Chapter Nine
The following day,Myrtle made sugar cookies again, along with several cakes.And she made a small cobbler with the sugar cookie dough for Aaron to take to work.He was thrilled, and it was obvious he was having trouble not grabbing a fork and taking a bite right then.Of course, Myrtle was certain a fork was the last thing on his mind.He’d probably eat it with his fingers if he thought he could get away with it.
At lunch, she carried in a second cobbler to share with her friends, also with the sugar cookie dough.She wanted their opinion on Aaron’s idea.
After they’d eaten the stew Maggie had made for them, she set the cobbler in the center of the table.“Aaron asked me if I would make this.It’s something I’ve never even thought of trying to bake, so I want your opinions on it.The crust is sugar cookie, and the filling is mixed berry.”
Josie grinned.“I’m intrigued.It sounds good, but I don’t know if I would have ever thought of making it.”
“Aaron has such a sweet tooth.I asked him about whether I should make one dessert per day or two, and he opted for two, because he wants toeattwo desserts!”
As they laughed the women each took a piece of the cobbler.Myrtle watched with trepidation, hoping she’d found a signature dessert for her bakery.She could easily make it every day, and along with sugar cookies, it would be something she served daily, and everything else would rotate.
Belle sighed after taking a bite.“I want this for my next dessert day, which is tomorrow.”
All of the women nodded eagerly.“It’s delicious,” Ella said.“I’ve never had anything quite like it.”
“Well, I guess I know what I’m making tomorrow,” Myrtle said with a smile.Then she changed the subject.She needed to find out who owned the land she had inadvertently set up as her “marketplace.”It was where all the men met her daily, so she was certain it would be the best place for her bakery when she was able to build it.“Do any of you know who owns the land along the path where there are four tree stumps?”Many of the men used them as chairs, so it was easy to remember they were there.
“Oh, I’m pretty sure that’s part of Mr.and Mrs.Johnson’s land.Why?”Belle asked.
“It’s where the men have been meeting me on my way to the store.I thought it would be the perfect place to build a bakery,” Myrtle said.
Maggie nodded.“I think that would be really smart.And I would be willing to bet Katie would rent you the land or even sell it to you if you wanted it.”
“I agree,” Agnes said.“Katie has been our best supporter as we’ve all tried to create our little cooperative business here.
Myrtle nodded.“I’ll talk to her when I drop my baked goodies off today.”There was no harm in asking if the land was available to buy or rent, was there?
“Oh, I need two loaves of bread today,” Lula said.“I plan to serve stew in bread that’s been hollowed out for supper.”
“No problem.Katie told me yesterday that she doesn’t care how much I sell before I get to the store as long as I keep some bread and a dessert for her and Mr.Johnson.I made them a small cobbler like the one I brought.Just to thank her for all she does.”
“That’s sweet,” Josie said.“But you’re always sweet.”
“Not as sweet as my desserts!”Myrtle replied, getting to her feet.She gave each of her friends their bread.“Does everyone want cobbler tomorrow?”
“Yes!”Josie said.“I actually think I want to eat that every day for the rest of my life.”
Myrtle shook her head at her friend.“You’re silly.”
“Can I walk to town with you?”Josie asked.
Myrtle nodded.“Of course.Just know we’ll be selling on the way.”
“No problem.”
As they got out of earshot of the cabin, Myrtle asked, “Is everything all right?”
Josie nodded.“We just haven’t had any time to chat one-on-one.”
“We’ve all been so busy since we arrived!”Myrtle agreed.“How is married life treating you?”
Josie shrugged.“Mostly good.It’s certainly different than it was when we were back in Beckham.I love that we all get to start over in a new place, but we still have each other, if that makes sense.”
“Of course!I agree completely.I do wish I’d started out with Aaron better than I did.I really shouldn’t have brought you three without his approval, but that didn’t occur to me until we were face to face in Skagway.”
“Is he angry with you?”
