Page 75 of A Flower for Angus

Chapter 18

Aweek later, theywere having supper at the mansion with Andrea’s family when Angus got a call from Darro. He excused himself and left the table. When he came back, he looked worried, but didn’t volunteer any information until after Andrea and Morgan had left with the kids.

“Is everything all right at Neamh?” Poppy asked curiously as they retired to the living room on the main floor. No one ever used it but them. Edna had her own cable and such in her living quarters and she and Ralston were very reclusive.

Angus liked the 58-inch smart TV on the wall. It wasn’t something he’d ever need at Thistlewind, but it was nice to watch the Explorer’s channel when he was waiting on Poppy.

“Nay, lass, it’s not all right. Darro has an emergency and I’m afraid I’m goin’ to have to return to Heaven’s Gate.”

Poppy shot him a concerned glance. “What kind of emergency?”

“Henry turned over one of the trucks and he and Dal are both in the hospital. Dal has a broken arm and Henry has a bad cut down his thigh and a crushed knee. Neither one of them are goin’ to be able to work for several weeks. Sheep shearin’ starts in two days. That means all hands-on deck to get the wool to market on time, and we are now four down with me over here and Bailes retired because of his arthritis last month. Darro hasna been able to replace him yet.”

“Can’t he hire shearers?”

Angus shook his head. “Not this late. All of the usual labor for hire is already spoken for and ye can’t just hire someone with no experience. They’d be more of a hazard to the rest of us than a help.” He hesitated and then ask, “How close are ye to bein’ done here, Poppy? Do ye think ye can manage from Scotland now that ye have yer CEO in place and things sorted out?”

“No, I’m not ready yet, Angus,” she protested. “I need to be here in person for awhile and oversee the merging and additional hiring we need to do after it’s official. And...a million other things,” she finished, waving her hands around in the air. “William needs me here.”

Then he asked something that she wasn’t prepared for.

“Do ye think ye will ever be ready? Or are ye wantin’ to stay here with yer family now that ye’re safe again?” His keen gaze was glued to her face.

Poppy didn’t know what to say. “I...I planned on returning to Scotland.”

His eyes narrowed. “Planned? Or Plan? Because there is a big difference in those two words.”

“I want to be with you, Angus,” she replied slowly. “I just don’t know what that means for me yet.”

“I understand,” he replied finally, disappointed. “I’ll no push ye, Poppy. Ye know how I feel about ye.” He stood up abruptly. “I’ll be in the study. I need to see about bookin’ the first flight available.”

Troubled, Poppy stood up too. “Of course, I’ll drive you to the airport. Just let me know when.” When Poppy’s cell phone rang it was William, needing to talk to her about a new problem that had cropped up. She didn’t even notice when Angus returned to the doorway of the living room while she paced back and forth gesticulating to the air as she argued with her new CEO. By the time she got off the phone it was near midnight.

Quickly, she made her way through the silent foyer to the study. The lights were off and Angus wasn’t there. Then she made her way to her bedroom and opened the connecting door to his bedroom. He was lying on his side facing away from her, but he rolled over and sat up.

“I’m glad to see ye’re keepin’ to yer word lass. I want ye to know I’m proud of ye fer that. I can plainly see that ye’re lookin’ much less tired and edgy. That makes me feel a little better about returnin’ to Scotland without ye. Thank ye, wee one,” he said softly.

She walked over to him and stood between his knees to bend and hug him. He hugged her tightly around her middle and rested his forehead against her soft breasts. Her body ached for his touch. “Could you...do you think you...” she ventured before he looked up. For the first time, he denied what he knew she wanted.

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