Page 10 of Poppy’s Prayers (Clover Creek Community #8)

Poppy spent the day of her wedding anniversary washing diapers and working in the garden. She changed into clean clothes before Jacob was due to come home, but she was certain he’d forgotten, which was all right with her. So much had happened in their year together that it surprised her to realize it truly had only been one year.

Just before Jacob arrived at the end of his workday, Sarah, Elmer, and their children arrived. Poppy was surprised to see the children with them because they hadn’t spent much time at her new home. Not that she minded. She’d taught her nephews and nieces in school, and she had a close relationship with each of them.

“What are you doing here?” Poppy asked. “I was just about to put supper on the table.”

“We’re here to take care of the boys while you and Jacob go to supper at the boarding house. Happy anniversary, little sister.” Sarah spread her arms, embracing Poppy. “It’s been a tough first year for you, but I have a feeling everything will be better from this moment forward.”

“Are you sure Jacob is planning to take me out for supper?” Poppy asked, surprised to hear he’d remembered their anniversary.

Sarah nodded. “We’re eating your supper. I brought two loaves of bread and a dessert, so we can stretch whatever you made into a meal for all of us.”

Poppy smiled. “I made a beef stew with dumplings. It’s Jacob’s favorite.”

“I’m sure we’ll enjoy it then,” Elmer said, grinning at her.

“I’ve never left the babies…” Poppy said. “I nursed them a few minutes ago though.”

“They’ll be fine until you get home then. If they start crying, we’ll send Herman to fetch you.” Herman was Sarah and Elmer’s oldest son.

“I don’t mind, Aunt Poppy!”

Poppy smiled. “I suppose the decision is made then.”

Jacob opened the door to the cabin then. “Are you ready?” he asked.

Poppy nodded. Apparently, Jacob had kept a change of clothes in the barn because his clothes weren’t covered in sweat and dirt. “I’m ready. I’m not ready to leave my sons, but I’m ready to spend time alone with my husband.”

The team was hitched to the buggy, and Jacob helped her inside. “The boys will be fine,” Jacob told her. She knew they would, but it was still a little scary to leave them.

“When did you plan all this?” she asked.

“Last week,” he said. “When I realized our anniversary was close, I decided that I needed a bit of time with my wife.”

He guided the buggy toward town. “I wish I had time to take you for a drive to the lake today, but that’ll wait until the weekend. The boys should get to see it too.”

She laughed softly. The boys were two months old and didn’t particularly care about seeing the lake, but she would be happy to make the drive with him. “That sounds wonderful.”

Jacob had been a changed man since the boys were born, and she was thrilled that he was treating her as she’d expected to be treated when they first married. It was strange that he wanted private time with her, even though he’d ignored her for a long time when they were newlyweds.

At the boarding house, Margaret herself brought their meals out to them. She handed Jacob some flowers, and he in turn, presented them to Poppy. “I didn’t have time to pick any today, but I asked Margaret to have some ready for you.”

Poppy smiled, burying her face in the blooms. “Thank you.”

Jacob tilted his head to one side. “Your smile is thanks enough.”

She tried a bite of the food Margaret had brought and smiled. “I wish I could cook as well as Margaret.”

“Oh, you cook every bit as well as she does.” He took a bite of the pot roast in front of them. “I prefer the way you season your roast.”

“You’ve changed,” she said softly.

He took a deep breath and looked into her eyes. “Having the twins, and them both being boys named after Lucas and me…I feel like I get to have a second chance to make things right, if that makes any sense at all.”

Poppy nodded. “I think it does.”

He smiled. “And watching you with the boys, and seeing how you care for them, the same way you care for me…I love you, Poppy. I took way too long to say it, and I feel like I let you down in so many ways. But it’s true. And once I love, I never let go.” He reached for her hand and drew it to his lips. “Thank you for not giving up on me.”

Poppy sniffled, tears falling down her cheeks. “I’ve waited so long to hear you say that. I love you as well. I am so glad you’re the man I’m spending my life with.”

“I couldn’t be happy without you.”