Chapter 37

Wedding weekend came quickly. Poppi had thought she had way more time to prepare herself for a five hour car ride in the back seat with Madden, but she was wrong.

They didn’t even say hello to one another when they got into the vehicle. Fred finished piling bags into the back of the black SUV and they were off.

The roads were smooth and relaxing. Poppi read a book while Madden scrolled on his phone. They didn’t even glance at one another for two hours.

Poppi was finished with a few chapters so she set her book on the seat between them.

Boom!

Fred hit a large pothole and it sent her book flying forward. Poppi and Madden went to catch the book at the same time. The book fell to the floor, but their fingers were touching on the seat.

Neither of them moved. Only their pinkies touched, but it was enough to send electric shock waves through both of their bodies.

Valyn noticed a shift in their demeanors.

“Poppi dear, can you check the route on your phone and find us a gas station? Fred wants to maybe fill up since we have been driving for two hours already,” Valyn said.

Fred looked over at her startled by her claim.

“V, I have a half tank. I’m good,” Fred said.

No matter his response, this still broke whatever moment Poppi and Madden were having.

Poppi moved her hand first and then Madden followed. He glanced over at her and gave her a small smile. She did not return the smile.

This weekend was going to be super difficult if this is how they were starting off already.

Three more hours went by painfully slow, but they finally made it to the cottage.

Pointing to a small blue cottage behind the large one they were staying in, Valyn said, “MJ, your living quarters will be in that blue cottage just behind the house. You will be staying with cousins Drake and Talon.

Poppi’s head snapped up from her phone.

She was shocked to hear that he wasn’t staying with them. But he would have fun with Drake and Talon. They were very protective over Poppi. Madden would enjoy the company.

Poppi inhaled the mahogany smell of the staircase. She set her bags down for Fred to carry to her room. Then she went off to explore.

Madden had already dropped his bags and was playing horseshoes with Talon. Poppi tried to not watch him, but she was mesmerized by each muscle flexing when he tossed the shoe.

Talon noticed her watching.

“Is that my little popcorn?” He asked, setting down his horseshoes and running over to hug Poppi.

She embraced him.

“Hi Tally. How have you been? You didn’t come to the fourth this year!” She noted.

“Listen, work has been super demanding. I was only able to take this weekend off or the fourth. And you know your aunt Babs. She will not allow me to miss a wedding in the family, so wedding it is!” He laughed.

Madden kept throwing his horseshoes, never looking up at Poppi or Talon.

“He isn’t a man of many words is he? How are you enjoying having a big brother now?” He asked, using air quotes.

“It’s fine Tal. Mom has really overwhelmed us both with all the family bonding. It’s a lot,” Poppi claimed.

That evening they had to meet at the reception hall for the dinner rehearsal.

Hagen was beautiful per usual. She was making her way around the room, greeting everyone she came by.

The reception hall was decorated in a farm chic look with muted greens laced throughout.

Poppi was already at the venue. She looked around to see who was all present. Pretending that she wasn’t looking for—HIM! She didn’t see him, but did see a guy named Hohner that she used to date before he moved to Louisiana. He and Hagen’s brother were best friends, so it made sense that he would be here.

She tried to look passed him quickly, but he spotted her and made his way over to her.