Chapter 16
Chapter 16
P oppy wasn’t joking. For a few minutes, Sully sat and watched her eat, savoring each mouthful as if it were her last.
“I feel like a prisoner who has been let free,” she said, reaching for the bowl of salsa on the table between them. It was the fourth time the waiter had refilled it, and so far Sully hadn’t had any. She dunked a chip in the salsa and caught sight of him staring. “You’re horrified, aren’t you?”
“I’m the opposite of horrified,” he assured her. Watching her sensuously enjoy her food was…he needed a distraction, pronto. “What’s new?”
“I got a text from George,” she said, and Sully almost choked on the chip he’d just stuck in his mouth.
“What? When?”
“This morning and then again right before you showed up.”
“What did he say?” He tried to keep his tone neutral.
“That he missed me. And then later that he hadn’t replaced me because it felt too weird with anyone else. And he thought Zoe missed me because she added an extra knife under her pillow.” She paused. “He talked about my note. He said I didn’t owe him an apology because I didn’t do anything to him. He was merely sad I went away and he didn’t handle it well. And then he apologized for not talking to me before I left, for being standoffish when I needed a friend.”
“Chatty text,” he said. “Did he ask who the father is and if we’re together?”
She shook her head.
“Huh. Thank you for telling me.”
“Do you really want to know every time I text with George?” she asked, wrinkling her nose.
“No, not every time. Just if it develops into something more.”
“We’re two thousand miles apart. What could develop?” she asked.
“Something magical,” he said, naming his unnamed fear. What if George actually was Poppy’s destiny? Sully had been searching for his, had always felt the right woman was out there and someday and he would find her, as if in a dream. All the stars would align, and he would know without a doubt that it was his perfect partner. From everything Bailey had told him, George seemed to be that for Poppy. And he had seen them together; they had undeniable chemistry.
“All I know is that I miss him, but I don’t know how I miss him, as a friend or something more. I left before we could explore that possibility, and now it seems too late.” She gazed into the distance, across the crowded restaurant, staring at nothing.
“If it’s meant to be, it will come back around,” he said, laying his hand on hers.
“But if I end up with George, who will we find for you? Someone who is okay with our crazy, mixed up situation?”
“Any woman who wants to be with me will have to accept a package deal. I now come with a Poppy.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.
“You’d better hope she has a sweet tooth,” she said.
“I’ll add it to my list of demands,” he agreed. “Now come on, Cinderella, let’s buy you some maternity clothes.”
They were on their way to the store when Poppy pressed her nose against the truck’s window, gasping. “Ice cream. I haven’t had ice cream in so long.”
“Poppy, would you like some ice cream?” he asked, refraining from asking how it was possible. In addition to all the chips and salsa, she had polished off her meal and what was left of his.
“Yes,” she said. “But there’s a huge line.”
“I have a spectacular idea. I’ll drop you at the store, go get your ice cream, and bring it back to you. Hopefully you’ll have accomplished all your shopping by then and I won’t need to be present.” He pulled into the store’s lot and put the truck in park.
Poppy unbuckled, but instead of opening the door, she slid across the seat and put her arms around him. “You are the sweetest baby daddy ever.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ll have a peanut butter milkshake. Medium. No, large. Don’t judge me, the baby needs iron.”
“I’ll be back. Have fun shopping.” He grasped her chin in his hand and kissed her on the lips, albeit softly and gently.
Poppy sat back slightly and swallowed hard. “Dangerous territory, park ranger.”
“I know,” he agreed. “But sometimes I can’t resist.”
“And sometimes, like when we talk about George, you feel the need to leave a lasting imprint,” she guessed.
“Look how well you’re beginning to know me already. Now scoot so I can get your ice cream.”
“Don’t you mean ‘git,’” she asked.
“Make fun of me one more time, and there will be no ice cream,” he warned.
She pretended to zip her lips and scooted out of the truck.
Once inside the store, she was easily distracted. Her mind was like that, quick to focus on pretty things and forget what needed to be done. She tried hard to think what exactly she needed. Undergarments were essential, and because she had no idea what size she wore now, she took a few to try on. Once she had those, she began building layers, adding a few shirts and skirts and finally some dresses, her favorite, though the ones on display left a lot to be desired. Maybe she would merely buy some necessities now—the skirts and shirts she could mix and match—and save the beauty buys for when she had more time to look. Plus there was the money factor. She was basically buying an entirely new wardrobe. It would be best if she spread it out a little at a time so as not to blow her entire budget on the serviceable items on display.
She made a few selections and took them into the fitting room to try on, noticing as she did so that her bump was now on full view. Her hiding days were over, and her heart fluttered nervously. She had become quite attached to the patrons at the diner. How would they react when they learned she was a soon-to-be single mother? To say nothing of her sister, whom she still hadn’t told.
After gathering her final selections, she opened the curtain, stepped out, and came face to face with Bailey.
“Poppy, what on earth are you doing here?” Bailey asked. “Did you see our car in the lot and stop in to say hello or something?”
“Uh…” Poppy stammered, unable to have a coherent thought or sentence. Her glance fell helplessly to Cal.
“Oh, boy,” he muttered.
“What?” Bailey said, looking back and forth between them.
“I…” Poppy began, but had no idea how to finish the sentence.
Cal stepped forward and took Bailey’s hand. “Honey, your sister is pregnant.”
“Jane’s pregnant?” Bailey exclaimed, and Poppy fought the mad desire to giggle. It was all so absurd, and her panic mechanism was beginning to kick in. She had wanted to sit down, to have a rational and prepared conversation.
“No, baby, not Jane.” His eyes fell purposefully on Poppy, now clutching the new clothes like a lifeline.
“No,” Bailey said.
Poppy nodded.
“George?” Bailey whispered.
Poppy shook her head.
“A boyfriend?” Bailey tried.
Poppy shook her head.
Bailey’s expression shifted from shocked to stern. “A stranger?”
“Uh…” Bailey stammered. She glanced to Cal again for a rescue, but he had none to give. He seemed as curiously flustered as his wife.
“Mine,” Sully said, emerging from the clothes rack to her left.
Bailey blinked at him, uncomprehending. “What?”
“The baby’s mine. I’m the father,” he said, and Poppy gave him credit for maintaining eye contact in the face of Bailey’s expression. She looked so…gutted.
“From when you went to New York?” she asked, her voice a bit airy and breathless.
He shook his head. “From when she was here before.”
“When was she here befo…” Bailey froze again. “My wedding?” The whisper dropped even lower.
“Yes. I’m sorry,” Sully said.
“You…my baby sister…my wedding,” she stammered.
Sully blew out a breath. “Yes.”
“I…I can’t. I can’t.” Bailey hung whatever was in her hand back on the rack, turned, and walked out the door. Cal remained, regarding them with an unreadable expression.
“You two sure know how to make a ruckus,” he said at last.
“I’m sorry, Cal,” Sully said.
“I’ll talk to her. She’ll forgive you,” he added to Poppy. “You, I’d sleep with one eye open.” He thumped Sully on the shoulder and followed his wife outside.
Sully and Poppy remained silent for a few beats. He handed her the milkshake and took the clothes out of her hands. “Are you ready to check out?” he asked softly.
“Yes,” she said in the same soft tone. They went to the checkout where she attempted to shift the milkshake and her purse in order to pay.
“I’ve got it,” Sully told her.
She frowned at him. “You’re not supposed to…”
“I’ve got it,” he said, almost but not quite snapping at her.
“It’s going to be expensive,” she warned.
He shrugged and plopped the clothes on the counter, shaking his hand out when the bra hanger snagged on his watch and dangled.
“Could have lived without that,” Poppy said, and he laughed.
The cashier rang them up. Sully carried the two bags to the car and opened the door for her, holding her milkshake as she climbed inside.
He opened the truck’s door, started the engine, but seemed unable to make the necessary steps to put it into gear and go.
“It was always going to be bad,” Poppy said, resting her hand gently on his leg.
“Did you see her face?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever made anyone’s face look that way before,” he said.
“I have. That was how George looked when I told him I was pregnant. So betrayed, like all his faith in me was wasted effort.”
“It feels horrible,” Sully said.
“Yes, yes it does,” Poppy agreed.
“Do you think she’ll get over it?” he asked.
“She’ll have to eventually. You’re her niece or nephew’s father,” Poppy said. “We’re family now.”
“Yes,” Sully agreed, but the drive home was long and silent.