Chapter 5
Poppy looked down at the cell phone in her hand and then held it out to him. She wasn’t sure he even knew what he was apologizing for, but she didn’t have the energy to get into what happened in college now.
“I accept your apology. Now just go home, Nick. I can sort everything out tomorrow. I don’t want to hold you up any?—”
“Shut up and make the calls.”
“Don’t tell me to shut up.”
“I won’t if you stop being an idiot.” His eyes were narrowed now.
Why was he angry? She was the one he’d humiliated. Had his behavior today erased some of the hurt he’d inflicted in college? Yes. They’d both changed. He’d grown into a hot hunk of a man, that she was sure…. Her thoughts trailed off as she looked at him.
“What?”
“Are you married, Nick?”
“No. Why? You want to put your hand up to be my wife, Tinker Bell?” The frown on his face eased.
“No. I just wondered is all,” she mumbled.
“No significant other either.”
She ignored the relief. Nick Atherton was nothing to her. Angry with her reaction, she started punching in her neighbor’s number so she could feed Poppy’s cat tonight. The bank could wait until tomorrow. Then she made the last call, the one she was dreading.
“Hi, Aunt Jenny, this is a friend’s phone. I’m totally fine, but I had a minor accident. Don’t freak out,” Poppy added quickly as her aunt shrieked. “I’m okay, truly. They’re just keeping me overnight for observation in the hospital. But I won’t be able to FaceTime you later, okay?”
She loved her aunt, but she could be dramatic. After a few seconds of listening to a list of things Poppy needed to do and how quickly her aunt could arrive in Brook, Poppy said, “You are not flying here to look after me! If anyone needs to fly, it will be me to you.”
She looked at Nick, who was listening to the conversation with a small smile on his lips.
“I lost my phone, Aunt Jenny, so don’t try calling me,” Poppy said. “No, there is no one you can talk to about my condition because the doctors are not—” The phone was pulled out of her hand.
“Hi, Aunt Jenny, this is Nick. It’s my phone, so you can call me if you want an update on Poppy.”
“Give it back!” Poppy tried to grab the phone, but he just walked away from the bed.
“I’m a close friend of hers.”
“Don’t tell her that!” If Aunt Jenny thought she had a close male friend, her life would be hell. She’d be harassed from sunup to sundown. There would be endless hours of relentless interrogation. Her aunt believed Poppy should be married and producing babies for her to spoil.
“Yes, we went to college together and reconnected recently.” Nick was a regular Chatty Cathy now.
She tried to climb out of bed, but the movement hurt her wrist.
“You just stay in bed, honey. I’ve got this,” Nick said with a smirk on his face.
Poppy looked for something to throw at him. Only her coffee cup was handy, and she wasn’t giving that up.
He sent her a smug look as he continued to talk. Even annoyed with him, she couldn’t help but admire the way his butt looked in those faded jeans that were worn in all the right places. He was a front-page-of-a-glossy-magazine hunk.
Poppy could only imagine what she looked like but didn’t have the energy to care. Closing her eyes, she tried to ignore the pain in her body.
“Sure, I’ll make her rest, and she’ll call you in the morning. Yeah, you too, Aunt Jenny. Take care now. Poppy sends you her love,” Nick said before pocketing his phone.
“I’m too tired to be angry with you now, but I will be tomorrow when my aunt appears on my doorstep demanding to meet Nick.” Poppy yawned loudly. “You never understood personal boundaries.”
“Four siblings. Personal boundaries weren’t something any of us understood.”
“Your siblings have my sympathy.”
“Why? I’m a great older brother.”
“I’m sure. I mean, I guess you had to grow up at some stage.”
He mock glared at her.
“Nick, I was thinking about the mugging. There’s probably no chance of getting my bag back, but I think I should still report it.”
“I’ve called my cousin Billy. He’s a cop. He’ll be here soon.”
“I remember you have a big family.”
“Huge. We have someone in most of the key occupations. There’s a doctor, pediatrics,” he added, shaking his head, which she guessed meant that field was of no use to him.
“Dentist, lawyer, accountant, and two detectives. My cousin Tom plays NFL,” he added, looking at her as if she should be impressed.
Sports weren’t her thing, so she shrugged.
“We’re lacking in a few areas but hoping to work on that with the next generation.”
“You’re multiplying?” She tried to look shocked but yawned instead.
“I have nieces and nephews who already know I’m their favorite uncle.”
Poppy could tell by the look on his face he loved his family.
“There’s a sandwich and muffin in here.” He picked up a paper bag. “What do you want?”
“I just want to sleep, Nick. But thanks.”
“I told Aunt Jenny I’d make you eat.”
“Ha.” Her eyes closed. “Go home.”
“No, really, you don’t need to thank me again for reassuring your aunt.”
“Aha. Go away.”
“Nick. Hey, buddy.”
Poppy opened her eyes to watch a large dark-haired man approach. There was no mistaking the blood tie between them, and she guessed this was the police officer, Billy.
“This is Poppy, bud. Some dude mugged her today wearing a mask.”
Billy’s smile was like his cousin’s and reached his soft green-brown eyes, but she didn’t get the same feeling in her belly like she did with Nick.
“Hey, Poppy, really sorry about what happened.” He took her good hand and squeezed it gently.
“It’s not your fault,” Poppy said. He looked so sincere.
“Billy takes his job seriously. Don’t you, Detective Atherton?”
“There are enough cops who don’t,” Billy said, ignoring his cousin’s teasing.
“Surely a detective must have better things to do than deal with a mugging,” Poppy said.
“When family calls, Athertons come.” Billy smiled again, and she knew he meant every word. It must feel nice to have so many people in your life that loved you.
The detective started questioning Poppy gently but thoroughly until he had all the answers he needed.
She should probably tell them about her past, but it was on her police file, and this was just a mugging, so no need to think he’d found her again. Besides, his tactics were cunning and meant to fill her with fear, which they always had. A simple bag snatch was not his style.
“We probably won’t catch him, Poppy. I’m telling you that right off. But we’ll try.”
“Thank you anyway.”
“Is there anything else you can tell me about the mugger?”
“He wore a Batman mask.”
“Yeah, Nick told me that too. Anything else? Did he speak?”
“No. He just wanted my bag. ”
“I’ll be out soon, Billy. I need a lift,” Nick said when his cousin was finished.
“Take your time, bud.” Billy raised a hand and left. “I’ll let you know if we find him, Poppy. Take care.”
“Thank you.”
Poppy closed her eyes on a sigh. She really needed to sleep and not think because her head was throbbing.
Something brushed her lips, and when she opened her eyes, Nick’s face was inches from hers.
“Sleep well, Poppy.”
“Th-thanks. See you around, Nick.”
“Count on it.” And then he was gone, and she’d likely never see Nicholas Atherton again. The thought shouldn’t have made her feel as sad as it did.
Poppy closed her eyes and let sleep pull her under.