Chapter 35 Poppy
Poppy
Pieces by Muscadine Bloodline, Lainey Wilson
Wilder Ranch glows in the late afternoon light.
It’s bitterly cold outside, the kind that bites straight through your jeans, but the lodge feels warm and welcoming.
The fireplace roars, and the whole place hums with that quiet, rare magic that exists here in Bridger Falls.
Cami hosts book club the same way she hosts literally everything else.
Big. Cozy. Slightly unhinged in the best possible way.
Cami’s outdone herself, which surprises absolutely no one. She’s turned Wilder Lodge, the former Jessop Lodge, into a welcoming space, and it’s the perfect spot for a book club.
There’s a long table set up in the lodge that looks like it belongs on a baking show finale.
Cookies, bars, and homemade breads, and something dusted in powdered sugar that I don’t recognize but immediately want to eat.
And of course, the coffee station. Not just coffee.
Fancy coffee with syrups and frothy things.
Labels written in Cami’s neat handwriting, like this, are a pop-up cafe and not the family’s lodge.
She and Jack built a home not far from here, between the old Wilder land and the Jessop Lodge.
But Weston stays here when he comes, and Tucker still lives here and works the ranch.
It’s essentially the family meeting place.
Maggie’s planted herself near the couch with a basket full of paperbacks, calling it her mobile free library like she’s running some underground romance ring.
She’s got everything in there. Old school bodice rippers with scandalous covers.
Cute illustrated romcoms. A couple thrillers she swears count as book club material because they involve relationships and murder.
It’s been a long time since I’ve had the luxury of reading just for fun.
It’s been a while since I could focus without working sixteen hours a day, or a stack of bills sitting on the counter that I have to read instead of a book for fun.
But lately, the teachers at the high school have been passing around books and talking about them in the lounge, laughing and debating endings like it’s normal to enjoy something again. And I decided I want that.
I wrap my hands around a warm mug and smile to myself, realizing I’m actually excited. Not just to be here, but to read. To sit on a couch with friends and talk about fictional people making bad choices while everything else in my life gets to be quiet for a little while.
That feels like magic, too. I’m leaning into the peaceful quiet these days. I’m living out my own fictional romance fairy tale with Ollie, and it’s pretty great.
Violet’s balancing a drink and a book in her hand.
Mack’s stretched out on her stomach on the plush rug, flipping pages and pretending she’s not listening to everyone else as she reads one of the thrillers.
I love that everyone is welcome at book club, from Maggie, who is seventy, to Mack, who is seventeen, and a baby.
Cami’s whipping up coffees for everyone.
There’s a new face today.
Sutton sits cross legged beside Maggie, her little boy, Crew, balanced easily on her lap. She looks late twenties, maybe early thirties, young but a little worn in the way motherhood does that to you with a baby that keeps you busy. Petite, but not fragile. Sturdy and strong.
Her hair is blonde, pale and soft, pulled into a loose braid that slips over one shoulder, wisps escaping around her face no matter how many times she tucks them back.
Her eyes are a clear blue, bright and observant, the kind that miss nothing even when she’s smiling.
There’s a faint dimple in her cheek when she laughs at something Maggie says, and a tiny scar near her eyebrow that gives her face character instead of perfection.
She wears leggings and an oversized sweater, one sleeve pushed up so Crew can gnaw happily on her wrist. She doesn’t even flinch. Just steadies him with one arm and keeps listening, fully present, like this room and these people already matter to her.
Something about her feels gentle but grounded. Like she’s been through things and came out softer instead of harder.
I clock all of it in a second and understand why Maggie has already claimed her.
Her baby’s about nine months old, chubby and curious, drool shining on his chin. Maggie has already fully adopted both of them into the book club circle.
“This is Sutton,” Maggie announces proudly. “She loves books, and she’s brave enough to show up to book club with this wild group.”
Sutton laughs. “I needed adult conversation, or I was going to go stir crazy cooped up in the house. This winter has been brutal.”
We all nod. We get it.
“It’s nice to meet you, Sutton. Crew is adorable,” I say as I sit next to her.
“Thanks,” she says shyly. “How old are your kids?”
I smile proudly when they’re called my kids. "Owen is eleven, and Ellie is almost six weeks old.”
“Wow, you look so young,” she says, surprised.
“Owen’s actually my little brother, but my husband and I are adopting him,” I say before I realize I haven’t told them all that, yet.
Cami gasps, and the room goes quiet.
Maggie says softly, “Really? Oh, sugar...”
I nod, excited. “Weston’s helping us make it official. We’re all changing our last name, too.”
Cami softens and says, “You’re all going to be Kendricks.”
“Nope,” I say, smiling so hard my cheeks hurt. “We’re going to be Wilders.”
For a second, there’s silence. Then the room explodes.
Maggie gasps and presses a hand to her chest. “Oh, my heart.”
Violet claps. “That’s perfect.”
Cami lunges over and hugs me. “I love that so much. Because yeah...fuck that Kendrick name.”
Maggie smiles softly. “That’s really beautiful. I love that we have Wilders around again.”
I swallow around the lump in my throat. “It feels like a fresh start. Like we get to choose what comes next.”
Mack looks up. “Wilder is a way cooler name than Murphy or Kendrick.”
“Exactly,” I agree.
“Congratulations.” Sutton smiles.
We pivot to the book like we always do, because the book club never stays serious for long.
“Did everyone read the new one?” Violet asks. “Just Another Summer Escape?”
Maggie fans herself. “All those cocktails and beach vibes. I need a vacation immediately.”
“It made me want sand, sunshine, and a drink with an umbrella,” Sutton says. “I love all the books by that author. The Wisteria Cove series was my favorite. I want to live there and go to the bookstore and apothecary shop.”
Violet grins. “Funny, you say that. Walker and I are going to Coconut Beach for our baby moon. Our music manager, Will Maren, has a sister who owns a cottage there. We’re stealing it for a week.”
Sutton sighs. “That sounds so romantic.”
“A week of waves and sunshine,” Violet says dreamily. “And my hot husband all to myself. We might never even leave the cottage.”
Mack makes a dramatic gagging noise. “Yuck. And I’m staying here with Cami and Jack.”
Cami laughs. “Yeah, but we’re going to have fun, aren’t we?”
“Heck yeah,” Mack says. “I’ll take that over your baby moon vibes.”
Cami tilts her head at Mack. “Are you excited to have a baby sister or brother?”
Mack smiles, softer this time. “I am. I love babysitting. Also, if you ever need one, Sutton, give me a call. Crew is adorable.”
Sutton’s eyes light up. “I may just take you up on that. I’d love a night out sometime if you ladies ever get together. My social life has been on life support.”
“Do you have a significant other, sugar?” Maggie asks.
“Nah, I prefer my men fictional these days. I’m good.” Sutton shakes her head with a laugh.
We all laugh because Maggie is the town meddler and loves to play matchmaker. And knowing her, she probably already has someone in mind for poor Sutton.
Crew lets out a happy squeal and bangs his hands together like he’s applauding us.
I lean back in my chair, the sound of laughter and pages turning and babies babbling around me and think about names and legacies and how none of this looks like the life I planned. But it looks exactly like the life I needed.
Cami clears her throat, and the energy shifts. Not heavy, exactly, but real.
“So,” she says, picking at the edge of her book. “My mom listed her house. Looks like she’s moving out of town.”
Everyone stills. I never asked Cami what happened at the hospital that day with Theresa.
I know that she sent Ollie a long letter, and she hasn’t tried to reach out since.
And he hasn’t had a lot to say. He doesn’t seem sad, just finished like I am.
And that’s sad but necessary. She caused a lot of unnecessary chaos in all our lives.
“She also got fired from the hospital,” Cami continues.
“Ohhhh.” Violet cringes. “She definitely messed around and found out.”
“She got the memo,” Cami says, her voice steady even if her eyes aren’t. “She’s not to come around any of us anymore. We’re done. As done as we are with our dad.”
Maggie exhales slowly and reaches for Cami’s hand.
Mack’s jaw tightens in that quiet, protective way she has. “My mom sucks, too. My dad raised me since I was a baby. It all works out.”
“We’re making new futures and families,” Cami says.
I don’t even think about it. I stand and pull her into a hug, holding her tight.
“I’m sorry,” I say into her hair. “But I’m also so damn proud of both of you.”
She hugs me back just as hard. “Thank you.”
For a moment, no one talks. Crew babbles softly on Sutton’s lap.
“What do you do for work?” Cami asks Sutton.
“I’m actually a freelance editor. I mostly edit romance books for indie authors.”
Violet grins. “That is so cool!"
“Ohhh, so you can help us pick our next one!” Maggie smiles.
“I have so many recommendations,” Sutton says, adjusting Crew. “Say the word, and I’ll give you a list.”
Love these people and sitting here at the Wilder Ranch, surrounded by chosen family and second chances, it feels like we’re all doing the bravest thing we’ve ever done. We’re choosing ourselves and building our own family.
I sit at the beat-up folding table in the back of the shop, the one that smells like old coffee and the lemon cleaner I used this morning.
Ollie sits beside me, close enough that our knees touch.
Jonesy leans back in his chair like he owns the place, boots crossed at the ankles, weathered hands wrapped around a beer.
Grave sits across from me, elbows on the table, calm eyes taking everything in.
No one says anything for a moment.
The shop hums around us. A fan rattles. Somewhere out front, a radio plays low. This place has always been loud and chaotic, but right now it feels like the quiet before a storm, or maybe the quiet after one.
Grave lifts his bottle. “Like I told you before, Poppy, we’re restructuring. Making things new.”
I nod slowly, keeping my eyes on his face. Ollie’s hand rests on my thigh, warm and steady. I can feel his thumb move just once, grounding me.
“We took out the trash,” Grave continues. “And we’re creating something legit. Above board. Different from what it was.”
Something tightens in my chest. I glance at Jonesy, who’s wearing a faint, amused smile like he already knows what I’m about to ask.
I clear my throat. “What does taking out the trash mean?”
Jonesy tips his head back and laughs. “That’s a dangerous question, sweetheart, that you might not want to hear the answer to.”
Grave raises an eyebrow at me. “Do you really want to know?”
I hold his gaze, then shake my head. “No, I probably don’t.
” I pause, choosing my words carefully. “But what I want is no violence or anything illegal anywhere near this shop. This is a place where people feel safe. They trust us. I won’t have that trust ruined.
We do things right, or we won’t work with you. ”
Ollie squeezes my knee, just a little. These are all the things we’ve talked about together before we agreed to the partnership and set up this meeting. I’ll walk away if it’s not above board.
Grave nods, slow and deliberate. “I agree. That’s what we want too. But you have to know that this partnership and the club are separate. We don’t talk club business outside of the club. We keep things separate. You two will never be a part of our club and you’ll never know club business.”
Jonesy’s smile fades into something more serious. “We’re done with the old way.”
“So,” Grave says, lifting his beer slightly, “we’re on the same page?”
I nod. “Okay.”
I hesitate, then ask the question that’s been sitting heavy in my chest, but I need to know. “Have you heard from Sully?”
The air changes. Ollie goes still beside me. Jonesy looks down at his bottle. Grave clears his throat.
“He’s working out of state,” Grave says. “And he knows he’s not to come to Bridger Falls under any circumstances.”
I nod, relieved.
“He’ll be paying you back for a long time,” Grave says evenly. “He won’t be bothering you anymore.”
I nod, swallowing hard. “But he’s safe?”
Grave meets my eyes. “He’s alive.”
I study his face, searching for anything that tells me otherwise. I don’t find it.
“This club runs differently now,” he continues. “And I mean that.”
Silence settles again, thicker this time.
Grave leans back in his chair. “Sometimes we get a shit hand when it comes to parents. That doesn’t define us or reflect on who we are as people.”
My throat tightens.
“But when you have the opportunity to break a generational curse,” he says, voice steady and sure, “that’s what you do.”
He looks at me, really looks at me. “And that’s exactly what you’re doing with your brother.”
Something in my chest cracks open. I blink hard, refusing to let the tears fall in front of them. Ollie’s hand slides into mine, our fingers lacing together.
“Thanks,” I say quietly.
Jonesy nods at me, expression soft. “You’re doing good, kid.”
I stand, pushing my chair back. “I appreciate that.”
Grave stands too.
I walk toward the door, my boots echoing against the concrete floor. Before I step outside, I glance back once. Ollie’s watching me with that look he gets when he’s proud and worried and in love all at once.
I give him a small smile.
Then I head out into the afternoon light, the shop door swinging shut behind me, feeling lighter than I have in a long time.