Poppy had tossed and turned all night, thinking that Isaac might have heard her say that she loved him. Every time she thought of it, she cringed. It had just slipped out. She couldn't help but wonder how it would change things between them.

Since she couldn't sleep, she woke up early and decided to go for a ride. The only person she saw on her way to the stable was Uncle Boyd. He was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for the children, and she explained that she wasn't hungry and wanted to go for a ride.

He didn't seem concerned and told her to be careful and not wander too far.

Poppy agreed and reminded him that Sally and Ayleen were coming that morning for a party planning session, and she should be back in time to meet them.

Then, taking her time, she saddled Slinger, telling him he was handsome and a good boy as he preened under her attention. There was no one around, and she enjoyed the solitude. She spent more time thinking about Isaac and how he was such a calm, steady presence and not as hot-headed as she had first thought. Something in Siobhan's story didn't sit right with her. She couldn't put her finger on it but couldn't see Isaac being reckless in love. He was so careful with what and who he loved.

Maybe it was just that he didn't love her, so she hadn't seen that side of him, a little voice said. Having solved nothing on her ride, she decided it was time to head back.

Poppy rode by the castle on her way back to the stable and saw Sallie and Ayleen arriving. She stopped to tell them time had gotten away from her and asked them to give her a few minutes. Then she rode to the stables, where she saw Morgan Brown lounging on hay and not doing anything.

She loathed the idea of asking him to care for Slinger, so she worked quickly to take off his tack, put it away, and then give him a quick brush down. She had just finished and was heading out of the stable, walking past Morgan with a nod.

He must have felt her nod was slight because he jumped up and blocked her way.

"Did you enjoy your ride?" he asked, pushing into her personal space and looking at her intensely; it was creepy.

"I did, thank you," she tried to walk around him, but he reached out a hand and grabbed her wrist, clasping it in a vice-like grip.

"Let me go," she insisted, trying to turn her wrist and free it, but he only tightened his hold.

"In a minute, first, I want to look at you. You're such a pretty little thing, so a slight gust of wind would blow you away. How can you let such a big man like Isaac Harrison touch you? You need a gentle touch."

"What I need is for you to let me go because this," she tugged at her wrist, "is not gentle."

"Hmmm." He reached up and grabbed a strand of her hair that had come loose from her ponytail, and she jerked her head away, which angered him more, so he grabbed her chin in a vice-like grip.

"Watch yourself. You might get hurt," he warned.

That was all it took. Had he known her, he would have recognized the spark of anger in her eyes at his words.

"No, I suggest you let me go, or you'll be the one to get hurt!" she hissed.

His hand tightened on her chin, and that was the final straw as she reared back with her free hand and punched him in the nose. He immediately let her go as he cupped his bloody nose. She knew he was vain, and that would hurt both physically and mentally.

"You little bitch!" he said as she reached out with a bloody hand struck her across the cheek.

Poppy saw stars for a brief moment but was not one to stay down for long; she grabbed a metal pail and struck him across the head, then punched him in the stomach. The pail didn't do much damage, but the punch to the gut winded him.

"Come on. Brown!" She yelled as she jumped on his back and started wailing on him. "You don't touch me or any woman without their permission ever!"

He dropped to his knees and covered his head.

Before she had a chance to stand up and punch him again, she was lifted off his back and tossed over a shoulder.

"You have less than five minutes to get off my property, or I'll turn her loose again, and when she's finished with you, it'll be my turn!" Isaac roared.

"Yeah!" Poppy said into Isaac's back.

"And then it'll be mine!" Peter cried, kicking at the dirt. "You don't hurt my Mum!"

Poppy could feel Isaac shaking with rage, and she guessed he was holding it in only because Peter was there.

Poppy got mad again at the thought of Peter being upset and started squirming to have another go, so Isaac tightened his hold as Morgan got slowly to his feet.

"I'll sue you for this!" Morgan cried.

"Go ahead. I doubt she started it, and the video footage will show that," Isaac informed him, watching Morgan's eyes dart around and looking for the cameras.

"And I wouldn't stay around town!" Ayleen said. "I'm going to make sure everyone in town knows about this by sundown."

Morgan quickly left the stable, and they all held still until they heard his car start and drive away. Only then did Isaac set Poppy down. As soon as her feet hit the ground, Peter charged her, wrapping his arms around her waist, crying.

"Poppy sunk to the ground and pulled him close. "Hey, I'm okay," she insisted, rocking him.

"He hit you!" Peter hiccupped.

"Yes, he's not very nice, is he? But you know what? I grew up with seven uncles who taught me how to fight." She hugged him. Did you see me hit him with the bucket?" She giggled, which lightened the moment. "Your, Dad, better not make me mad, or I'll get him with the bucket too."

Poppy looked up at Isaac, whose stance was wide with crossed arms as he watched them. She couldn't tell if he was mad at her or not.

"Maybe we should meet about the party later," Ayleen suggested.

"Nope, give me time to get cleaned up and change, and I'll be ready. I have to do something with this adrenaline." Poppy motioned for Isaac to pick up Peter, who wrapped his arms around Isaac's neck while Ayleen held out a hand and pulled her up, giving Poppy a quick hug.

"Sure, Peter and I can catch Sally and Boyd up on what happened." Ayleen reached out and took Peter, who was just as happy to be held by her as anyone. He was enjoying all the attention, and Poppy could tell that he was suddenly eager to tell the story.

Poppy watched Ayleen and Peter go, listening to Peter's chatter as they left.

Isaac was watching her, and when she could no longer take his gaze, she turned and looked at him.

"What!"

His only answer was to reach for and pull her close, giving her a quick and hard kiss. "Remind me never to make you mad."

Poppy shook her head. "I'm generally not a violent person." Her knees were weak and trembling, but she didn't know if it was his kiss or the adrenaline wearing off.

Isaac wrapped his arm around her and walked her up to the house and then to her room, where he examined her wrist with his anger plain on his face as he saw the bruising and swelling. Then he turned her face where he could see the bruising around her chin and cheek from Morgan's grasp and slap.

Poppy stepped away from his gentle touch, wanting it to turn into something else, and began to strip off her dirty clothes.

"Why did you all come out to the stable anyway?" Poppy asked.

"Ayleen was worried that it was taking you so long, and Peter wanted to see the horses," Isaac explained, watching her grab fresh clothes and go into the bathroom for a quick shower. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I think so, but maybe you should plan to stay with me tonight, just in case I get scared." Poppy peeked around the door and smiled sweetly.

"If you need me to, I will," he offered. Either he didn't get the joke, or he knew it was a weak attempt to deflect her fear.

"Maybe," she said before ducking her head back into the bathroom and climbing into the shower.

He waited patiently as she showered and changed, and when she rejoined him, he stood and pulled her close.

"None of that was your fault, and I'm proud of you, Poppy. Your uncles would be proud of you, too, although they would probably tear me to shreds for putting you in that position."

Poppy was thoughtful as she thought of how Morgan Brown had come to them, and she wondered if it was all planned by Siobhan. She couldn't voice her suspicions aloud because it would be a serious accusation, and she didn't want to accuse anyone falsely, but she had her doubts.

"A family member recommended him; you couldn't guess he would do what he did." Poppy held him tight, enjoying her ability to do so."

Isaac shook his head. "I think we both disliked him from the first."

Poppy nodded, knowing she did.

"In the future, if we have doubts about anyone, we'll share them."

"Fine, I have doubts about Siobahn running the tours. You should give it to Boyd, and I'll help him." Poppy blurted out. It was his idea, and if he didn't like it too bad!

"I don't disagree with you at all. Right now, I'm biding my time until I have a reason to ask her to leave and not return, but I would prefer that she do something to embarrass herself enough to choose not to come back." He was still holding her.

Poppy was silent, wanting to tell him she believed Siobhan was behind today's events, but he must have read her mind.

"If she was behind today's events, I hope it will eventually come out," he said, letting her know that his thoughts were identical to hers.

"You think that too?" Poppy looked up at him.

"I do, but I don't have proof. We're in a precarious position. The Glenns have backed off, but if they imagine a slight against their daughter, they might make trouble again just for the sake of making trouble."

Poppy hadn't thought of that.

"I was hoping you would go to Savannah with me for a few weeks for the engagement party. Is that possible, or should I say I can't make it?" Poppy would be disappointed if he didn't go with her.

"Let's get through this party first," he suggested, stepping away from her.

Poppy nodded. "Let me know if you need help with Siobhan. I throw a mean bucket."

"And a mean right hook by the look of Morgan's nose." Isaac smiled and looked at her bruised hand, kissing it. "Let's get some ice on this and show the others that you're alright."

Poppy felt her heart rate increase at his lips on her skin.

Maybe having him stay the night in her bed wasn't a bad idea at that.