Page 7 of Mail Order Mittens (Brides of Alaska #2 | Brides of Beckham #68)

B y the first snowfall , the cold house was half full of meat for the winter. Belle and the men hunted often, and Maggie would do her share by helping butcher and portion out the meat.

“Are you planning to keep hunting even though there’s snow?” Maggie asked Belle, surveying the building with pride.

“Until this little building is full, I’ll be hunting as much as I can. I feel much safer knowing that we’ll have plenty of meat for winter.”

“I wish James was open to us making meals and taking them to the lumberyard for the men for lunch. We could make more money that way. I’m working hard to save money, and that would help.”

Belle looked at Maggie. “James doesn’t like you earning money, does he?”

“He seems to be embarrassed of all I’m doing for us.

Well, he’s fine if I work with you or him to get meat ready for storage, but he doesn’t like it if I’m doing something with an intent to make money.

I asked him why it’s all right for you and not for me, but he simply said it was because Everett doesn’t need you to, which makes no sense.

Does he mean that he needs me to make money but still doesn’t want me to do it? ”

“I will never understand a man’s mind,” Belle said, shaking her head. “I wish I could explain it.”

“Me too,” Maggie said, following Belle back to the cabin. “What do you want to do for the rest of the afternoon? Do you need to rest?”

Belle laughed. “When have you known me to need rest?”

“Well, you are resting for two now...”

“I get plenty of rest. I want to get the pair of mittens I’m working on done before it’s time to make supper. I’d love it if you stayed and kept me company.”

“I brought the shirts I’m making for James, hoping there would be time to work on them. It’s so much easier to have someone to speak with while I work.”

“I think so too,” Belle said. “And it feels so much less like work and more like fun.”

Two hours later, Maggie folded the second shirt. “Finally done. I need to iron them, but I’ll do that in the morning before I come over.”

“I’m just about finished as well. What are you planning to bake in the morning?”

“I’ve been pondering that. I think I’m going to make a few small sponge cakes and a dozen loaves of bread, ten to sell, and two for James and myself.”

“Sounds good. If you’re doing cakes, I’ll bake a few pies. Then everyone can be happy.”

“Do you really think we can ever make everyone happy?”

Belle laughed. “Probably not. But we can try!”

“Do you think fresh butter would sell? I need to churn some, and I’d rather make a big batch.”

“I’m sure it will. I haven’t tried yet, but I’ve thought about it.” Belle paused. “What are you planning for the money you’re earning?”

“There’s something James wants to purchase but doesn’t have the money for. I’m hoping I can make up the difference.”

Belle looked curious, but she didn’t ask more. “I should start supper,” she said.

Maggie got to her feet. “I need to do the same. I think I’ll make your duck and dumplings receipt.”

“I never thought it would catch on, but we certainly enjoy it!”

As Maggie bundled up for the walk home, she couldn’t help but wonder how James would react when she presented him with a large sum of money. It would take her a while, she knew, but the baked goods were sold at a premium, and she knew it was only a matter of time.

On her walk home, she envisioned how excited James would be that he could buy his way back into the lumber business.

Of course, he could also be upset with her for earning money when he’d asked her not to.

Either way, she would make it work for them.

Because everything she did was to help them both.

As soon as she was home, she rekindled the fire in the stove and stoked the fireplace. She waited until the air was warmer before removing her coat. She was surprised at how cold she was. She’d grown up in Massachusetts, which was one of the coldest states, but this was so much colder.

When it was warm enough, she began the process of boiling the duck for dumplings.

The ducks that had stayed for the winter—she had seen some fly south—all seemed to be extra plump and perfect for eating.

James had shot several with a bow and arrow the previous weekend, and she was making the most of having fresh poultry.

By the time James arrived home for the day, the cabin was warm and their meal was ready, the savory aroma filling the room.

“Something smells delicious!” James said as he removed his coat, hat, scarf, and mittens.

He’d already kicked off his boots and left them on the doorstep as he did every day.

He would bring them in and put them in front of the fire before breakfast, and they would be warmed before it was time for him to leave for work.

“I’m making Belle’s receipt for duck and dumplings. It’s my first time to try it, so if it’s not perfect, you can’t get angry!”

“I don’t get angry when you do something less than perfect.” He kissed her nose before moving on to wash his hands.

“Supper will be ready in a minute or two. How was work?” she asked.

“Busy. I was out cutting down trees today, but I’ll be back in the sawmill tomorrow.” He sank down into one of the kitchen chairs. “Everett felt the need to have wood in his hands, so he worked the sawmill today.”

“I know he doesn’t feel like he can work there often. He must finally be caught up with his bookwork.”

James shook his head. “There’s no such thing as being caught up with bookwork, but he said he couldn’t spend another minute cooped up in the office. Sometimes I like to be out cutting wood, so it all works out.”

“Does he ever have you help with the bookwork?” she asked.

James shook his head. “I did over the summer, but that’s the only time since I started working for him. I used to be the one to do all the bookwork.”

“Is it hard to work for an operation you were once part-owner of?”

“Sometimes. It’s good that Everett and I get along so well. If we didn’t, it would be much harder.”

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to save enough money for you to buy your share back.”

He looked at her for a moment, narrowing his eyes. “You mean, hopefully I will be able to save enough. I’m not using your money.”

She nodded, not being willing to have the same old argument again. There was no point to her making money if he wasn’t going to use it. She’d find a way.

That night, she lay awake long after he’d gone to sleep. She wished he would understand that she was going to earn money regardless, and he might as well use it for things they needed.

*****

T HE MORNING OF HIS birthday, Maggie made certain she was up early to make James his favorite breakfast. She had a package wrapped in brown paper next to his plate at the table, and when he saw it, his eyes widened. “How did you know it was my birthday?” He knew they’d never discussed it.

She grinned at him. “Belle told me.”

“I didn’t know Belle knew my birthday!”

“I’m sure Everett told her. Open it!”

He carefully untied the string holding the package closed and looked at the contents of the gift. “Shirts? You made me shirts?”

She nodded. “Do you like them?”

He shook one out and looked at it, immediately standing, stripping off the shirt he was wearing, and putting the new one on. “It fits perfectly.”

“I used an old shirt with holes in it for a pattern. It was tucked away at the bottom of your drawer. I thought if you’d worn it that much, you must like the fit.”

He walked to her and leaned down to kiss her softly. “I love it. Thank you.”

“I’m glad! When I purchased the fabric to make them, Belle told me your birthday was coming up, so I waited to give them to you until your birthday.”

“Where did you get the money for the fabric?” he asked.

“I had some money when I arrived,” she said honestly. She didn’t bother to tell him that she had used money she earned from her baking for the shirts. Why would she? She knew how he felt about her earning money.

“I wish you hadn’t used your own money. You’re always welcome to put things we need on our account at the store.”

“I’ll remember that.” She had to bite her tongue and remind herself that she wasn’t going to argue with him on his birthday. “Sit down! I made eggs, bacon, and pancakes for breakfast. You told me once that was your favorite breakfast.”

She poured each of them a cup of coffee and carried their plates to the table. She’d already filled them. “What are you doing at work today?” she asked.

“It’s a mill day for me. There’s an order due tomorrow, and Everett is in a mood, worried we won’t have it done on time. He gets like this with every large order we get.”

“Do you know why?”

James shrugged. “He likes to control everything. When it was just the two of us, it was easier for him. We would get the trees cut and fill the orders together. Now, he feels like he’s relying on everyone else, and it doesn’t work well for him. It makes him uptight.”

“I can understand that. If you’re used to taking care of everything yourself, it must be strange to have that power taken away from you.”

“I guess.” James shrugged. “I wish I could help him remain calm with it all, but I don’t know how. I simply do the job he tells me to do, and I get it done as quickly as I can.”

“Do you think you’ll need to work late?” she asked, wondering about supper.

“Probably. Expect me when you see me, and not a minute before.”

“I’ll probably make a soup that can simmer on the stove until you get here then. Does that work for you?”

“Hot food after a day of working in the cold? That works just fine for me.”

After he’d left, Maggie cleaned up after their meal and did her daily baking before setting out for Belle’s cabin. When she arrived, Belle looked pale. “Are you all right?” Maggie asked.

“Morning sickness. I’ll be fine for a week or two, but then it hits again.”

“Is there anything I can do?” Maggie felt helpless as she looked at her friend.

“No, I’ll be fine in an hour or two. My baking is done. Maybe you could make two trips to the store this morning? One with your items to sell, and one with mine? That’ll give me time for the ginger tea to calm my stomach.”

“All right. I’ll be back in a bit.”

Maggie took her own baskets of goodies to the store first. She’d never gone in alone, and it felt strange.

The men were crowded around, wondering what she’d brought as usual. “Where’s Mrs. Thompson?” one asked.

“She’s not feeling well this morning. I’ll bring what she made in a bit,” Maggie responded, feeling particularly brave for talking to the men without Belle at her side.

She carried her baskets to the counter where Katie was waiting to see what she’d brought. “Muffins?” Katie asked. “We haven’t had muffins in a long while. I’m sure the men will enjoy these.” As she pulled loaves of bread from the basket, she continued. “What’s wrong with Belle?”

“Morning sickness. She says she’ll be good for a week or two, and then it starts up again.”

“The worse the morning sickness, the better chance the baby will be all right,” Katie said, repeating something Maggie had heard many women say.

“Is there a doctor or midwife here?” Maggie asked, realizing for the first time she didn’t know who would deliver Belle’s baby, or her own when the time came.

“I’ll be her midwife,” Katie said. “I worked with a midwife in Washington before we moved here.”

“Oh, that’s good. I was worried I’d need to do it, and I have no idea what’s involved.”

Katie laughed. “Don’t you worry. I’ll be there for her, and for you when it’s your time.”

“Glad to hear it!” Maggie watched as Katie made a note on the ledger she kept for her. “I’m going to hurry back to Belle and bring her baked goods next.”

“I’ll see you again in a few minutes then.”

Maggie hurried back to Belle, realizing it had started to snow while she was in the store. She loved snow. She loved how the world smelled right before the snow started. She loved how the world looked covered in snow. It seemed early in the year for snow, but that was all right by her.

Belle was still sitting at the table, looking paler than ever when Maggie arrived. “Are you certain I can’t do anything to help you?”

“Just take what I made. And the eggs. Take the eggs.”

“How about some dry toast when I get back?”

“That sounds perfect.”

Maggie walked back to the store, realizing the snow was coming down harder. She hoped she wouldn’t have to stay inside, but it seemed like this snow might become a full-fledged blizzard.

After dropping everything at the store, she carried Belle’s empty baskets to her cabin. “Toast?” she asked as she walked in.

Belle was on her feet. “No need. It’s passed. Thankfully, it doesn’t last long when it hits. I remember my mother when she was pregnant with my younger siblings. If she woke up sick, it lasted all day long.”

“That sounds terrible,” Maggie said. “Maybe I don’t want children after all.”

Belle laughed. “It’ll be worth it. I’m sure of it.”

They spent most of the day in the quiet of Belle’s cabin, working on various projects.

Belle worked on making more hats and mittens for the store to sell, while Maggie worked on making a tiny gown for Belle’s baby.

She felt like she should be making money, but she wanted her friend’s baby to be well-dressed.

It was tough trying to decide what she should do.

All through the day, it snowed. By the time it was time to head home to cook supper, Maggie was a little worried about the walk to her cabin. “I hope the snow hasn’t gotten too deep to walk through.”

“You should have James make you some snowshoes,” Belle commented.

“That’s a good idea. I’ll talk to him about it tonight.” She pulled on her coat, scarf, hat, and mittens. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Be careful walking home. And if it doesn’t look safe to be out in the morning, stay home. I’d rather spend our days together, but not if you’re going to get stuck in the snow.”

“I’ll be careful.” With that, Maggie started the short trek home, feeling a bit like she was walking in a land of fairies with all the snow. The only thing that kept her from feeling like it was truly magical was how cold she was. Winter was going to be difficult.