“Of course.” I hang up the phone, flagging down Ralph to settle my bill. “I have to go. Marissa is sick.” So much for catching up to Poppy tonight and trying to muddle through yet another of my screw-ups. My daughter needs me, and the guilt that she’s sick while I’m drinking at a bar eats further into my psyche.
“Poor lamb. I hope she feels better.”
I turn to look at Gayle, the first time since our argument. She really is a wonderful woman, even if I feel nothing beyond friendship for her. I grasp her hand, giving it a squeeze. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I’m going to ask for it, anyway. I’m sorry I hurt you or if you thought I led you on. What I did tonight was stupid and careless. You didn’t deserve it.”
Gayle considers my words, clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “You’re still a bastard. But at least I’ve lost the inclination to put sugar in your gas tank.”
“What a pal,” I mutter, forcing a smile.
“Hey, I actually am a pal. All things considered.” She pulls back her hand, tapping it on the bar. “I’d be more concerned about making things right with Poppy. I’ve never seen a woman so angry before. Rightfully so, Dylan.”
I walk into town hall the following morning, sucking down another cup of coffee. I’m exhausted, but thankfully Marissa’s fever broke during the night, and this morning she was giggling at her cartoons.
If only adults bounced back as quickly.
I texted Poppy last night, imploring her to forgive me, but never received an answer. No surprise there. But I’m not giving up. There is no way in hell that I’m not making that woman mine again.
And this time, I’m not letting her go.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” Troy quips, his booted legs propped up on the desk as he swigs his coffee.
“Save it, Troy.” I’m in no mood for my friend today.
“What crawled up your ass and died?”
“I’m tired.” Hey, it’s not a lie.
“I heard there was quite the showdown at the bar last night.”
I whirl around, eyes blazing. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Troy raises his hands in mock surrender, but the man loves getting under my skin. “It’s a small town. When the mayor has a love triangle play out in public, it’s bound to be newsworthy.”
“Wonderful. That’s all I need.”
Troy stands, clapping me on the shoulder. “I’m messing with you. Susan told me. She ran into Gayle at the coffee shop.”
I release a sigh, thankful that at least the row wasn’t front page news. “Have you spoken to Poppy today?”
“No, but I’ll see her in a little while.”
My back goes up at his statement. Not if I can help it. “How come?”
“She asked me to meet her at the shooting range. You know she found tracks, right?”
“Yeah, she told me. Anything check out?”
“Likely some hunter made a wrong turn. Personally, I don’t think she should be out there alone, but she’s stubborn. I even offered to be her roommate until spring.”
“What a guy. Sorry to break it to you, but I need you today. We have to sort out this situation at Poppy’s cabin. Also, those are protected woods, so anyone hunting needs to be informed.”
Troy rolls his eyes, hitting the desk with his fist. “Why don’t you just say it?”
“Say what?”
“You don’t want me around Poppy. Come on, man, you’ve come up with more bullshit excuses to keep me away from her. I figured you had a thing for her, but then I find out you invited Gayle to the bar last night, so that negates that idea. So, what is it? What do you dislike about Poppy?”
I toss the folders on my desk, my hands on my hips. “I really don’t want to get into this now.”
“Dylan, I stood up with you at your wedding. We’ve been friends forever. If there’s something wrong with her, if she’s trouble, let me know.”
“She’s the best kind of trouble.”
“What does that mean?”
“You remember the woman that I met while I was traveling the country?”
“Yeah, the one you always regretted leaving?” A flash of realization moves across his face. “That’s Poppy?”
“Yep.”
“Wow. Is she a stalker?”
“No. We didn’t know each other’s last names. It was some coincidence that brought her here. To hear her tell it, it was Merry.”
“She knew your wife?”
“She claims that Merry started visiting her in a dream, telling her to come here. So, she did.”
Troy rubs his chin, chuckling at my words. “She’s off her rocker crazy. No surprise, most hippies are.”
“She’s not crazy. I think it’s a sign.” Troy and I swing our gazes toward Susan as she pokes her head in the door.
“I don’t know what it is,” I mumble, although I tend to agree with my secretary. “But I would appreciate it if you’d let me have some room to maneuver with Poppy. I need to try to repair the damage I caused last night.”
Troy hesitates for a few moments before blowing out a resigned sigh. “Figures that the most beautiful woman to show up in a decade belongs to the mayor.”
“Hey,” Susan barks, narrowing her eyes. “We’re not all wildebeests, you know.”
Troy leans over, pecking Susan on the cheek. “No darling, but you’re already taken.” He grabs his hat off the desk, sending me a pointed look. “Apparently, so is Poppy.”
I watch my friend leave, grateful that at least one obstacle is crossed. Troy is good to his word. If he says he’ll back off, he will. No questions asked. I peer to my left, noting Susan’s disapproving glare. “Don’t even say it.”
“Say what? What an utter jerk you are for what you did to both Gayle and Poppy last night? When I left, you two were so cozy together. What happened?”
“Gayle showed up.”
“According to Gayle, you asked her to meet you at the bar.”
I rub my brow, knowing there’s no way to avoid looking like a total douche. “I did.”
“And then proceeded to love up Poppy? Dylan, what the hell?”
“I messed up. I got lost in Poppy, which is what always happens when I’m with her. I totally forgot about everything else, including Gayle.”
“So, this is Poppy’s fault? Hmm, I don’t buy it.” Susan glowers at me, tossing some files onto my desk. “Might I suggest something?”
“You will, regardless.”
“You’re in love with Poppy, right? Don’t bother answering. I know you are. Start giving her reasons to love you back, because you’ve supplied her with a lifetime of reasons not to.”
I hate that Susan is right. “What if she doesn’t want me back?”
“Dylan, I saw the way you two looked at each other last night. The fire is there, but you’d better be careful not to snuff it out with your own stupidity.”
I pull into the shooting range, but instead of trepidation, I feel resolve.