Poppy's Passions

by Stephanie Beck

  Poppy stretched before opening her eyes and knew Cody wasn’t beside her. The nap would have perked him up and the smells around her told her that his appetite had returned. A commercial for Viagra played on TV, the announcer’s warning about the four hour erection always making her smirk. She thought about going back to sleep but the scent of food increased and the bed dipped.

  “Good morning, sunshine.” Michael kissed her before setting a tray on the bed. “You look better.”

  “I feel better,” she admitted as he helped her sit up. The out-of-season strawberry he popped in her mouth wasn’t as juicy as the best ones, but was still a treat she would never buy for herself in the off season. “What have you three been up to?”

  “Watching the race on TV.” Trevor’s cheek pushed out, full of food in a habit she hated and already told him wasn’t being passed to their daughters. “And watching you. You’re pretty damn cute when you sleep, ya know that?”

  “I do now and I swear, Trevor Paul, if you talk to me with your mouth full like that one more time, I’m gonna smack that cheek.”

  “Crap, sorry, babe.” He winced, finished chewing, swallowed, and opened his mouth for inspection. “I’m working on it.”

  “I know.” She gentled her tone, because she knew it was true. He was working on all the little things that drove her nuts, just like she worked hard to find new ways to drive him crazy. “Hey, how about we go swimming after lunch?”

  The boys groaned as one, and she looked at them. During the long Texas summers, swimming was a godsend. Non-swimmers had always confused her.

  “Thirty minutes, babe,” Trevor reminded her ten minutes later when she was done with lunch and pulling on her new bikini.

  “That’s an old wives’ tale moms made up when they didn’t want to go outside.” She snapped the elastic of her bottoms. “This fits nice. Come on, boys. I’m way too cute not to have an audience.”

  Cody started clapping, and Trevor grinned as he joined in.

  “Ah, we didn’t bring our suits, beautiful.” Michael tried to sound disappointed but failed miserably.

  Lucky for the forgetful brothers, the hotel gift shop stocked suits of every size and fashion, so Poppy called the desk and had three pairs of black swim trunks delivered. Getting the grumbling men into the suits had taken some talking. There were more naughty promises than begging, but she got them into the pool even before Trevor’s thirty minute warning expired.

  Unfortunately, the hot tub was too warm but she was content to float around the swimming pool on her back, watching the clouds through the beautiful glass ceiling with her tummy sticking up. It was a little shark fin bump, bare in the bunny covered bikini Michael picked out in Los Angeles.

  Unlike Trevor’s pick, it covered her butt nicely, and for a girl who’d always worn one-piece suits, she felt incredibly comfortable showing some skin. It was hard to be self-conscious when you were busy feeling irresistible. Because Trevor hadn’t whined and because she was so damn happy with them all, she’d called Raz after the hospital visit and ordered the thong to be sent home to Montana as an early Christmas present.

  “Doing okay, beautiful?” Michael called from where all three brothers were busy holding up the pool wall.

  “Yep. You know, I was a lifeguard in high school so if you want I could teach ya’ll to swim.” She smoothly glided through the water.

  “We know how,” Trevor grumped. “We just don’t like to. If I have to be in water, I want it hot and bubbling with boobs bouncing at my chin.”

  “Classy, Trev, always classy.” She laughed before flipping backward in the water and taking a long glide underwater, resurfacing to find the men splashing toward her. “What?”

  “Shit, Poppy don’t do that,” Michael commanded, hands on his hips with the shallow water skimming his belly button. “You scared the crap out of Middle Man.”

  “Middle Man, huh?” Drawing Michael in deeper she wrapped around him when the water hit his collarbone, just over her head. “Sorry, handsome. I didn’t mean to make you nervous. Thank you for earlier with Cody.” She grabbed his hand and pressed it against the side of her belly. “Whoa, can you feel these babies? They really like this water.”

  “No problem, beautiful. We all need a little extra attention once in a while. I’m glad you’re both feeling better after the nap. I can’t wait until I can feel the babies moving.”

  She would have been surprised if he was resentful about her time with Cody, especially while he rubbed her bare belly. She felt the babies moving, but so far the hard kicks were far and few between.

  “If you like swimming, there’s room for a pool at the ranch.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep, we’ll build one this summer if you want, probably inside and heated so you can enjoy it all year. You can teach the babies to swim too,” he added. “We’ll make sure it’s got all the safety stuff, but yeah, we can do that if it’s something you would like.”

  “Poppy, your sister’s on my cell,” Trevor called. “No one would violate your HIPPA rights, but someone stepped on mine. Stupid hospital.”

  “Damn.” Michael headed back toward the side, just short of pouting. “I had plans.”

  “Later.” She loved his plans and very little would keep her away from them in the long term. He set her on the edge of the pool but stayed standing between her thighs. “Hello, Rose.”

  “Who are C, T, and M Patrich?” her sister demanded, without greeting.

  “They’re friends of mine who want to help my nephew if they can.” Patience and understanding were important to remember, she counseled herself. “How’s Alex?”

  “He’s sick,” Rose screeched, never one to handle difficulty with dignity. “Why wasn’t your marrow on the report?”

  “I’m pregnant, Rose. My doctor recommended I didn’t do the test unless I’m a strong match and the situation was critical.” Good intentions shot to hell, Poppy’s hard-fought patience was eroding.

  “You’re a selfish little liar. You miscarried months ago,” Rose said. “M is a very close blood match so get his ass back for more testing.”

  “Rose,” she snapped coldly, fed up with her sister’s bullshit. A tense situation only got so much slack. “M is a person. His name is Michael, and he is mine, and yes, he will help Alex if he can because I love my nephew. But don’t think you get to order anyone around. I would like to talk to Alex’s doctor for more information before we go in for more testing, and damn it, Rose, you will be grateful to these men who are trying to help.”

  “Well, I—”

  “Just stop.” The weeks away really bolstered the confidence she needed to speak her mind. “Alex is my nephew, and I want to help him. But don’t you dare shame me by being horrible to my friends. They are willing to help you because of me, and I think you can at least pretend to be grateful.”

  “I—you—of course I’m grateful,” Rose snapped. “His doctor is Anthony Redman, head of oncology at Children’s Hospital. I’ll have him call you, at this number I presume?”

  “That would be fine, and I would like to see the boys if they’re up for a visit.”

  “Of course, they’d love that.” There was a long, awkward pause. “I apologize for what I said, Poppy. It was uncalled for, and I’m better than that. I promise I will be very polite to your friends. I’m just so overwhelmed right now. I’m his mother, and I should be able to fix him. Father says the cancer is my fault because I worked and drank coffee while I was pregnant, and guilt is piling up.”

  “Rose, you were a nurse so you know those things don’t cause cancer. Lots of women work and drink coffee while they’re pregnant. Alex’s doctor would have told you the same thing.” Bitchy or not, she found she couldn’t actively hurt her sister when she was already hurting.

  “I know, and he did. I know better, but the guilt… Greg gets so mad at him. Father I mean, not Alex.” Confusion and pain filled Rose’s voice. “They’ve always disagreed about things, but now they actually fight
. Greg won’t let Dad come over unless he’s here and Dad promises not to upset me or the boys.”

  “Your husband loves you, Rose, and it sounds like he’s trying to make this easier for you. I’d listen to a man who loves me over our father any day.” Michael’s squeeze of approval said more than any words. “I’ll talk to Alex’s doctor and make the arrangements, then maybe we can stop by tonight?”

  “That would be nice. I’ll have supper for all of you,” Rose said cautiously. “Will C and T be along with Michael tonight?”

  “Cody and Trevor, and yes, I’d like them to meet Alex and Jon.” She’d be lying if she said she wanted them to meet the rest of her family.

  “Okay, bring them on over, we’ll be ready when you get here.”

  They talked a few minutes more, exchanging details, and when she hung up all three men looked at her expectantly. “Well, boys, there’s been a change in plans. I hope you packed your dress-up clothes, because now it’s your turn to meet my family.”

  Chapter 20

  People in the past had commented about how great it was all the Maguire sisters were nurses. What they saw as dedication was her father’s bend for tyrannical behavior. Poppy wished she’d bucked the system and chosen her own career, but at eighteen she’d wanted to please him and have something in common with her sisters.

  There hadn’t been anything she longed to do so nursing fit. She couldn’t be entirely bitter about the decision. Her grandmother had been a nurse, which was why her father respected the profession so much, and it did pay well. She’d been able to support herself right out of school and not all jobs could boast that. Buying her townhouse had been a move she could comfortably make on her own. She was a long way from her townhouse though as the car turned off the highway.

  Her sister’s community was much more than she could have ever hoped to afford on a nurse’s pay. The exclusive, gated community was home to San Antonio’s most wealthy families, and it wasn’t Rose’s nursing salary paying the mortgage.

  She married into an incredibly wealthy family and nine months later the twins were born, securing her place in not only the Tallendaggo family but also their social circle. Poppy knew her eldest sister had never worked a day outside those few months before getting married and while pregnant, and she’d only done that because their father insisted. After the twins were born, she made a “career” out of being the wife of a wealthy man, a true southern hostess.

  The home Rose shared with her husband had never been open to Poppy in the sense she could drop by for dinner. The few times she’d been in the house had been to babysit or fill an empty seat for dinner parties. The place was huge and gorgeous, and she hadn’t seen more than the entertaining rooms, nursery, and the twins’ bedroom.

  Six months ago she didn’t think that was odd, even if she’d hoped it would change. Now she knew how wrong her family relationship was and didn’t know if it could change.

  Cars lined the circle driveway. A hybrid luxury SUV and an expensive, imported sedan attested to a family within. The bright yellow Jaguar announced not only were the house and grounds beautiful and expensive, the people inside were as well.

  “Pretty area,” Trevor said as they walked past the Jaguar. “Not my style, but nice. Must have taken a lot of time, money, and lack of imagination to make everything look exactly the same. Honestly, it creeps me out. I wonder how long it will take someone to call the cops on Fred and Jack waiting out by the driveway.”

  “Shush.” Poppy laughed. Trevor’s teasing broke the thick tension that had built on the ride from the hotel. “My brother-in-law is Greg Tallendaggo, lots of old family money. I’ll explain to them about the security guys. Lavender is here with her husband who is an investment banker. They have two kids, plus Rose’s twins. Crissy and Lily have four more, but they both live in Arizona.”

  “Damn. Tons of kids. Hmm, Tallendaggo sounds familiar,” Trevor said absently. Poppy took the stairs slowly, her apprehension more than her bulk making her feet heavy. “Does he do business in LA?”

  “I have no idea.” With Michael rubbing his hand up and down her spine as they waited at the door, she tried to remind herself she wasn’t the girl she’d been the last time she’d seen her family. The wind blew straight through her light jacket, making her long for the parka she’d left at home in Michael’s truck. “But he always gives me diamonds and stock options for Christmas, so he must do well enough.”

  “Well shit, that Tallendaggo.” Trevor laughed out loud when the door opened. “Grubby, what the hell are you doing in the ’burbs?”

  She stepped back as Trevor and “Grubby” Greg embraced hard, both laughing and talking at once. The huge entry was empty but it took a minute for Trevor, let alone Greg to realize they still stood out in the winter chill.

  “Hell, Grubby, invite us in. Poppy’s getting cold.”

  “Yes, yes, get in here.” Greg welcomed them in with more exuberance and excitement than she’d ever seen from her usually reserved and professional brother-in-law. “These must be your brothers. Michael and Cody, right? I heard about you two back when I ran in the racing circuit. I haven’t seen Trevor in years, not since I got married and started playing with matchbox cars instead of the big ones.”

  “Hell, I’m not racing anymore either,” Trevor said. When he sold all of his race cars and equipment he told her it was getting boring. She knew he did it because drag racing was dangerous and he had kids to worry about being around for. His new hobby of model car building was much easier on her nerves and if it wasn’t as exciting, he didn’t complain. “Can’t take the chances when little ones are involved.”

  “You’ve got kids now? That’s great. We’ll have to do a play date or something while you’re in town. Poppy? What are you doing here?”

  She didn’t know how to answer, because what came to mind seemed too obvious. “Um, I brought Trevor and his brothers to meet Alex.”

  “So how do you know these guys? Wait, don’t answer. You’re my wife’s little sister and some things are best left unsaid. Christ, you are pregnant. Rose is going to go apeshit. Don’t you think it’s a little irresponsible? First Steven, now—”

  “Shut the fuck up, Grub.” All signs of Trevor’s good mood vanished when Greg’s criticism made her wince. “A real, real good way to get on my bad side is to say anything negative about Poppy. Understand?”

  She couldn’t believe her eyes when her larger than life, cocky brother-in-law paled and fell all over himself to apologize. Before she realized what was happening they were all herded to the heated glass greenhouse, one of her favorite spots, with an ottoman brought over by Greg himself. Trevor looked around while Poppy, Michael, and Cody sat, waiting for Greg to return with the others and drinks.

  “What in the world do you have over Greg?” she asked Trevor when they were alone.

  “I’m not sure.” His amused shrug told her he didn’t hate the VIP treatment. “Although, it’s probably more than his house. I’ve never seen a grown man grovel so hard, so fast.”

  “Why would you have his house?” Cody asked before she could.

  “A few years ago some of the guys and I raced for pink slips but instead of cars we would bet deeds, property, accounts, businesses, that sort of stuff. I got into it for a while and made some serious bank. Grubby and a couple others send me mad money every month to cover the old debts.” He turned to her and looked stern. “So if he’s a shit to you, Poppy, I want to know.”

  “After what happened earlier, I don’t think that will be a problem.” She hoped the new turn of events helped the night go smoother and smiled when she heard the rapid approach of little feet. “Stampede!”

  “Auntie Poppy!”

  Half a dozen children ranging from five to ten jumped her in a wild barrage of hugs, kisses, and shouted stories. Michael and Cody playfully kept them from possibly hurting her while the other adults shook their heads in amusement. The kids tickled her and squealed happily when she laughed loudly.

  E
ven surrounded by children, she could see her men sizing up her sisters. The two present were the oldest of the family, both around forty, and they looked good for their ages. Rose, surgically so. It amused Poppy how her sisters often wore similar clothes, today pastel cardigans and khakis along with high heels and tasteful jewelry.

  There were honest comparisons to be made. Her older sisters were taller and slimmer than she was. They were perfectly pressed and fresh from the salon while she was in a pair of corduroy pants and a bright pink sweater. She’d even completed the ensemble with the gaudy, plastic ring Cody won for her in a gumball machine in the hotel lobby.

  Not long ago she might have felt insecure around her sisters, might have slumped and assumed her date found them more attractive, but not anymore. The looks on her men’s faces when they turned back to her assured her, as far as they were concerned, she was the prettiest woman in the room and the only one who mattered.

  “Okay, kids, back to the playroom.” Rose’s announcement wasn’t one Poppy wanted to hear. There was never enough time to spend with her nieces and nephews, but she hadn’t seen them in over a month. “Auntie Poppy will be down to play very soon, I’m sure.”

  All but the twin boys ran out of the room, receiving many hair ruffles and head pats as they passed the adults. They might treat her like crap, but her sisters and their husbands raised good kids and they loved them. Both boys still on her lap had shaved heads but one was obviously ill, much thinner and paler, though like his doctor assured her Alexander was on his way to being well.

  Greg made introductions while she spoke quietly with the boys, hugging and kissing them. Cody kept the conversation going to Poppy’s surprise, as she continued to listen about school plays and basketball camps. After ten minutes she realized he did it so she could have a little more time with the boys.

  “Alexander, Jonathan, supper is ready downstairs with Nanny Josie,” Rose said. “Dad ordered your favorites.”

  “Chockie chokes.” Jonathan’s excitement had him jumping off her lap but not before a last kiss. “Come on, Alex, you can eat chokes.”