Page 61 of A Flower for Angus

“I’m afraid not,” she sighed woefully, “but I’ll help you look for her.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him on through the bathroom, which was huge with a sunken tub and a walk-in shower. No expense had been spared to modernize the old mansion with comfort conveniences, much like some of Scotland’s old homes.

“Then I’m afraid I’ll have to stay loyal,” he apologized. “I can’t have her thinkin’ I’d stray.”

Poppy giggled. “You just said you would if I could cook.”

He waggled his finger at her. “Nay, lass. I said Imightbe convinced. It would be verra difficult I admit, but I’m also verra determined.”

She batted her eyelashes again. “Then I guess I’ll have to admit that my name is Poppy and I can cook. Now what will you do?”

Angus growled and swooped his arm down around her legs and picked her up. “Then I’ll just have to turn ye over my knee fer lyin’ to me.”

Poppy squealed with laughter as Angus strode across the room to her neatly made bed and sat down with her on his lap.

“Don’t you dare!”

He wrestled her over his lap and pinned her in place as he spoke. “Ye shouldn’t have said that, lass. Those three words are a direct challenge to any man worth his salt. One they can’t afford to ignore lest their manhood be in question.” He lifted his arm and landed three hearty spanks on her wiggling bottom. “One spank for each word,” he said with relish as he pulled her up to look into her laughing eyes.

“That wasn’t so bad,” she purred, snuggling into him and kissing his chin.

“Come here, brat,” he replied softly, taking her chin in his big palm and devouring her mouth. Silence reigned until her cell phone rang.

With a sigh, Poppy, took her cell out of her pocket and frowned at the name. “It’s Hanrahan,” she explained to Angus.

Angus nodded as she got off his lap and took the call from the board director.

“He wants to meet with me privately at Julian’s office,” she told him as she put the phone back in her pocket.

“When?” Angus growled. He didn’t like it. Arranging a private meeting didn’t sound safe for Poppy.

“At 9:00 p.m. tonight,” she replied. “He said there are some things we alone need to discuss in person before the board meeting tomorrow.”

“Ye’re not goin’ anywhere alone, lass,” he said sternly. “And if I find out ye have, I’ll be givin’ ye that skelpin’ I promised.

Her eyebrow shot up. “I’m quite capable of handling Hanrahan.”

“Mentally, aye, I’m sure ye are more than his equal.”

“He’s not about to attack me,” she scoffed. “Why would he? I’m here to help.”

“Maybe not everyone wants ye here,” Angus growled. “Things are no adding up. If it’s no Adrian, then who killed Julian?”

“Or was he even murdered,” Poppy added. “I hate to say it, but what Edna told us makes sense. I would never have pegged Adrian desperate enough to murder his dad for any reason. He did love him and they were close. I think it was an accidental overdose.”

Angus folded his arms. “Let’s say that yer husband was murdered. Who stands to gain if it wasn’t ye or Adrian?”

“That’s what I’m hoping Vince will find out,” Poppy replied uneasily. “I’ve given him free reign to look into anything or anyone connected with all of us.”

“Aye, but whoever’s been embezzlin’ funds won’t want to be found out. That could put ye in danger and brings me back to my original statement. I don’t want ye goin’ anywhere alone.”

“That’s where I intend to focus my energy,” Poppy replied, “hence the meeting with Hanrahan tonight. But you are welcome to come if you like.” She leaned up to kiss his cheek, her eyes twinkling.

“Just try and stop me,” he vowed, enforcing his tone with a hard slap on her delicious rear.

She rubbed her butt and pouted up at him. “That wasn’t necessary.”

He held up her chin and planted a kiss on those pouty lips. “Just a reminder. Ye are mine and I don’t want to lose ye by takin’ risks that ye don’t need to. Let me help ye, wee one.”

“Even you couldn’t stop bullets, Angus Sangster,” she taunted.

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