“All right.How would you like to come over next Sunday after Bible study?”Josie asked.
Belle nodded, smiling.“We’d love to.”
“I look forward to it then.”
“As do I,” Jack said.
“I’ll help you with the dishes,” Josie said to Belle as she got to her feet.
Belle passed the baby back to Everett.“Thank you.I’d appreciate that.”
When it was time to go, Josie thanked Belle profusely for the invitation and the meal.“It was delicious.”
“I do love a good venison stew,” Jack added.
They put on their coats and walked toward the door.“Remember, you’re coming to our place on Sunday,” Jack said.
As they walked home, Josie said, “I hope they don’t expect a great culinary masterpiece.I’m nervous.Cooking for Myrtle is one thing, but entirely another to cook for Belle and your boss!”
“They’ll love every bite,” Jack said, putting his arm around Josie’s shoulders as they walked.
Josie sighed.“What am I going to do with you, Jack?”
“Just keep feeding me, and we’ll both be happy.”
Josie grinned.He’d been happy with her before she could cook.She really had married a good man.“I need to spend tomorrow morning darning your socks,” she said.“I did the wash on Friday, and one has the entire heel completely out of it.”
“See what a good wife you are?You want me to have warm feet!”
She laughed, shaking her head.She hadn’t expected to marry a man who was so easy to talk to, and who actually appreciated what she did for him.She had no idea why she’d been so fortunate, but she certainly wasn’t complaining.
When they reached their cabin, Jack took her hand and led her inside, leaning down to kiss her.“I wanted to do that the whole time we were eating.”
“I’m glad you were able to restrain yourself.I’m not certain how I feel about public displays of affection.”
“As long as you don’t mind private displays of affection, I can keep my hands to myself in public.”He tugged her toward the bed.“In fact, I think I need my hands on you now...”
Josie stared at him for a moment.“But it’s light out!”
“Better to see my wife!”
*****
True to her word, Josietook her mending to Myrtle’s the following day.Jack needed new socks.Perhaps she’d make him some for Christmas.For now, she would mend the ones he had.
Myrtle barely looked up from her baking when Josie came in.She was carefully pinching the edges of small pie crusts.“I need to get faster,” Myrtle said.
“I think you’re already really fast.”
Myrtle shook her head.“Not fast enough.”She stood straight and flexed her back.“Oh, you’re mending!”
Josie nodded.“Jack is hard on socks.”
“So is Aaron.Could I beg you to...”
“You don’t have to beg!I’m getting free cooking lessons.”
Myrtle quickly washed her hands and walked to Josie with a basket of socks.“Thank you!”
