and Ed had him fitted for his first tool belt before he could even stand upright.”
Poppy could believe it. A lot of people might not consider that tale romantic, but it did offer her some hope. “I want to have kids,” she murmured like it was a terrible secret. “Maybe not right away, but… eventually.”
Wearing a frown, Val tilted her head. “Do you think Turner doesn’t want children? I’ll admit we’ve never explicitly talked about it, but he’s great with Faye’s. He adores his nieces and nephew.” She leaned closer. “Has he told you that he doesn’t want children?”
“Not in so many words, but…” Chewing her lip, Poppy thought about what he’d said when he thought she might be pregnant. “It’s too much. He doesn’t need more people depending on him.”
Val sat up straight. “Because his sisters already expect too much.”
Mortified, Poppy gasped. “No, please, I didn’t mean that to sound so offensive, just…”
“I know they expect a lot. You know how I feel about that. Yes, he has supported us since we lost Ed. Turner has gone above and beyond what any other man would, but do you know what that means?” Poppy was almost afraid to ask. “We are closer than most families. There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for each other. He’s been the head of our family for a decade and a half, which means he knows exactly what he’s getting into by bringing you into the fold. Turner will be an incredible father. I don’t think I have to tell you that.”
She exhaled. “You don’t. I couldn’t imagine there’s a bigger jackpot than him, on so many fronts.”
“So maybe this isn’t about him,” Val said, exuding nothing but kindness. “Maybe it’s about you… and about what you think you deserve. Turner would go to the end of the Earth for you, yes, I won’t deny that. But you’re talking to a woman who married a man who was just as dedicated. They can make us feel… inferior isn’t quite the right word. But there were times I found myself wondering what I did to deserve Ed. Even still. To this day. Just because he’s not with me doesn’t mean that goes away. I love Ed as much now as I did the day we lost him. Nothing will change that. And he gave me an incredible family that reminds me of our love every day.
“I don’t know a lot about your family. I’ve tried not to read anything in the press, I prefer to reach my own conclusions. But I trust my son. I trusted him enough to know the very first time we met that you were worthy of him. He believes it, so I believe it.” Val shifted to put an arm around her. “Trust him and know his heart is completely yours. Maddox men don’t know how to disappoint their wives, not when it comes to anything that matters.”
The door burst open and Emmie came shuffling in wearing heels that were far too big for her. The view put a smile on Poppy’s face, it took her a second to actually notice what else Emmie was wearing.
“Grama!” Emmie screeched, shaking her head. “Look what Grammie gave me.”
Diamonds. A lot of them. On her ears, a tiara on her head, the necklace would give Emmie muscle aches it was such a burden.
“Oh my goodness,” Val said, leaping to her feet. “Emmie, honey, you have to give those back.”
“No,” Poppy said, standing next to Val as Emmie showed them the ring she was struggling to keep on her hand, probably because the weight of the bracelet she wore hindered her. “If Grammie said she could have them, then she can have them.”
“Are they… real?” Val asked, a couple of shades paler.
Putting an arm around her, Poppy just shrugged. “Everything in Grammie’s suite is… There are real pink diamonds on those shoes too.”
Gasping, Emmie shuffled backwards, probably because it was easier than turning around. “Aunt Willow! Come see my diamond shoes!”
“My God,” Val breathed out, raising a hand to her chest. “We can’t accept anything like that.”
“People are what matters,” Poppy said. “Grammie doesn’t care about things. She knows she can’t take them with her.”
“But that’s your inheritance.”
“Then Emmie’s welcome to it. As long as she shares with her sister.”
“And her cousins?” Val asked, turning toward her, linking their hands. “Think about what I said. Turner needs you. If you are what will make him happy then the whole family do too.”