Chapter 18
Chapter 18
W hen Poppy’s father arrived, a half hour ahead of schedule, she was at the bakery. She was supposed to be at home where they could have a quiet, private conversation. Instead he showed up and stood beaming at her in the middle of the diner.
“It looks so good,” he declared. “Honey, Mom and I are so proud.”
“Hold on to that,” Poppy said.
“Come out here so I can hug you,” he said. He was in full uniform, making him even more intimidating than usual, as if he needed any enhancements.
“What can I get for you, Dad?” she asked, stalling.
“You know I’m partial to pie,” he said.
“I do, actually, and I already set aside a piece for you.” She held the plate aloft but remained standing behind the safety of the counter.
“Come out here,” he prompted.
Poppy looked around. Everyone stared at him, at them. It was likely because her father was that sort of man, the kind people stared at. He exuded power, the kind that could only be attained through hardened experience. There was not one situation her father couldn’t or hadn’t faced, possibly save learning his baby daughter was four months pregnant in a room full of strangers.
“Dad, I need you to channel all your military reserve for a minute,” she warned.
He stood straighter, his smile gone in an instant. “Why?”
“Just remember you’re a colonel and people are watching us,” she said.
His lips disappeared, pressed together in a hard line. Never a good sign. “Poppy, step out here right now.” He didn’t say it loudly, but the diner came to an absolute hush. No one dared to speak or move or seemingly even breathe.
Poppy took a breath and stepped out. Her dad’s expression remained resolute except for the eyes which blinked once and stared at the center of her body and the protruding baby bump. Poppy took his arm and led him from the diner. They rounded the corner into the alley and both leaned on the wall, exactly as she and Sully’s mother had done.
Her father said nothing for a solid four minutes. Poppy knew because she counted. “Who?” he bit out at last.
“Sully Langford.”
“The Ranger,” he bit out, his fists clenched until his knuckles popped.
“Yes. Dad, he’s a good guy and you’ll like him.”
“Where is he?” he growled.
“Hopefully in Tijuana by now,” she said. He softened slightly, a flicker of amusement passing over his features.
“When are you getting married? Or are you already married?”
“No we’re not married, and no we’re not getting married.”
He stood away from the wall. “He’s not marrying you?”
“I’m not marrying him,” Poppy said. “He asked. I said no.”
He closed his eyes. “Poppy. Why?”
“Why do I always have to do everything the wrong way, you mean?”
He opened his eyes. “Why do you have to do it the hard way?”
“I like to do things my own way. It’s coincidence that it ends up being hard or wrong,” she said.
He barked a harsh laugh and unclenched his fists. “And this is why Bailey’s mad, because you’re pregnant?”
“I don’t think it’s that so much as the timing of everything and the fact that Sully is her good friend. She feels like he let her down.”
“He did,” her dad said.
She frowned. “Don’t take sides, Dad. Sully’s a good guy, and we are equally responsible here.”
Her dad let out another breath. “When did you grow up?”
“About four months ago,” Poppy said.
“I never gave you that hug,” he said, pulling her into his arms and holding her close. She hugged him in return and rested her head on his chest. “I got a call from Ben.”
She tensed. Ben was George’s father. “Yes?”
“He has a fairly despondent son on his hands. Said the boy’s been moping about like crazy since you went away. Does he know about this?”
“Yes, I told him. I didn’t know he felt anything but friendship for me,” she said.
“How could he not?” her father asked. He kissed her head and let her go. “Now, let’s go eat my pie and you can show me your house.”
They returned to the diner. Absently Poppy wondered what they did for entertainment and conversation before she arrived in town. She had certainly provided enough of it to last a lifetime the last few weeks. They sat in a booth. Marjory arrived with coffee and a menu, and her father began eating his pie.
“Let’s talk business. How’s it going, champ?”
“Pretty well. Rent here is insanely cheap. I’m putting a lot in savings because I won’t be able to work for a bit after the baby comes. Everything else is going toward insurance.”
Her dad’s lips pressed together.
“Dad, if you do that any harder you’re going to swallow them,” she said, and he put his napkin to his mouth to keep from spitting his coffee. “Just say it.”
“If you married the boy, you could be on his insurance. You wouldn’t have to pay separate rent. All your extra income could go into savings.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell her,” Sully said, now looming over their table. He was dressed head to toe in black tactical gear, making Poppy wonder how he’d managed to get away.
“I told you to go to Mexico,” she said, exasperated.
“And I told you to marry me,” he replied in the same exasperated tone. He held out his hand to her father. “How do you do, Colonel, sir?”
Her father stood. “I’ve been better, Ranger Langford.” Nonetheless he held out his hand and the two men shook.
“Yes, sir, sorry about that,” Sully said, bumping Poppy aside as he sat down.
“I take it you plan to be an active part of the baby’s life, physically, financially, and emotionally,” her father said.
“In as many ways as Poppy will allow,” Sully said.
“It’s not up to Poppy. A father’s duty is not determined by the mother,” The Colonel said.
“Yes, sir,” Sully agreed.
“It’s feeling very midcentury in here,” Poppy said.
Her father turned to scowl at her. “Don’t give me that garbage, Poppy. There are some things bigger than your independence or feminist initiative or whatever this is you’re referencing. A father’s love and responsibility to his child are eternal and unchanging.” He pulled out his phone and gave it to her. “Go outside and call your mother and Jane and tell them your news while the Ranger and I have a conversation.”
“But…” Poppy started to protest. Her father’s expression didn’t shift, but he had a way of changing moods without his face reflecting what was happening, the same as Bailey. Meekly, Poppy accepted the phone and slid from the booth.
The Colonel waited until she was safely outside to speak again. “Ranger Langford, I realize I am a man born out of time. I have old fashioned notions about things, including duty, honor, sacrifice, service, and family. I do not like that this cart has come before the horse. However, I cannot control my daughters, and wisdom says it’s better not to try.
“What I can control is my actions in regard to you. So I will tell you the same thing I told my son-in-law before he married Bailey. If you prove yourself to be a good, responsible, upstanding man and father to my grandchild, I will welcome you to our family with open arms. But if I ever hear of you mistreating my daughter or grandchild in any way or shirking your responsibility to Poppy or your child, I will make you suffer in unimaginable ways. Are we clear?”
“Yes, sir,” Sully said. He might think the man was exaggerating, but knowing Bailey had taught him otherwise. Neither of them said anything they didn’t mean or weren’t willing to back up with actions. “You should know, sir, that I intend to do everything in my power to take care of Poppy, not that she’ll make it easy.”
“There’s the matter of George to discuss.”
Sully blinked at him in surprise. “George, sir?”
“It’s my opinion that George still intends to make a play for Poppy. It’s always been my secret hope they would get together. But I also believe families should stay together. Regardless, I won’t take sides beyond giving you this fair warning. I don’t know you, but I know my daughter and I know George and I am telling you that if you want Poppy, you’d better step up your game because he’ll try hard to woo her from beneath your nose.”
Sully’s hands balled into fists on the table. “We’ll see.”
“I suppose we will. Either way, your responsibilities don’t change.”
“We’re clear on that,” Sully said.
“Well, then. What have you been up to today because it looks like it was fun,” The Colonel said, nodding at Sully’s tactical attire.
Sully found himself telling the older man all about the Cortez family and the years of pursuit and investigation. The Colonel listened intently, asking pertinent questions that sparked new insights in Sully’s brain. If not for the terrifying part regarding the warnings over Poppy, it would have been a delightfully interesting and productive lunch.