Myrtle immediately invited her to spend mornings in her cabin with her.“You can knit or sew while I bake,” Myrtle said, smiling.“You’ll have a chance to suggest desserts.”
The following morning, Josie went to Myrtle’s cabin as soon as Jack had left for work.She was still nervous around Jack, but it had gotten much better as time went by.
Josie happily knitted and chatted with Myrtle as her friend made many loaves of bread and some sugar-cookie dough cobblers.When Myrtle was finished with her baking, Josie stood and washed dishes with her friend.“I’m still trying to decide what I should do.I didn’t mind foraging, but it didn’t excite me either.You’re so happy baking and cooking, but I don’t feel that either.”
“What about making mukluks and knitting?”Myrtle asked.
“I get bored.I like to clean.I wonder if I could maybe take in laundry?”
“That’s an idea.Do you think that would make you happy?”
Josie shrugged.“Maybe?Although, with as seldom as these men wash their clothes, I’m not sure I want to touch them.”
Myrtle laughed.“You could also clean people’s homes, I would think.There are so many bachelors around here.I’m sure some would pay for a once-a-month cleaning.Or you could work with me.I want to open that bakery so badly I can taste it, but Aaron won’t let me do it without a partner to wait tables and do dishes.How would you like to work with me waiting tables and doing dishes?”
“That’s what I did at the hotel...”Josie thought about it.“But I wouldn’t have to deal with men pinching my bottom or making rude comments if I worked for you.”
“Very true.Think about it.I would do all the baking and make soups every day.”
“I’ll talk to Jack about it.He may not want me serving other men.”Josie knew her stepfather would have gotten angry at the mere thought of his wife serving other men.But she was slowly learning that Jack was absolutely nothing like her stepfather.Why, he hadn’t even tried to consummate their marriage yet.He seemed to truly respect her feelings.
“Are you getting more comfortable with Jack?”Myrtle asked.
Josie nodded.“Everything is a little easier.I’m still nervous around him.I don’t know if that will ever change, but he’s very kind to me.I just hope it continues that way.”
Myrtle nodded.“Aaron wouldn’t hurt me for anything, and I have a feeling your Jack feels the same way about you.We’re in a better place here.There aren’t enough women.If Jack hit you, you could go outside and choose another husband in an instant.”
Josie shook her head.“I think if Jack ever hit me, I wouldn’t have the courage to ever look at another man.Not after seeing my mother all black and blue with broken arms.I think he broke her arms eight different times.”
“Just remember that you can’t blame Jack for what your stepfather did.I know it was very hard for you to join us and become a mail-order bride, but I’m so glad you did.I need my friend.”
Once the cabin was tidy, they left for lunch at Maggie’s, with Myrtle pulling her wagon behind her.Josie wasn’t certain it could be called a wagon because it was on runners for the winter, but she couldn’t really call it a sled, could she?
Josie felt a little more eager to join in the conversation at Maggie’s that day.She wasn’t certain what had happened to her, but between being alone and the darkness, she had stopped feeling like herself or caring about what was happening around her.
Simply spending the morning with Myrtle helped tremendously.
Myrtle passed out bread and desserts, and Belle shared meat with everyone.“I think we’re actually going to have more meat than we need this winter,” Belle said.“Thanks to Lula getting that bear!”
Lula grinned.“There’s no feeling like it.I mean, I grieve for the animal I killed, but it’s meat for the winter, and that makes it all worth it.”
“I think we’re doing bear at my house tonight,” Belle said.“I know Agnes brought whitefish for Myrtle.What would everyone else like?Salmon, whitefish, bear, venison, or elk?”
“Rabbit?”Josie asked.Myrtle had taught her to make a rabbit stew that was absolutely perfect.
“Sure.There’s rabbit,” Belle said.“Follow me home after lunch, and I’ll get you some.”
“Thank you!”Josie realized that just days before, she would have told Belle to give her whatever no one else wanted, but she was feeling more like herself again.
She went with Belle to get the meat, but then she hurried to catch up with Myrtle.Oddly enough, many of the men had started meeting Myrtle on her way to the store so they could get first pick of whatever treats Myrtle made.
Josie watched as she sold many of her baked goods to men who then went back to work and then sold the rest to Katie for the store.Josie watched as Katie slipped some of the goodies to one side for her own use.
As she and Myrtle left the store and walked toward their cabins, Josie said, “You really have made your own business already.It’s a good thing I love you so much or I would be extremely jealous.”
Myrtle laughed.“You’re finding where you fit in.Half the men who work for the lumber operation wear your hats, scarves, and gloves.”
“But they don’t get the same look on their faces they get when they see your sweets.”
“Maybe not, but they’re much warmer thanks to you.”
Josie grinned.“I never thought of it that way.”
“You should.”
