“I hope you don’t mind us coming for supper two nights in a row.The ladies decided, and I didn’t know until I got home,” James said.
“I’m always happy when you come to supper,” Everett responded.
Maggie wanted to pull Belle away from the men and talk to her about the small disagreement she and James had just had, but the house was too small.Belle’s cabin was almost as small as the one she was sharing with James.It didn’t matter, though.She’d talk to her tomorrow.
“Supper’s ready,” Belle said.
“I’ll set the table,” Maggie replied, falling into working with Belle as if they’d been doing it for years...because they had.
After supper, Maggie helped with the dishes, wiping them and putting them away while Belle washed them.As soon as they were finished, James insisted they go home.“I’m still tired from the trip.I wish my boss was nicer and let me have the day off.”
Everett laughed.“He’s a mean one, isn’t he?”
James nodded.“Very mean.I’m not sure how Belle puts up with him.”
“Belle loves him, and love covers a multitude of sins,” Belle said, walking them to the door.
Maggie smiled.“I’ll be over tomorrow morning, after I finish my baking.”
“I look forward to it!”Belle said.“There are only a few more days of foraging this year.I’ll forage tomorrow as well.I’ll go back to hunting after we’ve harvested all we can.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Maggie said.
She and James walked home in silence, the only sound their footsteps on the frosted ground.
As soon as the door closed behind them, James removed his coat and invited her to sit at the table with him.“I know Belle is always trying to earn extra money, but I don’t expect that from you.”
Maggie frowned.“But I enjoy the work.I can either make enough jam for us for six years, or I can make enough for us to have some and the men at the mine to have some to purchase.”
“You’re not going to see things my way, are you?”
“Probably not.”
He frowned.“I thought I was getting a sweet, obedient wife.”
“I don’t know what gave you that idea.Perhaps you want to trade me in for another bride?”She had no idea where the courage to say such a thing came from, but the words were tumbling out of her mouth before she had a chance to stifle them.
He gave her a stern look.“But I like you!”
“Then my need to make money won’t bother you too much because it’s part of me.”
“What am I going to do with you?”
She put her arms around him and pressed her lips to his, initiating a kiss for the first time.“Kiss me?”she asked.
“Oh, I will not argue with that idea.”He pulled her closer, his hands roaming over her back and making her jump when he cupped her bottom.
She put all her focus into the kiss, wanting to be closer to him.When he unbuttoned the back of her dress, she didn’t protest.Instead, she moved her hands to the buttons on his flannel shirt.She made quick work of them and pushed the garment off his shoulders.
When her dress was pooled at her feet, he scooped her into his arms and carried her to their bed, placing her there and following her down.
His lips never left hers as his hands explored her body, touching her in places she didn’t even dare touch herself.He covered her body with his, pressing between her legs.
She gasped and moved with him, pleased that they were finally making love.She wanted a baby after all, and she knew this was how it happened.
What surprised Maggie about it all was that the more he moved, the better it felt.She knew she must be a wanton woman, but she liked this.She liked it a lot!
When he finished, he slumped beside her and moved his arm up over his forehead.She moved to him, resting her head on his shoulder.“That was...fun.We should do it often,” she said, surprising herself.
