She shrugged as she put her nightgown into a chest at the foot of the bed.“Maybe.I’m happy to do just about anything if it will help contribute to our household income.”
He paused, stirring the pot of oatmeal on the stove.“I don’t need you to help with our income.I make enough to support us.”
She frowned.“I’d like to help.At least until we have children.”It was a good thing she hadn’t had children with Bill, though she’d longed for them at the time.
“Then help.Just know you have a choice.”
“I haven’t had a choice about anything in years.This will be strange.”
He chuckled.“I’m sure it will.But you have choices now that you’re married to me.”
She smiled at that.“Do you hunt?”
He shook his head.“I never have.I’m not sure why.My father enjoyed nature, but he didn’t like killing anything.There was a store near us, so we purchased what we needed.”
“I didn’t until I was married to Bill.I learned to hunt and fish, and I always enjoyed both activities.Soon, no one could tell I was a former debutante.”
He chuckled.“I see you as a strong woman who can handle most anything.That’s better than being a debutante.”
“I agree.”
They ate their oatmeal, each of them talking about what they wanted from marriage.“I would love to have supper ready when I finish work.And breakfast in the mornings.Maybe someone to wash my clothes,” Sebastian told her.
“I can handle those things.I’m looking forward to not having to make all decisions on my own, but I would like to be consulted on decisions that affect me.After several years as a widow, I’ve learned to trust my instincts.”
“Perfect,” he said.“I will consult you when I make any big decision.”
She nodded.“Don’t decide to be a prospector without talking to me!I have no desire to live that lifestyle.”
“You’re smart to feel that way.How bad was Ketchikan when you went through?”he asked.
“Very crowded.So was Lake Bennett.I think Aaron was offered money in trade for one of us three or four times.It wasn’t pleasant.”She shuddered.“I’m surprised he didn’t take one of the men up on his offer.He wasn’t happy to arrive to four women instead of one.”
Sebastian’s eyes widened.“No one told him?”
“I guess not.I would have thought Myrtle would have written to him, but she didn’t.We didn’t know we’d be a surprise until we arrived in Ketchikan.Aaron was not happy with her.Or any of us really.”
He shook his head and laughed softly.“I already owe him.Knowing this, I’ll have to do something nice for him.Maybe I’ll let him take my shifts at the mill.He prefers the mill, and I like swinging an axe, so it wouldn’t be a hardship.”
“Does everyone do both jobs?”
He nodded.“Everett thinks it's best if everyone is treated equally.Even James, who started the company with him, but sold his half.”
“James...did he marry Maggie?”
“I think so.I know they have a little girl, but I’m not positive of her name.”
“I don’t blame you.A lot of us have moved here in rapid succession.”She hid a yawn behind her hand.“I’ll take care of the supper dishes, but then I need to sleep.That bed has been calling my name since the moment I laid eyes on it.”
He chuckled.“I’ll step outside to give you some privacy to get ready for bed, but I’ll do the dishes tonight.Don’t expect me to cook and clean up often, but I know how difficult that journey is.I assume you took the shorter way over the mountain?”
She nodded.“It was so steep!It’s a good thing we were all in good shape from working so much.”She bit her lip for a moment.“Are you certain you don’t mind cleaning up?”She felt it was her duty to cook and clean.Going to bed without doing either would make her feel guilty, but she knew she’d make it up to him.
“If you’re half as tired as I think you are, you’ll fall over while washing the dishes.I’ll give you five minutes.”Sebastian stood and left the cabin.
Lula stared at the door he’d closed behind him.She was surprised her new husband was being so accommodating when he knew they wouldn’t be consummating their marriage that night.She couldn’t help but compare this wedding night to her last when she and Bill had skipped supper in favor of bed.The men were very different.There was no doubt about that.But she could see Sebastian was a good, kind man.Perhaps that was all she needed to be happy.She’d had her great love.
She quickly changed into her nightgown and crawled between the sheets.She couldn’t help but think of how dirty she was with being on the trail for so long and only being able to wash her hands and face.She saw laundry in her future.Piles and piles of laundry, and then she saw nothing as she closed her eyes.She was asleep before Sebastian came back inside.
