Chapter 37

Minutes later, they were all chatting in the weighting room, finding out the man's name was Rick, and Poppy was his youngest sibling. A little time had passed, and they were still waiting to hear from the doctor.

They learned from Rick that Poppy was the baby of the family and apparently took after her mother in her short stature and feisty, fearless attitude. To Roman's relief, he also discovered Poppy was never into selling moonshine or illegal marijuana. She was totally against drugs of any kind and had it not been for her, her brothers would have gotten into a world of trouble.

When she found out her rowdy brothers were doing illegal dealing on the backside of her family farm, she set fire to the barn and watched it burn, just to keep her brothers out of prison and her father's farm legit. Even Rick admitted they made a mistake back then. They all decided to stay out of the drug business, but still ran a private moonshine still for their private batch in one of their old barns.

"So, she ended up going to jail for a month for setting fire to the barn. Poppy was so mad at us I thought my baby sister was going to beat all our asses. You may not believe this looking at her, but she's not one to piss off. Poppy has a bit of a temper under that cute innocent fashion guru persona. She's the best of the lot, and I'd do anything for that little spitfire. "

"Yeah, we know. She doesn't have one worry when it comes to tell us off." Anton chuckled. "She's not even afraid of Remi, and everyone's afraid of her. I was sure she was ready to fight all of us if she had the chance."

Rick laughed. "Well, ya did kidnap her and throw her in a basement. You're lucky she didn't get away and slit your damn throat. My sister doesn't play. I can bet the only reason she didn't escape was that she was sick. She's a strong chick. But when she's sick, she isn't the same rough and tumble girl that used to take a running leap off our barn loft, into a pile of hay. She's never been afraid of a dang thing."

"What do you mean?"

"My sister grew up with five older brothers who all tend to get into a lot of mischief. That little filly knows how to pick a lock and kick some ass. Matter of fact, I bet she's got a crush on one of you jackasses, or she wouldn't have stayed this long."

Remi looked at Roman with a laugh. "Told ya! She has a crush on you."

Standing, Roman started pacing the floor. "Forget all that. The fact is, she's in surgery because I screwed up. I don't make mistakes like this. How could I not have believed her?"

Anton noted, "Because Claudia is a lair. We were all fooled."

Rick sat back, judging what was going on. "My sister must trust you to want to help find out who killed your bother. I know her. She won't go back home to Indiana. She'll stay to help. I can't just leave her here alone with criminals. Mr. D'Amico. I'll take that job. I'm divorced and no kids. I have time if you need me."

"Well, if you can help Tate watch over your sister, we can discuss a job later… Where is that damn doctor?" Roman scowled.

Swinging open the double doors that led to the back office, the doctor stared down his glasses at the man. "That 'damn doctor' just saved that girl's life. A moment later and her appendix would have burst. Roman, don't ever do this shit again. I'm speaking as a family friend, not your doctor. You almost killed that girl. She has an infection and she'll need her rest."

"Is she okay? Can I see her?"

"She'll be fine. She had a little problem with the anesthesia, and we had to bring down her fever before surgery, but she can go back to the mansion in an hour. She isn't to do anything for twenty-four hours, understand?"

"Yes, Doc."

"The wedding," Remi whispered to her brother.

"Shh… Let's not talk about that now. Let's just get her home and into a safe, warm bed. We've all had a rough night."

"Doc, can I see her?" her brother asked, stepping forward.

"Whoa? You're a big one, aren't you? Who are you exactly?"

"I'm Poppy's bother," he said, reaching out his hand. "Thank you for saving my sister's life."

With a nod, the good doctor smiled. "Now, here are her medications. I don't want her leaving the mansion for at least two days. I take it Roman won't be making her stay there any longer unless she chooses to?"

Roman shook his head in embarrassment as he looked away. "She'll be going home when she's better if she wants. I won't rush her."

"Roman, she wants to see you first. Then her brother can go in. Keep it quick. She needs her rest."

"Thank you, Doc. Rick, you go on in."

The man shook his head. "Nah, if she is asking for you, that means she trusts you. Go ahead."

"Thanks. And I meant that about that job."

"It'll cost ya. I don't work for free. I got bills to pay."

"Yeah, we'll talk." Roman chuckled as he walked back to the room where Poppy was recovering from surgery.

He had to make a choice now. Let her stay, and risk falling for the woman he now knew was not Claudia. Or send her away and regret every life choice he's ever made. He might have found the little girl from the vineyard. Maybe she was just a world away on another farm, in another place. Maybe he just imagined her, the perfect girl.

She was here now, and he didn't think he could let her go. But all that mattered now was she was going home, safe and sound.