He grinned but said nothing.He was keeping this wife.No matter how stubborn she was.
*****
BELLE AND MAGGIE SPENTthe rest of the week foraging.They would each do some baking as soon as their husbands left for the day, but then they would meet at Belle’s house at ten in the morning.From there, they would go to the store to give Katie what they’d made that morning, and order any supplies they needed before going to a clearing—a different one each day—and find whatever they could.
By the end of the week, the berries still on the vine were not good to eat, so they spent Friday afternoon making jam together at Belle’s.
“What are we going to do with two hundred jars of lingonberry jam?”Maggie asked.
“We’ll each keep twenty-four jars, so we can have two per month.Then we’ll sell the other one hundred fifty-two jars to the store.Katie will have them all sold by the end of the day, and we can order what we want with the money we made.”
Maggie laughed.“I like making money this way.It’s so much better than cleaning rooms or serving at the hotel.”
“I do too.I think Everett is a bit confused as to why I keep doing it, but I’ve always earned a wage.Why would I stop now?”
“So, what will we do tomorrow?”Maggie asked.
“The men are off work tomorrow.I’m not sure what you and James will do, but Everett and I plan on butchering some of the chickens.”
“Then you can make chicken and dumplings and not always duck and dumplings.”
Belle laughed.“My thoughts exactly.Though, I think I’ve started liking duck and dumplings more than I ever liked chicken and dumplings.”Belle put several of the jars into a basket.“Let’s walk back to the store with some of the jam.It’ll make the men happier this weekend, and then Everett will be happier come Monday.”
“And James will too!What a brilliant plan.”Maggie followed suit and filled a basket with jam jars.“It’s going to take a lot of trips to the store this way.”
“I have a little wagon Everett made for me.We can pull that full of jam on Monday.For now, I just want the men to have a little taste of what’s to come.”
Maggie felt light on her feet as they walked to the store.The men would be home in another hour or two, but for now, she was spending time with her friend doing whatever they wanted.And earning money for doing it!
When they arrived at the store, Katie was alone.She got to her feet when she saw them.“Oh, what have you brought me?”she asked.
“Lingonberry jam,” Belle responded.“We have lots and lots more, and we’ll bring it Monday, but this will keep you going for the weekend.”
Katie looked into the baskets and quickly removed three jars from each.“Bernard is partial to lingonberry jam.These jars are for us, and then I’ll sneak some more when you bring more.”She opened her cash box and handed them each some coins.“There.I’ll put the amount for the other jars on your accounts.”
Maggie bit her lip.“I’ve noticed James’s shirts are worn.Would you have some flannel for me to make him some new shirts?”
“I do!”Katie led them to the three colors of flannel she had on hand.“Most of the men buy their shirts, but I keep flannel around for any project I feel like doing.”
Maggie chose two colors and had the fabric cut.She returned the coins to Katie.“If that’s not enough...”
“It’s more than enough!”Katie told her.“And now when the men get off work, I’ll have some jam to sell.Oh, I’m excited!”
“You’re free to use my sewing machine if you want,” Belle told Maggie.“I don’t know how quickly you want it done, but I do know James’s birthday is in early October.”
“I didn’t know!”Maggie said, a bit shocked with herself.“What kind of woman doesn’t know her own husband’s birthday?”
“One who just barely met and married him,” Belle responded.
“I will be using your machine then,” Maggie said.“James will have two new shirts for his birthday.”
“I’m making him some mittens,” Belle said.
Katie shook her head at the two of them.“You are just what this town needed.Both of you.”
Maggie laughed.“I’m learning from Belle.”
“If you decide you like making shirts, let me know.I know the men around here would love to buy them.”
