Poppy's Fall

Chapter 11

In her room, Poppy shut the door behind her and leaned against it.  It was dark, but she did not turn on any light.  With her fingers to her lips she closed her eyes and recalled Ryan’s kiss; soft and commanding.  When he grabbed her by the shoulders she felt excitement to the tip of her toes, and the feral look in his eyes made her feel wanted and powerful all at the same time. 

She felt her way across the room to her bed and turned on the lamp on the little bedside table.  While she had before claimed that Kyle was the best kiss she’d ever had, he had nothing on Ryan.  His lips had glided expertly over hers as his hands went from her shoulders to around her waist, lifting her up just a bit.  Her legs had gone weak and she remembered being relieved that he had a good grip on her.  When he finally released her she had kept her eyes closed for a few seconds longer, wanting to make the feeling last just a bit longer.  Now, as she thought about it, she felt a tinge of jealousy at the next woman he would be kissing when she was back in New York.  It scared her, a little that she was now thinking she didn’t really want him to kiss any other woman.

                                                                                                ***

Ryan didn’t know how he drove back while so much was swirling through his head.  He was almost home and had half a mind to drive back, pound on her door and kiss her again.  Now he sat in his truck parked in front of his little seaside cottage unsure of what to do next. 

Of course, he had been attracted to Poppy from the start and there was no doubt he liked her but as soon as their lips touched there had been that “ah-ha” moment.  She was it for him; he knew that as a fact.  He was unsure what to do about it because he also knew for a fact that Poppy would not come around to this idea very kindly.  He couldn’t very well come up to her and say, “Good morning sweetheart, you’re the one for me let’s get married.”  That would go over well, he thought glumly as he slowly made his way out of the truck and into the warmth of his house. 

Ryan looked around as he turned on the light.  The two-bedroom cottage wasn’t much but it was home.  As soon as you opened the door you were thrust into the living room.  It had a comfy albeit old brown couch that you just sunk into and a matching chair, a coffee table that had seen better days and the fireplace gave the room a cozy feel to it.  To the right was the small kitchen and equally small, round table but it’s not like he entertained in there.  Right across the front door was a set of stairs that wound up to the second floor which housed exactly two small bedrooms, the bathroom with a claw-footed tub and one pathetic excuse for a closet.  He wondered if they would live here but had a feeling she would insist on living somewhere else.  Seeing as she was used to the big city he couldn’t see her settling in Ballyvaughan.  Maybe she would be ok with Galway?  It wasn’t far and he was sure he could learn to live there as long as he had Poppy by his side.    

More than anything he wanted to talk to his mother, tell her about the woman he’d met.  He knew his mother would have loved Poppy but seeing as she had passed away several years back he obviously couldn’t get her advice. 

                                                                                                ***

Padding softly down the stairs, Poppy made her way to Mrs. Callaghan’s kitchen.  She should not have been surprised to see the older woman sitting at the table sipping tea.  What did surprise her was that there was a second cup of tea on the table.  Mrs. Callaghan gestured to the empty chair across from her.  Without a word Poppy sat and picked up the pretty pink cup. 

“What can you tell me about Ryan?” Poppy finally asked. 

Mrs. Callaghan gently placed her cup on the saucer. “Ryan has one older brother and two younger sisters.  McCarthy’s should have gone to Ryan’s brother, but he refused it and moved to London to become an actor.  They don’t really speak about him because it upsets their father.  So, the family business is being passed down to him.  His father is almost ready to retire, and Ryan has been learning everything he can for the past two years.  His whole life is in Ballyvaughan.”  At those last words Mrs. Callaghan looked pointedly at Poppy.   

Poppy shifted uncomfortably in her seat.  Why had she said that?  “Has he had any serious relationships?”

“One” Mrs. Callaghan stated.  “Fiona.”

Poppy looked up and raised her eyebrows “Fiona?  As in Dunne’s Pub Fiona?”

Mrs. Callaghan nodded her head.  “They were together for three years up until Ryan proposed marriage and Fiona left.”

“He proposed?” Poppy swallowed hard but then… “Wait?  She left!”

“They were only twenty-three when he proposed, and she felt they were too young.”  Mrs. Callaghan explained. 

“But she just left?” Poppy’s heart ached for Ryan and a sudden pang of jealousy at the fact that he and Fiona had a past.  “She couldn’t have just talked to him?”

“I don’t agree with how she handled it.”  Mrs. Callaghan stood up and took her cup to the sink. “But I do agree that they were young and stupid.”

“So, what happened?”  Poppy needed to know.  How could Fiona have left him like that?  He was the most amazing man.  Any woman would be lucky to have him and Poppy was almost regretting the fact that she didn’t live in Ireland…almost.

“She told him she had to think about it but the next morning she was gone and all that was left was a note saying she wouldn’t be back.”  The elder woman sat back down at the table.  “Ryan was devastated of course and hasn’t had a serious relationship in the four years since.”

“Ryan’s my age?  I thought he was younger.”  Poppy propped her chin up with her hand. 

“Ryan may be young but he has an old soul.”  Mrs. Callaghan said fondly.  “He’s not the type to be casual with women and both his mother and father taught him to be respectful, kind and loyal.”

Mrs. Callaghan stood again signaling she was ready for bed at this late hour. “His heart is wounded but I can see he hasn’t given up on love since he seems to be quite fond of you.” 

Poppy let the woman go and sat a little longer, thinking about everything she had just heard.  She didn’t know how she felt about Ryan.  It was true that he was amazing but she wasn’t staying in Ireland so she couldn’t afford to fall for him.  In fact, she’d be leaving in a couple of short weeks and as far as she was concerned there was still something there with Kyle…wasn’t there?  Oh God, was she cheating on him with Ryan?  Was she leading Ryan on?  That was the last thing she wanted to do.  Why in the world was this so complicated?  She didn’t come to Ireland to hook up let alone meet Mr. Perfect. 

She really wanted to talk to Ellie but remembered she had only said yes to Ryan in the first place because of Ellie.  So really it was all her friends’ fault, otherwise she probably wouldn’t have gone out with Ryan.