“No, I didn’t…” Poppy took her time about breathing in and out before continuing. “I flew you out here because I’m done with Holden’s harassment. He’s taken over my life and I haven’t even seen him for months. My family are living under siege. He needs to let this go, to leave all of us alone.”
“Have you talked to him?”
“Grammie says that would just be rewarding his bad behavior.”
“Maybe or he could need to hear how it is from the horse’s mouth. You plan some type of injunction?”
“I don’t know what I plan. I’m not a lawyer and my parents’ lawyers are more worried about the business than they are other people’s lives.” Leaning forward, she took his hand. “Charley has every right to be pissed. Charley, Faye, Val, they have the right to be mad at me. I don’t want them going through this. Living under the threat of Holden’s people jumping at them all the time, the press invading their lives.”
“From what I know of the situation, you don’t deserve it either.”
“My needs are secondary to the Maddox’s. That’s why you’re here. I need you in every room while the planning is going on. I need you steering at the helm of this. We have to get Holden to stop.”
“Okay, you know I’m not licensed to practice here?”
“That’s okay. We need him to stop at home as well as here. But hire whoever you need. If someone has to file paperwork or go to court, money is no object.”
“I love it when a client says that.”
“I mean it and there’s no conflict here either. Turner was just saying how he wants it to stop and that’s what I want too. The Maddox family are your primary concern, always, but I trust you to see the human side of this more than my family’s people… Whatever happens, it’s got to be better for you to be in the room, right?”
“Absolutely. I’ll need some time to orient myself, to talk to your family’s people, do some research. This isn’t my area of expertise and the rules are different in every state.”
“Whatever you need. Tiller will set up meetings for you with whoever you need to speak to. You have full autonomy,” she said and clutched his hand closer. “But not tonight, you’ve been traveling. I’m sure it’s been a long day. There’s a place for you at the dinner table and Turner would love to see you.”
They stood up together to head out of the room. “Did you tell him I was coming?”
“I thought you would.”
“He didn’t have his phone today,” Preston said. “The girls have been blowing it up and someone has to pay those bills.” Whether that was a joke or not, Poppy wasn’t sure. “He probably doesn’t know what to say to them either. None of us knew you guys were…”
Whatever they were.
“You’re not the only one,” she said, looping her arm through his. “I’m not sure even Turner knows what he wants.”
“He came all this way and had a long drive to think about it. He has no doubts. But you know what?” Preston said, pausing just before the dining room, the mumble of conversation carried from inside. “If you do…” he smiled, “sending him home is exactly what you should do.”
The words were kind and understanding, but they brought her up short. Sure? It was almost laughable that he’d suggest that, Poppy wasn’t sure about anything. Except getting rid of Holden.
“Hey, buddy!”
“What the hell!”
The male calls snapped her back to the moment. Preston had gone into the dining room, she followed just in time to see the end of their man-hug.
“You’ve gone up in the world,” Preston said, smacking his friend on the back.
“What are you doing here, man?”
“Poppy called,” Preston said, going over to the table to introduce himself.
“My daughter speaks highly of you,” Clark Granger said as he and Preston shook hands.
“Because I said I trust him? That’s highly?” Catching sight of Turner, Poppy wasn’t sure why his stare was so intent. “What?” she asked him. In the background, names and relationships were being exchanged. “You want rid of Holden, Preston’s who I want in the meetings.” It should’ve occurred to her to ask Turner’s permission. “I’m sorry. I should’ve asked you, I didn’t think. He knows your family are the priority. All the way.”
A moment passed.
“Come here,” Turner said.
Going to him was an automatic response, though Poppy had no idea what would happen when