When Poppy returned to her sister Sarah’s home, she helped get the little ones fed. After more than ten years of marriage, Sarah had five children, and Poppy did all she could to help her sister.
“Elmer invited our new neighbor for supper tonight,” Sarah told her. “He seems like a very nice man.” Sarah was well aware that her sister was interested in getting married and starting a family of her own.
“Oh, I met him after the service today. Pastor Jed introduced him. His eyes seem to be aching to tell a story. I can’t wait to hear it.” She wondered if all the prayers she’d been saying daily since finishing school were leading her to Jacob Alexander. She prayed for a husband and family every day.
Sarah smiled. “I’ll find some way to leave the two of you alone at least for a little bit. Then you can get to know each other and decide what you think of him.”
Poppy’s whole face lit up at the idea. “I would love that if you don’t mind.”
Sarah shook her head. “With all the help you’ve given me with my children over the years, I could never pay you back for what you’ve done.”
“You raised me. You could have easily sent the three of us to live with another family, but you never considered the option. I will never stop being grateful to you.”
Sarah shook her head. “I couldn’t very well leave my brothers and sister.”
Poppy smiled. She could never get Sarah to understand what a wonderful thing she’d done without making her sister uncomfortable. “Is it okay if I work in the garden for a bit? I want to sink my hands in the dirt.”
Sarah laughed. “You think you need my permission to help me garden?”
Poppy smiled at that before going to her room to change into some old clothes. She’d be sure to change again before Mr. Alexander arrived for supper.
An hour later, she was kneeling in the dirt, carefully pulling weeds from the garden. She could feel a smudge of dirt across her face, and she knew she looked a fright.
When it was time to help Sarah with supper, Poppy stood and brushed as much dirt off her dress as she could. She would change right away, of course, but she didn’t want to get dirt all over Sarah’s clean home.
“Miss Smith?” The voice was deep, slightly roughened. Jacob Alexander stood there, watching her brush the dirt from her dress. “Is this how the schoolteacher spends her Sunday afternoons?”
“Mr. Alexander,” Poppy replied, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest. Her gaze met his, and for an instant, she felt like she would never be able to catch her breath. She wished she knew the secrets hidden in the deep pools of his brown eyes, but she wasn’t certain he would ever let her close enough to know anything.
“Jacob, please,” he said, closing the distance between them with a few measured steps. “I hope I’m not late.”
“Of course not.” She smiled. “I was just about to go inside and help Sarah with supper. My brother-in-law is in his furniture shop. Would you like me to take you there?”
“Yes, I’d like to see his work.” They walked side by side to the building beside their home, their arms barely grazing. Each brush was like a spark that spread through Poppy’s body. “Have you always been a teacher, Miss Smith?” Jacob asked.
“Poppy, please,” she corrected gently. “And yes, I’ve been teaching since I turned sixteen four years ago. We had a lot ofteachers in and out before that. I love watching young faces light up when they learn something new.”
“Admirable,” he murmured, his gaze lingering on her.
“Elmer, you remember Jacob Alexander.”
Elmer looked up from a rocking chair he was sanding. “Good to see you again, Jacob.”
“I’ll leave the two of you. I need to help Sarah with supper.” Poppy left, immediately going to talk to Sarah. “I’m covered in dirt, and he’s here. I’m going to change into something cleaner, and then I’ll help with supper.”
Sarah smiled. “You look beautiful as always.”
“Don’t flatter me. I know the sheer amount of dirt I’m wearing.”
“You may want to wash your face while you’re changing. There’s dirt smeared.” Sarah pointed to her chin, and then her forehead. “Well, really, it’s all over.”
Poppy closed her eyes for a moment. “And this is the first eligible man I’ve found to be attractive. Of course, I’m covered in dirt.” She hurried from the room and cleaned up, coming back in one of the dresses she wore to teach. Wasn’t it just her luck to meet a kind man when she was wearing more dirt than the Oregon Trail?
Sarah had decided on chicken and dumplings for supper. Many of the townsfolk needed furniture, but it was easier for them to pay with chickens or hogs. Sarah based many of their meals on the currency Elmer was paid in.
“Who gave us the chickens?” Poppy asked, knowing that’s why they were having this particular meal.”
“Pastor Jed and Hannah,” Sarah said. “They received the chickens as a tithe, and Hannah needed another bed. Her children are growing up so quickly.”
