A Soldier for Poppy (4 page)

“She can have my dessert tonight and I’ll stay off the swing today.”

For a boy with a sweet tooth larger than her own, that was quite a consequence. “Fair enough. You will apologize for scaring Becky, give up your dessert, and stay off the swing for the rest of the day.”

“Okay, Mommy.” He was off the bed in a flash and barreled into her arms. “I love you, Mommy.”

“I love you too, sweetheart. Now, go wash up and I’ll see you downstairs. Becky is sleeping so don’t disturb her. Okay?”

“Okay.”

Lost in thought, she collided with Carl as she stepped into the hallway. Strong arms, glistening with sweat, held her up when she would have fallen, the musky, male scent of him more pronounced than usual.

“Sorry, Carl. I seem to make a habit of bumping into you.”

“I’m not complaining. Are you all right?” he asked as he held her a little away from him.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“How did your discussion with Nathan go?”

“Good. He offered to apologize, give her his dessert tonight, and stay off the swing today.”

“Great! I wish I’d had the choice of punishment growing up.”

“Didn’t we all, but you know Nathan and sweets. That’s a consequence I would never have figured coming from him.”

Carl chuckled. “You’re right. Nice way to handle it though. I commend you on your parenting skills.”

“Thanks, and I’m sorry for snapping at you earlier.”

“No problem.” He slapped his left shoulder. “I’ve got broad shoulders. I can handle it.”

Mmmmm, yes. He did have broad shoulders. And a bare chest! Not a spare ounce of fat on him anywhere that she could see.

“Were you out for a run?” Duh! Stupid question.

“Yep! Not my usual five miles but it’ll do for now. Thought I’d shower and take you guys out to lunch, if that’s all right with you?”

“Fine by me, but there’s only one restaurant my kids are interested in.”

“Let me guess, McDonald’s?”

“Yes, but not just any McDonald’s. It has to be the one downtown with the indoor play area.”

“That can be arranged,” he said, his smile indulgent. “I’ll be down in twenty.”

“No rush. Becky’s still sleeping. See you downstairs.”

He turned toward his room and she watched him go, his back muscles rippling with every step. She wasn’t much for physical exercise, except for gardening. In her opinion, there were much better ways of working up a sweat, her body coming to life at the thought. No! She wasn’t ready for this. She might be attracted but he was career army. No way would she risk her future with another army man.

Chapter Four

McDonald’s was a hit, as she knew it would be. Poppy secured a table near the wall of windows where they could watch the children play. They scarfed down their food, kicked off their shoes and they were off, joining the other children in climbing, sliding, and landing in a bin of brightly colored balls.

“Those two certainly are active,” Carl noted.

“You think?” She giggled softly so as not to attract undue attention, although the restaurant was hopping and it was sometimes difficult to hear yourself think let alone carry on a conversation. “I deal with them twenty-four, seven. You’re not telling me anything I didn’t already know.”

“How are they socially? Do they befriend other kids when out playing like this?”

“Sure they do, but they mostly play with each other.” Poppy frowned, wondering if her children were learning enough social skills. They weren’t around other children all that much. She rarely took them to the neighborhood play park as they had better equipment at home, but next year Nathan would start school and Becky would be lost without his company. She sighed. It seemed there was always something to worry about when you had kids.

“What was that for?” Carl asked.

“What was what for?”

“That sigh. It sounded as if the weight of the world rested on your shoulders.”

“For their world, it does. It’s not always easy having to make all the decisions, but being a single parent, I don’t have a choice.”

“You could remarry.”

“Humph! Yeah! Sure! I’m going to marry and have a man underfoot just to help make decisions about the kids? I don’t think so. If I do marry again, it’ll be to someone I love and respect wholeheartedly, someone who loves my children as much as he’d love his own. There aren’t too many of those around.”

Seeing he was about to speak, and not really wanting a second opinion on her views, she continued. “I need someone willing to be an active member of my family, someone who can be home with us, not going on assignment or tour or business trips. I’ve had my fill of being alone. The next time around is going to be different—if there is a next time.”

“You’ve set some pretty drastic obstacles in your way of future happiness. Sometimes a man can’t control his calling. No matter how much Peter loved you, he loved his country too.”

“He should have loved me more. He should have loved us enough to stay home with us, to obtain a position on base, but noooo, he had to go off to war, get himself killed, and leave me to raise our children alone. Was he trying to prove how strong and brave he was? I already knew that about him. Is it that he couldn’t stand to be home with us? Why, Carl? Why did he have to enlist? Why did he prefer active duty to being home with us?”

“I don’t have the answer to that, Poppy. We are who we are. You married Peter knowing he wanted to join the army. When you’re an army man, being called to active duty can make or break your career.”

“Or end your life and the lives of those who love you.” She played with the paper napkin in her hands, practically ripping it to shreds, as she watched her children playing.

“Luckily, I don’t have anyone like that.”

“Oh, Carl! I’m so sorry. Here you are, taking us to lunch and I get all maudlin. You know we consider you a member of our family. I worry about you, about something happening to you when you’re gone. Just look at what happened to your leg. It could have been so much worse. We depend on you too much at times, but I’m glad you’re here.”

“Thanks, I enjoy spending time with you and the kids,” he said. “And now maybe we should round them up and head home.”

Carl went to the door and opened it, calling for the children while she disposed of the cartons and drink cups.

“What do you think of going for a drive in the country?” Carl asked.

“Can we go to the pier and skip stones?” asked Nathan.

“Sounds good to me. Buckle up,” instructed Poppy as she fastened Becky in her car seat.

Carl took the long way to the pier, circling the lake and coming back around to where it jutted out over the water.

“Pick out the round, flat ones,” advised Carl when the kids started gathering handfuls of rocks. “They’re the best ones for skipping.”

The water was still and calm, almost a mirror finish, which made it easy for them to watch the stones skip across the surface.

“Wow! Did you see that Uncle Carl? My rock skipped eight times before it sank.”

“Yes, I did see that. Good job, Nathan!”

Becky didn’t care about her rocks skipping. She was happy just to throw them and make a splash. Her enthusiasm was contagious and they were soon competing to see who could make the biggest splash. Laughter filled the air and Poppy felt happier than she’d been in a long, long time. She enjoyed being alive and being in the company of her three favorite people on this gorgeous spring day.

She noticed Carl’s limp becoming more pronounced and decided to call a halt. “It’s time for this old lady to sit down. How about it, guys? Ready to head home?”

“Just one more, Mommy?” asked Becky.

“Okay, one more. Then we have to go.”

Becky took her time scampering around, searching for the perfect rock. Nathan did the same. Only when the last ripple died away did they head to the car.

Carl surprised her by stopping at The Ice Cream Shack and purchasing cones for everyone, then herding them over to a picnic table.

“It seems as if we’re constantly eating with you around.” Poppy laughed as she spoke. “I’ll end up gaining too much weight during the summer at this rate.”

“You could stand to gain a few pounds.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, thank you very much.”

“It’s meant as one. I never veer too far from the truth.”

“No, you never have, but you’ve never been known for flowery speech either.”

“Nope, I just say it as it is and right now I think your daughter’s in trouble.”

Poppy looked sideways at her. “Becky, use your napkin. Your ice cream is dripping down the front of your t-shirt.”

Becky giggled. “It’s cold!”

“That’s why it’s called ice cream,” said Nathan, his deadpan expression drawing genuine laughter from everyone.

They finished their cones and went home. Nathan offered to push Becky on the swing and, her morning scare forgotten, they ran outside. Carl stood with his hands in his pockets watching out the kitchen window.

“Don’t become a mother hen. They’re fine,” said Poppy.

He turned toward her. “How do you know he won’t push her too high again?”

“I think it scared him as much as it did her. He’ll be careful.”

“God! I hope so,” he said, turning back to look out the window.

“Would you like a coffee? It’ll only take a minute to brew a pot.”

“Sure, if you’re having one.”

“Coming right up!”

She set the coffeemaker to do its thing and set out mugs, cream and sugar.

“What made you decide to stay stateside during your leave instead of traveling and seeing the world?”

He grimaced. “I see enough of the world through my work. No thanks. The US of A is still home and it feels good to be back, no matter what part of the country I’m staying in.”

“Do you think you’ll ever settle down to one spot?”

“Haven’t found any place I’d want to live year round, but I do have the option to buy the rental this summer if I like it there.”

“That’s great! You’re going to need a permanent address when you retire.”

“Hey! I’m not that old yet,” he teased.

Poppy felt the hot, telltale color rushing to her cheeks. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“I know, but I couldn’t resist.”

“Grab your coffee and we’ll sit outside,” she said.

“Worried about the kids?”

“Only if they’re out of my sight more than a few minutes.”

Poppy found she truly enjoyed Carl’s company. He didn’t expect her to entertain him or keep up a constant stream of witty chatter. Content as she was to sit and enjoy the day in companionable silence except for the bubbling laughter coming from the children, it was unusually comforting to share this time with the man at her side. The kids had the squirt guns out now and took turns chasing each other through the garden paths.

“I wish I had half their energy,” she sighed. “I get tired just watching them go.”

“Do they ever slow down?”

Poppy snorted a laugh. “Only when they’re sleeping.”

“It amazes me how you handle everything so effortlessly.”

“Effortlessly?” She let out a burst of laughter. “Hardly!”

“What I mean is, your children are well-cared for as are your house and garden, and you work, too. How do you do it?”

“I don’t think about it much. If it needs done, I do it.”

“Superwoman!” he teased.

“No, just keeping busy. It helps fill the days and kill the time.”

“I should think so.”

“Speaking of keeping busy, I should start dinner.”

“Want some help?”

“Nope, just relax and keep an eye on the children for me would you?”

“You got it! One question though.”

“Yes?” She saw the mischievous glint in his eyes and wondered what he was thinking.

“Is there another squirt gun around?”

She chortled with laughter. “In the garden shed. Have fun.” Still laughing, she went inside before she became involved in the water fight.

***

Carl was bushed and soaked to the skin when he entered the kitchen with happy kids some time later, but then, so were the kids. Poppy ushered them upstairs to bathe and dress for bed while he showered and made himself presentable again.

His leg throbbing unmercifully, he let the pounding spray of hot water work its magic while his mind turned back to the conversation he’d had with Poppy at the restaurant. From what she’d said, he didn’t stand a chance. She wanted a man to be home with her and the kids, not off fighting a war God knows where. That man wasn’t him. All he knew was the army way of life. What would he do when he retired? It was something he’d never given much thought to.

Maybe spending the summer together wasn’t such a great idea. Too late to bow out now. He’d just have to make the best of it and try not to become anymore attached than he was. Family friend…urgh!

He could always apply for a position on base, as she’d mentioned, but that would be second choice for him. In the thick of the action, helping the underdog attain victory and a measure of peace—that’s where he wanted to be. Where he needed to be, if he was being truthful with himself. He liked making a difference in peoples’ lives and, although a satisfactory outcome wasn’t always possible, he and his men gave it their best.

Poppy didn’t understand what drove people like him to get involved. Could he make her understand? Would she even listen? She was a beautiful person inside and out, loving and giving of herself, but she could be stubborn as well. Hell! That stubbornness probably helped her keep going every day.

Showered and dressed, he grabbed his cane, much needed after his shenanigans today, and hobbled downstairs to the pleasant aroma of a home-cooked meal.

Poppy turned at his approach. “Hi! I was just going to call you for dinner.”

“No need. I just followed my nose.” Placing one hand over his heart and giving her an innocent, hangdog expression, he pleaded, “Feed me, woman, before I die of starvation.”

She giggled at his antics. So did the children, already seated at the round, oak table.

“Have a seat. I’m dishing up now.”

“For which I shall be forever grateful.” He propped the cane on the back of his chair before lowering his body onto the seat. “What are we having?” he asked as he ogled Nathan’s plate.

Becky giggled. “Stew.”

“Beef?” he asked, a hopeful note to his voice.

“Nope, chicken. Bock, bok, bok, bok,” Nathan imitated.

Carl chuckled. “Even better. Bring it on!”

When Poppy set his plate in front of him, he pulled her down for a swift kiss. “That was for cooking the first homemade meal I’ve had in ages and for making dumplings…my favorite. You’re an angel!”

Nathan and Becky snickered.

Poppy giggled. “Hardly an angel, but shouldn’t you reserve praise until after you’ve sampled it?”

“No need, the delightful aroma tells its own tale.” He picked up his fork and stabbed a huge morsel. “Ummm, ummm. Delicious!”

For dessert, she produced a huge layer cake with chocolate icing and cherries on top, setting a large slice in front of him and two in front of Becky. Nathan sat greedily eyeing the cake but never asked for so much as a bite.

“Is that what I think it is?” asked Carl.

“Black Forest cake, if that’s what you were thinking.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” he said before digging in.

“Mommy, why do I have two pieces?”

“Nathan gave you his dessert tonight as punishment for scaring you on the swing.”