Poppy turned, smiling. She’d thought he’d forgotten about her. “Mr. Alexander.”
“Jacob.”
“Then it’s Poppy.”
“Are you ready to leave?” he asked.
Poppy hurried into the schoolhouse and picked up her books and lunch pail. “I am now,” she said quickly.
He took her books and lunch pail from her. “I guess I should carry Teacher’s books.”
Poppy laughed softly. “Just don’t let the children see you. They’ll have a great deal to say about it.
He chuckled. “You must not be much older than some of your students.”
“I’m not,” she said. “The older boys are gone until after harvest, but the older girls see me more as an equal. I went to school with most of them. It’s an odd situation for certain. But I don’t need everyone in town calling you Teacher’s beau. That would get uncomfortable for both of us.”
“Oh, I don’t know. It kind of has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Small town gossip can take on a life of its own. I promise, we don’t want to go that route.”
“I wouldn’t know. I was born and raised in New York City. The first time I left was when I joined the Union Army and went to Camp Curtin in Pennsylvania.”
“That war seems so far away here. I mean, I know it’s over now, but it never felt like it really touched us.”
“It touched me,” he said, frowning. “It touched me where it hurt.”
Poppy felt the weight of his gaze, the sincerity in his words stirring something deep within her. “I’m sorry.”
“Everybody’s got a past, Poppy,” he found himself saying. “I hope you have a good evening.” He gave her back her books and lunch pail when they reached her door.
She watched him turn to leave, the tall grasses swaying in his wake. She hoped they had more opportunities to get to know one another.
“Good night, Miss Smith,” Jacob called softly over his shoulder.
“Good night, Mr. Alexander,” she replied.
*****
Jacob Alexander leaned against the weathered wood of the Clover Creek General Store, his gaze fixed on the schoolhouse across the way where Poppy Smith was dismissing her class for the day. As the last child darted past, Jacob’s eyes found Poppy again, her flaming red hair easy to spot.
“Mr. Alexander?” A voice broke through his contemplation. “You planning on standing there all day?”
Jacob offered a smile to the storekeeper who had stepped out beside him. “Just taking in the view, Mr. Jensen.”
“Miss Smith is quite the view,” the older man agreed before retreating inside his store.
Now, as he watched her close the schoolhouse door behind her, he felt an urge to step closer into her world. He wanted to know everything about her.
The notion that Poppy might share his curiosity gave rise to a sense of anticipation. “Miss Smith!” he called out, crossing the distance between them with a few purposeful strides.
“Mr. Alexander,” Poppy greeted him, a hint of surprise etching her features as she turned to face him. Her green eyes met his with an openness that quickened his pulse.
“Forgive the intrusion, but I was hoping you might entertain a question or two about Clover Creek,” he said.
“Of course,” she replied, her lips curving into a soft smile. “I’d be happy to help.”
“Perhaps you could show me around sometime? Introduce me?” Jacob ventured.
