The Last Waltz

Chapter 26

Poppy had tossed and turned all night, thinking that Isaac might have heard her say that she loved him. Every time she thought of it, she cringed. It had just slipped out. She couldn't help but wonder how it would change things between them.

Since she couldn't sleep, she woke up early and decided to go for a ride. The only person she saw on her way to the stable was Uncle Boyd. He was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for the children, and she explained that she wasn't hungry and wanted to go for a ride.

He didn't seem concerned and told her to be careful and not wander too far.

Poppy agreed and reminded him that Sally and Ayleen were coming that morning for a party planning session, and she should be back in time to meet them.

Then, taking her time, she saddled Slinger, telling him he was handsome and a good boy as he preened under her attention. There was no one around, and she enjoyed the solitude. She spent more time thinking about Isaac and how he was such a calm, steady presence and not as hot-headed as she had first thought. Something in Siobhan's story didn't sit right with her. She couldn't put her finger on it but couldn't see Isaac being reckless in love. He was so careful with what and who he loved.

Maybe it was just that he didn't love her, so she hadn't seen that side of him, a little voice said. Having solved nothing on her ride, she decided it was time to head back.

Poppy rode by the castle on her way back to the stable and saw Sallie and Ayleen arriving. She stopped to tell them time had gotten away from her and asked them to give her a few minutes. Then she rode to the stables, where she saw Morgan Brown lounging on hay and not doing anything.

She loathed the idea of asking him to care for Slinger, so she worked quickly to take off his tack, put it away, and then give him a quick brush down. She had just finished and was heading out of the stable, walking past Morgan with a nod.

He must have felt her nod was slight because he jumped up and blocked her way.

"Did you enjoy your ride?" he asked, pushing into her personal space and looking at her intensely; it was creepy.

"I did, thank you," she tried to walk around him, but he reached out a hand and grabbed her wrist, clasping it in a vice-like grip.

"Let me go," she insisted, trying to turn her wrist and free it, but he only tightened his hold.

"In a minute, first, I want to look at you. You're such a pretty little thing, so a slight gust of wind would blow you away. How can you let such a big man like Isaac Harrison touch you? You need a gentle touch."

"What I need is for you to let me go because this," she tugged at her wrist, "is not gentle."

"Hmmm." He reached up and grabbed a strand of her hair that had come loose from her ponytail, and she jerked her head away, which angered him more, so he grabbed her chin in a vice-like grip.

"Watch yourself. You might get hurt," he warned.

That was all it took. Had he known her, he would have recognized the spark of anger in her eyes at his words.

"No, I suggest you let me go, or you'll be the one to get hurt!" she hissed.

His hand tightened on her chin, and that was the final straw as she reared back with her free hand and punched him in the nose. He immediately let her go as he cupped his bloody nose. She knew he was vain, and that would hurt both physically and mentally.

"You little bitch!" he said as she reached out with a bloody hand struck her across the cheek.

Poppy saw stars for a brief moment but was not one to stay down for long; she grabbed a metal pail and struck him across the head, then punched him in the stomach. The pail didn't do much damage, but the punch to the gut winded him.