Chapter Nine
Thankfully, the weatherwas much better the following day, and James was able to go hunting.While he was out, Maggie baked three pies, six loaves of bread, and four dozen cookies.She didn’t bother going to Belle’s knowing Everett was probably home for the weekend, and walked to the store on her own.
She plopped her baskets on the counter, and Katie smiled as she peeked under the cloths covering them.“I didn’t think you’d be coming with anything today.Thank you!Men have been in and out all morning asking if there was anything baked.”
“Sorry, I’m late then!James was home all day yesterday, and I knew he wouldn’t want me baking.”Maggie lowered her voice.“He doesn’t like me doing this very much.”
Katie shook her head.“He’ll be pleased when he sees how much you’re making.”
“I’m not certain of that, but I hope so.”
Katie opened her cash box and handed Maggie some money.“You never make big purchases, so I’m giving you this in cash.You have a good deal of credit left.”
“Thank you!”Maggie said, excited that she was getting paid when she did what she felt like doing.
On the way home, Maggie thought about how to give the money to James, and she decided she would simply slip it into the drawer where he kept his cash.Hopefully, he wouldn’t notice there was more there than he remembered.
He wasn’t home yet when she arrived, so she put the money with his and quickly shut the door.Then she went about starting lunch.She knew he’d be back soon, and hunting made him hungry.
When he returned, it was with a smile on his face.“Everett went out with me, and we shot a deer.It’s hanging at their place.Do you want to go over there with me and help cut it up?”
“I’d love to.I made some stew for lunch.Are you hungry?”
He nodded.“I am.We’ll eat quickly and then head over.”
As they ate, he talked enthusiastically about his morning hunt.“Everett shot several mallards, and I got a buck.
“So, we’ll be having buck and duck for supper?”she asked, hiding a grin.
He chuckled.“I don’t think we’ll have them for the same meal, but I like the way you think.”
After the meal, she quickly washed the dishes, and they went to Belle’s.To Maggie’s surprise, Belle wasn’t outside helping Everett.“Where’s Belle?”she asked, looking around.
“Inside.She’s not having a good day.Morning sickness is bad today.”
“I’ll go check on her and then come out to help,” Maggie replied.
She hurried into the cabin and saw Belle, looking a little green around the gills.“Tea and dry toast?”Maggie asked.
Belle nodded.“I tried to make it for myself, but just standing made it so much worse.”
Maggie got to work, as comfortable in Belle’s kitchen as she was in her own.“What else can I do?”
“If I’m not better in an hour or two, I’m going to ask you to fix supper for us,” Belle said.“I hate not doing it myself, but I don’t think I have a choice today.”
“Absolutely,” Maggie said, putting the tea in front of her friend.“Toast is in the oven.It’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
Belle took a sip of the tea.“You remembered the ginger!”
“Of course, I did.”Maggie sat down across from her friend.“Katie paid me today.She said I’m not buying enough in the store for all my credit to be used up.James keeps telling me he doesn’t want the money, so I put it with his cash.Do you think he’ll notice?”
Belle nodded.“Yes, I do.”
“Well, I guess we’ll argue about it when he does.”Maggie sighed.She wanted to help, but she didn’t want to fight her husband every step of the way.
“I’m sorry he doesn’t make it easier for you.”
“Me too.”Maggie got to her feet to get the toast from the oven and put it on a plate, carrying it to her friend.“You eat that.I’m going to go out and see what I can do to help the men with their game.”
