After her bath, she emptied the tub, disturbed at how dirty the water looked.Of course, she had never gone that long without a bath, so the water shouldn’t surprise her.
She dressed in the only clean dress she had, promising herself she would do laundry the following day.Today needed to be about getting the cabin stocked with food.Before leaving for the store, she looked around for a trap door that would lead to a cellar and finally found it.
Opening the door, she climbed the ladder down into the cellar, and she found some shelves had been built, but they were empty.There was so much work to be done, and she was glad of it.She didn’t know how she would fill her time otherwise.
She followed the path to town and found the store.It was the only building that had a sign out front, and it simply read General Store.
She walked inside and instantly spotted Maggie at the counter, putting some jars filled with a red substance there.
The woman behind the counter smiled.“Strawberry jam.This is one of my bestsellers.Thank you, Maggie.”
“I do believe I deserve an embrace from my friend I haven’t seen for many months,” Sally announced, watching as Maggie turned and excitedly rushed toward her, hugging her.
“I’m so glad you’re here!When did you arrive?”
“Just after dark last night.You weren’t joking about how hard that journey was.I’m glad I don’t have to return!”Sally sighed.“And Tom doesn’t have any food at all in the cabin, so I need to shop.”
“I just brought in some jam.The wild strawberries will be ready in another month, and we have way too many jars left.”
“Brought in?To sell?”
Maggie nodded.“Belle and I bake bread and all kinds of treats every day, and the lumberjacks buy them all as fast as we can bake them.I can’t not work, and Belle feels the same, though she’s slowed down a bit since Bertie came along.Wait until you see him!He’s the most beautiful baby in the world!”
Sally grinned, nodding toward Maggie’s swollen belly.“I have a feeling you won’t be saying that for long.”
“Probably not.I need to have a girl to marry Bertie.Don’t you think that would be wonderful?”
“I do!I remember hearing the two of you talking about having children who grew up together and eventually married.I hope it really happens!”
Maggie smiled.“I hope so too.But now our children can also be friends with your children.”
“I hope to have at least six dozen,” Sally said dreamily.
“I’m not sure you’ll still feel that way after you’ve had one or two,” Maggie said with a laugh.
“Oh, I’m sure I will!”
“Let me introduce you to Katie.”Maggie led Sally to the woman behind the counter of the store.“Katie, this is Sally.She married Tom Harlan and arrived last night.”
Katie smiled.“It’s so good to meet you, Sally.The girls have been anticipating your arrival.If you like to bake, I sure wouldn’t mind having one more baker.”
Sally nodded.“I don’t mind baking.I love gardening though.Do you have room to sell fresh produce when it’s ready?”
“I do.I can also sell canned carrots and other canned vegetables.The men here get so tired of eating the same things all the time, they will buy anything.”
Sally smiled.“I’ll keep that in mind.Maggie mentioned wild strawberries.If I find some, could I sell those here?”She was getting excited about being able to contribute monetarily.
“Absolutely.Belle’s strawberry shortcake is a favorite of several of the men.”Katie smiled brightly.“I’m happy to not be the only woman in town.There are four of us now!”
“Several other women from the hotel are considering coming as well,” Sally said.“I don’t think there will be a shortage of women for very long.”
Katie’s grin lit up the room.
Sally couldn’t help but feel drawn to the older woman.She had dark hair peppered with gray and seemed to genuinely be happy that women were moving into town.
“I’ll be purchasing some food today, but Tom said to put it on his account.”
“No problem!If you’re going to sell to me, then I’ll deduct whatever you buy from what you get paid.That’s how I work things with the other women.”
“That sounds wonderful!”Sally said.“I’m so glad I moved to Alaska Territory!”
