No matter what she did, Poppy couldn't seem to win. Ever since the night Isaac had cared for her, something had changed, and it wasn't for the good. It's as if he regretted getting close to her that night and pulled back.

He was mad at her for doing too much, for helping Boyd with the tours, for taking care of the horses, and the final straw was her book. Poppy finally got the courage to show it to him, and he glanced through it without saying a word. Nothing, not I hate it, not how dare you, not I love it, he had said nothing.

She had been hurt beyond belief. It had been three weeks since Morgan's attack on her, and it was nearing the end of November. Her family had sent out the message that everyone who could, should meet in Texas for a holiday, and Poppy was going.

She needed some space and time away to evaluate the situation, find out what went wrong, and figure out how to get it back on track.

To the best of her knowledge, Siobhan was gone, and none of the Glenns had been heard from. Issac might not tell her, but Boyd would unless Isaac hadn't told Boyd because he knew he would tell Poppy. This gave her pause, and she frowned.

"What's going on in here?" Isaac asked as she walked past her bedroom door. He looked at her open suitcase and then at her hands, busily folding clothes.

"I'm going home," Poppy said, itching for a fight.

"And you weren't going to let me know?" he entered the room and crossed his arms.

"The Last time I checked, I was a free adult, able to come and go as I please," Poppy insisted.

"You're married. You're not free to come and go without consulting your husband. If nothing else, it's just common respect!" He closed the door behind him.

"I didn't think it would matter. In fact, I thought you might be glad to get rid of me since everything I do seems to annoy you lately." Poppy walked over to her dresser and started to back her makeup bag.

"That's a very dramatic statement," Isaac said, shaking his head.

"No, it's not, Isaac. It's a fact. You're unhappy with everything I try to do. You won't let me help Boyd with the tours, you won't let me help in the stables, you won't let me walk the children to or from school, and..." Poppy couldn't say the bit about the book. That still hurt too much.

"And?" he questioned.

"Nothing. It doesn't matter." Poppy shook her head, fighting tears.

"Clearly it does matter because you're about to cry."

"Fine, my book. I wanted you to approve of it, like it, and you barely even reacted!" She spat as she spun on him. "Why do you hate me all of a sudden?" Poppy walked toward him and stopped in front of him.

"I don't hate you, Poppy." His eyes met hers, but it wasn't enough this time. With his long looks, he had always let her in before, but he had removed even that from her.

"That night you took care of me, I thought..." she shook her head, letting the tears fall. "You're further from me than ever, and I don't know what I did. I have no clue what you're thinking!" It was time to grab the bull by the horns, lay all her cards on the table, and see what happened. His reaction would give her a lot to think about while she was in Texas and tell her what her future would be like if she stayed.

"I know you heard me talking to Siobhan in the woods that day. I know you heard me say that I love you." Poppy's voice cracked as he turned and walked toward the door. "Stop, Isaac! I'm not finished. Please hear me out."

Isaac took a deep breath and turned around to face her.

"The night when you held me in the bathtub was special and so out of character for you. I thought that I had possibly broken through and that you cared for me a little, but the next morning, your walls were higher than ever, and you have been keeping me at arm's length. Why? I think I deserve to know why." Poppy grabbed his arm, but he stepped away from her as if he couldn't stand her touch.

"That right there is why I'm leaving." Poppy shook her head and wiped her cheek. "I love you, but you obviously hate me and can't even stand my touch. That's no way to live." Poppy returned to her packing.

"I don't hate you," Isaac said after a long silence.

"Then say something that gives me hope for my return," Poppy begged.

"You're going to come back, then?" he asked. "Even though you're so unhappy." He frowned in displeasure at his words.

"Yes, Isaac. I made a promise to you and the children. But if this is going to be your new normal, I need to think about what that means for me, and I have to be surrounded by people who love me to do that. I need to be reminded that I am loved."

Isaac closed his eyes at her words as if they hurt him physically.

He cleared his throat. "That night, when I saw you hurt. All I wanted to do was hold you close. I need to feel you, and you were so bruised that I knew I could allow myself to do it, knowing it wouldn't go further for fear of hurting you more." He stepped toward her and took her hand. "That is what I am most frightened of, hurting you."

"But you are hurting me, Isaac!" she said in exasperation.

"No, I'm protecting you from getting hurt." He shook his head in denial.

"Is that what you've been doing?" Poppy thought about it, and most of the things he was angry about were her wanting to do physical stuff.

"My mother used to get hurt a lot," Isaac added, and it was so unexpected, almost as if the child in him was speaking. She wanted to ask more. Was she clumsy, or did someone hurt her?

Poppy nodded, letting him know that she understood.

"And my book? Did you not like it? Because if you didn't, I'll scrap it," Poppy promised.

"No, I loved it. I was so proud of you when I read it. We're all there. It's lovely." He gave a small smile.

"Then why couldn't you tell me that!" Poppy yelled as she moved to him and started to beat his massive chest in frustration.

"Because I thought you would see through me and see the truth."

Poppy froze at his words. "What truth, Isaac."

"I'll tell you if and when you return, Poppy." He dropped a quick kiss on her upturned and shocked face.

He had just played her. She stepped back and looked at him with a frown.

"You can't blame me, Poppy. I want to ensure you return, and I agree with your opening statement. You should come and go as you please, even though it scares all of us when you leave. We're so frightened that you won't choose to come back." Isaac rubbed a tear off her cheek.

"Now, do you need a ride to the airport?" he asked.

"Will I get a kiss goodbye if you take me?" She was looking for a hint.

"Yes, you will get a kiss goodbye from all of us," Issac assured her.

"All of us?"

"Yes, I think we should all take you together. We must normalize it for everyone if you're going to go often. What time do you need to leave?"

"In about an hour." Poppy looked at the clock.

"You didn't leave me much time, did you."

"I didn't expect you to be happy with my leaving," Poppy reminded him.

"For the record, I'm not, but I won't keep you here against your will." Isaac smiled and left her to finish packing, leaving Poppy wondering what in the world had just happened and how the entire situation had turned on her so quickly.

She had plenty to think about. What had he meant when he thought she would see the truth? Also, why was his mother always getting hurt? Poppy sat down hard on the bed and looked at her suitcase. Now she didn't want to go. Would he tell her if she stayed?

Her phone dinged, and it was her mother telling her she was excited to see her soon. The woman had a sixth sense.

Poppy sighed. She had to go.

They all drove to the airport together, blasting songs on the radio and singing along, and the kids were excited about the adventure. Once there, Isaac unloaded her case and gave her a lingering kiss that she got lost in before the other had their turn.

Now he kissed me, she thought, frustrated, and she knew he could read her thoughts

As she walked away from them, she felt like shewas leaving home, not heading toward it.