Page 5 of Gifted

“The hotel mentioned we could order food here?”

“Alright. Cook has steak pie, fish ‘n’ chips, and burgers.”

I glanced at Poppy. “Get whatever you want.”

“Steak pie,” she told the server. “And a Coke? Do you have Coke?”

“Sure, love.”

“I’ll have the same,” I told her. Truly, I could use a pint, but it would be better to keep all my inhibitions close to me rather than letting loose a few with alcohol. Spending the night with Poppy would call for all my control.

I studied her again in the subdued lighting of the place. I knew her age, but everything about her rang older. It wasn’t just intelligence in her eyes; it was a weary maturity. She didn’t strike me as worldly, per se. Just mentally aged. And it raised plenty of questions inside me.

Catching me staring at her, she grimaced in consternation. “I really am sorry.”

“What?”

“For getting us stranded here.”

“Oh…yeah. Well, worse things have happened, haven’t they? I can think of situations more awful than being stuck in Scotland for an extra few days.”

“Yes?”

I nodded, suddenly feeling the need to comfort her. My fingers flexed again. I couldn’t reach for her. I couldn’t pull her into my lap.

“Do you need to call home?” I asked. “Once we get back to the hotel, I’ll have to see about rearranging flights. I can let you know what I book, so you can relay it.”

She gave a small shake of her head. “It’s only me.”

“Excuse me?” I asked. I’d heard her incorrectly, right?

“My parents died a few years ago. Until I turned eighteen, their estate hired a guardian for me. A separate conservator oversaw the properties, businesses and finances. When I turned eighteen this year, I became responsible for myself, but I do have a financial manager and lawyer for my inheritance.”

“A few years ago?”

“I was eleven.”

Fuck me. That was the maturity I saw in her. I’d be willing to bet her holidays had been lonely ever since then. It made complete sense that she might want to go on this trip to get away and perhaps, for a short time, forget she was alone.

And here I was mentally bitching about my father pressing me to rejoin the family.

“I’m sorry, Poppy. I’m so sorry.”

She gave a small shrug. “Thanks. I’m finding my way. They left me well provided for.”

Provided for but alone. That draw I’d felt pulling me toward her for over a year strengthened, urging me to take her and never let her be alone again.

“When I go back, I’m meeting my family in Denver for the rest of break.” My mouth worked faster than my thoughts, laying out my gut feeling rather than something sensible. “You could come with me.”

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