Belle took a step back to allow Katie to help the men.While she waited, Belle picked up some flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, lard, oats, and cornmeal.She also chose some green coffee beans that she would roast.She put them all on the corner of the counter while the men tried to outbid each other for the bread and cakes.
Finally, the men were done, and Belle added some bacon and beef jerky to the counter.That would last them at least a little while.
“I was worried I made too much...I guess not!”Belle said, shaking her head.
Katie laughed.“Make as much as you can, and I promise, I’ll be able to sell it.I have a few bread pans for sale if they would help you...”
“I’ll take all you have!”Belle said, excited that she would have things to do other than clean her already clean cabin.If it wasn’t so late in the year, she could plant her own garden, and that would fill her time nicely.Next year.
It was strange to her that she was already making plans for next year when she’d only just arrived, but in a way, it made sense.She wanted to grow every year, and that would be a way she could.
Thankfully, Katie had a crate Belle could use to carry everything home.There was no delivery in the small community.Katie said she was certain it would happen, but it wouldn’t be right away.
Once home, she carefully stored the items she’d purchased and heated water to wash the bread pans.She couldn’t believe how excited she was that she would be able to make some money.She’d read once that when people started making money, it felt strange not to be earning something.Perhaps they were right.
For supper that night she made a large pot of navy beans with bacon.She would serve the meal over rice.Everett seemed to believe that any meal served with rice or bread was something special.Tonight, she’d serve both.
When Everett arrived home, he hugged her and kissed the top of her head.“Supper smells good.”
“It’s just rice and beans with bread on the side,” Belle told him.
“I heard some commotion about there being cake and bread available at the Johnsons’ today.Was that you?”
“It was.I bought more supplies and more bread pans, so I can bake in larger quantities.I hope that’s all right.”
He nodded.“Of course.You put it on our account?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll check in with Mr.Johnson tomorrow.If we owe something, I’ll settle up.I don’t see how we possibly could owe, though.”
“Sounds good.”Belle watched as he washed his face and hands in the water she’d put into a bowl for that purpose.“Would you be opposed to me buying a sewing machine?”she asked, forcing the words out quickly.“It would pay for itself.I want to sew clothes for Katie to keep in stock.”
He dried his hands, looking over at her.“I wouldn’t mind if you purchased a sewing machine for any reason.You have a right to have things that make your tasks easier.”
“Oh, thank you!”she said.“I want to be able to continue earning.I know you don’t need me to, but I worked for so long, I would feel lazy if I didn’t do something.”
He chuckled.“Just so you balance your time well.And be ready to give it up when the children are born if you need to.”
The idea of having children sent a thrill through her.She desperately wanted to be a mother.“Sit, and I’ll serve everything,” she said, quickly filling two bowls with the rice and beans before slicing a loaf of bread and putting it on a plate on the table with butter.
“This feels like a feast!”he said, reaching for a piece of bread.“I should have sent for a bride years ago!”
She laughed.“I have a feeling you would be married to someone else if you’d done so.”
They chatted as they ate.He talked about his day and the logs some of his men were floating down the Yukon River to Lake Bennett.She talked about how the men had reacted to her bread and cakes.“I purchased six loaf pans and four small loaf pans today.I think I could make small loaf cakes and the men would buy them.”
He laughed softly.“They will buy anything you make, so don’t worry about that at all.”
“I’ll try not to.Katie mentioned that most of them have a sweet tooth.I’m thinking of making muffins to sell if I can find good berries.”
He frowned.“We’ll go berry picking after church tomorrow.I’ll feel better if you search for them while I’m with you.”
“Church?I thought you said there wasn’t a church in town!”
“There isn’t, but we still have services.Mr.Johnson acts as minister.Well, it’s more like he leads a short Bible study with everyone who wants to join.I usually attend.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!I would love to go.”
