“I hate it.I hate most womanly pursuits.I’m good at them, because I’ve been forced to be by my job at the hotel, but I’d rather carry a rifle and stomp around in the mud.”
He laughed heartily at that.“At least you’re honest.”
“What is your favorite food?”she asked.
He frowned, thinking about it.“Growing up my favorite foods were beans and oatmeal.Now that I’ve eaten one of them for almost every meal for the past five years, they’re not quite as appealing.I think I’d say roast.And I loved the rabbit stew last night.I do like meat.”
“Good,” she said.“Because I like bringing it home, even if I don’t enjoy cooking it.”She paused for a moment.“How would you feel about a cold house like Belle has for storing meat?Would you mind building one on your property?”
“It’sourproperty,” he said.“But I think that would be a good idea.You wouldn’t have to go as far for your meat.”
“It’s not just that...if we have our own, then it wouldn’t be a problem for me to hunt and sell the meat.I’d need a place to keep it before taking it to Katie.I don’t want to have to go into town right after a hunt.”
He nodded slowly.“Talk to Belle about it tomorrow, but I’m all for the idea.”
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“For what?”
“For letting me be me.”
Chapter Four
After lunch the followingday, Belle and Lula set out to find a deer or two.As they walked away from Maggie’s cabin, Lula brought up her idea.“What would you think if I sold some of the meat I shot?”she asked.
Belle nodded.“I wondered if you’d want to do that.With me being the only person hunting, it didn’t make sense to share what we badly needed for winter.But with you hunting as well, and with as skilled as you are, I think it’s a good idea.We’ll sell peltsandmeat.”
“I know it’s strange, but I don’t feel as if I’m contributing the way I should since I’m only providing meat for our group’s meals.I’d feel better if I were selling something as well.”
“I don’t blame you.I felt like I needed to do a ton when I got here, and I’ve narrowed down what I feel the need to do.But I have a baby now as well.”Belle smiled.“I think you should do it.But only after we have enough meat for the winter.”
“Sebastian told me last night that he’d build me a cold house like yours,” Lula said.
“All the men will get together and do that.They build all the buildings we ask for.If wood is needed, Everett usually donates the lumber as well.”
“I haven’t been inside your cold house.Will we need wood for it?”
