I spoke to Adrian, and although he was a bit hesitant too, we both agreed that it might be enough to get Tessa back in theworkforce while she looks for something else. But Adrian made it clear that Tessa’s my problem, which means I’m responsible for training her. We both hate the job of training new staff. Usually, we palm it off to Charlene, but I think I need to get to know Tessa better, and the only way I’ll do that is if I work closely with her.
Then hopefully, as I get more comfortable around her, this stupid gut feeling that keeps stabbing me each time I see Tessa will go away.
“Hi, ladies.” I step out from behind the bar where I’d been restocking some of the liquor that just got delivered.
“Hey,” Poppy calls to me as they both enter the main bar area.
“Hello, Landon,” Tessa says nervously.
As I stop in front of them, I take Poppy in my arms, hug her tightly, and give her a kiss on the lips quickly.
“I can’t believe how well you’re walking now without the cane. If I didn’t know better, I wouldn’t know you were injured at all.” I push her back to arm’s length from me while still holding onto her outstretched hands. “Plus, you’re looking pretty gorgeous today in that dress, is it new?” I make it my mission every day to compliment Poppy and let her know how much I love her. When I first met her, Dean had destroyed her confidence in her own looks, so I’m determined to build that back to a place where she never doubts how beautiful she is ever again.
“It’s one of the dresses I picked when Autumn and I were out to lunch last weekend and she dragged me into the shops. You know how much I hate shopping.” I twirl her around to show off the dress which has her giggling.
“You might hate shopping, but I enjoy the purchases.” I wink at her because she also came home with a few new sets oflingerie, and she blushes slightly now, knowing which purchases I’m referring to.
“Doesn’t Tessa look good in her Lucinda’s uniform too?” Poppy tries to remind me that we aren’t alone.
“Yes, she does,” I reply, drawing Poppy in for another kiss. “Okay, leave us to it. Don’t you have a physio appointment to get to?” I pretend to shoo her away. “Now that you’re Miss Independent and can drive yourself everywhere.” I do miss being her driver, but I know how important it is for Poppy to take control of her life back. “Besides, Tessa and I need to get started with some training so when we open the bar tonight, she isn’t overwhelmed.”
I decided to start Tessa on a Tuesday which is our quietest night. Then we can see how quickly she picks up things and whether we can have her working on a Friday or Saturday night. Weekend nights can be crazy in here, and I won’t have time to be hovering over her all the time.
“So bossy.” Poppy smiles at me, reaching up on her toes and kissing me on the cheek. “I’ll see you tonight when you get home,” she says before leaning in closer.
“Thank you for doing this. I love you so much,” Poppy whispers in my ear and then drops down off her toes, steps back, and turns to Tessa.
“Good luck. I’m sure you’ll do great. And don’t worry, my boyfriend is super patient.” Laughing at her own joke, Poppy turns and starts heading toward the hallway that leads to the back door.
“More patient than you, that’s for sure. Now get out of here and give the boys a kiss for me this afternoon when you pick them up from school.” Poppy just gives me a wave as she disappears into the hallway. “And no donuts!” I yell after her, but the back door is closing as I get the last word out, and there is no guarantee that she won’t be buying them no matter what Isaid anyway. But I figure it’s her and Felix’s problem to deal with the hypo sugar rush that comes after they devour the donuts.
“She makes a good mom, doesn’t she, spoiling Kade and Nash like they’re her own,” Tessa says, trying to make small talk, but it hits a bit of a raw nerve with me, though not in a bad way.
Tessa’s right, they aren’t Poppy’s children, but she’s choosing to make them hers in every sense of the word, without ever forgetting Lucinda and respecting that she was the boys’ mother. I hear her talking to the boys about their mom and making sure she keeps Lucinda’s memory alive with them. Even though Poppy never met her, she encourages the boys to tell her stories they remember, or when we’re all together, she’ll ask me to tell the boys something about Lucinda they don’t know. There has never been a moment when Poppy felt threatened by the ghost of Lucinda with either the boys or me. And I’m so glad about that. We talked about Lucinda after that first time we slept together, and it was Poppy who brought her up in the conversation. And from that point on, it was never awkward to refer to Lucinda in any conversation. It just makes me love Poppy even more than I thought possible.
“Yes, she is. Kade, Nash, and I are lucky we’ll have Poppy in our lives for the rest of our time on earth.” As the words slip from my mouth, I see Tessa looking at me with inquisitive eyes, thinking over what I mean by that. I should’ve kept that thought to myself and don’t want Tessa asking any questions, so I change the subject as quickly as I can.
“Okay, I’ll show you around first, and then we’ll run through the jobs that you’ll have for tonight. Don’t panic, we won’t rush you. We’ll just master a few things at a time before we move on to the next task. We don’t expect you to be mixing drinks until you’ve had proper training. That takes time, and we can talk about that down the track if you’re still here. Like I said when we offered to give you some casual work, it’s just to help you getback on your feet. I still expect you to be looking for another job. This is just a stepping stone, not a permanent thing.” I’m talking as I walk toward the end of the bar, hearing Tessa follow me.
“I understand and appreciate you doing this. I know if it weren’t for Poppy I wouldn’t be here, so I won’t let you down, Landon,” Tessa replies.
“Let’s see that you don’t,” is all I can say before showing her where we keep supplies in the storage room behind the back wall of the bar. It will be part of her job tonight to keep everything stocked, both in the bar and on the tables.
POPPY
“Bye, Dad, love you to the end of the rainbow,” Kade and Nash say to Landon as they enjoy a group hug in the kitchen.
“Love you both. Now be good for Poppy tonight after Felix goes home.” Landon uses his serious voice with them both, but they’re already trying to break free and get back to the game they’re playing with Felix.
I don’t need Felix here to help me with the boys anymore, but Landon wants to keep him working as his manny. He hasn’t said it out loud, but I’m guessing it’s for two reasons. He is such a good guy that he wants to keep supporting Felix with an income so he can finish his degree and become a teacher. I can see what a great friendship they’ve built, with Felix working for Landon. The other reason is that Landon will need Felix around if I decide to go back to Rochester. It’s a decision I need to make, but it’s also something Landon and I have yet to discuss. In my head I already know I want to be here in Boston, but until I heal and find out what will happen with my job, I don’t want to talk about it either. There’s enough going on in my head, I don’t need to make my brain work harder than it already is. But with the unspoken possibility hanging over his head, Landon willwant Felix here to pick up the pieces with the boys if I do have to leave. We’re both certain that we won’t break up if I move back to Rochester. We’ve made that promise to each other, we’re determined to make this work. But a long-distance relationship, even if it’s temporary, won’t help Landon with Nash and Kade while he runs the bar at night. Mom would help, but it’s too much for her to be doing every day, especially at her age. Kade and Nash are a lot of energy all wrapped up in two little boys. Even with Felix here, I’m exhausted by the time they’re finally in bed.
“Yes, Dad,” they both reply as he lets them go, and they’re off running toward the TV where Felix is waiting.
Landon turns, wraps his arms around me, and buries his face in the crook of my neck while I lay my head on his shoulder.
“I wish I didn’t have to go to work tonight,” he murmurs into my neck.
“Don’t say that. You love your bar. Go, enjoy the night, give Adrian a hard time, and then come home to me, waiting in your bed.” He kisses me on the neck then pulls back.
