Poppy: Bride of Alaska (American Mail-Order Bride 49) by Cassie Hayes

into Poppy’s heart, becoming something like a grandmother to her. The closest thing she’d had to a grandmother was Old Lady Johnson, the neighbor who taught her to read.
    “Of course not. This is my home now. It’s only been a month and I’ve never been happier in my life, Eddie. The scenery, the people, the quiet solitude.” She stopped on the boardwalk and caught her friend’s gaze. “I never want to live anywhere else.”
    A touch of sadness colored Eddie’s smile.  
    “Even if it means doing so without him?”
    It felt as if a heavy weight was pressing on Poppy’s chest, making it harder to breathe. But she refused to show such weakness in front of anyone, even Eddie.  
    “I’ve lived this long without a man to take care of me, Eddie, I think I’ll get along just fine without him.”  
    Tears prickled behind her eyes, and she was glad for the gloam of dusk to hide her pinkening nose. Over the last month, she’d grown to enjoy Matthew’s company. In the evenings, after the rest of the staff had retired, they would talk late into the night, sharing stories of their lives. She laughed at the high-fashion mishaps he suffered through at balls and galas, and he gasped in horror at some of the tamer stories from her tenement days.  
    They’d even exchanged Christmas gifts during the mission’s big holiday dinner. She gave him a new shoe polishing kit because he was forever buffing and cleaning his footwear, and he gave her a shiny new chain for Ma’s locket. It now lived nestled against her heart, a constant reminder of her mother.
    She had to admit that, for the first time in her life, she counted a man as a friend. Naturally, every time he talked about going back to Boston, a part of her ached to ask him to stay, but that would be pointless. Why would he?
    “Child, you’ve suffered through more than most people ever have nightmares about, and you came out the other side for the better. You’re strong and independent, just like me. It’s why we get along so well.”
    It was her turn to stop walking. Her expression was full of love and understanding, and it made Poppy want to run for her life.
    “I know you don’t need a man, dear, but you obviously want one.”
    Poppy opened her mouth to protest but Eddie put a finger to her lips and winked.
    “One in particular.”
    * ~ * ~ *
    Matthew couldn’t help smiling as Poppy prattled on and on about the people at the Rancherie. This new outreach position really suited her. She’d taken to teaching more easily than he thought but the school’s rules were rubbing her raw. Now she had free reign. It was nice to see her happy. If anyone deserved a little happiness, it was Poppy Adams…er, Turner.  
    “And then the mother, I think her name was Savak-tla, waved me over and gave me a bowl of something hot.” Her cheeks glowed with excitement and he honestly couldn’t wait to hear the rest of the story.
    “What was it?”
    “Dried salmon stew! Matthew, I swear, it was better than just about anything the cook here has made since we arrived. It was a small bowl, and I didn’t want to eat up all their food, but I certainly could have had seconds, it was that delicious.”
    “If they have so little to eat, why did you accept the food at all?”
    A wrinkle gouged the spot in between her eyes. For a moment, he worried that his question was too forward, that he’d offended her. After a rocky start, they settled into a comfortable friendship and he didn’t want to rock the boat. Then she answered.
    “Because to do otherwise would have been unthinkably rude. Many cultures around the world have a similar custom. If you go to someone’s home and are offered food or drink, you accept. Period. To refuse would imply that you either don’t think they’re worthy or that they can’t provide. Either way, you accept. If they offer a second round, it’s then acceptable to politely decline. You didn’t know that?”
    He laughed at her surprise.  
    “Poppy, I