Chapter Seven
By the first snowfall, the cold house was half full of meat for the winter.Belle and the men hunted often, and Maggie would do her share by helping butcher and portion out the meat.
“Are you planning to keep hunting even though there’s snow?”Maggie asked Belle, surveying the building with pride.
“Until this little building is full, I’ll be hunting as much as I can.I feel much safer knowing that we’ll have plenty of meat for winter.”
“I wish James was open to us making meals and taking them to the lumberyard for the men for lunch.We could make more money that way.I’m working hard to save money, and that would help.”
Belle looked at Maggie.“James doesn’t like you earning money, does he?”
“He seems to be embarrassed of all I’m doing for us.Well, he’s fine if I work with you or him to get meat ready for storage, but he doesn’t like it if I’m doing something with an intent to make money.I asked him why it’s all right for you and not for me, but he simply said it was because Everett doesn’t need you to, which makes no sense.Does he mean that he needs me to make money but still doesn’t want me to do it?”
“I will never understand a man’s mind,” Belle said, shaking her head.“I wish I could explain it.”
“Me too,” Maggie said, following Belle back to the cabin.“What do you want to do for the rest of the afternoon?Do you need to rest?”
Belle laughed.“When have you known me to need rest?”
“Well, you are resting for two now...”
“I get plenty of rest.I want to get the pair of mittens I’m working on done before it’s time to make supper.I’d love it if you stayed and kept me company.”
“I brought the shirts I’m making for James, hoping there would be time to work on them.It’s so much easier to have someone to speak with while I work.”
“I think so too,” Belle said.“And it feels so much less like work and more like fun.”
Two hours later, Maggie folded the second shirt.“Finally done.I need to iron them, but I’ll do that in the morning before I come over.”
“I’m just about finished as well.What are you planning to bake in the morning?”
“I’ve been pondering that.I think I’m going to make a few small sponge cakes and a dozen loaves of bread, ten to sell, and two for James and myself.”
“Sounds good.If you’re doing cakes, I’ll bake a few pies.Then everyone can be happy.”
“Do you really think we can ever makeeveryonehappy?”
Belle laughed.“Probably not.But we can try!”
“Do you think fresh butter would sell?I need to churn some, and I’d rather make a big batch.”
“I’m sure it will.I haven’t tried yet, but I’ve thought about it.”Belle paused.“What are you planning for the money you’re earning?”
“There’s something James wants to purchase but doesn’t have the money for.I’m hoping I can make up the difference.”
Belle looked curious, but she didn’t ask more.“I should start supper,” she said.
Maggie got to her feet.“I need to do the same.I think I’ll make your duck and dumplings receipt.”
“I never thought it would catch on, but we certainly enjoy it!”
As Maggie bundled up for the walk home, she couldn’t help but wonder how James would react when she presented him with a large sum of money.It would take her a while, she knew, but the baked goods were sold at a premium, and she knew it was only a matter of time.
On her walk home, she envisioned how excited James would be that he could buy his way back into the lumber business.Of course, he could also be upset with her for earning money when he’d asked her not to.Either way, she would make it work for them.Because everything she did was to help them both.
As soon as she was home, she rekindled the fire in the stove and stoked the fireplace.She waited until the air was warmer before removing her coat.She was surprised at how cold she was.She’d grown up in Massachusetts, which was one of the coldest states, but this was so much colder.
When it was warm enough, she began the process of boiling the duck for dumplings.The ducks that had stayed for the winter—she had seen some fly south—all seemed to be extra plump and perfect for eating.James had shot several with a bow and arrow the previous weekend, and she was making the most of having fresh poultry.
