“You are family.”
“She wants you too.”
And moving back to the ranch? I lived there before I moved above the shop. I paid my share of rent that my mom required and then some. I took care of everything out there. And every time I handed her money, she would find a new way to suddenly need more. None of it was going to the ranch and we lost it. Seeing Sully do that to Poppy makes me so angry. I remember how Poppy was there for me when that was happening to me. I got through that with her. She gave me this place to live here when I needed it. I’d do anything to repay her, even making this place a home for them. I could always find a place and give them this.
Steam curls around me, and I have to close my eyes because the idea of home keeps turning into her. Poppy in this space. Owen is laughing in the hall. I’m cooking breakfast in the kitchen for them. The kitchen table covered in homework, snacks, and a half-finished puzzle.
A real family. Not one you are born into. One you choose. One that matters and means everything to me.
But what does that even mean? How can you choose your family if they don’t choose you back? I need Poppy to want me back.
I turn off the water and towel off fast. My shift starts at seven, and there’s still cleanup to finish. I try to get everything done before Poppy gets to the shop. I want to surprise her when it’s all done.
I put my gear in my truck and head out just as the first sliver of sun starts to climb over Bridger Falls.
Thefirehouse smells like strong coffee and aftershave. The guys know I’ve been working on my place and razz me about it.
“You building a castle up there?” Smith cracks.
“Just fixing a place up,” I say, tossing my bag in my locker.
“Fixing a love nest,” Mike, one of the opposite shift firefighters, teases under his breath. The station erupts in low whistles.
I ignore them the best I can. I know they mean well. These guys love Poppy and wouldn’t disrespect her. They have no idea what I’m doing for Poppy and Owen. I don’t even know half the time.
We get called out around dinnertime. Just a transport assist at the retirement apartments. Nothing dramatic. But of course, Mom happens to be the nurse on duty when we get to Bridger Falls Memorial Hospital.
I know before I even see her because my skin crawls. She steps into view, hair pulled back, scrubs wrinkled, eyes sharp as ever.
“Oliver.” Her voice drips judgment when I look away. “Still avoiding me, I see.”
The guys glance between us like they have ringside seats and don’t want them.
I adjust the stretcher position and keep my voice flat. “Been busy working.”
She folds her arms. “Are you going to avoid me forever?”
The fact that she’s doing this in front of my coworkers and a patient pisses me off.
I meet her eyes. The same eyes that used to look right through me like I didn’t matter. “I gotta go.”
Her mouth pinches like she wants to say something more.I turn away before she can dig her claws in deeper.
How hard is it to just be a good mom? To show up when your kids need you? To be there?
And then the real question hits like a punch.Is this why Itry so damn hard for Poppy and Owen? So that they don’t feel what I felt? Well, I already know they feel it with Sully. But they shouldn’t have to. No kid should.
I stare out the window, the whole way, jaw locked tight.
Poppy’s dad is a parasite who only shows up to take from her. My mom enjoys wreaking havoc and making herself the center of everything. Neither of them know how to love.But maybe… we aren’t cursed with their flaws. Maybe it means we know exactly what not to be.
I think about the fresh paint drying upstairs above Poppy’s shop andabout Owen’s laugh when he brushes the horses and plays basketball with his friends.I think about what it would feel like to come home to them.
I close my eyes and let the thought sit heavy and terrifying in my chest.I want to build something with them that never breaks.I’ll work every shift, tear up every carpet, paint every wall, and show up to every call if it keeps them safe.
My family is with them now.And I am going to fight like hell to be worthy of it. I just need Poppy to catch up.
Chapter 6
