She hugged him tightly.“Let me do our supper dishes, and you think about what I should make.Remember, I’m not a great cook.”
“You keep telling me that, but I have no complaints.”
Josie went to the sink and washed the dishes, putting them away.Then she warmed some milk and poured it into a glass for him.“To help you sleep,” she said quietly.
He looked at the glass as if it was distasteful before taking it and drinking it.“Thank you.”
She served him a slice of the cake Myrtle had made for their dessert.“What do you think he would like to eat?Assuming he’s able to eat tomorrow.”
Jack thought for a moment.“He loves anything sweet.He’s one of the men who takes a late lunch so he can get the sweets fresh as soon as they get to the store.”
“I’ve never really made a dessert, but I will.Why don’t I make a duck soup, and I’ll figure out something to bake for him?”
Jack reached over and took her cookbook from its spot on a shelf and leafed through it.“How about sugar cookies?I know he loves sugar cookies.”
“Is he going to want frosting on them?I’ve never made frosting or cookies.There’s less chance I’ll mess up if I just do the cookies.”
Jack nodded.“I think just cookies are fine.He may not even be able to eat them.”
“Where is the nearest doctor?”Josie asked, afraid of the answer.
“Tanana.It’s a four-hour walk from here in good conditions.And I would call the current conditions less than desirable.”
Josie glanced out the window.“It was clear when I got home!”she said, staring at the whirling snow.She wasn’t certain it would even be safe to go to the store with food the following day.
“I don’t work tomorrow, so I’ll take the food to Katie.I don’t want you lost in the storm.”
“Well, I don’t want you lost in the storm either!”
He chuckled.“I’ve walked the road to town many times.I’ll be all right.”
“Don’t get hurt,” she said softly.“I don’t want to think about what life would be like without you.”
He pulled her into his lap and held her close.“You’re different tonight.Less afraid.”
“Not afraid at all,” she said.“I’m no longer comparing you, so I’m not thinking about any man but you.And you are a good man.”
He kissed her then, and for the first time, she responded passionately.He knew the time was finally right.
He gently nudged her to her feet and swept her into his arms, carrying her to the bed.
He touched her in places she’d never been touched, and each stroke of his hand made her feel loved and cared for.
When it was all over, she smiled as she snuggled into his side.“What’s the smile about?”Jack asked.
“I’ve feared the marital act my entire life.And it was glorious.I feel closer to you than I’ve ever felt to anyone.Have I mentioned yet how glad I am to have you in my life?”
He grinned.“I guess you responded to the right letter.”
“I know I did.Marriage to you isn’t scary at all.”
