Chapter Six
Josie decided the followingmorning to talk Myrtle into cooking lessons.She was certain one of the other friends there could help her, but she wanted to learn from the best—and that was Myrtle.
After finishing her morning chores, Josie walked to Myrtle’s cabin, shivering a bit in the morning chill.Myrtle was already working on the daily baking.“What are you making this morning?”Josie asked.
“Bread is in the oven,” Myrtle replied.“I’m going to make meat pies and pies.Katie finally got in the small pie pans I ordered.Then I don’t have to sell the pie by the slice, and I can sell a full small pie for the same price.It will save on mess.”
“That’s a great idea!What flavor today?”
“Today is blueberry.I love blueberry.My mouth is watering, and I haven’t even finished the pie crusts.”Myrtle grinned at Josie.
“I need to ask you for something.I’ll do something you need in return of course.Mend clothes, knit socks or hats...”
“Stop beating around the bush.What do you need?”
Josie sighed.“Cooking lessons.”
Myrtle stopped working on the pie crust she was making.“If I teach you to cook, will you be my partner in the bakery?You could make the soups, or just serve customers and do the dishes.It’s just that Aaron doesn’t think I can go into business on my own, and he’s insisting I find a partner.”
Josie tilted her head to one side, thinking about it.“Are you sure you want me?You know I’m helpless in the kitchen.”
“That’s perfect though!”Myrtle said.“I really want to be able to do all the cooking and baking myself.You could clean after me, which I know is something you love to do.Oh, Josie, please say yes!”
“Of course, I’ll say yes.I was starting to think about taking in men’s laundry, but I really didn’t want to.Nothing else is grabbing my attention, but I do love to clean.”
Myrtle squealed and hugged her friend, sending up a small cloud of flour.“Oops!”
Josie laughed.“Let me clean this up.”
“After I take my baked goods to the store in the afternoons, I’ll teach you to cook.That’s when I make supper anyway, and you could learn a new meal every day.”
“I have a cookbook, but it has fancy meals like beef wellington.I just want to make meals my husband will like.”
“I don’t know how to cook any fancy meals, I’m afraid.I just know how to cook things I like, and I love to experiment with baking and make new things.”Myrtle grinned.“I’m so excited!I’ll tell Aaron I have a partner tonight!”
“Well, what can I do to help now?”Josie asked.
“Dishes?And I’m behind on laundry because of all the time I’m spending baking.”
“I’ll bring in some water from the well.”
That afternoon, Myrtle taught Josie to make a rich rabbit stew.“I love your stew!”Josie said as she took the first bite.She’d followed along and made the same stew following every step Myrtle made.It was a good thing Myrtle had two stoves.“It’s good!”
“Of course it is.You have the ability to cook, but no one ever taught you.In six months, you’ll be as good as me.”Myrtle said with a smile.
Josie felt proud as she carried the stew home later that afternoon.She couldn’t wait for Jack to try it.She’d made a meal that she considered good.Not that Jack had ever complained about her cooking.The one time she’d burnt a meal so badly they couldn’t eat it, he’d pulled out jerky and hardtack and hadn’t said a word.
She put the pot on her stove and quickly started a fire in it.She knew Jack would be home any minute.She quickly set the table and put on a pot of coffee.He always preferred coffee with his supper, and she loved it too.
She had two small blueberry pies for their supper.Myrtle had made them while she hung the clothes on the line.It felt a bit odd cleaning her friend’s house, but she was so happy with the cooking lessons, it didn’t even matter.
When Jack opened the door a few minutes later, he inhaled deeply.“Something smells delicious.”
“Myrtle taught me to make her rabbit stew today.I sure hope someone decides to raise rabbits.You’re going to love this!”
“Why don’t you raise rabbits?”Jack asked, walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her.
“I wouldn’t be able to butcher them.I’d name them all and fall in love with them, and then I’d have to kill them.It’s best if I leave the rabbit raising to someone else.”
