Page 27 of Mail Order Marvelous
“I—” The words stuck in her throat.She closed her eyes, trying to get past the terror, but it was there, and it wouldn’t go away.
Jack wanted to hold her, to see the calm enter her eyes when she realized he wasn’t going to get violent, but he could see that she wouldn’t handle him getting that close to her.“I’m going to step outside for a bit to give you time to get calm.Don’t worry about supper.We’ll just have hardtack and jerky.”
She heard the door close behind him, and she collapsed into one of the chairs at the table, burying her face in her hands.She didn’t know if she was more frightened or embarrassed.Jack wouldn’t hit her.Deep down, she knew that to be true.But how could she be completely certain?
When Jack came back inside a few minutes later, Josie was breathing normally again.“I’m sorry,” she said as soon as he had closed the door behind him.“I know you’re not like my stepfather.”
“No, I’m not, but it’s understandable that you’d be afraid.I’m sorry to have caused that.”Deep down, though, he was disappointed.They’d been married for six months, and he had never laid a hand on her in anger.How could she think he would hit her?Especially since she was pregnant!
“Did your stepfather hit your mother when she was expecting?”he asked.
Josie nodded.“After the first time, he did.He was always afraid she’d have another girl, and he tried to beat it out of her.At least that’s what he yelled while he was hitting her.”
“I would be just as happy with a girl as I would with a boy,” Jack said softly.“I like the idea of a little girl who could wrap me around her little finger.”
She smiled.“I don’t think it matters if it’s a boy or a girl.They’ll wrap you around their little finger no matter what.”
“Very true.”Jack hugged her tightly.“We’re going to get past your fears.We’ll do it together.”
“I never saw you angry before tonight.”Josie closed her eyes.“It startled me.”
“I know.It’ll be fine.You keep working with Myrtle, and I’ll trust you to know your limits.”
“That sounds very fair.”She rested her forehead against his shoulder.“I’m tired of drinking spruce tea.I don’t like the taste.How much longer do we have to drink it?”
“What I’ve always heard is we drink it until the river runs clear...so no more ice.”
“Are you sure it’s good for me?”
“It is supposed to prevent scurvy, which is not good for you, so yes, I’m sure.”
“All right.Spruce tea with breakfast every day.How about muffins for breakfast in the morning?Myrtle taught me how to make them with dried berries.”
“Sounds good to me.”He kissed her softly.“I’m sorry I frightened you.”
“You did nothing wrong.I’m sorry, I was frightened!”
*****
The bakery had beenopen for a month before Josie and Myrtle got into a good rhythm.Myrtle hid two desserts and two loaves of bread before they opened every day to make sure they each had a dessert and bread for their suppers.
One morning, Myrtle was late, and Josie started the soup.It was the one thing she felt competent doing while waiting for her friend.When Myrtle arrived and saw that the huge pot was already filled with soup, she smiled.“Thank you!I overslept this morning.I don’t think I’ve ever overslept in my life!”Myrtle shook her head.“I’ll start the bread now.Hopefully, we’ll have enough food ready before we open at eleven.”
Josie helped with the baking for the first time that morning, taking over the dessert-making.Thankfully, Myrtle had planned cobbler and pie for the day.They were the only desserts Josie felt she could make, even with Myrtle right there giving advice.
When they opened, there was the usual rush of men into the bakery.Josie watched as the first customer took a big bite of the soup she’d made.When he didn’t spit it out and took another bite, she knew she’d done something right.
When there was a short lull between customers, Josie cleaned the tables and put one more pot of soup on.They usually went through at least four pots per day.One would cook while another was served, and when the first was emptied, they would start a third.It worked well for them.
To Josie’s surprise, Katie came by for lunch that day.“Katie!What can I get for you?”Josie asked.
“I’ve been hearing about your delicious soup all day, so I thought I’d stop in and try some.”Katie grinned.“And I need a loaf of bread, of course.What desserts do you have today?”
“We have mixed berry cobbler and blueberry pie.Any preference?”Josie asked.
“I’ll take a cobbler.Is it the kind with the sugar cookie crust?”Katie asked.
“It’s the only kind I know how to make!”
