Page 5 of Mail Order Meeting
“That’s perfect,” he responded as he closed the door behind him.
Lula made short work of the dishes before fetching more water from the well.She had to look around to find it, but it was only a short distance from the house.Sebastian had been kind enough to fill a pail of water for her the night before, so she could use it for cooking or dishes.
While the water boiled for laundry, she stripped the bed and picked up the small pile of clothes from the corner of the room.It was strange to her how tidy Sebastian was.In her experience, men were not creatures who cleaned.Of course, she only had experience with two men in a home environment, but the men at the hotel had routinely left their rooms looking like a tornado had hit them.
When it was time to meet the others, she’d already hung the laundry on the line, scrubbed the floors of the cabin, and made a list of supplies to buy from Mrs.Johnson.
On her walk to the store, she looked around her at the beautiful mountains in the distance, the wooded area, and the wildlife scurrying around.This was definitely a place she could see herself living happily for the rest of her life.
She reached the store and met up with the friends who had traveled with her as well as Belle.They all decided to head to Maggie’s house for lunch to discuss the business and whether each wanted to be involved.
“Give me a minute,” Lula said to the others.“I need to get some supplies if I want to be able to cook supper tonight.”
Lula purchased basic staples, but when she started to ask for meat, Belle shook her head.“We’ve got meat covered.”
Lula’s heart sank.Did that mean she wouldn’t be able to hunt?She certainly hoped not.
She asked that her purchases be delivered, and Mrs.Johnson nodded.“I’ll have Mr.Johnson take care of that this afternoon.”
Lula frowned.“Mr.Johnson is the pastor,andhe delivers groceries?”
“He’s not really the pastor yet because we don’t have a church.He’ll deliver.”Mrs.Johnson smiled.
“Oh, Sebastian said to put this on his account.”
“That’s not how I do things with the ladies here.You all bring me things that help me make a bigger profit.I’ll set up an account in your name for you to use going forward.Trust me.It will work better this way.”
Lula nodded slowly.When she’d been married before, even after knowing her, no one would give her credit.She felt fortunate if they’d allow her to buy from them.Now she was offered it with one day’s acquaintance?How odd.
Lula walked with the others to Maggie’s house.Lunch had been prepared, and they all sat down to eat and discuss business strategies.
As soon as Belle mentioned needing help hunting, Lula jumped at the chance.“I would love to help with hunting.That’s the task I was hoping for.”
Belle grinned at Lula.“Wonderful!I don’t mind hunting at all, but I have to spend time with the baby, and it will be good to have some of that burden off me.”
That afternoon, Belle and Lula headed out with bows and arrows.“Bullets cost too much to ship here,” Belle explained.“We only use rifles when we’re hunting bear.”
“I see,” Lula said.“I’ve used both arrows and bullets.I’ll hunt with whatever you want me to hunt with.I’m also a good trapper.”
“I’m so excited you’re here!”Belle said.“Everett hunts on the weekends, but we need a steady supply of meat.Not only for our current needs but for the winter as well.”
“Do we salt and dry it for winter?”Lula asked.
Belle grinned.“No.I have a cold house.”
“What?”Lula asked.She’d never heard of such a thing.
“You don’t have to dig deep to reach frost here, even in the summer months.So, Everett and James, Maggie’s husband, dug a small area, and then they piled rocks all around it.Everything stays frozen even in summer.It’s wonderful!”
“And we keep all the meat for eight families there?”
“There were only four families yesterday!”Belle said.“And Sally has a cold house too.We use mine primarily, and hers is used as overflow.The more we have in each cold house, the better.You’ll see.”
Lula saw something move out of the corner of her eye, and she immediately pivoted, nocked her arrow, and killed a rabbit.“Stew,” Lula said softly.“I’m having rabbit stew for supper.”
Belle laughed.“That sounds delicious.”
They continued to walk and talk, watching for any wildlife.Before they were out of time, they had twenty-three rabbits between them.
