Page 7 of Mail Order Meeting
“It’s dried and salted cod.My mother served it at least three times per week.She and Father grew up eating it in Norway, so she fed it to us.”
“That doesn’t sound appetizing.I will not be serving that anytime soon.”
He chuckled.“It’s an acquired taste.And don’t worry, I won’t ask you to make it.”
“I’m glad!What other foods did your mother fix?”
“Lefse is one of my favorite dishes from childhood.It’s a flatbread made with potatoes and flour and other things I’m not sure about.If you’d be willing to make it, I’ll write my mother and ask for the receipt!”
She nodded.“I would enjoy that!I like trying new receipts.”
“And I’d love a little taste of home.”
“You still think of Minnesota as home?”she asked.
He nodded.“I mean, I plan to stay in Alaska for the rest of my life, but Minnesota has such fond memories for me.My parents loved us so much.”
“Us?”she asked.“How many siblings do you have?”
He grinned.“I’m the oldest.I have four brothers and six sisters.”
Her eyes widened.“I’m not sure I want that many children.”
He chuckled.“I know I don’t.So many mouths to feed.So much work!I will love whatever children we do have, but let’s stop before we reach eleven.”
“I think I can do that.”
He reached out and grasped her hand.“I’m glad you’re here.”
“I am too.”She hadn’t been sure she’d made the right decision, but sitting with him, her hand in his, she knew she had.He was a good man.How could she not be content?
“What are your plans for tomorrow?”he asked.
“Hunting.And I’ll probably do more work around the house.”
“Sounds good to me.Will you see your friends?”
“We are supposed to meet up at Maggie’s for lunch every day.Then if there needs to be a change in plans, we can do whatever we need to do.”She shrugged.“I have a feeling I’ll have to forage some, but really, all I want to do is hunt!”She shook her head.“My parents wouldn’t recognize me if they saw me.Their little debutante hunting.They wouldnotapprove!”
“Do you miss your life with your parents?”
She thought about it for a moment.“Not really.I didn’t enjoy all the ball gowns or not being able to go out alone.Sometimes I miss the security of knowing there will always be food on the table and a clean bed to sleep in.My life is different since I left home, but it’s a good life.Especially now that I’m not cleaning hotel rooms or serving tables...or cooking for fifty people.”
“As long as you don’t yearn for that life, I think you’ll be just fine.”
Lula nodded.“I think I’ll be content living here with you.”
“I certainly hope so.I plan to live a joyous life with my beautiful bride and our fifteen children!”Sebastian said.
“Uh...no.Don’t even joke about that!”
He laughed heartily.“Are you sure you don’t want fifteen?”
“Positive.”
