Poppy's Fall

Chapter 7

She was smiling when she opened the door of the B & B.  Mrs. Callaghan would have cookies in the kitchen she was sure of it, and so Poppy made her way toward the back of the old Inn.  When she entered the kitchen, Mrs. Callaghan was taking out a large dish from the oven.  The scent of cottage pie filled the room making Poppy’s mouth water. 

“Looks like you’re just in time for lunch.”

“Smells delicious,” Poppy looked over the older woman’s shoulder and grinned when Mrs. Callaghan turned to hand her a plate with a nice huge portion.  She sat at the small round table and dug right in, completely oblivious to how Mrs. Callaghan was looking at her.    

If Poppy was anything like Ellie, Mrs. Callaghan would say that the smile the girl wore when she first stepped into her kitchen was attributed to a man.  And she would bet it had something to do with Ryan McCarthur as she had just seen his truck turn around in her driveway.  Well now, wasn’t that an interesting turn.

                                                                                                *** 

Giddy.  That’s what Poppy would say she felt at the moment.  It was two days after she had accepted Ryan’s offer.  He had called her that same afternoon to tell her he would be free in a couple of days.  Now, looking at the clothes she had brought with her, she didn’t know what to put on.  Ryan had suggested a drive and picnic so she didn’t think a cocktail dress would be appropriate.  Finally, she decided on a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, black leather calf boots and the authentic grey Irish sweater Ellie had gotten for her; comfortable and casual but nice all the same.  She pulled her hair up in a high pony tail and thinking Ryan would appreciate a more natural look, Poppy went easy on the make-up and to finish off she spritzed on her favorite perfume. 

This will have to do, she thought.  Generally she would have asked Ellie’s opinion but given that she hadn’t even told Ellie she was going out with Ryan that wasn’t going to happen.  Their relationship had been a little strained as of late and even though they had somewhat made up Poppy wasn’t sure how Ellie would take it.  She had been adamant about not wanting to be paired with Shaun and here she was saying yes to Ryan. 

Ellie wouldn’t understand.  Heck Poppy wasn’t even sure she understood.  There was just something about him, how he conducted himself, how he spoke.  It wasn’t just polite words to him, he truly lived them.  She felt safe, her heart felt safe, with him because he wasn’t her type and so she wouldn’t have to worry about falling for him. 

Would that really be so bad?

She supposed it wouldn’t be a bad thing.  For once she would be with the kind of guy who would probably lay down his jacket over a mud puddle for her.  Then again, she had been wrong about Kyle hadn’t she?  Poppy shook her head.  It didn’t matter, none of that mattered, she was going to have a good time with a man and not worry about what it could imply. 

On her way out the door Poppy ran into two women whom she had met once already, Patricia Brady and Aileen Murray.  The women were no doubt at the B & B for their weekly gossip fest, and from the looks they were giving her she could just about guess what the topic of conversation would be; especially given the fact that Ryan was currently leaning against the hood of his truck, feet crossed at the ankles, waiting for her. 

For a few seconds Poppy just stood there looking at him.  Why in the world had she thought of him as simply cute?  There was nothing simple about this man.  He was out of his hip-waders and into a pair of well-fitted dark blue jeans, the same kind of brown worn leather boots Aidan and Shaun so often wore and a black wool sweater that suddenly made her want to cuddle up to him while watching a movie.  His hair was tied back as it always seemed to be and how had she not noticed his broad shoulders before? 

“You look beautiful.”

Ryan’s voice shattered her thoughts as he approached.  She didn’t think she looked awful but she knew if he thought she looked beautiful now, she could blow him away with a little black dress.  With a wide smile Poppy accepted his hand as he helped her step down from the stone porch.  Once settled and on the road Ryan was quite talkative.  He asked her about her work, her home and the one question he wasn’t sure he wanted the answer to.

“Do you have anyone special back home?” 

It was a perfectly reasonable question to ask but when Poppy took her time to answer Ryan was suddenly very sorry to have asked.  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”

“No, it’s alright.” Poppy looked over to him.  She could tell he was bothered by something but she wasn’t sure if it was the fact that she might indeed have someone back home or that he had dared to ask the question.  “I was involved with someone and I thought it was going great but I found out he left my apartment one morning and hopped right into a woman’s car with a bag in tow.  One of my neighbor’s saw him and they apparently looked cozy enough for her to tell me how sorry she was that we had broken up.  ”

“Did you love him?”  

Sighing loudly, Poppy slumped in her seat.  “I thought I did but I never said those words to him.  My heart shattered when I found out.”

Keeping his eyes on the road, Ryan reached out and took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers and giving them a slight squeeze letting her know he was listening.  She looked at their intertwined hands and, again, felt that safety she had never felt with anyone before.

“I’m kind of known for avoiding commitment and serious relationships.  It’s my way of keeping my heart from ever getting broken.  When I met Kyle, it was different, I thought that maybe there was something to love after all.”  Poppy groaned when Ryan slid his hand away and pulled the truck to a stop.  She was worried he would tell her to get out. 

“We don’t have to do this.” He finally looked at her. “I mean, if you’re still working things out I’ll take you back.”

Poppy placed her hand on his arm when he went to start the truck again.  She smiled gratefully but she shook her head “No, I want to spend time with you.”

“Are you sure?” Ryan asked her sincerely. 

She knew he wouldn’t be angry with her if she told him to bring her back.  That he would, happily, do it even if he was a bit disappointed and she didn’t want to be the one to disappoint him. 

“Absolutely, let’s do this!” Poppy nodded her head and gave him a watery smile. 

                                                                                                 ***

Their first stop was the Cliffs of Moher.  These were the cliffs Ellie had talked to her about and to stand there looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, massive and churning, Poppy suddenly felt so small and her problems petty. 

They walked the trail along the cliffs talking about each of their likes and dislikes, effectively avoiding what they had spoken about earlier.  Still Poppy was curious if Ryan had ever been in a serious relationship then she realized she wasn’t sure she wanted to know.  The more she got to know him the more she wondered what kind of woman would let him out of her sight.  She saw the looks women gave him as they sauntered by hoping to catch his eye.  Poppy had completely underestimated him.

When it was time to leave Poppy didn’t want to turn her back on such an amazing place.  She would definitely be back before she left Ireland.  On their way out, Poppy checked out the small shops.  She was admiring the jewelry when she heard Ryan tell the shop attendant that they would take one.  Before she knew it she was the proud owner of a Claddagh ring.  A delicate silver ring adorned with two hands holding a heart which was topped with a crown.

“It’s beautiful but you shouldn’t have.” Poppy admired the ring in its little box.

“It’s my pleasure,” Ryan lead the way to his truck “And besides, you should have a piece of Ireland.”

“The lady at the shop said depending on where you wear it, it means something different.”  Poppy said as she hopped in the cab. 

“That’s right,” Ryan started the truck and maneuvered it out of the parking lot.  “If you wear it on the ring finger of your left hand it can mean you’re engaged or married.  If the heart is facing out, it means you’re engaged, if the heart if facing in, you’re married.”

“And your right hand?” Poppy asked.

“If you’re wearing it on your right hand with the heart facing out it means you’re open to new relationships, romantic or otherwise.  If it’s facing in it means someone has your heart.”

Poppy felt as though he had added “or otherwise” for her benefit.  Whether it was true or not she was happy he did and noted the half grin he wore when she placed it on her right hand with the heart facing out.