with Turner would end at some point and she’d be back in the pool.
“Charley was with him?”
“Yeah,” he said, running his hands over her hair. “You’re never gonna be with that guy, baby.” When she didn’t answer, he curved a hand under her chin to elevate it. “Never, Candy-Cane, say it.”
“I’ll never be with him.”
He gathered her into his arms and held her against him. Even when she heard the movement of people coming out of the kitchen, he didn’t let her go.
“What’s happening?” Turner asked.
“Faye wants to talk to us,” Val said then the tone of her voice changed. “The little munchkins are going upstairs to Grandma’s room to watch movies with their sister.”
Turner didn’t seem in a hurry to let her go, but when a little hand touched hers, he had no choice.
“Aunt Poppy come with us.”
The little one taking her hand was Noah. Emmie had been her best friend earlier, now it seemed that Noah had missed her.
“Aunt Poppy’s staying with the grown-ups, buddy,” Turner said.
“I don’t mind,” Poppy said, bending down to pick Noah up. He’d been tired earlier so had to be exhausted after his time at the play gym.
“Pop,” Charley said as Emmie took her hand.
She smiled at her friend. “We’ll talk later, honey.”
Taking both of the little people up the stairs, Poppy didn’t mind watching another movie while the Maddoxes aired their laundry with each other. They needed some time as a family and she was more than happy to do what she could to facilitate them.
TWENTY-EIGHT
“Hey. Hey.” Poppy heard the voice, though it took her a second to process. “Don’t shake her like that.” Turner, she recognized that voice. And yes, someone’s hand was on her shoulder. “Go pack your shit, Shrimp.”
“Geez, why are you in such a bad mood?” Charley hissed.
“Just go,” Turner whispered. Poppy opened her eyes, but it took a second to focus. “Tired, Candy-Cane?”
There was something heavy on top of her. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the owner of that voice. He was standing next to the bed, admiring her through the darkness.
“What time is it?” she asked, her hand sinking into Ashlee’s hair.
Ashlee. The little one was on top of her. Noah was squished against her side and Emmie was asleep beyond him.
“It’s after ten, it’s late.”
“Everything okay?” she asked, raising her other hand to him because she couldn’t sit up with the little ones all around her. “How did it go?”
“Mom knows about Kev and Faye… She’s gonna stay here with the kids.”
He took her hand and descended to sit on the edge of the bed.
“I knew it,” Poppy said, raising his hand to her mouth. “The Maddoxes are amazing. I’m so proud of all of you. I told all of your sisters that the family would support them. I didn’t doubt any of you for a second.”
Holding his hand to her face, Poppy nuzzled against him, kissing and appreciating him.
“Hey,” he said, his thumb moving across the tear on her cheek. “What’s that for?”
She hadn’t realized that her emotions were coming out until he showed her.
“Your family are amazing,” she said. “Don’t take them for granted.”
“I’m gonna move the kids down the stairs. Tomorrow, I’ll throw up some partition walls so they can have their own space.”
Everything he did for his family was awe-inspiring. He’d put everything else aside and would do the same the following day to give his family what they needed.
She’d never met such a stand-up, selfless guy.
“I want to jump you so bad right now,” she said as a tease, though it was completely true too.
His laugh was quiet. “In my mom’s bed while the kids are asleep?”
He got up to go around for Emmie.
“On the floor maybe,” she whispered. “Really quietly.”
He scooped up his niece without waking her. “You’ve never done really quiet in your life, Candy-Cane.”
Not when he was the one over her, no. He disappeared with Emmie. Poppy thought about taking Ashlee downstairs, but wasn’t quite sure how to extricate herself from Noah without waking him up.
The kids were such sweethearts. Poppy would spend every day with them if she could. Their innocence and acceptance were overwhelming. Turner came back to scoop up Noah, which let her wrap both arms around Ashlee. She meant to pick her up and take her downstairs. Instead, Poppy got as far as standing up before realizing that she never wanted to let go.
She took the little one out of the bedroom and down the hall. They met Turner at the top of the stairs.
“I’ll