Page 39 of A Flower for Angus

“Aye,” he replied reluctantly, his thumb brushing her soft cheek. She was so beautiful in the moonlight, he yearned to kiss her senseless until she couldn’t find a way to refuse him.

“I-I felt a lot of things when we met,” she confessed. “Confused, angry, afraid, and just about every other emotion you can name. Your arms around me made me feel like I’d been missing something in my life up until this point. That confused me.”

She glared at him. “You made me angry because I’d had my fill of men running my life and I was now attracted to a complete stranger. And when you kept asking me questions and trying to get close to me, you made me afraid that my past would catch up to me if I let you in,” she finished with a shake of her head and then stared out across the water for a few seconds before turning back to him.

“And now?” he prompted.

She lifted her soft palm to the side of his cheek. “I still feel confused, but not enough to keep me from doing this.” She pulled his head down and reached up to kiss him.

Angus’s entire body burst into flame as he groaned and took over the kiss. Her breast was soft and warm, fitting perfectly into his big hand as he explored the contours. He barely heard the first three times someone cleared their throat until Poppy finally pulled away.

“Dad?” a voice rang out, incredulous. “What are ye doing out here?”

“Ben,” Angus replied evenly, “what does it look like I’m doin’? I’m courtin’ a lass. What are ye doin’ here?”

Poppy hid her face in his chest and he could feel the silent shake of her shoulders. Was she crying or laughing?

Ben strolled over. “I was taking a walk when I saw what I thought was a couple of kids necking in yer backyard. Given the situation, I thought I should investigate,” he replied with a big grin. “I take it this is Poppy with ye?”

Poppy raised her head, her eyes twinkling with mirth. “Yes, it’s me, Ben.”

“I hope ye’re okay with being out in the open now, Poppy, because if ye aren’t, it means I’ll have to hide my son’s body under the Queen of the Night flowerbed,” Angus inserted with a serious face.

Poppy’s laugh rang out, giving Angus goosebumps. She had the most lilting laugh he’d ever heard, like a songbird.

“I can take a hint,” Ben replied with a chuckle. “Although, I thought ye were supposed to be under lock and guard at Neamh. I’m surprised to find ye here.”

“Vince reported in that he hadn’t found anythin’ unusual in town, so we decided to go for a short drive. It’s pretty hard to arrange an accident when ye can be seen comin’ fer miles around,” Angus replied.

He’d already filled Ben in on what was going on in case any thugs came to check Angus’s home. In fact, from the bulge under Ben’s vest, he was pretty sure his son had been patrolling the perimeter.

Standing up, Angus held his hand out to Poppy. “Let’s head back to Neamh, it’s starting to get late for us farmers.”

“Goodnight, Dad, Poppy,” Ben said with a smile.

They chorused goodnight to Ben. Angus was gratified when Poppy let him keep her hand in his. She leaned in close to him as they made their way back through the house and out to the truck.

“Just think, Angus, by this time tomorrow, it should all be over with,” Poppy said wistfully. “At least I sure hope so.”

Then Angus got a text from Darro.

‘I need you back at Neamh immediately. Holding a phone call for Poppy from Andrea. Hurry’

Angus grabbed the truck door, slung it open and then picked up Poppy and placed her on the seat before closing the door.

“Angus, what the heck...” she protested when he yanked open his truck door and jumped inside.

“Get yer seatbelt on, Poppy, Darro wants us to hurry. It’s goin’ to be a fast ride.”

***

“WHAT’S GOING ON?” POPPYasked, her heart beating fast as she snapped the middle seatbelt into place. She felt safer next to Angus’s big body and hadn’t needed any convincing to move over this time.

“Darro said he’s holdin’ a phone call from yer daughter, that’s all I know.”

Poppy didn’t try to talk so she wouldn’t distract Angus’s driving. He flew by Dal and Henry at the entrance to the Neamh cut off, his tires spinning gravel as he gunned it up the road. When they pulled up in front of Neamh, the door was wide open and Darro was waiting for them on the front deck, Lucerne standing in the doorway. Neither one was smiling.

Poppy released her seatbelt, her heart beating so hard she could barely breathe. She didn’t wait for Angus; she already had the door open and was sliding out of the truck when he came around to get her.

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