The Last Waltz

Chapter 31

No matter what she did, Poppy couldn't seem to win. Ever since the night Isaac had cared for her, something had changed, and it wasn't for the good. It's as if he regretted getting close to her that night and pulled back.

He was mad at her for doing too much, for helping Boyd with the tours, for taking care of the horses, and the final straw was her book. Poppy finally got the courage to show it to him, and he glanced through it without saying a word. Nothing, not I hate it, not how dare you, not I love it, he had said nothing.

She had been hurt beyond belief. It had been three weeks since Morgan's attack on her, and it was nearing the end of November. Her family had sent out the message that everyone who could, should meet in Texas for a holiday, and Poppy was going.

She needed some space and time away to evaluate the situation, find out what went wrong, and figure out how to get it back on track.

To the best of her knowledge, Siobhan was gone, and none of the Glenns had been heard from. Issac might not tell her, but Boyd would unless Isaac hadn't told Boyd because he knew he would tell Poppy. This gave her pause, and she frowned. 

"What's going on in here?" Isaac asked as she walked past her bedroom door.  He looked at her open suitcase and then at her hands, busily folding clothes.

"I'm going home," Poppy said, itching for a fight.

"And you weren't going to let me know?" he entered the room and crossed his arms.

"The Last time I checked, I was a free adult, able to come and go as I please," Poppy insisted.

"You're married. You're not free to come and go without consulting your husband. If nothing else, it's just common respect!" He closed the door behind him.

"I didn't think it would matter. In fact, I thought you might be glad to get rid of me since everything I do seems to annoy you lately." Poppy walked over to her dresser and started to back her makeup bag.

"That's a very dramatic statement," Isaac said, shaking his head.

"No, it's not, Isaac. It's a fact. You're unhappy with everything I try to do. You won't let me help Boyd with the tours, you won't let me help in the stables, you won't let me walk the children to or from school, and..." Poppy couldn't say the bit about the book. That still hurt too much.

"And?" he questioned.

"Nothing. It doesn't matter." Poppy shook her head, fighting tears.

"Clearly it does matter because you're about to cry."

"Fine, my book. I wanted you to approve of it, like it, and you barely even reacted!" She spat as she spun on him. "Why do you hate me all of a sudden?" Poppy walked toward him and stopped in front of him.

"I don't hate you, Poppy." His eyes met hers, but it wasn't enough this time. With his long looks, he had always let her in before, but he had removed even that from her.

"That night you took care of me, I thought..." she shook her head, letting the tears fall. "You're further from me than ever, and I don't know what I did. I have no clue what you're thinking!" It was time to grab the bull by the horns, lay all her cards on the table, and see what happened. His reaction would give her a lot to think about while she was in Texas and tell her what her future would be like if she stayed.

"I know you heard me talking to Siobhan in the woods that day. I know you heard me say that I love you." Poppy's voice cracked as he turned and walked toward the door. "Stop, Isaac! I'm not finished. Please hear me out."

Isaac took a deep breath and turned around to face her.

"The night when you held me in the bathtub was special and so out of character for you. I thought that I had possibly broken through and that you cared for me a little, but the next morning, your walls were higher than ever, and you have been keeping me at arm's length. Why? I think I deserve to know why." Poppy grabbed his arm, but he stepped away from her as if he couldn't stand her touch.