever you like. We won’t have to worry about hiding those fittings from Turner. Everyone just has to be careful about not saying anything in front of him… and diverting his suspicions if he has them. I won’t be here to help with that.”
“You will talk to him though, on the phone?” Val asked.
“Yes,” Poppy said. “He’s not thrilled about me going home without him. I’m working on getting Preston to stay and drive home with him. The closer to Monday he gets back, the better. It will reduce the chances of him getting suspicious.”
That was a slight lie. Poppy wasn’t working on getting Preston to stay, Primrose was doing that for her. She wasn’t sure how much the Maddoxes knew about the burgeoning relationship. Asking everyone to keep her secret made her more conscious of keeping their secrets.
“I don’t think he’ll be suspicious,” Charley said. “He’d never guess the truth in a million years.”
“Turner knows when something’s going on,” Zoey said. “He always knows.”
“Because he’s been reading you girls all your lives,” Val said. “Someone should stay here, to keep him busy.”
“I don’t mind staying,” Zoey said, leaning forward to take Casey’s hand. “We can stay.”
Just as Poppy had suspected, the teens wanted to remain together.
“We can stay too,” Faye said. “We won’t loop the kids in. They’re always good at taking up his time.”
Yes, they were. The kids would keep him busy and he wouldn’t be able to pepper them with questions as he might his sisters or mother.
“Then I’ll take the twins home,” Val said.
“Yeah, they suck at keeping secrets,” Charley said.
“I’ll be able to help with whatever you need,” Val said to Poppy without acknowledging Charley’s comment. “Fitting them will be easier at home too.”
“My sisters want to come back with us. Primrose more than Violet, but they’ll be able to help too.”
“It’ll be fun to get to know them better,” Charley said. “But where are you going to put them? None of the Venture apartments are vacant.”
“No,” Poppy said, a little worried about how the Maddoxes, Turner included, would take to her plan. “I thought they could stay in thirteen.”
“Our apartment?” Charley asked, either confused or affronted. “We only have two rooms and the floors aren’t done… I don’t think, unless Ritchie did them.”
“Doubt that,” Faye said. “He’s had his business to run and Turner’s too.”
“The guys will be a big help,” Zoey said. “They won’t have a problem stitching Turner up.”
Maybe not the way Poppy would like it put, but she was all in given everyone knew her plan.
“You want them to share a room?” Charley asked. “How do you think they’ll like that?”
“I thought it would be easier for us to move,” Poppy said, squirming under the scrutiny of the Maddox women.
“Because you’ll be moving in with Turner,” Faye said, figuring it out.
Val took that understanding a step further. “You’re taking Charley with you?”
Zoey snorted in amusement. “How do you think Turner will react to having a roomie?”
“He didn’t mind me and Poppy living together before.”
“Yeah, except it’s his apartment and newlyweds like privacy.”
Until Faye used the word, Poppy hadn’t thought about that part. Her planning hadn’t gone past the wedding.
“He won’t have time for a honeymoon,” Zoey said. “This is more of a vacation than he’s had in years.”
“We can have a honeymoon in the city,” Poppy said. “I’ll reserve a suite… That way he can still work if he wants to, but we’ll have our privacy for a while.”
“You could just move home, Charley,” Faye said. “Give them their privacy.”
“No way!” Charley objected. “Besides, there isn’t any space.”
“You can start looking for a house as soon as you want to,” Poppy said to Faye. “I figured you’d want to talk to Turner before deciding on anything. He’s happy to give his input… He still wants to support all of you like he always has. Marrying me won’t change that.”
“Wow,” Zoey murmured. “Turner, a husband… a father.”
“Freaky, isn’t it?” Charley said, squealing in excitement.
“Calm yourselves, all of you,” Val said, trying to temper the excitement.
A brief knock on the door came just before it opened. The three kids came running in, but it was Turner who wandered in behind them.
“My fiancée is leaving in twenty-four hours and this is my only day off all week,” he said, scanning the women with suspicion. “Think you could give her a minute of peace?”
“It was me,” Poppy said, standing up and winding her way through the women. She touched Emmie’s hair and Noah’s cheek as she passed them to go over to Turner. “Did you fit the lock on the deck doors?”
“Yeah,” he said, suspicion still lighting his eye. “Didn’t think you’d disappear while I was doing it.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said, threading their fingers together. “I’m yours forever and always.”
“Yeah?”
“Mm hmm,” she said, smiling though he was still dubious. “Show me your handiwork, First.”
Saying that was better than requesting he take her to bed in front of his family, the kids included. He got her meaning though and the corner of his mouth lifted, clearing his curiosity. If he’d thought his family were conspiring against him, it was Poppy’s duty to divert his attention while she was still around to do it. She’d need to employ a similar diversion tactic when he returned to the Venture. It was time for her to find out if practice really did make perfect.
TWENTY-NINE
Goodbyes were never easy. Maybe that was why Poppy spent so much time with her Grammie that Monday lunchtime. The woman was a comfort, even when she was walking away. Saying goodbye to her wasn’t easy, but at least it was only temporary.
“Promise I’ll see you next week,” Poppy said, still holding Marigold.
They were in Grammie’s bedroom and must have said goodbye fifteen times. Still, they were there, hugging and reassuring each other.
“I promise,” Grammie said with amused impatience. “Do you think I’d miss this for anything? I love a bit of drama, especially when it’s in the name of love.”
“Don’t tell Mom and Dad until next week,” Poppy said. “They’ll never remember to keep it a secret.”
“Your man will have plenty to keep him busy with his work on the guest house during the day and the little ones at night.”
Just as she’d said, Faye was staying with the kids to support her brother, but also because she needed a break from real life. Zoey and Casey were staying on the estate too.
Val would bring the twins back home, like they’d discussed. The teens were eager to see their friends and had been talking a lot about car shopping now that there was money in the family.
Poppy wanted her new family to have everything they needed, but it wasn’t easy to keep her focus on details of their wish lists. Her crazy plan might be difficult to pull off; that wouldn’t stop her from giving it a good shot.
A light knock on the door took the pair out of their hug. Seeing Turner poke his head around the door was bittersweet.
“There’s a fancy limo outside all loaded up,” he said.
Loaded with his mother and sister’s things. Her things were packed in the suitcases that Turner had promised to bring with him when he traveled back in the truck. Preston was staying with his buddy under the guise of improving ties with the company. It wasn’t a complete lie, he and Tiller had hit it off, which
would do wonders for Preston at his firm. Primrose had helped by nudging Preston in the direction of remaining on the estate. Poppy wasn’t sure her sister was that wild about it given Primrose was joining her at the Venture.
“Everyone getting impatient?” she asked, her arm linked with Grammie’s as they went over to join him.
“The jet will wait,” Grammie said. “You can take all the time you need.” She kissed Poppy’s cheek. “I have to talk to Val before she leaves.” Marigold left her granddaughter, but stopped to nudge Turner as she passed. “Been a long time since that bed of mine’s seen any action.”
“Okay, Grammie!” Poppy declared while her fiancé just snickered. “Thank you.”
The old lady was laughing to herself as she exited.
“You’re gonna miss her,” Turner said, sauntering over to put his arms around her.
“You’ll look after her this week, won’t you?”
“You could always stay.”
From his point of view, that made sense.
“I’ll miss you every second,” Poppy said, her head dropping back. “Won’t it be nice to know I’m sleeping in your bed, waiting for you?”
“Yeah,” he said, nodding while admiring her mouth. “If it was our bed here, you could get some action every night.”
“You could call me. We could get a little long distance action.” Exhaling, she groaned and buried her face against his chest. “Don’t go falling in love with any of the staff… or any of the women in town. I know the guys will drag you and Preston out now the coast is clear.” Leaning back, Poppy frowned at him. “There should be an engagement ring equivalent for men. Something you can wear that tells all the harlots out there that you’re spoken for.”
Her indignation might amuse him, but it was genuine. “I can tell them myself. You’re biased about the kind of attention I’d get. I keep to myself when I’m out.”
“When you’re at Naughtie’s and you have the guys to entertain you,” she said, smoothing her hands down his tee-shirt. “It’s okay. I don’t mind women drooling over you. How can I blame them? I drool over you.” He laughed. “I trust you’re big enough to fight them off if they get handsy.”
“Damn straight.”
He lowered to kiss her. His kiss was always a treat, always excited her before his lips even met hers. That usual buzz of anticipation was just as potent as ever, though as his tongue slid against hers and he tightened his embrace to pull her higher, Poppy was reminded that they were about to part.
“If you go out drinking, go to Naughtie’s,” he said, still nuzzling her mouth despite what it had to be doing to his back. “And Naught won’t take money from you, I’ll settle up when I get back.” She loved how he still wanted to take care of her, even when he wouldn’t be around. “The guys will look after you. Ritchie will get you home.”
“I won’t be going out late,” she said. “I think Charley will be more interested in spending time with David—”
“If he so much as looks at you,” he growled, his jaw tight.
“It’s okay. I’ll go out if Charley wants to go out, but we live close enough to the bar that if he shows up, I can go home. Ritchie and Naught will take care of Charley… I’ll probably spend my week rearranging your closets and tossing out anything that belongs to your ex-girlfriends.”
“Don’t think you’ll find anything like that,” he said, kissing her quick. “Anything female related, you should ask the sisters before you go on a purging spree. They leave their shit lying around all the time.” As Poppy licked her lips and tried to kiss him again, he eased back. “I came up here to bring you out, not to lay you down.”
“It’s just a kiss,” she played, aware of just how quickly their kisses could become carnal. “You promise you’ll come home to me?”
“Yes.”
“Not just because it’s the Venture, but because I’m there too.”
“Baby, do you know how tough it is for me not to just toss you in the truck and take you home myself?”
“You made Aitken a promise.”
“One Grammie could get me out of,” he said.
One Aitken would probably let him out of if he just asked. As it was, Grammie was maintaining the status quo on the estate so Poppy could get home and organize Turner’s surprise. Aitken would keep Turner on site. He’d even demand that Turner work the usual few hours on the Saturday, which would delay him just enough… if all went to plan. Preston was the back up. If it came to it, he’d be the most annoying and high-maintenance road trip buddy that ever lived. Poppy was sort of sorry she’d miss that hilarity.
“This is going to make us stronger,” she said. “The way I love you could survive anything. Even distance.”
“And your pussy?”
Poppy laughed and threw her arms around his neck to pull him down again. “We are going to have so much sex when you get back to the Venture. So much sex… We might even have to ask Ritchie to keep steering the ship for another week… or two.”
“Think the guy’s about ready to toss in the towel. Not sure we’ll be friends after this.”
“I’ll help as much as I can,” Poppy said, aware of just how Ritchie was holding up. She’d swiped Turner’s phone to get Ritchie’s number and called to fill him in. “I’ll field the calls and organize the jobs. He’s only dealing with the big emergencies.”
“Which means there’ll be a backlog of the regular stuff,” Turner said, the burden of it showing in his expression.
“Hey,” she said, stroking his cheek. “We can handle anything, right? We’re together now. This is it for us. Whatever happens, we’ll deal with it together. So what if you’re busy for a couple of weeks? It won’t be forever. You’ll talk to Ritchie, get a new building, wind down on your caretaking jobs and then…”
“And then?” he prompted her.
Though Poppy tried to keep her smile demure, her excitement wasn’t easy to contain. “Then, when you’re ready… you’ll knock me up.”
“My mom won’t care about the ‘when we’re ready’ part.”
“Maybe I won’t either,” she teased. “You came before your parents thought they were ready and you turned out just fine.”
Considering her, his eyes narrowed. “You’re really into the kid thing, huh?”
“I didn’t think I was. I mean, I didn’t think it would be that important to me, then I met you and your family… now I want a bunch of little yous running around.” Taking a breath, she couldn’t help but squirm. “I know I’m supposed to want career and workplace domination—”
“Whatever you want is what’s right,” he said, his thumb caressing her jaw. “You will have workplace domination. We’re starting a business as a family, something for all of us, and for the kids. I’m just happy you need me to fulfil your dream. If you didn’t, you might figure out that you deserve the world and leave us in the dust.”
“You are the world,” she said, coiling her arms around his waist. “My whole world. My missing piece. I want to have a family with you. Just like yours. Full of love and support and happiness.”
“It’s a lot of work.”
“Since when have you been afraid of hard work?” she asked, relenting and stepping away to take his hand. “I guess if I don’t leave now, I never will. Did you already say goodbye to everyone?”
“Yeah.”
The whole gang was by the car when Poppy and Turner got downstairs. There were smiles and tears, mostly from her mom who wouldn’t know what to do without her daughters around.
“You’re late for work,” Val said, pulling Turner down to kiss his cheek. “Your lunch break is almost over and you still have to get to the site.”
“He’s used to being in charge,” Charley said, hugging her brother before doing her best to pull Poppy away from him. “We have to go.”
“The Venture isn’t going anywhere,” Turner said, yanking her back to his side.
That was when she noticed Primrose and Preston standing a little away from t
he group saying a more private goodbye.
Poppy nudged Turner to nod at them. “Young love.”
“Yep,” he said, kissing her head and gathering her into his arms. “Be safe.”
“Call me when you get a break,” she said, wishing that she could call from the car and the plane. “The minute you get a break.”
“I will,” he said, kissing her.
They were still twined in each other when someone took hold of her hips to ease her away. “We’ve gotta go, sis.”
Fighting it wouldn’t change that truth. Leaving was her decision, so Poppy couldn’t object too much. Turner smiled as she was pulled into the car and put an arm around Grammie when she went to his side.
The car started to move and Poppy watched those left behind grow smaller until they disappeared when the car rounded the curve of the drive. The moment she sagged back in her seat and breathed out, everyone inside pounced closer.
“You’re getting married?” Willow exclaimed. “You and Turner?”
Poppy just nodded.
“Next week,” Charley said, grabbing her hand to squeeze it tight.
“Tuesday,” Poppy said. “A week tomorrow… if all goes to plan.”
“You have us,” Val said, taking Poppy’s free hand. “We’ll help. Everything is going to be perfect.”
Rushing home to deal with organizing the apartment was one thing. Planning their secret wedding in a week? By herself? Some might call it insanity. Turner didn’t know and wouldn’t until he got home… either he’d be delighted or it would be another burden on his shoulders. He would have a lot of loose ends and things to catch up on from his time away. But getting married, it was what they both wanted, and at least in her plan, he didn’t have to worry about details.
It was a great idea. A fabulous plan… she hoped.
THIRTY
Found (Lost & Found Book 2) Page 25