angry, you know that, and this time you’re the target.”
“That’s fine,” Turner said.
Val’s attention shifted past her son to seek Poppy. “Charley is a more complicated matter.” Zoey would be too. “It’s up to you to decide how much you care about fighting for this family. Maddoxes don’t give up, not when it comes to each other. Are we worth fighting for?”
“The happiness of your family is worth the sacrifice of my own,” Poppy said. “You were a happy family before I came along. I’m sorry I ruined that.”
“You are a part of this family,” Val said, leaning over Turner to squeeze Poppy’s arm. “You have me, Turner, and the munchkins on your side. Faye is more on your side than Turner’s. I’m sure Zoey and the twins will come around when they understand why you both did what you did. Charley is ruled by her emotions, she’s confused, this is all happening fast. She doesn’t process quickly, she never has. It takes time for her. That’s all she needs. Time.”
“All of you are welcome here for as long as you want,” Poppy said. “While all this Holden stuff is going on for sure. Beyond that…”
Val’s next exhale showed her frustration. “Turner, what do you want from the future?”
“What?”
“You spend a lot of time talking about making Poppy happy, fulfilling her wants for the future. She hears that and believes anything she says will just add to your burden. If you want your life to stay exactly the same way, you have to stop implying to her there’s a chance of anything else.”
“Implying?” he asked, offended. “Ma, what the hell are you talking about? Poppy can have anything she wants.”
“But would you be happier if nothing changed?”
“I want Poppy. Wherever we are, I don’t care. As long as it’s me and Poppy, that’s all I care about.”
“Just you and Poppy?”
“Val,” Poppy said with a tinge of warning. “What happened to future trust?”
“If you and Turner fall apart before you get a chance with each other, we won’t have a future, will we?”
“Fall apart? What—”
“Turner, you should take your shower,” Poppy said, standing up. “I have to get changed.”
“You told Faye we didn’t have to change for dinner,” Turner said.
Finding a glittering Granger Girl smile, Poppy held onto her composure. “Guests can come in their pajamas. Daughters of the host wear their Sunday best.”
Leaving the room, she went up the stairs and into Grammie’s suite. Time to get ready for dinner. For the families to come together for the first time. Poppy didn’t have a clue what the evening held.
TEN
Dinner with the two families had the potential to be great fun. But with the majority of sisters at the table not talking to someone, it was left to Emmie to break the silence.
The little one shuffled closer to her brother who was between her and Faye. “Why is no one talking, Mommy?”
“Just eat your food, baby,” Faye said, reaching over Noah to push Emmie’s plate closer to her.
“You have wonderful children,” Grammie said.
“Thank you,” Faye replied. “You have a beautiful home.”
“Oh, I know. It’s slightly staid,” Grammie said quite casual in her opinion. “The truth is, this house is often more trouble than it’s worth. A sad remnant of a bygone age…” Grammie laughed. “Much like me.”
“Grammie, you are not a remnant,” Poppy said. “You are this family’s glue.”
“No, I believe that is this house and the money, Tot. I look forward to handing it all over to you. Will you put me out to pasture after you have control?”
“Mother,” Clark said from the head of the table. “Don’t start this in front of our guests.”
“They’re not guests, we’re all family here,” Grammie said. “In fact, there is no reason they shouldn’t live here full-time from now on. We have the space.”
“No one is living here full-time,” Poppy said. “This isn’t their home.”
“I want to live in your castle, Aunt Poppy,” Emmie said. “Mommy, can we live with Aunt Poppy and Uncle Turner?”
“We has to live here,” Noah wailed, his tone betraying his distress. “I don’t want to live far away from Uncle Turner.”
“Remember what I said about Aunt Poppy’s plane?” Turner asked. “You can come see us any time you want, Sport.”
“I want to see you every day.”
“You don’t see Turner every day now,” Charley said. “Let him live here, who cares?”
“Momma,” Noah said, trying to climb into his mother’s lap.
“It’s okay, sweetie.”
“It isn’t the children’s fault that you’re upset,” Val said. “We’re in company, Charley.”