Page 36 of Family Forever
Chapter Ten
Marissa heard Dylan and his brothers stirring about in the kitchen. She rolled over and glanced at the clock, it read 4:30 AM. They were crazy, getting up this early to forge out into the cold to go hunting.
The next time she glanced at the clock it was 8:00 AM. She rolled out of bed and strolled into the kitchen where she found Bob, Mitzi, and Luke sitting at the table eating breakfast.
“Can I make you some eggs, dear?” Mitzi asked, a wide smile spanning her face as she rose from her chair.
“No, that’s okay. I’m going to just have some toast and coffee.”
Mitzi sat back down.
Marissa sat across from Mitzi and Luke and ate her breakfast.
“The girls and I are going to town to do a little shopping. They’re getting ready right now. We would love for you to join us.”
Marissa glanced at Luke.
“Bob will stay with Luke,” Mitzi offered before Marissa even said anything. “Come with us, we’d like to spend some time with you.”
How could she refuse that? She’d like to get to know them better as well.
Traffic in town was heavy but after driving down Main Street for the third time they were lucky enough to find a parking spot. They filed out of the vehicle and began hitting all the unique little shops. Inside one of the few clothing stores on Main Street, Bianca and Jessica loaded their arms with clothes and headed for the dressing room. Eyeing the price tags, there was nothing in this store Marissa could afford.
Mitzi was eyeing the beautiful racks of sweaters and then shot a glance over her shoulder at her. “Marissa, why don’t you pick out a couple and try them on?”
“Oh, no, that’s okay.” It didn’t pay for her to even look at them.
Mitzi spun and stepped toward her. “Please, pick out a couple, my treat.”
Marissa opened her mouth to protest but Mitzi cut her off before any words escaped her mouth. “No arguing, I insist. Now hop to it.”
Marissa couldn’t help but wonder if Jessica and Bianca had a clue as to how lucky they were to have a mother like Mitzi. Her love for her daughters shone with every breath she took, and every move she made. What little Marissa could remember of her own mother told her that had she lived she would have been very much like Mitzi in that respect. She imagined Dylan’s mother was the same way as well. The sadness she saw in Dylan’s eyes every time he spoke of his mother only reinforced her assumption.
They loaded their bags into Mitzi’s car, freeing their arms for more packages, as they hit the rest of the shops on Main Street. Then Mitzi treated them to lunch.
During lunch Mitzi got a call from Braden, letting her know he got a six point buck and that he and Dylan were just about ready to start skinning it in the garage. Mitzi disconnected the call. “Well girls, it looks like we have some work to do when we get back to the house.”
Jessica grimaced and groaned.
“Oh, it won’t kill you.”
“I know, but it’s just so gross,” Jessica replied to her mother.
Marissa wondered exactly what they were talking about.
Mitzi zoned in on her. “Have you ever pressure cooked venison?”
“No.”
“Well today is your lucky day, I’ll teach you how.”
“I thought Dylan was the one who canned all those vegetables and meat in the basement.”
Mitzi smiled. “He does, but since I’m here I’ll help him out so he can enjoy his hunt with his brothers. It’s not hard to do, it just takes so much time to cut meat up and pressure cook each batch, and then grind and mix whatever amount he needs for burger. We’ll stop at the meat market on our way home and pick up some pork to mix in with the venison.”
Mitzi parked in the driveway, and they all filed out of the car. They unloaded most of the packages from the trunk and headed toward the garage service door.
Jessica threw a glance over her shoulder. “Marissa, word to the wise, don’t breathe through your nose when we pass through the garage, it’s going to reek, especially if they are still skinning the deer. The stench will be enough to choke a horse.”
