Page 32 of A Flower for Angus

Poppy gave him her email. She was sure Darro would allow her to access it on a computer and she could get it right back to Mack. She was so done with all of this.

“This shouldn’t take long, Poppy, even if you are out of the country. I can contact him in the morning after the paperwork is drawn up.”

“Thank you, Mack.”

“Call your daughter,” he ordered before hanging up.

The room was silent as Poppy hung up the phone. Then she looked around at everyone apprehensively. “I know, you think I’m a fool for giving up the money, right?”

Impulsively, Lucerne came around to give her a hug. “Well...I don’t think you’re crazy, I think you’re a very generous person.”

“And I have to admit...I kind of like a lass that isn’t obsessed with money,” Angus added with a grin.

“Ye remind me of Lucerne, lass,” Darro said gruffly. “I don’t know how much money it was, but any woman with a generous and forgiving nature, even to those who don’t deserve it, is worth her weight in gold as far as I’m concerned.”

“That was really something, Mrs. Condoloro,” Vince said in awe. “In one phone call you just saved me from fearing Adrian might be breathing down my neck for the rest of my life because of what he asked me to do. All I can do is say thank you.”

“Call me Poppy, Vince,” she replied. “After all, everyone else uses my first name.” She threw Darro a wry grin.

As usual, Darro took charge. “Let’s give Poppy some privacy to call her family,” he stated briskly, ushering everyone towards the door.

They all filed out leaving Poppy alone.

Chapter 8

Angus wanted to staywith Poppy but he knew she needed the time alone to reconnect with her daughter. Reluctantly he followed Darro, Vince, and Lucerne into the kitchen.

“More tea, anyone?” Lucerne asked.

“No thanks, honey,” Darro replied. He turned to Vince. “Now that ye’re on my clock, why don’t ye head into Inverness and see if ye can find out anything.”

Vince looked surprised. “You still want to hire me?”

Darro nodded. “Aye. I think we should carry on just as we planned until we can be sure Condoloro hasn’t sent someone to set up an accident for Poppy. It sounds like he is desperate and will do everything he can to achieve his objective. And for all we know, he may have had someone following ye here.” He turned back to Lucerne. “Lucerne, can ye give Vince the address for Happy Housekeepers and explain to yer father?”

“Aye,” Lucerne replied, taking out her cell phone.

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