“They are amazing.And I’m so glad I don’t need to immediately wash our bedding.I will need to do laundry tomorrow.And get a bath.Do you have any idea how much I want a bath?”
“It rained three days ago.Didn’t you get clean enough from that?”he asked, winking at her.
“No, I didn’t.I want to soak in hot water, the way a bath should be taken.I don’t think you need to take me to the store in the morning.The girls will do that.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded.“That will give me time to get myself clean before we go.”
“I’ll head straight to work after breakfast then.”
“Is there anything special you’d like me to fix for supper?I can’t promise I can get what you want, but I can promise to try!”
“You choose.It’s best to cook what’s readily available.”
“Do you like fish?”she asked.“There’s a river that runs in the back of our land, right?”
“There is.I love fish.Smoked salmon is one of my very favorite things.”
“Maybe I’ll build a smokehouse.”
He chuckled.“If something needs to be built, I’ll do it.You just ask.”
“All right.I’ll do that.”Agnes finished her meal and pushed her plate toward the middle of the table.“I’m so happy that I’ve finally gotten a real meal.It feels like it’s been forever.”
“It does for me as well.You’ve probably had one more recently than I have.Did they serve decent meals on your ships?”
She shrugged.“It definitely wasn’t as good as I’m used to.One of the best things about working at the hotel was the meals.They weren’t fancy, but they were good and filling.”
Jasper frowned.“The restaurant didn’t serve fancy meals?”
“Of course they did.We got plain meals, but they were always good.They made special food for us.I think the food they served the customers was much too rich.”
“I guess I can understand that.The store in town tried to carry a variety, but I find they are often lacking.It’s no fault of the owner, but I would like more variety.”
“This from the man who made me eat hardtack and jerky for a month?”Agnes teased.
“Don’t forget the blueberries.You had sustenance, and you didn’t get sick.All is well.”
“I suppose it is.”She stood, taking her plate to the sink.“I need to get water for the dishes.Is there a well?Or a pump?”
“No, not yet.I carry water from the river.”
“All right.I’ll be back in a minute or two then.”
He stood.“I’ll get the water.You’ll have to do it during the day, but when I’m home, I’m more than happy to do chores like that.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.I want to take care of you.”
“But it’s my job to take care of you.”
“How about we take care of each other?”
She smiled.“I like that idea.”
“So do I.”He left the house then, grabbing two tin pails.
She restoked the fire while he was gone so she could heat the water for the dishes.The little kitchen area of the cabin was well thought out, and she knew she would enjoy working in it.She had to wonder what the other ladies had in mind for her to do.She wouldn’t mind fishing, gardening, or anything else they cared to have her do.She was simply excited to be part of their business plan.Who wouldn’t be?
Once the dishes were done, she readied herself for bed.She’d never thought that sleeping in a bed would feel like such a luxury, but after a month of sleeping on the ground, she was ready to sleep in a bed, and she would cherish every minute of comfortable sleep.
Agnes fell asleep that night with ideas on how she could help her friends dancing through her head.She knew they had something in mind for her.If only she knew what it was.
