was Poppy’s duty to divert his attention while she was still around to do it. She’d need to employ a similar diversion tactic when he returned to the Venture. It was time for her to find out if practice really did make perfect.
TWENTY-NINE
Goodbyes were never easy. Maybe that was why Poppy spent so much time with her Grammie that Monday lunchtime. The woman was a comfort, even when she was walking away. Saying goodbye to her wasn’t easy, but at least it was only temporary.
“Promise I’ll see you next week,” Poppy said, still holding Marigold.
They were in Grammie’s bedroom and must have said goodbye fifteen times. Still, they were there, hugging and reassuring each other.
“I promise,” Grammie said with amused impatience. “Do you think I’d miss this for anything? I love a bit of drama, especially when it’s in the name of love.”
“Don’t tell Mom and Dad until next week,” Poppy said. “They’ll never remember to keep it a secret.”
“Your man will have plenty to keep him busy with his work on the guest house during the day and the little ones at night.”
Just as she’d said, Faye was staying with the kids to support her brother, but also because she needed a break from real life. Zoey and Casey were staying on the estate too.
Val would bring the twins back home, like they’d discussed. The teens were eager to see their friends and had been talking a lot about car shopping now that there was money in the family.
Poppy wanted her new family to have everything they needed, but it wasn’t easy to keep her focus on details of their wish lists. Her crazy plan might be difficult to pull off; that wouldn’t stop her from giving it a good shot.
A light knock on the door took the pair out of their hug. Seeing Turner poke his head around the door was bittersweet.
“There’s a fancy limo outside all loaded up,” he said.
Loaded with his mother and sister’s things. Her things were packed in the suitcases that Turner had promised to bring with him when he traveled back in the truck. Preston was staying with his buddy under the guise of improving ties with the company. It wasn’t a complete lie, he and Tiller had hit it off, which would do wonders for Preston at his firm. Primrose had helped by nudging Preston in the direction of remaining on the estate. Poppy wasn’t sure her sister was that wild about it given Primrose was joining her at the Venture.
“Everyone getting impatient?” she asked, her arm linked with Grammie’s as they went over to join him.
“The jet will wait,” Grammie said. “You can take all the time you need.” She kissed Poppy’s cheek. “I have to talk to Val before she leaves.” Marigold left her granddaughter, but stopped to nudge Turner as she passed. “Been a long time since that bed of mine’s seen any action.”
“Okay, Grammie!” Poppy declared while her fiancé just snickered. “Thank you.”
The old lady was laughing to herself as she exited.
“You’re gonna miss her,” Turner said, sauntering over to put his arms around her.
“You’ll look after her this week, won’t you?”
“You could always stay.”
From his point of view, that made sense.
“I’ll miss you every second,” Poppy said, her head dropping back. “Won’t it be nice to know I’m sleeping in your bed, waiting for you?”
“Yeah,” he said, nodding while admiring her mouth. “If it was our bed here, you could get some action every night.”
“You could call me. We could get a little long distance action.” Exhaling, she groaned and buried her face against his chest. “Don’t go falling in love with any of the staff… or any of the women in town. I know the guys will drag you and Preston out now the coast is clear.” Leaning back, Poppy frowned at him. “There should be an engagement ring equivalent for men. Something you can wear that tells all the harlots out there that you’re spoken for.”
Her indignation might amuse him, but it was genuine. “I can tell them myself. You’re biased about the kind of attention I’d get. I keep to myself when I’m out.”
“When you’re at Naughtie’s and you have the guys to entertain you,” she said, smoothing her hands down his tee-shirt. “It’s okay. I don’t mind women drooling over you. How can I blame them? I drool over you.” He laughed. “I trust you’re big enough to fight them off if they get handsy.”
“Damn straight.”
He lowered to kiss her. His kiss was