Myrtle shook her head.“He says he’s not, but I don’t imagine how he couldn’t be.We were supposed to be on a honeymoon, and instead, it was him with four women.”
Myrtle spotted the men ahead of her.“Do you want to wait and walk the rest of the way with me?”
Josie nodded.“I’d really like that.”
“All right.”
Myrtle quickly sold some of the bread and desserts.
The man who had asked for sugar cookies every day smiled at her.“Are you taking my advice and making sugar cookies every day?”he asked.
“I’ll try to do them more often.”
“Life is sure better with you ladies in it.”
Myrtle smiled and filled his plate with cookies, giving him one more than he had paid for.
He noticed, and his whole face lit up.“Thank you, Mrs.Fielding.”
As Myrtle and Josie resumed their walk, Josie asked what Aaron thought about her opening a bakery.
Myrtle sighed.“He’ll only agree if I have a partner to share the work.He thinks I do too much already.”
“He’s probably right,” Josie said, “but we all do.It’s so nice to be in charge of our own lives after so long at the hotel.”
“I agree.How do you like working with Agnes?”
“Oh, I love Agnes.Now that the foraging has dried up some, I’ve been knitting a lot.The men seem to go through gloves at a ridiculous rate.I’m happy to keep them supplied.I brought a few things for Katie to sell,” Josie said, holding up her bag.
“Do you enjoy knitting?”Myrtle asked.She hadn’t ever known Josie to knit.
“I’m good at it,” Josie said.“We can’t all enjoy our jobs.”
“What would you rather do?Have you thought about raising animals?”
Josie shook her head.“I couldn’t butcher them.I’m too soft-hearted.”
“What about making jelly or jam and selling it?”
Josie sighed.“It doesn’t feel right.I mean, I’ll make them for my family, but it’s not what I want to do.”
They’d arrived at the store.“Well, you’ll think of something.I’ve never known you to be indecisive or sit idle.”
“I think I’ll be knitting and sewing all winter.I need to replace the quilt on our bed.It’s falling apart.”
“When you’re ready to quilt it, we’ll have to have a little party and quilt it together.”
Josie nodded.“That sounds wonderful.I guess I’m feeling a bit lonely.”
“You’re welcome to come and knit at my place in the mornings.My cabin is always warm from the stoves, and it smells wonderful.”
Josie grinned.“I may just take you up on that.”
“I hope you do,” Myrtle opened the door to the store and the two women went inside.
There were many men in the store, and Myrtle went straight to the front to talk to Katie.“I made you a special dessert.I want your honest opinion.”She pressed a small pan of cobbler into Katie’s hands.“It’s a gift for all the help you’ve given me since I arrived.”
“I will never turn down free dessert.”Katie patted her middle.“As you can see by looking at me.”
