Page 11 of A Dream for Daphne

Maybe not the same thing, but Holly had fun digging and that was all that counted.

“It is,” Poppy said. “And Holly won’t stop talking about wanting a digger truck.”

She laughed. “I told her a shovel and pail work just as well.”

“I appreciate that,” Poppy said. “That is how we did it. I’m sure Reese is going to get her a few things. He’s eating this up. I think he wants to go out and help Abe.”

She paused and looked at Poppy who was finishing her coffee and putting the cup in the sink. Neither of the kids was around yet and that told her they were both most likely sleeping or Reese had them.

“Abe?” she asked.

It wasn’t a common name to her. She’d only heard it once.

Her one-night stand that she couldn’t get out of her head.

“Abe Cooke,” Poppy said. “It’s his company. He’s from the area. We were in school together. Nice guy. Hot, if you’re interested.” Her boss was wiggling her eyebrows. “I can introduce the two of you. I’m pretty sure he’s single. I love to gossip, and I’ve got a few minutes. His cousin Easton is dating Laurel who works with your brother.”

She’d met Laurel once when Aster brought her around the building. Laurel was the plant manager or something. Aster liked the woman, but Aster liked just about anyone.

“What a small world,” she said. “I’m not used to those things.”

“You better get used to them around here. Everyone knows everyone else’s business.”

“That’s annoying,” she said, frowning.

The last thing she would have wanted was anyone to know that she and Aster grew up with parents who spent more time partying than parenting.

Or that she was paying half of her parents' bills and working two jobs because her other choice was to move out and pay even more on her own.

Best thing that happened to her was Aster convincing her to come for a visit and then meeting Poppy and her sisters.

Her years in childcare had them making up their minds right away to offer her this nanny job.

Since she needed to find a place to live with her parents selling their house, she figured it was best to just start over where she knew she’d get the love and support from the only person who’d been in her corner. Her brother.

“You don’t know the half of it,” Poppy said. “Or maybe you do. Aster has said he left to come here because he got sick of the talk about what happened to him. Zane’s call almost saved him in a way. Or I like to think that because I believe in fate.”

Poppy was giggling and wiggling her shoulders.

She laughed.

Her brother had been home on leave and saved a teenager from an attempted abduction. He got shot in the chest and could have died. He hadn’t.

But he lost his military career that he loved. He was paid a huge reward for his heroism and needed to leave the area before he strangled their parents for trying to get money out of him.

Poppy was right: her brother-in-law, Zane Wolfe, who was married to Lily Bloom-Wolfe, all but saved her brother.

In turn, it probably saved her too.

“I think you’re right,” she said. “I still can’t thank you enough for this opportunity. I feel like I’m taking advantage of things. Something like this is a dream. Not just where I’m living now, but I almost don’t know what to do with myself. I’ve never had this much time on my hands.”

Poppy laughed. “Take advantage of it for having worked so hard in your young life. I know, I’ve been there. I’ll be going back to work full time in a few weeks and you’ll be busier.”

“I know. I will during the days for sure. But I’m used to a full-time day job, then working nights or weekends. If you need me for anything, please ask. Even if you want a date night with Reese.”

“Shhhh,” Poppy said. “Don’t say that too loudly, or Reese will be making plans every Friday night. Then the next thing I know, I’ll have baby number three in me. Two is enough, but my husband loves me pregnant.” Poppy leaned down and lowered her voice. “It’s the hormones. Makes me super horny.”

She laughed. “Do it,” she said. “The date nights. Maybe not baby number three yet, but I could handle it if you did. You deserve it and it gives me something to do.”

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