Page 16 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
And now she faced the challenge of dinner. After that, supper. And then breakfast again. Not to mention all the other things that suddenly loomed. When Sylvia had explained the work, it had sounded simple enough. Even when she read the warnings in Riley’s letters, she had scoffed. She could do anything she put her mind to.
She squared her shoulders and sucked in a breath, coughing from the lingering smoke. It was time to prove her ability. Facing the uncooperative stove, she rolled up her sleeves. First, she washed dishes, cleaned the kitchen, and then examined the supplies in the pantry. Sylvia had written out a handful of recipes for her and she found them. Stew sounded easy, especially with a jar of canned meat. According to the directions she had only to prepare a variety of vegetables and add them to the pot along with the meat. Simple.
But her insides quivered with uncertainty.
Knowing the way to calm herself, she sat at the piano and began to play. In a pause between chords, she noticed the sound of voices outside the house. Did she have callers? She pulled open the door. Honor and Gwen stood there, baskets in hand. They both drew back as if startled by her appearance.
Honor was the first to recover. “Good morning.”
Gwen added, “We were enjoying the music.”
“Thank you.”
“We wanted to welcome you.” Gwen was the spokesperson. “I’m sure there are many things you need to have explained so ask us anything.”
Honor nodded. “Ask us anythin’.”
“I can barely cook so I might have many questions.”
Honor’s eyes widened. “Ya didn’t cook back at yer home?”
Olivia shook her head.
Honor continued. “I’ve been preparin’ meals since I could walk.”
Olivia was impressed and also dismayed. She spoke to Gwen. “Have you as well?”
“I cared for my brother for a number of years until he married.”
“Your experience makes me feel very inadequate.” She’d already learned that cooking wasn’t as easy as Sylvia made her think. How long would it take for her to gain a degree of skill in that area?
They both assured her she would learn. She thanked them, promising herself she’d accept all the help she could get.
“And neither of us can play the piano.”
Olivia heard the longing in Gwen’s voice. “I’ll play for you anytime if you’ll help me learn to cook.”
“It’s a deal.”
The three of them grinned at each other, pleased with their arrangement.
“Come with us to the garden and we’ll start lessons.” Gwen drew Olivia outside.
Olivia accompanied them to the fenced-in area that contained row after row of plants. “It’s very large.”
“’Tis God’s bounty for us.” Honor’s eyes held a gleam that Olivia took to be appreciative.
“There are a lot of people to feed.” Gwen plucked a bean and examined it.
Honor moved down the row. “There’s a good pickin’ here.” She turned back to Olivia. “We need enough to see us all through the winter.”
Olivia gulped. “You mean…?” They had to depend on their own resources for food? It was an overwhelming thought.
“We preserve as much as we can.” Gwen squatted down and began to pull beans from the vines. “We dry some, pickle other things, and can a good amount. And of course, there is a large root cellar.”
Very well. She could learn. “Tell me what to do.” Olivia learned how to know if the beans were ready to pick. She learned which plants were weeds. She pulled a carrot, wiped it on a rag, and ate it, discovering the joy of freshness. More than that, she learned that Honor and Gwen were willing to be her friends and allies.
Kit and Lindy joined them, each carrying a half-grown cat. A black and white dog waited for the children outside the gate.
