The Last Waltz

Chapter 10

Poppy made her way through the airport to baggage claim, where Isaac said he would pick her up. She was exhausted and emotionally drained from the visit to Los Angeles. She had always disliked the fast pace and overcrowding of that city.

When she entered the area, Isaac was easy to see as he leaned against a wall, looking at his phone. She stopped for a minute, admiring how he towered over those around him. Poppy also noted some of the women in the area checking him out as they passed.

It was hard to believe that this man was going to be her husband. She had to admit that his agreement to pick her up at the airport made their relationship feel more real than anything else had so far.

As she studied him, he looked up and caught her gaze before his eyes took in her wan appearance. She knew she looked a bit haggard, with pale skin and messy hair, but it had been a long flight, and she was very worried about her cousin Mave.

Isaac pocketed his phone and moved toward her, taking her small carry-on as he reached her. A hug would have been nice, but they weren't to that point in their relationship yet. The thought gave her pause. They were going to be married shortly, but they had yet to make it to hugging.

He didn't say a word as he led the way out of the airport and through the parking area to where his car was parked. After they were settled in the car, he turned to look at her before starting the engine. Poppy had laid her head back on the seat and closed her eyes.

"How is your cousin?" he asked softly, and his thick brogue was like a balm.

"They found her, but..." she shook her head as the tears started to fall from behind her closed eyelids. "The kidnapper cut her, cut her face, her back, her arms...she's alive but..."

Isaac didn't say anything as he looked away from her and out of his window. After a moment, he got out of the car and came around to her side, opening her door and pulling her into his arms, and he held her while she cried. It was the first time she had let herself cry, really cry, since it had all happened.

As the sobs shook her body, he held her tight. She buried her tear-covered face into his wide chest and cupped the back of her head with one hand while his other arm gathered her close. After a few minutes, her crying ebbed, and she sniffed in an unladylike fashion.

"Thank you, I needed that." She pulled away, and he let her go, looking down at her to gauge if she was really better or not. What he saw must have convinced him she did because he nodded and waited for her to climb back into the car.

"I think there are tissues in the glove box," he said before he closed his door and moved to the driver's side.

Poppy got a few tissues and lowered the visor to check her reflection. She looked horrible, so she quickly closed it again, knowing there was nothing she could do to improve her appearance at the moment. She had always been an ugly crier.

"Did you want to eat on the way or go straight back?" Isaac asked as he started the engine.

"I want to go straight home, please. I'm not all that hungry, and I don't look or feel my best. How is everyone? Poppy asked, wanting to talk about something normal.

"The same as usual. I think everyone has learned about us because they keep asking me when you will return. They miss you at the pub, and Boyd and the kids miss you too."

Poppy wanted to ask if he had missed her, but she didn't dare.

"Mary has told everyone about the Halloween party, and there is a lot of excitement, both at home and in the village. Every night at the pub, there has been reminiscing of past parties at the castle, and hits are being dropped about what they hope to see. I hope you didn't bite off more than you can chew," Isaac said drily. "Mary has decided who we should be, by the way."