Chapter 14
Chapter 14
P oppy was pleased. Her first week in business, she grossed a thousand dollars. Of course she had to pay for her supplies, and taxes, and the commission to Huck. She had tried to give him the industry standard of thirty percent, but he had generously waived it down to ten. “You hardly cost me a thing except a mite of electricity in the middle of the night, and you’re bringing a lot of people to the diner.” That part was true. Many people had arrived merely out of curiosity, though most of those bought her baked goods and not diner fare. But people were ordering a lot of pie, sometimes whole pies to take home, and that was a win for both of them. The pecan pie was especially popular, drawing an almost cult like following already. Poppy could hardly make enough of it.
She had been doing her part to advertise the new venture, putting pictures on social media and sending word of the new restaurant to her food contacts in New York. She also sent some photos to a food writer in San Antonio, along with several local food bloggers. So far she hadn’t heard back from any of them, but it had only been a couple of days.
The following Sunday Bailey invited Poppy and Sully for lunch. Poppy and Sully agreed it was the perfect time to spring their news, though they were both incredibly nervous to do so. Now that Poppy’s nausea showed the first signs of abating, she began to develop a tiny bump. Their secret wouldn’t stay hidden much longer.
“Everyone’s going to know immediately if you don’t stop staring,” Poppy warned Sully. He was fascinated by the tiny little swell, barely able to keep his eyes off it, or his hands when they were alone. Things between them were still planted firmly in the realm of friendship, but the new bump tested those boundaries as it had seemingly amped up Sully’s attraction to her. Poppy tried to hold him at bay for both their sakes. It was a reaction to the change in her body and not a desire to be with her on any sort of permanent basis. She knew, even if he had a difficult time remembering.
“It’s so miraculous,” he said, his right hand resting on her bump while his left hand gripped the steering wheel.
“You know what’s miraculous? The fact that food is beginning to smell and taste good again,” Poppy said. She both looked and sounded healthier and stronger than she had in months. The pale, sickly pallor of her cheeks was gone, replaced by a rosy flush. He wondered if it was the pregnancy glow he’d heard about. If so, he could see why it was called such. She practically shimmered with health and good cheer, a far cry from where she’d been even a couple of weeks ago.
“It’s amazing what sustenance can do for a body,” he agreed, his hand making a little pass over her abdomen. He wanted to pull the truck over, to reach for her and…
“Easy there, park ranger,” Poppy said, pushing his hand away from her belly.
He sucked a breath and put both hands on the wheel. “Right, sorry.” She drove him crazy. The feel of her, the smell of her, the nearness of her. It was like a physical craving he couldn’t satisfy because of the many barriers between them, not least of which was the fact that she was already carrying his child, but that only made him want her more. He knew it was a physical reaction to the pregnancy. Maybe it was biological, a primal protective thing. Maybe males were hardwired to respond to their pregnant females. All he knew was that he had never had this sort of addictive reaction to anyone, and if it didn’t find some relief soon, he might actually die from it.
Mercifully, they arrived at the ranch a short time later. Sully opened the door and inhaled deeply. It smelled of manure, but he was thankful. Anything was better than being trapped in the cab of his truck with the overwhelming scent of Poppy, so close, so off limits. As always lately, his eyes found her and zeroed in her belly, the itty-bitty bump visible only to someone who knew to look for it, someone like him, the maker of said bump. His heart kicked into high gear, and he forced his eyes away, to Cal who was now advancing on them with a smile.
“Come into the barn and see our new feeder calf. You can give it a bottle,” he said to Poppy who clapped her hands in delight.
“I’ll nip into the kitchen, see if Bailey needs help,” Sully said, glad to put some space between himself and Poppy, the mother of his child, the bearer of his seed, the… Stop, you pathetic moron. Shaking his head as if to clear it, he went toward the house in search of Bailey.
“Hey, I’m here to help,” he announced, stepping to the sink to wash his hands.
“Great, want to pour the tea?” she said, not bothering to turn from her task at the stove.
“Is it caffeinated?” he asked, knowing Poppy wouldn’t want it if it was. She was doing well at sticking to a healthy diet and limiting her caffeine intake.
“No, I made decaf,” she said.
“Huh,” he said, musing over the odd coincidence of Bailey making decaf tea when her sister was unable to have caffeine.
“I’m hearing lots of rumors about you and my sister,” Bailey said in the usual deadpan way that gave nothing away and sent Sully into shivers of panic.
“You are? Like what?”
“Like that you carried her out of the store and kissed her in the middle of the street,” Bailey said.
He smiled over the memory. “Oh, right. That one’s true.” Now she did turn to look at him. “What? She’s hot and highly kissable,” he added, his tone defensive.
“Oh, I know, and I’m not surprised at you because you’re like that.” She tipped her head and gave him a derisive look, a reminder of when he had tried to hit on her and failed horribly. “I’m surprised by her.”
“She thought it would be funny to fuel the town gossip,” he explained.
“That part sounds like her, but you are so not her type.”
“Why not?” he asked, and now he was definitely defensive.
“You’re too clean. She goes for artists, chefs, singers, guys with piercings and tattoos.”
“What about George? He’s none of those things,” Sully pointed out.
“I know, that’s why we all wanted it to work. We thought maybe she would grow up a bit, get over her pull toward bad boys, and go for someone nice. Someone like George.” She sighed. “I wonder what happened there. Poppy hasn’t mentioned him. Did she mention him to you?”
“Yes, she mentioned him. Things didn’t end well. George didn’t take kindly to the move.”
“Poor George,” Bailey said.
“Poor George,” Sully agreed.
“I’m glad you guys have hit it off and become friends, in any case. She needs someone young to hang out with. What have you been doing together? Have you taken her to San Antonio? The rodeo? Anywhere fun?”
“I…” he faltered. He had done none of those things with Poppy. Why not? If she were any other girl, he would have. Because you’ve become complacent, that’s why. He knew Poppy and he were indelibly connected now because of the baby, so he hadn’t tried to impress her, hadn’t done anything really, other than eat supper with her on most nights. “No.”
“What do you guys do together? If rumors are to be believed, you’re together most evenings.”
“We eat supper.” That had been his idea. She had once said food was the basis of community. Sully thought they should try to eat together every night, to build up their friendship before the baby arrived. “She’s usually pretty zonked because she gets up at three every morning.”
“Wow, okay. Try to keep it to a dull roar, party animal. Way to ring out the end of your twenties. With supper. ” She rolled her eyes.
“I’ll try to step up the entertainment factor,” he promised.
“You’d better or someone else will swoop in and do it for you,” Bailey warned.
He laughed. “Not likely.”
She put her hands on her hips. “Just what are you saying about my sister?”
“Nothing,” he said, backing away slightly. “I don’t think she’s in the market for love right now is all.”
“Take it from someone who knows, Sully. That’s when love finds you, when you’re not looking.”
“I’ll second that,” Cal said, pausing to pick her up and plant a kiss on her cheek as he entered the kitchen, followed by Poppy who came to Sully’s side and gave him a smile. He resisted the urge to kiss her cheek and then thought, why not, as he leaned forward and did it.
“What’s that about?” she asked, reaching around him for a carrot stick.
“Because you fed a calf. Texas law says after the first time you feed a baby calf, you get a kiss,” he said.
“Wait until you see what happens after the first time you pull one,” Cal said.
“She’s too young for that,” Bailey said, and Poppy and Sully studiously avoided each other’s gaze.
Lunch was a nerve-wracking event, at least for Poppy and Sully. At the end of it, they would tell their news. They were both prepared to flee for their lives, if it became necessary. They cut the cake Poppy had brought and had just finished the last bite when Bailey spoke.
“So, Poppy, we’re so ecstatic you’re here,” she said.
Poppy looked at her, blinking in surprise. Her sister wasn’t one for a lot of gooey emotion. “Thank you. I’m settling in as well as can be expected.”
Bailey nodded. “I’m glad to hear it.”
Poppy took a breath. “Actually,” she began. Sully rested his hand on her leg beneath the table, giving it an encouraging squeeze. She clasped his hand and held on tight, but Bailey preempted her.
“You’re going to be an aunt,” she blurted, then clamped both hands over her mouth.
“I’m…I’m…what?” Poppy said.
“You’re pregnant?” Sully said in the same disbelieving tone.
Bailey nodded enthusiastically, tears flooding her eyes. Cal reached for her and held her close.
“Oh, my…when are you due?” Poppy asked.
“July fifteenth,” Bailey said.
Poppy and Sully shared a look. They were due July fourteenth. Poppy started to laugh and then stood and hugged Bailey. “Congratulations. Oh, this is wonderful, amazing news. I am so, so, so happy for you. Isn’t it great, Sully?” she prompted him because he remained frozen staring into space.
He snapped forward and stood, hand outstretched toward Cal. “Congratulations, Dad. I can imagine how you’re feeling right now.”
“Ecstatic doesn’t begin to describe,” Cal said, looking at Bailey with all the love in his heart, perhaps all the love in the world.
“I know,” Sully blurted. “I mean, that’s what I imagined you’d be feeling.”
“Why’d you wait until your second trimester to tell us?” Poppy asked.
“Wow, you did some quick mental calculations there to figure out how far along I am. I waited because I didn’t know for a long time.”
“You had no symptoms?” Poppy said, incredulous. She’d known practically since conception. Everything in her body had been off, wonky, and frankly horrible.
Bailey shook her head.
“No sickness?” Poppy said, her voice rising with affront.
Bailey cocked her head at her. “No, it doesn’t happen for everyone. I finally took a test, and when I went to the doctor I was already ten weeks along.”
“A honeymoon baby,” Sully said. He put his arm around Poppy and gave her a squeeze because she still looked like she wanted to pop her sister in her face for her unfair lack of nausea.
“It would seem so,” Bailey said.
“This is so wild,” Poppy said. “So, so wild.”
Bailey laughed. “It’s just a baby. People have them all the time.”
“Yes, but…” she trailed off, giving Sully a helpless look. He shook his head slightly. Now was not the time to impart their news. Let Cal and Bailey wallow in their unmitigated joy.
“But we know how long Cal’s been waiting for this, and that makes it that much better,” Sully said, giving Cal a slap on the back. “Congratulations again, we could not be more thrilled.”
Bailey looked between them. “You’re speaking of each other in the plural now. Are you guys actually together?”
“No,” Poppy and Sully agreed at the same time.
“Friends,” Sully said.
“Just friends,” Poppy added.
“I wouldn’t say ‘just,’” Sully countered.
“Really, incredibly not helping,” she said, linking her arm with his.
“I’m so confused right now,” Bailey said, her assessing gaze traveling slowly between them.
“We bonded, and we’re good pals,” Poppy said. “Now let’s get back to the baby. Are you going to find out the sex?”
“I don’t know, we haven’t decided. I want to but Cal wants to be surprised.”
“Definitely seems like the kind of thing a couple should talk about,” Sully said, darting Poppy a glance. They hadn’t had that conversation yet.
“I’m guessing we all know who’s going to win this one,” Cal said. “And, really, I don’t care. I’ll be happy with whichever. And we’ll have lots more chances for whatever comes next.”
Poppy felt the pressing need to get away, to process the new information. Also Sully eyed her belly again, and she needed to get him out before he started touching it. She was going to have to buy bear spray to get him to keep his distance. “So, so happy for you,” she said, hugging her sister again before gathering her purse to take her leave.
Sully opened the door to the truck for her and waited until she was safely inside before closing it. He jogged to his side and started it. They waited to talk until they were a couple of miles down the road.
“That was unexpected,” Poppy said at last.
“You know what I keep thinking?” Sully said.
“What?” She hoped he would have some insight into the new twist. Or at least an idea of when and how to tell them their news, in light of Bailey’s pregnancy.
“I wonder if we were making these babies at the exact same time.”
“Ew.” She pressed her hands to her ears. “What kind of weird sicko wonders that?”
“The scientific kind. I mean, come on, chances are high that…”
She reached out and pressed her hand over his mouth. “Never finish that sentence, and I’ll let you touch the bump again.”
He nodded, his lips pressed tightly together. She dropped her hand and he reached out, settling his hand possessively over her belly. “You’re going to have a cousin,” he whispered, and her heart turned over. She talked to the baby all the time, but it was the first time he’d done so.