Poppy's Present (Poppy's Place)

by Beck, Stephanie

  Poppy’s Present

  Copyright 2013 by Stephanie Beck

  Published by Stephanie Beck

  Copyright 2013 Cover Art by Fantasia Frog Designs

  Editing and Formatting Services by Wizards in Publishing

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Poppy's Passions

  Book 1 in the Poppy's Place Series. Re-releasing June 19, 2013.

  Mary's Men

  Book 2 in the Poppy's Place Series coming October 21, 2013

  Also by Stephanie Beck

  A Winter Tale with Marshmallows

  Unraveling Midnight

  Home to Hellas

  Just One More

  David's Angel

  Barely Dreaming

  Panties Optional

  Immoderately Infatuated

  Super Love

  Poppy’s Present

  A Poppy’s Place Short

  By

  Stephanie Beck

  Chapter One

  The jars hissed, steam blistering even through the oven mitt. Poppy cussed and jerked her hand away before killing the burner. Sweat dripped off her face, but not tears. A stupid little burn didn’t warrant tears though they were closer to the surface than normal. Poppy hurried to the sink and ran cold water over the redness. She preferred canning in her ground-floor kitchen, but Mary already had the business kitchen stocked. The basement area sported all the necessities and even a sound system, but no windows. Her personal sink overlooked the backyard where the girls would be playing around this time, Grandma or one of the grandpas pushing them on swings.

  The pattering of little feet down the stairs made her smile. She looked over her shoulder, not sure which one of her three daughters would soon make an appearance. Dee, buck naked and covered in mud, tore through the basement, leaving a trail of black, wet dirt behind her on the gray carpet.

  “What are you doing, you crazy baby?”

  Dee put her hands on her hips. “I’m not a baby. There’s a whole bunch of dirt in the backyard for the new flowerbed. Grandpa Duane put out the hose for Grandma and bam—mud all over. You should see Lola. She and Da are all caked in sludge. Come and play, Mommy.”

  Her eldest took off back up the stairs, trailing more dirt, before Poppy could comment or argue. She adored her in-laws. A more accepting, loving, life-affirming group she’d never met, but her temples pounded at the thought of how filthy the tub would be after she bathed her twin five-year-olds and three-year-old.

  Trevor would be back the next morning, Michael had late classes, and Cody hadn’t made it into the house before bedtime in a week thanks to a new breeding system they’d implemented on the ranch. Being married to three men should have made managing three children a breeze. It should have made after bedtime a blast. Lately...nothing seemed to go quite right. By year six of marriage, the mystery and constant new discoveries had faded into something different. It wasn’t always exciting. Not always fun and games, but that didn’t diminish the commitment and love shared.

  She wet a washcloth in cold water and shut off the faucet. They were due for a nice night out or maybe a weekend away, but for now, mud was settling into the carpets, and she needed to get a jump on it.

  Chapter Two

  Michael silently eased the front door closed behind him, but Poppy winced and whipped around toward the girls’ bedrooms. She held her breath for a few seconds, but when no one emerged, she turned back to Michael and smiled.

  “Hi, Big Guy. How was your day?” She set her book aside and snuggled deeper into the sofa where she’d settled with a blanket after the summer sun set.

  He hung his black tote on his hook and pulled out a few books. “Long. You’d think I’d be used to the bullshit of law school after two years of it, but it’s getting old.”

  Michael plopped on the sofa with a huff, his shoulders rounded. She reached up and rubbed his arm. When the county hired an in-house detective, Michael’s business had dried up, forcing him to look for something new. Finding a new niche had taken longer than any of them would have liked, but law seemed to suit him. His father’s practice offered Michael an opening to join an established business. Thomas wanted to ease back, and Michael would be ready as soon as he finished another few months of classes and passed the bar exam.

  “You’re doing so great,” she said. “Tell me about class.”

  “I really don’t want to.” He leaned back and closed his eyes. “Legal precedent and contract obligations are beating around my brain, arguing with one another. Tell me about your day, beautiful. How are the girls? Already in bed?”

  “Well, your parents made the backyard a mud hole while tilling up the garden, so the girls had a lovely mud bath, followed by a real bath in Mary’s tub, thank goodness. Grandpa Thomas made hot dogs and the girls didn’t say boo at bedtime, except they wanted a sleepover at Grandma’s house.”

  “And you said no?” He raised an eyebrow. “Baby, you deserve a night off. Mom loves having sleepovers.”

  Poppy shrugged. “Well, all the grandpas were home tonight, so I think Grandma is going to be a bit busy. Besides, why have a night off? I would have been sitting out here alone—only earlier.”

  Michael rolled his his shoulders and let his head follow until he frowned at her. “I’m sorry. I knew school would be a commitment, but I didn’t realize it would be so consuming. I did fine getting my bachelor’s degree, but this is a different duck. I have an online study group tonight, but how about Saturday I take you and the girls to the zoo?”

  She rubbed her palm up his shoulder and rested it on his cheek. “Really? You have to study tonight?”

  He kissed her fingers, the lack of answer an answer in itself.

  She pushed up from her comfy spot and straddled his lap. “What if I were to put on a cheerleader outfit? Maybe shake my pom-poms like the college girls? Then could I tempt you from your work?”

  His hands moved to her hips. He squeezed her butt, but didn’t move from his position on the sofa. “If anyone could tempt me, it would be you. Can we save the pom-pom shaking for Saturday? I promise I’ll bring my A game.”

  She smiled and hoped it hid her disappointment. She was tired, too, but wanted some reminder of their spark. She fiddled with his thick hair, still nearly black despite the last year of stress, and tugged his head forward. He met her kiss with a grin. The same flash she felt on their very first kiss so long ago lit, burning away much of her fatigue. She sank deeper into his lap, pressing her breasts to his chest. She’d left her bra off after showering and with only her thin blouse and his t-shirt between them, she could imagine her breasts in his palms.

  He parted his lips and she took the invitation, darting her tongue between them and dueling with his. She tightened her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer as she rolled her hips to his crotch. Too many layers separated them. She ran her hand down his chest until she flicked his jeans snap open. Michael broke the kiss and pulled his head away. Poppy rubbed his hardening cock.

  “Baby, I have a class connect in ten minutes.” The regret in his eyes and lines around his frown begged for forgiveness. “Saturday. I promise.”

  The main door opened. Poppy swiveled, hoping to find Cody ready to pick up where Michael left off. The youngest brother tossed his muddy hat on the bench and slumped beside it.

  “Holy crap. I have never been more exhausted
in my life. And what the hell is with all the mud in the yard? I think if it’s all the same to you guys, I’m going to sleep right here.”

  Of course he thought that. She pushed up from Michael’s lap.

  He snagged the edge of her shorts. “I’ll skip the meeting and come to bed.”

  She shook her head. They had to be allowed to have days like this. She had hers, and they respected her space.

  “Don’t worry about it, Big Guy. But I expect very good things on Saturday.” She added a wink.

  “You should. I’m pulling out all the stops.” He pushed to his feet and kissed her cheek. “I love you. Thanks for understanding.”

  Understanding. She ambled toward her room—her favorite place in the house—stopping along the way to check on the girls. Each slept, the blonde-haired dolls recharging for another busy day. She kept on, past Trevor’s unoccupied room. On second thought, she backtracked and tiptoed into his space. He’d left clothes and books on the floor, like always, but she ignored them. He didn’t like her to pick up after him, and she’d had her fill of cleaning.

  She crawled between the cool, crisp sheets, fresh from when he left three days earlier. He always changed them before traveling so he didn’t have to fuss when he was jetlagged. She took the middle of the large mattress and picked up one of the many electronic tablets Trevor kept around.

  She opened it to find the battery nearly dead, but sent him a message on it anyway. He’d called earlier in the evening and talked with the girls and with her for a while. It had been nice, but she wanted him home.

  P: I miss you. Today got long.

  She snuggled down in his bed, not expecting a reply. His game design crew met every six months and made the most of their time together—often programming and planning all night. He’d invited her to go along, but the singularly horrible and boring experience of her first one—where the energy drinks had flowed like wine and conversation circled around bytes and mythical lands, made her all too happy to send him alone.

  The messenger program dinged.

  T: You are the sexiest, most amazing woman in the whole fucking world. The guys are putting together a new female character. I told them if they wanted to make her truly remarkable, they’d give her auburn hair, six freckles on her nose, an apple bottom, and a little Texas twang.

  Her heart melted. She loved her men so much. They adored and understood her on levels still growing. Even her blood relatives didn’t care enough to “get” her. Trevor, Cody, and Michael, each in his own way, strove to make her feel special.

  P: And?

  T: They went with big boobs and a sword. Obvious, sexist fuckers. I’ll be home a little later tomorrow because my flight was changed. Another fucker involved, if you can believe it.

  Six years together and though he didn’t swear in front of the kids, he made up for it in text format.

  P: Bummer. I’ll be ready for you. I’m sleeping in your bed.

  T: Take off your panties, will ya?

  She smirked, but tucked her orange bikinis under his pillow.

  P: Done.

  T: You are the best wife ever. I can’t wait to be home. Dream of me, okay?

  The battery blinked, threatening shutdown. She quickly tapped out a response.

  P: Will do. Love you.

  The screen blacked out after she hit “send.” She hated not having a final response from him, but put the tablet in its place. She’d charge it the next day, and even better than texting, Trevor would be home.

  Chapter Three

  The sound of little feet running down the hall woke Poppy before the early morning sunshine. She enjoyed waking up to light on her face, but as she peeled her eyes open, she realized there was only darkness—which meant she’d slept in Trevor’s room where his blackout curtains let him sleep anytime. And she wasn’t alone.

  Cody stretched out on her left, Michael on her right. She wiggled up to sitting and looked down at her men. Exhaustion showed on both faces, the creases deeper on Michael’s face, but though seven years younger, Cody had plenty of wrinkles from squinting into the sun.

  Rugged. Even sleeping—Michael in a white t-shirt, Cody bare chested—both looked rough and tumble. She ran her fingers through Cody’s hair. He worked so hard on the ranch, but they were coming close to the months when he could relax a bit. When the twins started kindergarten, he’d have time to take them to school and help with homework. They’d all have more time. She should have known early summer would be a challenge. It always was.

  She shifted her hand to Michael. He studied through the summer with hopes of finishing early and being able to work from home while the kids were still young. He’d get there. She leaned down and kissed his cheek.

  His eyes flew open, the blue gaze piercing and alert.

  “I’m sorry I let you go to bed alone.”

  She leaned down and pecked his nose. “I knew better than to try to seduce you on your class connect night.”

  He shook his head. “No, it’s my fault. I’m too busy. It’s not fair to you. I’m going to take the girls to the library so you can have the morning to yourself. How’s that sound?”

  “Sounds very sweet. They’ll love it.”

  Cody’s warm arm crept around her middle and tugged her away from Michael. “Morning.”

  “Good morning, Baby Boy. I’m glad you didn’t stay on the bench all night.”

  He chuckled, the rich sound emerging from deep in his chest. “It was close. Michael kicked my butt into gear just after midnight. When I didn’t find you in your room, I figured you’d be here.”

  “I’m a sucker for fresh sheets.”

  He turned her in his arms until they were face to face. Michael massaged her back. She relaxed against Cody, his morning erection hard against her thigh. She shimmied her hips and wiggled her eyebrows.

  “Hmmm, seems like all that rest did your body good.”

  She kissed down the length of his neck, taking smacking bites of his prickly skin while letting her fingers drift down his chest toward his cock. Cody moaned and pushed another pillow under his head, propping himself higher. She peeked up with one eye, loving the playful glint of his expression.

  Behind her, Michael rubbed her butt and slipped his hands between her thighs, reminding her she’d taken her panties off the night before. He petted her pussy, playing his fingers over her opening and tapping her clit. She arched her back, welcoming him for the more she hoped he’d take.

  Cody’s grasp moved from her waist to her breasts, holding her in place a moment so she couldn’t continue her descent to his cock. He fondled each, flicking his fingertips over the nipples and squeezing almost too hard. She closed her eyes, savoring the contact and play she’d needed for too long. Michael’s warm lips nibbled on her backside. She cast a glance over her shoulder to find her lover’s eyes beaming her way.

  “Mommy! Lola fell off the couch and hit her head!”

  The muted announcement took the wind out of Poppy’s sails. She looked away from Michael to Cody. His sexy grin changed to a half smirk. “Why the hell did we think we could get away with this?”

  “I’ll get them,” Michael said. “You two keep going.”

  “Mommy! Dee bit me, and Lola’s head is gushing blood.”

  Poppy patted Cody’s chest. “Sorry, Baby Boy. We’ll do this again soon.”

  Cody lifted her to her feet and rolled to his side. “Damn right we will. Very soon. What are your Saturday plans?”

  “Mine,” Michael said, pulling on pajama pants and hopping out the door.

  She smiled at Cody. “Yep, already claimed.”

  “And Trevor is back today, so that’s out,” Cody said. He grabbed a white t-shirt from Trevor’s drawer. “Come Sunday night, we’re all going to rock your world.”

  Poppy threw on a pair of Trevor’s boxers and followed Michael’s calming voice toward the living room. Sunday sounded nice, but it was still four days away. She’d be hopeful...but practical.

  Chapter Four<
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  After growing up in a house with too many rules and too little laughter, Poppy had thought she’d never grow tired of voices, and while she wasn’t necessarily tired of them, a little silence would go a long way. She strolled past where Lola played a board game with Grandpa Thomas, waving at her youngest who sported a small bruise above her eye, but no major damage from her tumble. She headed down to the basement where she’d left another batch of jam. Jam making hadn’t started as a fulltime job, but the success they had at SaraJean’s farmer’s market meant they went through a whole lot of fruit.

  Poppy smiled at the picture Mary, Dee, and Da made as they curled ribbon. She paused and soaked it in. Mary was born to be a mother and grandmother—she’d claimed it from the first time Poppy met her, and every day her mother-in-law showed the infinite patience and kindness Poppy wished came easier. She didn’t think she was a bad mom, but Mary had a special gift.

  “And here is your beautiful mama, come to collect the jars, I’m sure.” Mary grinned over the girls’ bowed heads. “How do they look? Dee and Da have been excellent helpers.”

  Poppy stepped closer and examined the bright gingham cutouts on top of the shiny jars, all pulled together with a white ribbon and brown paper logo. “Excellent. Top notch. I see many summers of canning in your futures.”

  “Grandma pays us.” Dee showed two holes of lost teeth with her grin. “We’ll have enough to go to the theme park soon. Airfare, though, that’s the killer.”

  Poppy bit back a chuckle. The words came straight from Grandpa Thomas’ mouth, which Michel often echoed in his own ways. The two were the thriftiest in the family, but never skimped on fun. Mary patted each girl on her shoulder and slowly pushed to her feet. She rubbed her hands against her khaki capris and lifted one of the packed boxes.