Page 29 of This Time I'm Keeping You
“I’ll look around first, and then I’ll have some questions for you.”
“Okay.”
“You’re shivering,” Nick said.
“Shivering and thinking is all part of processing all this.”She waved a hand about again.
“I don’t remember that smart mouth in college,” Nick said, moving to her closet.
“You didn’t lose yours,” Poppy said.
“And never will,” Billy said looking at her dressing table.
“What are you doing?”Poppy asked when Nick moved to the open door of her closet and looked inside.
“Here.Put this on.”He handed her a hoodie.It was her writing sweatshirt—big and sloppy.When she didn’t move fast enough, he held it out.
“Hand up.”
“I can put my sweatshirt on, Nick.”
“Your arm is in a sling.”
“The other one works.”Her words were muffled as he dropped it over her head.
“Nick?”a voice called from downstairs.
“Up here, Em.”
“Do you people do everything as a unit?”Poppy asked as the youngest Atherton ran up the stairs and appeared in the doorway.Behind her came another one.The genes in this family, she thought.They were all good-looking.
“Usually,” Nick said.
“Hey, I’m Sam, the hot Atherton.Real sorry you’re going through this, Poppy,” he said.
“Man, this sucks.”Emma studied the mess.
“Big time.”Poppy accepted the inevitable hugs from Emma and Sam.
“Em, you help her pack a bag and then come downstairs,” Nick said.He then walked out of the room with Billy and Sam on his heels.
“Why do I need a bag?”Poppy asked.
“You can’t stay here,” Emma said, diving into the closet and finding a large overnight bag.
“You’re right, I’ll need a hotel for a few nights.”Poppy gave herself a mental shake.First the mugging and now this.It was taking its toll on her, especially when she couldn’t be sure he hadn’t found her and was responsible.The thought of that man stalking her again was terrifying.
“Sit in the chair, Poppy, and I’ll put your socks and shoes on, because even though those slippers are nice, I don’t think you want to wear them outside.”
“I can do that,” Poppy protested.
“With one arm?”
They were forceful, these Athertons, she thought minutes later as she sat in the chair while Emma put the sneakers she’d found on her feet and laced them up.
“Okay, now you direct me, and I’ll load the overnight bag.”
She was too tired to protest, so Poppy told Emma what she needed.When they had the toiletries packed, they were done.
