For several seconds, Poppy said nothing. She just looked at Bennett. Words would not come. He was so close she could smell his cologne. It was all she could do to keep herself from launching herself into his arms and begging him to take her right there on the floor of her classroom. All rational, reasonable thought was gone.
When she said nothing, Bennett added, frowning even more, "If the answer is no, just tell me now. I will get out of your hair. I can then tell Edna I tried."
"Do you want me to come and do it?" Poppy had no idea why she asked that question. What difference would it make if he did? She knew she could never go back. That part of her life was over. She had tried to tell Mrs. Stone that.
"I think the better question would be how would your husband feel about you doing it?" replied Bennett.
The mention of Tommy was so unexpected that Poppy almost gasped. She lowered her head and took a deep breath. Then, looking back up at Bennett, Poppy said, "Tommy passed away in 2007. But if he were here, he would want me to do whatever I wanted to do."
At her words, heat flared in Bennett's eyes. Poppy had seen it too many times before to miss it. Without breaking eye contact, he said, "Well, then, what do you want?"
Poppy was not sure they were even talking about a fundraiser anymore. Quietly, she said, "I don't know. What do you think I should do? Should I come back to Searcy or not?"
They just looked at each other; Bennett seemed to pull back mentally. He smiled and said, "I think it would do wonders for our hospital and community. I hope you will seriously consider it."
She knew she could not go back. She knew she could not exhibit her art there without all her secrets being blown wide open. Her mind was made up; she was never going back. But, her heart was not so sure. Before she could stop herself, she said, "I will do it on one condition. You go to the Emerson Museum and look at the originals. If you still want me to do it, I will."
Poppy did not for a moment think that once Bennett saw the pictures of his son, he would want her to show them to the world. But, she stupidly hoped that he might realize he had a son by seeing them. Ben had lost two dads. He needed his real one. Seeing the pictures could spark something between the two of them.
"I don't think that is necessary. I am sure your work is terrific.”
"I will only come if you go and look at it, and tell me you want me to show it in Searcy after you see it."
Nodding, Bennett said, "Of course." He reached in to hug her goodbye.
The minute his arms went around her, Poppy felt like she had come home after a long trip to a sad and dreary place.
Instinctively, Bennett pulled her closer and held her tightly. They stayed like that for a few minutes. Neither one wanted to pull away. Bennett's lips grazed her neck, and it was just before working their way up to her lips when his phone buzzed.
Instantly, they both jumped apart. He pointed to the phone and said, "I have to take this. It was great to see you. I hope you will come and do the show. I will go to the gallery right now and see it. I will let you know." Bennett left the classroom, and Poppy collapsed in the nearest chair.
Chapter 13
Carrington House
Searcy, Arkansas
November 28, 2023
"Sounds like all the old feelings just came roaring back the minute you saw him after all those years?" asked Harvey Cox.
"The feelings never went anywhere. They were always there. They were just buried under a lot of hurt and pain. Eleven years dulls the pain of being cheated on and lied to. It shouldn't, but trust me, it does," replied Poppy.
"So what happened next? Did Bennett go and see the paintings? Did he realize he had a son?"
"No. Bennett, being Bennett, had a work thing come up as he left my classroom. The call he got was from the Anderson campaign. They told him he was being vetted for the vice-presidential spot, and they had to meet with him that day. So instead of going to Emerson as promised, he called one of his staffers, Kelly, to go and look at the paintings."
"If he did not go that day, when did he see them?" asked Harvey.
"The day of the incident at the club. That was the first time he saw them. That was how he found out. Twenty minutes before theluncheon started, he found me making final preparations on the exhibit and hauled me into that library room."
"You are telling me he had no idea until then?"
"Correct. The staffer he sent told him the exhibit was great and to give his approval. The next day, I got a text from him saying he was good with the exhibit. He told me he would be tied up with a new political opportunity for a few weeks and would like to talk soon. He also said he would be in DC for several weeks and gave me his office number if I needed anything.
"How did he get your cell number?" asked Harvey.
"From Edna Stone," replied Poppy.
