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“It does,” Poppy agreed. “How do we sign up?”
“I’ll give Toben a registration form and have him bring it out to you.”
Poppy nodded. “Sounds good.”
“I’ll be in touch.” She opened the door. “It was nice to meet you, Rowdy.”
“Bye,” Rowdy called out, turning a huge smile Poppy’s way once they were alone. “Maybe Dad will be on a team with us—for the scavenger hunt? Think he will, Ma?”
“Only way to find out is to ask him.” She ruffled Rowdy’s hair. She glanced at the large windmill-shaped clock that hung on the back wall. It was almost four. “How about a swim?”
She and Rowdy had given Rose and Bob a tour of the place before her sister’s family left. She and Rose hadn’t been close in a long time but it had been hard saying goodbye to Dot and Otis. The four of them had started getting along so well—having fun and making memories she hoped they’d treasure as they grew. She and Bob made sure dates for next year were set, making the goodbyes a little easier. Rose, as impressed with the shop as she’d been with the house, had been eager to hustle the kids into their SUV and hit the road. Poppy and Rowdy stood waving until the car had turned off Main Street, then stuck around to add some finishing touches to the two changing stalls and put up the last of the decorations. Her boy deserved some fun.
Rowdy jumped up. “Sounds great.”
Poppy grinned, walking through the shop and turning off lights before locking up behind them. After having Dot and Otis with them, she hoped Rowdy was enjoying the quiet as much as she was. She knew it was a more isolated existence for him—for her, too. On the circuit, there’d always been people to talk to and things to do and see.
“You happy, Rowdy?” she asked, meeting his gaze in the rearview mirror.
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered, grinning. “Only thing that could make me happier is a dog.”
* * *
TOBEN PARKED THE TRUCK, waved at Rowdy and tried not to react to how pretty Poppy looked. His son was dripping wet, the inner tube under his arm almost as big as he was. Poppy was wrapped in a towel, the straps of her bikini top displaying the golden skin beneath. He sucked in a deep breath, steadying himself. Tonight was about the three of them growing closer as a family. Not him getting waylaid by his want for her. He opened the truck door and slid out, grabbing the bag of groceries he’d brought. “Hope you’re hungry,” he said.
“Starved.” Rowdy was all smiles. “Need help?”
“Sure.” Toben grinned at his son. “Poppy.”
She nodded. “Toben.”
“Sure is quiet,” he said, following Rowdy into the kitchen.
“It’s nice, isn’t it?” Rowdy asked. “Aunt Rose and Uncle Bob left this morning.”
“Come on, Rowdy, be nice. I think your cousins were sad to go.” Poppy pulled the door shut behind them.
“I guess. But it was time, Ma.” Rowdy shrugged.
Poppy shook her head. “You go change before you make a puddle on the floor. Then you can help your dad.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Rowdy ran down the hall.
Toben watched his son go, pleased with his willing attitude. A nice change from Poppy’s niece and nephew. He glanced at Poppy, then away—the sight of her too great a temptation. Best to say something to distract himself until he could forget that she was wearing next to nothing—even wrapped in a towel—standing within arm’s reach. He cleared his throat. “You’re missing Otis and Dot?” Toben asked, pulling the food from the brown paper sack.
She didn’t answer, so he looked at her.
She grinned, wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “Not really,” she whispered, sounding guilty.
He laughed. “That’s okay.”
“Rowdy and I haven’t really had time to make this place our own yet. To settle in, just the two of us. It’s all still pretty new.” She tugged her towel tighter, taking in the room with assessing eyes. “Once those new appliances g
et here, I’ll be downright happy.”
He wasn’t going to let her “just the two of us” comment get to him. Not tonight. He was going to put in the work to show her it didn’t need to be just the two of them...and hope she’d come around to his way of thinking. Toben’s gaze fell to her exposed shoulder. “When will that be?”
“Soon, I hope.” She looked at him, then away. “What do you need? For dinner?”
