It was a beautiful summer day. The summer heat in Scotland was nothing close to what she was used to, so sitting outside in the little garden of her cottage was pleasant. The garden was full of summer roses and sweet-smelling fragrances, and it faced the road so she could watch the town saunter by on their daily routes.

Her little easel and table were set in the sun next to a couple of garden chairs as she worked on a storyboard, her first attempt at the fairy and goblin book.  She wore a sundress and cardigan with a large sun hat to keep the sun off her face. On the small table was a pitcher of water and a few glasses in case someone stopped to say hi, as they inevitably did.

She had just finished the goblin, who looked remarkably like Harrison but wasn't as scary as she wanted to make him because it was a children's book. Poppy tilted her head and considered the fairy, who looked somewhat like Mary.  Perhaps she could make all the characters resemble citizens of the small village. It was something to think about.

"Hi, Poppy. Do you have a minute to talk?" Sally said, stopping at her gate.

"Sure, Sally. Come on in and take a seat. Keep me company." Poppy sat her pencil down and poured water as Sally settled into her set.

"I wanted to give you the tour details so you could mark it on your calendar," Sally said, then took a long drink of water. "That is if you still want to go."

"I most definitely want to go!" Poppy insisted as she leaned back in her chair and turned her face to the sun. "When is it?"

"This Friday. I'll pick you up at about half past nine. The tour starts at ten, and lunch is included. It'll probably be something gross like haggis." Sally made a face. "They like to give the tourist a treat."

"I would say that's more of a punishment than a treat," Poppy said as she shook her head. She was in total agreement with Sally. She was not a fan of haggis. 

"What are you working on?" Sally asked, looking at her easel.

"It's a children's book about goblins and fairies." Poppy considered her work and tried to see it through another's eyes.

"You're very good. Where did you learn to draw?"

"My aunt is an artist. I was the youngest and always left out of my older cousins' games because I couldn't keep up. My Aunt Norah had a bad back and had to sit still a lot, so we both felt sorry for each other and would spend time together drawing. Sometimes, I made a mess of her pencils and paints, but she never got mad and always encouraged me."

"Do you have a big family?"

"Huge, and you?"

Sally shook her head. "My parents died when I was in college, and I don't have any siblings only cousins."

"Are you from here?" Poppy took a sip of her water.

"Yes, the town takes care of me and ensures I always have somewhere to go for holidays and stuff like that. It's a wonderful place to live." Sally smiled as she looked over at Poppy.

"I get that feeling." Poppy smiled back.

"How long are you here for?" Sally asked.

Poppy shrugged. "I rented this place for six months and have no plans beyond that. My parents were nomads, so I have a lot of different homes and no real roots. If one of us settles somewhere, we all consider it another home."

"Home is where the heart is." Sally nodded and looked a little sad.

"Can I ask you something?" Poppy leaned forward.

"Sure," Sally followed her lead, ready for a little gossip sharing.

"Is Isaac Harrison liked?" Poppy hated asking, but her curiosity was getting the better of her.

"Yes, he's fair and generous. We honestly didn't see him much until he took in his niece and nephew. He was in the military or did something with search and rescue, so he traveled a lot, but he's around more with the kids. His uncle, who raised him and his sister, lives with him too."

"Is that what Ayleen meant when she said history was repeating itself?"

"Yes, his uncle bought the castle and moved Isaac and his sister in when they were small, but they went away to school. Isaac has taken over running the estate since he came back."

As if they had conjured her, Mary suddenly appeared at the gate.

"Can I come in?" she asked hesitantly.

"Sure, but will your uncle have me arrested if he catches me talking to you?" Poppy grinned, not really worried about it.

Mary rolled her eyes as she sat on the ground next to Sally. "I'll tell him I'm here to see Sally. He didn't tell me I couldn't talk to her." Mary and Sally shared a conspiring smile.

"Come look at this, Mary," Poppy said, pointing to the easel.

Mary popped back up, walked to stand behind Poppy, and studied her work. "Is that me?" she asked, "and Uncle Isaac?"

"Yep, you just kind of worked your way in without my noticing. Do you mind?"  Poppy watched her response closely and swore she had tears in her eyes as she shook her head.

"Can you put my brother in it too?"

"If you like, but I don't know what he looks like." Poppy frowned.

"He and my uncle will be along soon. I snuck away early so I could talk to you. I'm sorry my uncle won't let you come and tour the castle." Mary moved to sit down next to Sally again.

Poppy was amused that Mary wasn't concerned about her uncle's grumpy attitude.

"Oh, that's alright. Sally has an extra ticket for Saturday's tour and will let me tag along with her," Poppy said calmly as she tried to contain her suddenly racing heart as she thought about Isaac Harrison passing by her gate soon. Certainly, it was apprehension about dealing with his anger again. He wouldn't be happy to see Mary sitting with them. 

"Uncle Isaac is not going to be happy about that," Mary grinned, and Poppy forced a grin in return. She would worry about Saturday if she survived the next few moments.

"Is he always so grumpy?" Poppy asked offhandedly, picking up her pencil and correcting the drawing in front of her.

"No, almost never. I was shocked when he was so angry with you. He usually doesn't mind if people use his land for walks either." Mary frowned as she thought of it.

"It must be my winning personality," Poppy joked without smiling. She had never been disliked before, and it was a new experience.

"He is a big teddy bear," Mary said.

"And he's the most eligible bachelor in the area," Sally reminded them. "Maybe he thought you came to use Mary to get to him."

"But I never even knew he existed before he was glowering down on me from that ATV, and I had no clue that Mary belonged to the castle or land!" Poppy defended herself.

"I believe you!" Sally said, and Mary nodded in agreement, then sighed.

"Here he comes, and he has my little brother Peter with him."

All three turned and looked at the large man walking with the small boy. His large hand was holding the small one as they walked and talked. Poppy stood in anticipation of either fight or flight. She wasn't sure which it was to be yet.

Peter looked about six and had the same light brown hair and freckles as Mary. Poppy's heart turned over in her chest, and she wanted to race out to the boy, scoop him up, and keep him safe. It was such a strong feeling that she clenched her hands into a fist in her lap to contain the energy flowing through her.

Maybe he'll walk right by and not see them. Poppy stared hard at the boy, memorizing his face as she had the thought. It wouldn't be a problem putting him in her story.

"Mary, let's go!" Isaac called without looking up.

"Come on, I'll introduce you to Peter." Mary jumped up and ran toward Peter, ignoring Poppy's words of warning. "Peter, this is my friend, Poppy. Come and see what she's drawing!"

Peter lifted his head and smiled at his sister's sudden attention. He released his uncle's hand and rushed toward Mary, who opened the gate for him.

"Isaac looked displeased as he stood in the road with his hands in his pocket. He could call Mary back, but he chose not to. Poppy guessed it was because both kids looked happy as they raced toward the easel.

Mary whispered something to Peter, who giggled as he looked at the drawings and then shyly at Poppy.

"Hi Peter, it's nice to meet you." Poppy gently smiled at him.

He walked over and took Poppy's hand as she knelt at his level.

"Will you put me in your story too? Mary says it's a secret. I'll keep it, don't worry."

Poppy squeezed his hand. Of course, if she published it, she would have to get Isaac's permission before she published it.

"Would you like to be a fairy or goblin?" she whispered.

"I want to be a wizard!" he hissed the z in her ear, and it tickled.

"You got it!" Poppy promised.

"Peter, Mary, let's go," Isaac said, holding his hand out for the boy, knowing the girl would refuse it.

Poppy watched them go, feeling a tug at her heart. She could envision herself walking down the road with Peter's other hand in hers as he swung between them.