Chapter Three
When they finally reachedthe point where they got off the river, Maggie was exhausted mentally and physically.She had enjoyed her time getting to know James, but she was all talked out.So many hours spent on the river, with nothing to do but chat, and she felt like she knew him inside and out.Fortunately, she liked the man she’d married.
They still hadn’t been intimate.They were in such a hurry to beat the frost that he’d decided it was best to wait, but he’d made it clear as soon as they reached Yeti, they would be making love.
It was only one day’s walk from the river to Yeti, and they camped at the river when they reached the spot he was looking for.She had no idea how he could tell this spot in the river from all the others they’d passed, but it seemed to be second nature for him.
When they woke their last night on the trail, the air was frigid.Cold enough that Maggie was worried about getting there before her hands froze.To her surprise, James had a pair of thick, fur-lined mittens for her.“I was hoping I could save them for a gift for the first time I make you angry, but it seems like you need them today.”
She laughed.“Do you plan on angering me often?”
He shrugged.“I’m not perfect.”
“Neither am I.I don’t expect anything I can’t give.”
“Glad to hear it!”
He set a brisker pace than he had at the beginning of their trek, and she could tell he was energized by the idea of being home.“I can’t keep up,” she finally said, embarrassed to have to admit it.
“I’m sorry.We’re just so close.”
“I wish the fire were burning in your cabin when we reach it.I know that won’t be the case, but it would be wonderful.”
He frowned.“I’ll take you to Belle, and you and she can catch up while I light the fire.She or Everett can bring you by after thirty minutes or so.It won’t be warm, but the chill will be lessened.”
“That would be wonderful if you don’t mind.I can’t wait to see Belle.”
“I understand completely.”
As they drew close, he turned off to the left and led her to a small cabin with pretty curtains at the windows.There was a plume of smoke billowing out of the chimney.He knocked once, and Belle opened the door, standing there for a moment looking at her friend.
“You made it!”Belle grabbed Maggie in a tight embrace.“Oh, you’re frozen.Get in here and warm up a little.”
James watched the two women together for a moment.“I’m going to go start the fire at home.Can you bring her in about thirty minutes or so?”
Belle shook her head.“No, you two are staying for supper.Everett told me you weren’t planning on eating anything but jerky and hardtack the whole way.I refuse to allow you to feed my friend any more of that.I have a big pot of duck and dumplings on the stove.”
“Duck and dumplings?”Maggie asked, giggling at the name of the dish.
“Our chickens are egg-layers.I’ll be butchering four or five next week, but for any other chicken dish I want, I’ve learned that mallards are similar in taste.”
“Does Everett do the hunting for you?Or do you buy the ducks from somewhere?”
“Everett hunts when he has time, but I usually go alone while he’s at work.”
Maggie’s eyes widened.“You hunt?”
Belle laughed.“I told you that I grew up having to provide meals for my family.Did you think that only meant cooking?”
“I guess I never really thought about it.”Maggie shook her head.“I’m not sure I could do that.But I’m not surprised that you have taken to it ”
“You could.I don’t think you felt like you could come here and look at you now!You made that journey mostly alone.Were you afraid?”
James kissed Maggie on the cheek.“I’ll let you two catch up.I’ll be back in an hour.Will that give you enough time to put supper on the table?”
Belle nodded.“Yes.Thank you for bringing her, James.”
“You can’t thank me for bringing her.I need to thank you for helping us find each other.”
