Page 55 of A Flower for Angus

“And how would that look?” she scoffed. “You and I shacking up together at our age? I’m sure yer family would love that and I know Andrea would have a heart attack.”

Angus looked pained. “I didn’t offer toshack upas ye so nicely put it, I was offerin’ to rent ye a room. Or hire ye as my housekeeper and business partner if ye like keepin’ house so much,” he offered innocently.

She raised her fist to punch him, then thought better of it and lowered her hand. The lass was learning.

“Angus Sangster, ye are such a jobbie,” she exclaimed with a sudden giggle. “I don’t believe ye meant that at all.”

“There ye go again, accusin’ me of dire things.” He shook his head woefully. “What am I to do with ye, lass?”

She huffed with folded arms, but her eyes were twinkling.

Angus grabbed her hand again and shot her a serious side eye. “Just so ye know, the offer to ‘shack up’is verra real if I thought ye’d accept it. I’m too old to worry about what my family thinks. All I care about is the lass I’m fallin’ in love with, and I’ll take ye anyway I can have ye.”

“And that’s me?” she ventured as if trying to reassure herself that he was serious.

“Aye lass, that’s ye.” He squeezed her hand once again. “Take as long as ye like. Marriage would be my end game, but the game is in yer court. I’d be proud to have ye in my home and at my side without the ring if that’s what ye want.”

Angus was silent then as he drove towards town, and Poppy didn’t speak either. He’d put it out there and there was no taking it back. The rest was up to her.

***

POPPY DIDN’T KNOW WHATto say. Marriage was the last thing on her mind and she couldn’t believe Angus had just declared his intentions so bluntly. They’d only known each other for about five weeks and yet he wanted to marry her.

The warmth and joy that was spreading through her was undeniable though. Her body was responding to him even if her mind was at war with itself. In a few short sentences he’d proposed marriage, or living together, or anything else she wanted to consider. He was open to anything. She marveled at his honesty and willingness to face possible rejection so quickly.

Her eyes narrowed as a thought popped into her head. “You don’t have a terminal diagnosis or anything, do you?”

His eyebrows reached for the sky. “What? Nay, of course not. Why would ye think that?”

She sat up straighter. “I’ve never met anyone like you, Angus Sangster. You’re so perfect it’s hard to believe you are real.” She reached up and pinched his cheek.

He smiled down at her. “Oh, I’m real all right, lass. My hand on yer butt for that pinch will make that clear soon enough.”

She reached up and kissed the spot she’d just pinched. “I think I might be falling in love with you too, but it terrifies me,” she confessed. “I didn’t want this, I’m not ready for another relationship.”

Angus pulled to the side of the road again.

“We’re never going to get to Inverness at this rate,” she giggled.

He put the truck in park and pulled her in close to his body. “I know ye aren’t ready, honey,” he said softly, palming her cheek. “There is a lot goin’ on in yer life right now, I understand that. It’s why I said take all the time ye need, just don’t shut me out. I want to be here for ye and support ye through it all.”

Tears spurted into Poppy’s eyes. “Angus...I-I don’t know what to say.”

“Then don’t talk, just feel,” he growled as he put one big palm behind her head and held her while he kissed her breathless.

The sound of a horn blaring outside his window made them jerk apart and he whirled around to see Dal and Henry slowly passing him in one of Neamh’s trucks with big grins and thumbs up.

“That Dal is a pistol,” he growled, some red creeping up his neck.

“I think he’s cute,” she laughed. “When he has you as a role model, how can he help being a tease? I don’t know Ainsley, but Lucerne said Dal is interested.”

He’s never even met Ainsley,” Angus snorted as he released her and started the truck again. “He’s always got a girlfriend stashed away, that lad, and on the prowl for another one at the same time.”

“Maybe he just hasn’t found the right one yet.”

Angus shot her a grin. “Well Ainsley is one lass he’d better be sure he’s ready to tangle with because she’ll tie him in knots and laugh while she’s at it if he isn’t careful.”

“She sure is a beautiful young girl in her pictures.”

---