Poppy's Present (Poppy's Place) (6 page)

Rose ran her hands through her hair, her discomfort showing more and more in her choppy movements. Poppy held her father’s gaze, the brown eyes so different from hers. She took after her mother—a fact that he’d admitted once made it even harder to look at her.

“Rose, I’m ready to leave. You’ll take me home.”

Poppy turned to her sister. If she backed down and didn’t tell the truth, it wouldn’t be the first time, but this would only lead to more trouble.

“Tell him,” Poppy whispered.

“Tell me what?” her father yelled.

She and Rose jumped.

“Watch your tone, old man,” Trevor said. “You pull that shit when you’re at my house, and I’ll turn off your fucking cable.”

“Our mother won’t allow you to speak to Poppy that way,” Michael continued. “And you’ll piss our fathers off as well. They love her very much.”

Her father’s face grew red. “I don’t want to hear anything about this.”

The situation began spiraling out of control as the men added their two cents. Poppy refused to tell her husbands to ease off, not when they’d guarded her back for so many years. She shoved her elbow into Rose’s side.

“Rose,” Poppy whispered. “You have to do something.”

Her sister looked over, eyes wide. Poppy swallowed back any harsh prompting. “Father, you have to be reasonable.”

“I am always reasonable. Leave and take those imbeciles with you. Staying with you has never been and never will be an option. This is between Rose and me.”

His cold expression couldn’t hide the fear in his eyes. Poppy stepped forward. “The other girls already made it clear they have no place for you, didn’t they? That’s why you’re holding out. They won’t have you. Rose can’t take care of you, and I am the only one here who can do the things you need.”

His gaze narrowed a moment, but then flew to Rose. “What do you mean, she can’t take care of me? What’s going on?”

Rose swallowed so hard it echoed through the room. Poppy patted her shoulder and took a step back. It was on the eldest to make things right now.

She folded her arms. “I, ah, I have cancer. It’s not terminal, but the next few months will be a challenge.”

Their father stood, leaning heavily on a cane, but still able to use both sides of his body. “Why didn’t you tell me? What kind of cancer? Breast?”

His arms shook with exertion, but he managed to cross the floor to her. Rose took him by the elbow, led him to the bed, and sat beside him. “It’s in my neck, not lymph nodes, just a random lump that has cancerous cells in it. Oral medications have helped, but the doctors still anticipate surgery at some point. I want to take care of you, Dad.” Her voice cracked. “But I can’t. Not right now.”

He patted her knee. Poppy felt like an intruder watching their moment, but she stayed to see it finished.

“I understand,” he said and cleared his throat. “Yeah, I do. I, ah, I’ll go to the assisted living for a while, at least until I get my strength back, and then I’ll move in to help you get well. Give me a few weeks, and I’ll be there to do the cooking and cleaning so you can rest.”

“Oh Dad, I’d never ask you to do that.” Rose rested her head on his shoulder.

“I know you wouldn’t. I’m going to do it anyway.”

Poppy patted Trevor’s arm and led the men toward the door. Rose could manage from this point. Her throat stung at the father-daughter picture she’d hoped to one day have for herself, but never would. Rose needed their father’s support as much as he needed her. Poppy snuggled close to Trevor as they walked down the hospital hall in silence. She had who she needed, and her blessings soared. She couldn’t begrudge Rose their father.

“Poppy?”

She stopped and looked over her shoulder. Cody and Michael stepped aside. Rose hurried down the hall, wiping the backs of her hands over her cheeks. Poppy met her halfway.

“Looks like everything will be okay,” she said.

Rose shook her head, but the tension lines no longer pulled her eyes. “Only because of you. I could stand here and apologize for everything I’ve ever done, for the way we’ve treated you, but I think we both know it wouldn’t be completely true. I’m always going to hate you a little bit.”

Poppy spun away and strode for her men. She didn’t need this ending. Rose grabbed her elbow and tugged until Poppy turned.

“But I will always, always be grateful that you turned out so wonderfully despite our failures. Very grateful. Have a safe trip home and, um, I really do wish you the best, even if I can’t fathom what you consider the best.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to offer more help, but Poppy knew her heart wouldn’t be in it; she couldn’t take another rebuke or rejection.

“Take care of yourself,” Poppy said. “And him.”

She held extra tight to Trevor’s arm as they made their way through the hospital. She didn’t want the tears, but they fell anyway, even after they cuddled in the town car with Michael again at the helm.

“I almost wish the old coot had ended up at our house. Can you imagine the talking to Mom would have given him?” Trevor said.

She snorted and brushed away a stray tear. “Yeah, she would have let him have it. Because she loves me.”

Trevor kissed her hair. “Damn right she does. I’m pretty sure the dads and Mom all love you more than they love us.”

“I second that. Paul tells me all the time he’d have booted my ass years ago if not for you,” Cody added.

She elbowed him. “He did not.”

“Swear on my best cow.” Cody crossed his heart. “You make our family. Not just better. You make it.”

“Jeez, guys, I’m trying to stop crying here.” She swatted Cody’s shoulder. “I’m, you know, letting go again. I’m not terribly upset, but if I’m honest, I wasn’t expecting the Hollywood ending here anyway.”

“Fuck that,” Michael said.

She burst out laughing. “That was much more of a Trevor response than my Big Guy.”

“I stand by it. Fuck the Hollywood ending where old wounds are magically healed—I never trust those anyway. This is more honest, but it’s not a bad ending. We’re in San
Antonio, and we’re going to take this old school Western style and ride off into the sunset, heads held high, knowing we did right, we’re doing right, and by God we’re living the dream.”

Poppy’s eyes dried right up, the unexpected mirth too powerful to leave room for tears. Trevor put his hands together once and then twice. Poppy joined him, nudging Cody’s side until Baby Boy also applauded.

“Well fucking said, Michael.” Trevor patted his shoulder. “Right on. What else are we going to do in this sunset business? Not to steal your thunder, but what about cake?”

“Hells yes to cake,” Michael said.

“And ice cream,” Cody added.

Poppy laughed. “I’m up for anything, as long as I’m riding with you guys. You know, we have another day here. Why don’t we see a movie, eat some good food, and jump on the hotel bed before we call our adventure over?”

Michael stopped at a red light and tossed a grin over his shoulder. “I have until Monday at nine. Whatever adventure you can think of, I’m game.”

“Count me in,” Cody said.

Trevor kissed her bare neck. “Count me twice.”

Poppy settled back in the seat and grinned. Her girls were having fun with their grandparents, her family issues were seen to, and she was facing the rest of her life with three men who loved her. She couldn’t wait to see what adventures came next.

~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~

Even before she understood what all the thrusting meant, Stephanie Beck loved reading romance. When the stories didn't end the way she wanted, writing her own was the perfect solution. From ridiculous humor to erotica, Stephanie loves being transported within a story. When she's not elbow deep in words, her husband and three children command her attention. After they are sleeping she knits or bakes cookies…or squeezes in more writing.

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