“What about Brett?” asked Thomas. “Is there something more between the two of you? More than him just being neighborly and helping you move in?”
Brett held his breath, waiting for her answer.
“Honestly, I really hope so. I’m not saying this to hurt you, Thomas, but he’s important to me. He’s always been important to me. Yes, it hurt when you told me you didn’t love me anymore and wanted a divorce. But it hurt way more when things ended with him all those years ago.”
“I see,” said Thomas, sounding pissed and hurt.
“No. You don’t,” said Poppy. “You’re hurt by what I said. But it wasn’t said to be mean. It was the truth, and I think had we bothered to have a little more truth in our relationship, our lives would have been very different.”
“You’re right. You’d have never married me,” said Thomas. “You’d have gone after him.”
“No. I wouldn’t have. I could have hunted him down back then, but he’d made it clear what he did and didn’t want out of life then. I had too much pride to beg for a change of heart.”
Thomas sighed. “What about now? Still have too much pride?”
Brett leaned close to Poppy and spoke into the phone. “Come on over here and ask that with me standing here.”
“Wow, Poppy. Sounds like a real winner you got there,” said Thomas.
Poppy stared at Brett, her eyes wide. “You could hear what Thomas said?”
Brett froze. “Um, well, yes. I think your phone is turned up all the way or something.”
Jeffrey did a fake cough as he said “smooth.”
“It’s getting late there,” said Thomas, anger evident in his voice. “Does that mean he’s sleeping over?”
“That is none of your business. I’m hanging up now,” she said.
“No. Wait!” shouted Thomas. “About Marla. I told you the truth. The things she had weren’t right. Poppy, something is off. What I found in Marla’s things, it reminds me of some of the stuff we helped your mom and dad pack after his mother passed away. It’s all very occult-like.”
She groaned. “My grandmother wasn’t an occultist. She saw herself as a witch, Thomas. We’ve been over this. That doesn’t equal satanic. Please stop thinking it does.”
“I know but, Poppy, something is wrong. My gut says you’re in danger,” said Thomas. “That something bad wants to hurt you.”
“Good-bye, Thomas, and I hope you work out things between you and the woman you picked over me.” With that, she hung up and stared down at her cell phone on her lap. She then looked up at Dana. “Did I really just tell him all of that?”
Dana smiled wide. “I’m proud of you. All it took for you to hold your ground was him going at Brett. Nice. I’ll goad Thomas into calling Brett a hillbilly again, so you really can hex him to lick doorknobs the rest of his days.”
Poppy laughed. “Thanks. Not sure why I said that.”
Marcy grinned. “Because it’s a spell your grandmother taught you when you were three to use on the little boy at preschool who was being mean to you. Of course, it wasn’t a lifelong one. It was just for a week, but it worked.”
The way Poppy continued to find the topic amusing said she didn’t believe her friend. But Marcy’s words rang true to Brett, and from the looks on Jeffrey’s and Travis’s faces, they too believed it.
Dana glanced in Brett’s direction and nodded at his shirt. “I’ve been meaning to ask about that shirt. You a cop? I only ask because you have more of a fireman vibe to you.”
Jeffrey regarded her with an even expression. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Marcy replied, “He’s very attractive and buff. Like what women think all firemen look like.”
Dana gave Marcy a thumbs-up. “What she said.”
Jeffrey’s jaw set as he glared in Brett’s direction.
Brett stared wide-eyed at his pack alpha. “What am I supposed to say to that?”
“Stress how you’re not all buff and whatever else she said,” demanded Jeffrey.
Poppy cocked her head to one side. “You want him to lie? Why? You’re all very, very, very fit men. I remember you guys being string beans back when I was in high school and even when I started college. There was nothing to any of you except for height. I’m very pleasantly surprised to see that you’ve each bulked up nicely.”
Brett stared at her. “You think they’re attractive?”
Dana laughed. “Men are so competitive and weird. People make women out to be that way, but really, you should see yourselves right now.”
“Don’t lump me in with them,” said Travis. “I’m hot and I know it. Plus, I’m fine with everyone noticing and thinking they are too.”
Dana pointed to Brett’s shirt again. “You didn’t answer me about being a cop or not?”
“He’s the chief of police here,” said Travis for him.
Poppy squealed and twisted around, going to her knees next to him. “Ohmygod, Brett! Really?”
He nodded, suddenly embarrassed by all the attention.
“Your dad has to be so proud of you,” she said, her eyes growing moist.
“He is,” said Jeffrey. “Brags to anyone who will listen just how much Brett is a chip off the old block.”
A lone tear escaped Poppy and ran down her cheek.
Brett reached for it and gently eased it off her smooth skin. “Poppy-seed, what’s wrong?”
“I was so wrapped up in my own life and the move here that I didn’t stop to ask you about yourself today. Had I, I’d have known you’re the chief, and I could have told you how happy I am for you.” She began to cry more.
“Pops,” said Dana softly. “You’ve had a really long day and an even longer six months. I think it’s taking an emotional toll on you. You’re crying because you’re both happy and sad over the guy.”
Marcy appeared sympathetic to her friend’s plight. “Actually, she’s ovulating, so her moods and hormones are kind of all over the place.”
“Overshare, sweetie,” said Dana to Marcy.
Marcy looked directly at Brett. “Or just the information that needed to be stated right now. Well, I think I’m going to tuck in early tonight.”
Dana nodded. “Same. I’m sore all over.”
Jeffrey waggled his brows. “Want me to rub you down with that salve?”
“Want me to break all your fingers?” she retorted.
“Depends,” added Jeffrey. “On if I first get to rub you down. Could be worth the pain.”
Snorting, Dana stood, walked over behind the wicker chair he was in, and patted his shoulder. “Maybe at some point. But not tonight. Thanks for your help today, blondie.”
Brett didn’t want to leave for more than one reason. One, he wanted to be near Poppy. Two, there was a killer on the loose in town who may or may not have a thing for witches. If Jeffrey’s hunch was right, and Poppy’s return to Grimm Cove wasn’t random, but rather orchestrated, he didn’t want to risk leaving her unprotected.
Desperate to think of a reason to remain even though the cleansing seemed to be working and it was evident the girls were tired, Brett stood, very slowly as his knee locked up on him. “Son-of-a—”
He cleared his throat, rubbing his knee as he did.
Poppy sighed, rising to her feet as well. Her hand found his. “Come on. I’ll rub your knee with the salve and take a look at anything else I might be able to put together that could give you some relief.”
“Poppy, do you know if he’s allergic to cayenne or not?” asked Marcy, a knowing grin spreading over her face. “Would be a shame to put it on him, send him home only for him to have a reaction there—all alone.”
Brett instantly caught on to what Marcy was doing for him. “Oh yeah. I’ve always been touch and go with peppers.”
“Really? Since when?” asked Jeffrey before Brett gave him a hard look. He coughed dramatically. “Oh yeah. You and peppers have always been kind of hit or miss. Better to be safe than sorry.”
Poppy gas
ped. “I wouldn’t want him to have issues, especially if he’s home alone. Brett, do you want to stay in one of the extra rooms? I can get one dusted and cleaned quickly for you, if you want?”
“I can get it,” said Brett.
“Great. It’s settled. He’ll hang out here for the night. Jeffrey and Travis are sleeping over as well,” said Marcy, heading off the porch and into the house, humming as she went.
She was sneaky and clearly on his side.
Perfect.
He hurried into the house, wanting to handle the room before Poppy had a change of heart. When he realized she was right behind him, he paused.
“Poppy?”
“We’re going to see to your knee before we do anything else,” she said sternly.
As much as he wanted her hands on him, having her rub anything on him would leave his wolf on the verge of breaking free. “Uh, how about you just tell me how to do it and I’ll see to it?”
Eighteen
Poppy
I paced in the master bedroom, checking and rechecking the window and the door. Part of me was convinced the boogieman himself was going to leap out and be the death of me, and the other half was hopeful Brett was right—that my grandfather was still in the house.
I missed him so much and wanted to be able to see him. I also missed Grandma. She’d know exactly what to say to help me process the events of the last six months. Though, in all honesty, she’d have been happy to find out Thomas and I divorced.
She’d have been even happier to learn I’d made out with Brett today. She’d always liked him. Poor Thomas never stood a chance when it came to her. Not when she’d thought Brett was the perfect man for me.
She’d even still been supportive of him after he’d run out of the hotel on me. She’d stressed that he must have had his reasons. Not to judge him harshly until I knew the truth of the matter. Even the letter he’d sent had done nothing to sway her opinion of him.
In her eyes, the man could do no wrong.
I wrung my hands as I paced the room that had once been theirs. It felt strange claiming it for my own. I’d tried very hard to make Dana take it, but she’d refused. When I’d tried to get Marcy to have it next, she’d told me no as well.
There was a soft knock on my door before it opened to reveal Dana standing there wearing a pair of boy-cut panties and an oversize Yale T-shirt. Her long dark hair was on top of her head in a loose bun. “I heard you up in here and wanted to check on you before I hit the sack.”
I exhaled some of the stress that had been building and waved her into the room.
She came in and shut the door behind her. “You must be stressing about something.”
“Because you heard me pacing? Dead giveaway, huh?” I asked.
She motioned to my face. “Because your charcoal mask is still on your face and I saw you putting it on about an hour ago.”
I touched my face and found my cheek was tacky to the touch. “I forgot.”
“Figured.” She sat on the end of the bed. “Want to talk about the day you had?”
“It’s been really confusing.”
“Sure. I mean you hit a tree, nearly hit a drunk deer, ran into your ex-sweetie, and then locked lips with him,” she said.
I stared at her with wide eyes.
“Marcy told me all about the lip-locking,” she said. “Not that I needed her to inform me. Pretty obvious with the touching you two have been doing all day. I swear he’s been within arm’s distance to you nearly all day. How do you feel about that?”
I stared down at my hands and began to wring them again. Nerves got the best of me. “Happy. Confused. I don’t know.”
“Makes sense. I’m sure it’s a lot to soak in,” she said softly. “Poppy, I know you well. I know you’ve never been with anyone but douchebag.”
“Can we call him Thomas please?” I asked.
“You say tomato…”
I snorted. Her humor helped my nerves. “Fine. Douchebag it is. And yes. He’d be my one and only.”
“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry,” she said as if someone had died and she wanted to express her condolences.
“It’s okay, really. I’m not really built to be any other way. Not that I think there is anything wrong with owning your sexuality and doing as you please. Every woman should do what she’s comfortable with and screw what other people think.”
“Amen, sister,” said Dana. “That being said, are you nervous that things might progress between you and Brett?”
“I wasn’t until you asked me about it. Have things changed that much in the bedroom since I got married?”
Had they?
Dana looked to be fighting the urge to laugh at me.
I took a seat next to her on the bed. “Dana, what if things do progress and he’s not happy with me?”
“Why in the hell would you think he wouldn’t be happy with you that way?” she demanded, sounding offended for me.
I tensed, emotions clawing at my throat. “It’s clear Thomas never was.”
She put an arm around me and hugged me to her, our sides touching. She put her head to mine. “Babes, Thomas is a spoiled brat who has always stomped his foot and gotten his way. You did nothing wrong. You handed him your heart and he wasn’t worthy of it. Plain and simple. While I’ve never actually done you, I’m going to take a wild guess that your bedroom skills are beyond adequate. Hey, how about I go get Brett and he could test that theory? He can then report back and let me know if I’m right.”
Laughter erupted from me to the point I barked like a seal.
Dana joined in, laughing as well.
The door to the room opened and we snapped our mouths shut, unsure who was entering.
When we saw it was Marcy, we put our arms out and she ran to us as if we were still back in college and twenty years younger. She tackled us and we toppled over onto the bed, laughing as we did.
We ended up on our back, staring at the ceiling, with Marcy in the middle and Dana and I on each side of her.
“What are we laughing about?” asked Marcy.
“Poppy getting laid,” said Dana blatantly.
I snorted.
“Oh, fun. Is this about to happen? If so, we should give her and Brett some privacy,” said Marcy, making me laugh more.
“Keep making her laugh and she’s going to wet the bed,” said Dana.
“Nah, she has a vag of steel,” said Marcy. “She’s been lifting.”
I cackled and my friends joined in.
“Vag-master,” added Dana.
I snorted and squealed, feeling so much younger than my nearly forty years.
“Like Suzanne Somers but with her lady bits,” said Dana, making us laugh more.
Marcy turned partially, putting her arm over my stomach. “I’m so happy for you, Poppy. It’s past time things worked out for you.”
I offered a warm smile. “Thank you.”
She gave me a serious expression. “Need me to explain the birds and bees to you so you’re ready for Brett or do you think you got the gist of it from your time with Bad-Aura?”
Dana laughed more. “Douchebag fits better.”
Marcy beamed.
I shook my head. “You two are terrible. Brett and I aren’t there yet.”
“Well, yeah, because you’re doing it all wrong,” said Dana. “If you want to get laid, he needs to be in here with you. Not us.”
Marcy touched my sticky cheek, reminding me I still had on a face mask. “Well, maybe not just yet. Wouldn’t want to scare him off.”
I laughed more and then let out a long, slow breath. “Thank you both. The two of you gave up everything to make this move with me. You didn’t have to do that. Dana, I know for a fact you didn’t get asked to leave the district attorney’s office. And you had countless offers to go into private practice up in New York. I’ve been with you before when people tried to throw obscene amounts of money at you to get you to work for their firms. You came here for me and I know that.”
Marcy was smiling so wide I thought her face might crack despite mine having the hardened layer of goop on it.
Dana leaned up a little and looked across me at Marcy. “I knew you’d be gloating.”
“I told you this move would be good for you,” said Marcy.
I locked gazes with her. “You gave up everything to come here too. Thank you.”
“That’s what sisters do for each other, Poppy. And you better believe that after twenty years of friendship, we’re sisters, blood or not,” she said. “Now, I’m going to head to bed. I need some rest. We have a very busy night ahead of us.”
She was up and off the bed before I could ask what she meant. She hurried from the room, leaving Dana and I there on the bed.
“That girl has got to be the strangest person I know,” said Dana.
“For sure,” I added, sitting up. “I should wash my face.”
Dana sat up as well. She nodded in the direction of the door. “Come on. I’ll help you chisel it off.”
I followed her out of the room to one of the full bathrooms upstairs. The bathroom door opened and Jeffrey stepped out wrapped in a towel. “Thanks a lot, Kasper. You used the last of the hot water getting that pepper shit off your leg. We need to take a look at that hot water tank come morning. I think it’s as old as the damn house.”
Dana whistled. “Wow. This is a nice before-bed treat. Turn around so we can admire you from the back. It’s no fun to objectify you if you’re not aware we’re doing it.”
Jeffrey’s gaze snapped up and he grinned as he found Dana standing there before him.
I’d never felt more invisible in my life.
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