Josie learned anothermeal the following day, but Myrtle also taught her how to make her sugar cookies, which could be used on their own, or with frosting, or as a crust for cobbler.Josie felt like she was learning quickly, now that she’d opened herself up to the fact that it wasn’t that she couldn’t cook.It was that no one had ever taught her.They were very different things.
She’d also finished another scarf and hat, and she happily took them to the store when Myrtle took her baked goods.They were going to the store with fewer and fewer baked goods daily.
“I sure hope you get that bakery of yours open in spring,” Katie told Myrtle.“But remember, part of your lease will still be bringing me dessert every day.”
Myrtle smiled.“We can actually start discussing the lease now.Josie has agreed to partner with me on the bakery.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” Katie said.“I’m excited for there to be another business in our little town.”
“Yeti is growing,” Josie said with a smile.“I hope it doesn’t grow so big it won’t be recognizable.”
“I don’t think it will.Most women don’t care to be this remote,” Katie said with a shrug.
“I suppose not,” Josie said.“I wouldn’t mind a few more women finding their way here, though.”
“None of us would,” Katie said.
As they walked back toward Myrtle’s house, Josie asked, “Are you going to need more stoves for the bakery?”
Myrtle nodded.“I will move one of my stoves there, and probably get two more.It will make things easier for both of us.”
“And you’ll need dishes,” Josie said.“So many things.”
“I will.And a cash register would probably be easier than just a money box, but I’ll worry about that when we get closer to time to open.I’ve drawn up plans, and I’ll have you look at them this afternoon and tell me if you think they’ll work.I’m thinking about having four tables for people to eat at, plus the bakery shelves.”
“That sounds smart.Do you think three stoves is enough?”
“I’m not certain.If I have to, I can do some of the baking at home, but I’d rather not.If it seems like I’ll need another, I’ll talk to Katie and order another.It would be good if we could make meat pies for the men to take home as well, but I’m not sure that’s possible with the other things we’ll do.”Myrtle grinned at Josie.“I can’t wait!”
“I’m excited.I told Jack, and he’s happy about it.Honestly, he was just hoping I’d find something I wanted to do.”
“He sounds like a good man.I haven’t really had a chance to talk to him much.”
“We should have you over for supper one night.Perhaps after a good day of learning to cook!”
Myrtle laughed.“Or you could host, and I could bring supper.”
“I’ll make supper, and you bring dessert,” Josie countered.“I think we should all be playing cards on Saturday nights or doing something together anyway.I know the cabins are small, but they’re big enough for us to have three other couples over, maybe.”
“Belle told me that Everett is planning to add on two bedrooms to their cabin come spring.We’ll talk her into hosting!”
Josie smiled.“But we should start now!I don’t think any of us would mind being a bit cramped.”
“It’s really a good idea,” Myrtle agreed.
“Saturday night,” Josie said.“Just you, Aaron, Jack, and me.I’ll make your rabbit stew, and you can make dessert.”
Myrtle nodded.“That sounds like fun!”
“We’ll play cards.I know Jack has a deck.”
“I brought a deck of cards and my cribbage board from home.We could all play cribbage!”
“I love cribbage!It’s fun with two people or four, so we should play that.If the men don’t know how to play, we’ll teach them.”
“Oh, good!Saturday night.Around six?”Myrtle asked.
“Perfect.I’ll have supper ready and waiting.”Josie rubbed her mittened hands together.“I can’t believe I’m this excited to have friends over, but I am.You’re going to love Jack.He’s a really good man.”
