Jack smiled.“I think a woman would have a hard time doing what I do.The labor is very physical, and most women aren’t tall and strong enough.”
Josie nodded.“I’m not nearly strong enough.”
“But look what you did with the cabin today!You have strengths that I don’t.”
“I never thought of it that way.”
“Trust me.You are exactly what I needed in a wife.I’m glad you’re finally here.”
“I am too.”Josie was honest with him, but she still wasn’t certain he was going to continue to be a good man with her.What if he had a temper like her stepfather?
When it was time for bed that evening, Josie clung to the opposite side of the mattress as she had the night before.He looked over at her and shook his head.“If tonight is anything like last night, you’ll be asleep on top of me within the hour.”
She blushed, thankful for the darkness.“I wasn’t aware you knew...”
He chuckled.“I sure did.And just so you know?You can use me as a mattress anytime.”
“Thank you?”
“You’re welcome.”
*****
Josie rose early andmade breakfast.While her toast was in the oven, she filled a jar with the leftovers from supper the night before.Apparently, she would have the morning free to take care of household chores, but she would have lunch with her friends at Maggie’s house before foraging all afternoon.She was happy to know what was expected of her, but she worried Jack would decide she was spending too much time out of the house.Hopefully, he wouldn’t be angry with her.
As soon as he’d left for the day, she washed the dishes and picked up her knitting needles.She wanted Jack to have the necessities to keep him warm throughout the winter.
When it was half past eleven, she deposited her knitting into a basket and dressed warmly.She took a large basket to put the forage she found into.
She arrived at Maggie’s just a little early, and she happily picked up Maggie’s crying baby.“Your mama will be done soon,” Josie said.Maggie was cooking lunch for them.
It wasn’t long before the cabin was filled with eight women, two babies, and laughter.“I brought bread!”Myrtle said.
“Thank goodness,” Josie replied.“I used all the bread I got from the store yesterday for breakfast this morning.”
All of the women happily accepted their bread, and half the women got dessert.Myrtle sat close to Josie.“How is everything with your new husband?”
“He’s...not at all what I expected.He’s kind.At least he seems to be so far.My mother didn’t receive beatings until she’d been married for a year and had a girl and not a boy.”
“Just remember, you don’t have to let him hit you.Elizabeth Tandy offered to send ship and train fare if any of us were mistreated.”
“I know.I really don’t want to ask her to do that, though.”Josie took a deep breath.“He didn’t even complain about supper.Someone put meat on my table, and I turned it into a soupish stewish thing.He said it was good.”
“We need to work on some cooking lessons.”
“I bought a book of receipts from the store yesterday.I’ll be coming to you with questions often.”
Myrtle grinned.“I’ll answer every one of them.”
After lunch, they all scattered.Josie was again with Sally, and they foraged together.“When we’re done today, we’re going to take the forage to Maggie’s to divide.Belle will bring us all meat for our suppers.Usually, she brings everyone the same thing, but sometimes she brings choices.”
“Since I don’t know how to cook or know what my husband enjoys, I’ll take whatever I can get and pray that I can find a receipt in my brand-new cookbook.”
Sally chuckled.“Any one of us would be happy to teach you to cook.”
“I’ll probably have Myrtle teach me,” Josie said.“She’s very talented in the kitchen!”
“And I know the two of you are very close.Do you think she’ll really start a bakery?”
Josie nodded emphatically.“Myrtle never thinks about doing something for long.She’s too eager to start whatever it is.”She had always looked up to Myrtle, and she wanted to be more like her.
“That’s so true,” Sally said, shaking her head.“She’s kind of scary sometimes, don’t you think?”
“She’s scary?I heard you grew an incredible garden, started a pig farm, and fished for salmon!”
Sally laughed.“I gave up the salmon.Agnes is taking that chore from me.”
“Still...You knew when you got here what you wanted to do.I hope I can figure out what I’ll do soon!”
“You will.Trust me.”
