Chapter Eight
The following morning, Agnes went to her nets as soon as the breakfast dishes were done, and she’d kissed Jasper goodbye as he went off to work.She only hauled in one net because she wanted to take some fresh salmon as a gift for the Johnsons.She put the fish into her basket and dropped the net back where it belonged.
Then she went inside and took each of the wrapped gingerbread cakes and put them in a basket.She chose the two largest salmon and put them in another basket, and then she was off to the store.She’d clean the remaining fish when she’d finished her short errand.
At the store, she surprised Katie with the salmon and gave her the gingerbread.“I hope it will sell,” Agnes said.
Katie gushed over the salmon.“I can’t wait to make this for supper tonight.I want to close the shop and cook it up right now!And there will be no trouble selling the gingerbread.The men will be excited about a new sweet.And you made small cakes out of it, which is perfect.Now does this go on your account or should I split the profits?”
Agnes thought about the question for a moment.Technically, she was supposed to get the profits from anything she baked, but she knew she’d be getting more than she’d contribute that year at least.The others had already worked so hard all summer long, and she’d gotten benefits from it.“Split it, please.”
Katie nodded, smiling.“I thought you’d say that.”
“Will the others be able to tell?”
“Not at all.No one questions how much they make because it would take away from work time.I am careful with the numbers, and the girls understand that and trust me.”
“Oh, good.I don’t want them to know.But they’ve already done so much for me, and I’ve only been here a few days.”
“You’ll be doing just as much for them with salmon.Belle won’t have to hunt quite as much, and with little Bertie, that’ll be a good thing.”
“I think so too.More hands make for lighter work.”
“You girls exhaust me with the amount of work you all do.I know I’m in the store for long hours, but I have a place to sit when there’s a chance.”Katie shook her head.“Don’t wear yourself out.”
“I won’t!”Agnes said as she waved and left the store.
From there, she went to Belle’s cabin, where she would eat lunch with the other women.“What have you been up to this morning?”Belle asked.
“I took some salmon to Katie to thank her for having us to lunch yesterday, and I took a few small gingerbread cakes to see how they do.”
Belle smirked.“They’ll be gone before the men’s lunch hour is over.They really do love their sweets.”She stirred the stew she had cooking on the stove.“The others should be here any minute.Are you excited for your first real day as a fisherwoman?”
“I am.I do love fried salmon, so I have a feeling that will be what I cook.After cleaning all the fish from the nets and starting the smoking process, of course.”Agnes felt a tad bit overwhelmed at the idea of how much she had left to do, but she wasn’t going to miss the lunch with her friends.If she didn’t have their companionship, she knew being in Alaska would be much harder.
“Remember, you’re always welcome to select a different meat from our cold house.”
“I appreciate that, and I know I’ll take you up on it soon.”
Sally came in then, a basket full of greens and peas in one arm.“I’ve got our daily harvest.”
Belle looked into the basket.“I’ll wash these greens to go with our stew for lunch.”
Maggie was there a moment later.She also carried a basket.“Lots of berries today.Jams and pies are going to be abundant this year.”
Agnes smiled.She really did like how their system worked.
Soon, they were all sharing their lunch and talking about their plans for the day.“I’ve hauled in one net, but haven’t cleaned any fish yet.That will be my afternoon.Yesterday, Jasper helped, but today I’m on my own.”
“I’d offer to help, but I want to get more berries while they’re still in season,” Maggie said.
“If you find it’s too much, let me know,” Belle said.“I’m staying home with Bertie today, and I’d be happy to help.”
“I’ll keep that in mind!”Agnes said, but she knew she wouldn’t ask for help.She had to learn to do it efficiently on her own.
“I have my nets to haul in and a few more crops to harvest,” Sally said.“I’d offer to help, but I’m busy as well.”
“No need,” Agnes said confidently.“I need to learn how to get it all done.”
