“That makes sense,” Jack said.
“Besides, I’ve decided what I want to do to contribute.”
“Oh?”He raised an eyebrow as he waited for her revelation.
“I’m going to work with Myrtle in her bakery.I’ll serve tables and do the cleaning, and she’ll make delicious meals.”
“You won’t mind doing all the cleaning?That sounds like a lot of work.”
Josie shook her head, smiling up at him.“That’s why this will work.I really prefer cleaning to cooking and baking.I know how it will turn out when I’m done.But cooking...I never know when I’m going to mess something up.”
“Well, then, it sounds like you have your future planned out.”
“I hope you’re hungry.This is the best thing I’ve ever cooked because I followed along behind Myrtle and did everything she did.”
“I don’t have a problem with your cooking,” Jack said.
“I do.I need to do better for you.”Josie grinned.“Wash your hands, and we’ll eat.You’ll see what I mean.”
He did as she said and met her at the table.She served two large bowls of the stew, cut up bread and gave them each a slice, and poured their coffee.When she finally sat down, he took her hand in his as he prayed, thanking God for bringing her into his life.
When he took his first bite of stew, his eyes widened.“This is really good!You made this?”
Josie nodded.“And Myrtle wrote down the receipt for me, so I can make it anytime we have rabbit.”
“I would happily eat this every day for the rest of my life.”
She laughed.“Me too!I’ve had it before, but making it myself makes me feel so accomplished.Myrtle told me that I have the ability to cook, but no one ever taught me, and she’s right.My ma wanted to teach me, but she was afraid of what would happen if it didn’t turn out.My stepfather would have lost his mind.”
Jack smiled a bit.For once, she’d spoken about her stepfather and his abuse without acting afraid.Finally.“I smell something else,” he said, changing the subject instead of forcing her to dwell on the past.
“Blueberry pie.Myrtle bought a bunch of little pie plates, so we each will get our own.The pie is easier for her to sell that way.”
“Is she glad you’ll be working with her?”he asked.
“Myrtle?Oh, yes.When I agreed to do it, she all but danced around her cabin.”Josie laughed.“She’s already got what she wants for the bakery in mind, but Aaron wouldn’t let her get the land or anything until she had a partner.Now she has one.”
“Aaron is working in the sawmill for me again tomorrow.I don’t mind working out in the cold, but he’s really happier inside.Works for everyone.”Jack shrugged.“I gave him money for bringing you back, but I feel like, since we surprised him with it, we should all trade places to work with him as well.He thinks he came out on the best side of the deal, but honestly, I think I did too.”
“Good!”Josie stood and brought two small pies back to the table.“I love Myrtle’s pies.I think once she’s done teaching me to cook, she’ll need to teach me to bake!”
“I wouldn’t complain about that even a little bit,” he said.“I love the idea of getting more baked goods, though Myrtle keeps us supplied.”
“She does desserts for all of us.Every other night.If I could learn to bake, we’d have dessert every night!”
“Do you have a sweet tooth?”he asked, taking a bite of the pie.
“All of my teeth are sweet,” Josie replied.“I could live on just sweets, though I know it wouldn’t be healthy.”
“No, it wouldn’t, but it would taste good!”
“Sometimes taste is all that matters,” she said with a grin.
After the kitchen was cleaned, she sat down at the table with him to do her knitting, and he read the portion of the Bible they would study that weekend.She felt like she was being lazy if she sat down and read herself, but if he did it for her...well, it was probably still lazy, but at least she was getting the information she needed.
All day, she’d daydreamed about what it felt like in his arms the night before, so when it was time for bed, she went to him readily, excited to feel him inside her again.Being with Jack was special.
*****
