Blake chuckled again. He grabbed an extra chair and sat beside her. “The system is pretty outdated, but we’re required to document and print our findings and send them to universities and research facilities. It’s a pain in the ass, but the government funds our research, so they have us by the balls, so to speak.”
Poppy gave him a coy look and started laughing.
“I like it when you laugh. It sounds nice,” he pointed out, and the air shifted around them, and her back straightened. “I’m sorry.” He went to stand, but her hand on his forearm stopped him. Blake looked at her.
“No, it’s fine. It’s just…” She let go of his arm and looked away. “I feel kind of guilty.”
He felt his brows knit. “Guilty? But why?”
“Because I wasn’t thinking about Jon. I wasn’t thinking about anything aside from the way you make me feel.” She smiled again, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m so happy around you, Blake, contrary to the way I’ve been acting, and I feel guilty I find myself not thinking of Jon.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” He reached for her, but she shook her head and stood.
“Listen, is it okay if I finish this tomorrow?”
“Poppy, can we talk?” Bake stood, but she took another step back.
She shook her head and offered a smile. “It’s time for me to go anyway. Can you take me home, or do you still have work to do?”
Blake rubbed his hand over the back of his head and breathed out. She was right. It was time for her to go, but he didn’t want her leaving when she felt like this.
“Everything okay?” Maggie stepped in the room and looked between them.
“Yeah, Poppy is ready to go, so I’m going to have to finish up tomorrow.”
“I don’t want to tear you away from anything. I can just wait until you’re done.” She took a step forward and grabbed her jacket off the back of a chair. “I’ll just go sit in the front.” Poppy went toward the door.
“No, no, that’s crazy having you wait. It’s not a problem taking you home. I’m about done here anyway.” He offered her a reassuring smile.
“Blake, we have to get those samples filed and packaged to send off to McKenzie Research Center. We are already behind.” Maggie was right. “I can take you home when we’re done if you want?” Maggie’s expression turned hopeful.
“No, I can come in early tomorrow and finish it.”
“Blake, that’s ridiculous. If you’re okay with it, I can just drive myself back.” Poppy slipped her coat on and grabbed her purse. “I don’t want to keep you from what you need to do.”
“I don’t mind taking you home, Blake.” Maggie stepped farther into the room, and he nodded.
“Yeah, okay, if you’re okay with it, Poppy?”
“Of course.”
He handed her his car keys and saw her to the Yukon. When she was in the driver seat, he leaned against the open window. “So you’re sure you remember how to get home?”
Her cheeks were red from the chilled air. “Yeah, it’s a pretty straight shot, but I have my cell and GPS. If I need you, I’ll call.”
“Okay, well, send me a text when you get there.” He straightened and touched the hand closest to him. For several seconds, they stared at each other. Blake couldn’t deny it, couldn’t ignore the tingle that traveled up his arm from the simple touch. He pulled his arm away and made a fist. He stood there and watched her drive away, knowing in his gut he should have gone with her. Poppy’s emotions were still raw, and she didn’t need to be alone.
“She’ll be fine, Blake.” Maggie’s voice sounded behind him, but he didn’t bother turning around. He continued to watch the Yukon that got smaller and smaller. “Besides, once this is done, the two of you will have all kinds of free time to visit.” He turned around then, and Maggie looked up at him.
“Yeah, well let’s just get this done. I don’t feel right having her go home alone.” Maggie led the way, and right before Blake entered, he turned around and watched the now empty road. He placed a hand over his heart, realizing that watching Poppy leave left an ache in the center of his chest.
Guilt swamped him, because at that moment, he realized Poppy meant something more to him than as his sister-in-law, and as more than just the widow of his little brother. He lifted his hand and looked at it. He could still feel the tingles that her touch caused within him.
She meant the world to him, and that was a very dangerous emotion, one he didn’t know if he felt comfortable with.Chapter 9Poppy cleaned up her dishes from dinner and put them away. She had been home for several hours, had sent a text to Blake when she arrived, but hadn’t heard anything from him since. No doubt he was busy, but after she left, he was the only thing she could think about. And it was those thoughts that made her feel sick. She sat on the couch and stared at the fire she started when she first arrived.